suggestions on a CPU...never build a computer before...

[naknak]

I've never really built a computer before, so I am looking for suggestions on a few parts...one of them being the CPU.

There are so many CPU makes and models out there, I'm not quite sure where I should start looking. Basically, I have a few daily tasks here...

Work:
* Need to be able to run multiple programs simultaneously that are CPU intensive (open word, excel, powerpoint, photoshop, along with other company software that are does alot of analytical work)

Leisure:
* watch TV (record possibly)
* watch movies
* play vid games

I really do not want to spend too much money on some feature that I may never tap into.

Does anyone have any good suggestions on where I should begin looking? (specs, speed, brand, model, etc?) Thanks!

 

[naknak]

just an additional task I'd do every now and then...not sure if it would make a difference.

I do like to edit videos every now and then.

 

[halbhh]

Another area of the forums is called "General Homebuilt" under the Hardware area. Tom's also has articles about building in which they give example computer configurations. Recently for media and gaming configurations there were the "System Builder Marathon", which had 4 days of articles. (use the search) These are decent reading to get some background. [Tom's search funtion sucks though], in the thread nearby with 3700 in the title, there's a link to "day 4" which has gaming configurations

Knowing what the emphasis/use of your computer will allow you to configure it effectively for the particular use, like gaming, or general multitasking, video recording and playback, etc.

 

[halbhh]

Tom's Hardware is a maze now. Here's a good link for you:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/howtodiy/

by the way, Intel has price cuts on July 22, and AMD also (same day?, don't know). You can search out those future prices for comparison.

 

[gattsuru]

Well, a lot of it really depends on how much you're willing to pay, and how much you'll think you'll use.

For example, in the CPU market, the trick is to choose the best for you. Right now, the Intel Core 2 Duo series, socket LGA 775 is really ruling the roost for CPUs when it comes to performance for the price, with the e6600 series probably being what I'd recommend. That said, the Core 2 Duo series is relatively expensive compared to many AMD offerings, and thus even the low-end e4300 may be too expensive to justify -- although note that these prices will be going down sharply on the 22nd of this month.
For cheaper alternative, for now, would be AMD's socket AM2-type X2 series in the 3600-4000 range, which has alternatives in the mid-60 USD price and may be even less expensive after the 22nd. This won't cost you as much as the e6600 (in fact, we're looking at 1/3rd to 1/4th the price) but it'll provide less than half the power. That said, the AM2 socket is probably as upgradable, if not more so, than the LGA 775, so you can take this path and upgrade to an 6000+ as prices fall in the future without needing to replace your motherboard or feel like you're wasting a CPU.

What sort of prices are you looking at for the whole thing, and do you have any components you're bringing over from your old computer (mouse, keyboard, hard drives, monitor)?

 

[halbhh]

"performance for the price" is one area C2duo is not ruling, actually. The only other area not ruled by C2duo is idle power consumption (meaningful for 24/7 computers and such). AMD has both better performance/price and power-stepping (and good overall power consumption).

 

[aevm]

Wait until July 22 if you can and you are willing to do it to save $300

Get a Q6600 CPU (US$230 after the price cuts)

Get a Hauppauge PVR-150 card, it has hardware encoding. That helps a lot when you record TV and play games or run other apps at the same time.

Windows XP Media Center is probably your best choice. XP Pro the second.

Get 2 GB of RAM, DDR2-800 preferably.

Get a quiet case, e.g. Antec P182.

Get a quiet DVD burner, e.g. LG (definitely not Benq)

Get a cooler for the CPU even if you don't overclock. Plenty of threads about this. I like Zalman 9700 but there are other excellent ones too, lots of them cheaper.

 

[naknak]

by the way, Intel has price cuts on July 22, and AMD also (same day?, don't know). You can search out those future prices for comparison.

Get a Q6600 CPU (US$230 after the price cuts)

That sounds like a good idea. I'm pretty sure I can wait until then, if not, the E6600 looked rather appealing...

Where would i be able to look at future prices after 7/22/2007?

What sort of prices are you looking at for the whole thing, and do you have any components you're bringing over from your old computer (mouse, keyboard, hard drives, monitor)?

I'm looking to spend about 800-1000 on whatever I need left to put in to a new comp. I have mouse, keyboard, CD/DVD burner, sound card (sound blaster live...i think?), monitor (47" DVI input 1080p)...and that's about it. I think I even have a floppy drive....

I think I'm missing CPU, Motherboard, Memory, Harddisks, and Tower...

 

[Daredevil_8]

Waiting for price drops for a hefty processor isnt a bad idea at all (assuming the rumors are guaranteed true )

If you'd rather upgrade now...seeing as you arent using -overly- CPU tasking programs, you could probably get away with the e6600. Get any of the newer P35 chipset motherboards for future upgradeability.

Take aevm's suggestion on OS.

Memory...get at least 2gb of probably ddr2-800. nothing too high priced.

Harddrives, for storage i'd get a nice sized Sata drive, maybe one of the newer 500gb drives. Otherwise you could get a pair of 250gb+ and set them in raid for performance.

 

[aevm]

Current prices:
QX6800 (8M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $1,199
QX6700 (8M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $999
X6800 (4M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $999
Q6600 (8M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $530
E6700 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $316
E6600 (4M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $224
E6420 (4M L2 cache 2.13 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $183
E6320 (4M L2 cache 1.86 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E4400 (2M L2 cache 2.00 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $133
E4300 (2M L2 cache 1.80 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $113

July 22
Q6700 (8M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $530
Q6600 (8M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $266
E6850 (4M L2 cache 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $266
E6750 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $183
E6550 (4M L2 cache 2.33 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E6540 (4M L2 cache 2.33 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E4500 (2M L2 cache 2.20 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $133
E4400 (2M L2 cache 2.00 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $113

You're also missing a PSU and a graphics card and a TV tuner and probably a CPU cooler. A great graphics card (not the absolute best but close to it) is the 8800 GTS, get a price for it at your favourite store. Kind of expensive but the best value for the buck these days IMO. Pick the PSU after you pick the graphics card. A good PSU will be $100 or more, in general.

 

[aevm]

Waiting for price drops for a hefty processor isnt a bad idea at all (assuming the rumors are guaranteed true )

They were true the last time, in fact the prices on newegg were dropping a week before the date announced on all the web sites. They will have to cut prices soon to make room for the Penryn/X38 products. But yeah, if it happens on August 22 instead of July 22 please don't blame me, I'm just waiting for the cuts myself

 

[elbert]

Can you OC? The X2 3600+, E4400, E6540, and Q6600 then become your best choices. For 1000 a C2D with a 8800GTS 640 is with in budget. It depends on extra options like RAID, blueray, and if you need a $100 case or a $50 case to stay on your budget.

If you go with C2D or C2Q check out he new P35 mobos.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280+107172277&Subcategory=280&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

If you go with the X2 3600+ your mobo's are below. Dont spend to much on the mobo or it kills the price advantage.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128321
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128014

For that 47" I would suggest the 8800GTS 320. Will you be needing a DVI to HDMI cable for that 47" DVI input 1080p?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=dvi%20hdmi%20cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE

 

[naknak]

um...i don't know howt to overclock. Maybe if i read enough about it here, I might give it a try. Since this is my first computer, I don't want to bite more than i can chew...

This is what I have so far from what I've seen...
CPU: E6600 (or Q6600) $250
Motherboard: Not sure yet...but i give it $250ish ?
Memory 2GB: $200
Harddrives 200GB: $150
Power supply : $100
Video Card: 8800 GTS (320 MB): $300
Tower: ? The P182SE looks amazing and it'll look super cute my room...but it's also 250 *falls over from the cost* Though the P180 Silver looks nice...but i don't know if it has that mirror finish the SE has...

1250 + Tower cost... 8O

that's about 250+Towercost over my budget

 

[Daredevil_8]

They were true the last time, in fact the prices on newegg were dropping a week before the date announced on all the web sites. They will have to cut prices soon to make room for the Penryn/X38 products. But yeah, if it happens on August 22 instead of July 22 please don't blame me, I'm just waiting for the cuts myself

Don't get me wrong..I'm definitely waiting too

 

[C26000]

you can find cheaper boards and rams, I'm buying for my new system:

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 (rev. 1.3) LGA 775 99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042

and

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 81.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

along with the E6600 and 8800GTS 320MB

 

[enewmen]

Current prices:
QX6800 (8M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $1,199
QX6700 (8M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $999
X6800 (4M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $999
Q6600 (8M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $530
E6700 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $316
E6600 (4M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $224
E6420 (4M L2 cache 2.13 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $183
E6320 (4M L2 cache 1.86 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E4400 (2M L2 cache 2.00 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $133
E4300 (2M L2 cache 1.80 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $113

July 22
Q6700 (8M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $530
Q6600 (8M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $266
E6850 (4M L2 cache 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $266
E6750 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $183
E6550 (4M L2 cache 2.33 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E6540 (4M L2 cache 2.33 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E4500 (2M L2 cache 2.20 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $133
E4400 (2M L2 cache 2.00 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $113

You're also missing a PSU and a graphics card and a TV tuner and probably a CPU cooler. A great graphics card (not the absolute best but close to it) is the 8800 GTS, get a price for it at your favourite store. Kind of expensive but the best value for the buck these days IMO. Pick the PSU after you pick the graphics card. A good PSU will be $100 or more, in general.

Good list.
Is the Yorkfield (or any Intel 45nm chip) too far away to be priced now?

 

[naknak]

one thing I'm kinda worried about is whether the motherboard will hold the thick video card... @_@ i've never seen a vid card so bulky before...but on the other hand...the last time i looked inside a computer for parts was aeons ago...

 

[aevm]

Motherboards have standard size PCI-E slots, so I wouldn't worry about that part. I would worry about fitting a card like the 8800 GTX in the case (tower, whatever) because a lot of cases are too small. The 8800 GTS is smaller and safe, so relax :lol:

@enewmen: yeah, I couldn't find any price indication for the 45nm CPUs, too early. Just guessing there will be a Penryn Quad Extreme between $999 and $1199 which is worth it only if you desperately need to impress some girl, and something around $600 that will be really worth buying, and a bunch of cheaper ones.

 

[naknak]

so i really really have my eyes set on that p182se antec case with the mirror finish T_T...do you think it'll fit? case says it's 8.1" wide...the card says it's about 10 cm wide...theoretically it should fit, unless the motherboad doesn't sit next to the side panel?

 

[easyg]

Current prices:
QX6800 (8M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $1,199
QX6700 (8M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $999
X6800 (4M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $999
Q6600 (8M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $530
E6700 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $316
E6600 (4M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $224
E6420 (4M L2 cache 2.13 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $183
E6320 (4M L2 cache 1.86 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E4400 (2M L2 cache 2.00 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $133
E4300 (2M L2 cache 1.80 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $113

July 22
Q6700 (8M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $530
Q6600 (8M L2 cache 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm) $266
E6850 (4M L2 cache 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $266
E6750 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $183
E6550 (4M L2 cache 2.33 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E6540 (4M L2 cache 2.33 GHz 1333 MHz FSB 65nm) $163
E4500 (2M L2 cache 2.20 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $133
E4400 (2M L2 cache 2.00 GHz 800 MHz FSB 65nm) $113

You're also missing a PSU and a graphics card and a TV tuner and probably a CPU cooler. A great graphics card (not the absolute best but close to it) is the 8800 GTS, get a price for it at your favourite store. Kind of expensive but the best value for the buck these days IMO. Pick the PSU after you pick the graphics card. A good PSU will be $100 or more, in general.

Looking at this list and comparing it to AMD's new pricing is kinda interesting. For instance, up to this point, the X2 6000+ has been competing against the E6700 at a price point of ~$300. But after both companies' price cuts go into effect, the top of the line Athlon cpu competes against the brandnew E6850 at 3GHz and the quadcore Q6600 at 2.4GHz. And clearly, at that price point, the Athlon is not such a super sensational bargain anymore.

AMD will have to slash prices again to keep the price-performance edge, methinks.

 

[aevm]

I read somewhere that AMD will cut its prices by 20% in July. Frankly, I wish them good luck because I kind of like having two CPU companies around. The E6850 will be very hard to beat though, at that price.

BTW, I read that Intel will start making discrete graphics cards in 2008. OK, they will target the $300 area first, but still, good news, isn't it

 

[aevm]

so i really really have my eyes set on that p182se antec case with the mirror finish T_T...do you think it'll fit? case says it's 8.1" wide...the card says it's about 10 cm wide...theoretically it should fit, unless the motherboad doesn't sit next to the side panel?

Wow, that case has 92% of reviewers giving it 5 stars at newegg. Nice...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129026
There's a reviewer there who says he fit an 8800 GTX in that case. The GTS is smaller. It should fit all right.

You do realize you'll have to keep a soft cloth nearby and clean the fingerprints often, right?

 

[naknak]

You do realize you'll have to keep a soft cloth nearby and clean the fingerprints often, right?

soft cloth...check...
windex w/o ammonia...check...
p182se tower...uncheck

it's like a huge iPod...

 

[enewmen]

the new proc price when they come out should take over the highest proc price available now. within ~200 dollar range
so if the highest proc price now is 1000 dollars the new 45nm parts will be within 200 dollars of 1000
if we use history as a guide for this

I was hoping the CPUs will be closer to reality than using history as a guide.
Oh well.

 

[jpbg]

for what you got in mind get nothing else but the e7200 only 129 dollars on newegg.com and its amazing