Advice on a new CPU/mobo...

[Drudge]

Hi all,

I currently have the following:

AMD 64 3800+ Dual Core
GeForce 8800 GTX
2 gig DDR400
Soundblaster Audigy2
150 gig Raptor

Obviously, the weak part of this is my CPU/mobo. Can someone please recommend a new CPU/mobo/RAM setup for me at or under $600? I am an avid PC Gamer and I want this thing to be able to handle any game I throw at it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Wolfshadw]

Intel Core2Duo E6750 - $200
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $95
A-Data 2GB (2x1024) DDR2-800 - $73

Total $368 + S&H

-Wolf sends

 

[chookman]

Intel
Asus p5k-e wifi $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131182R

Intel Q6600 $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Patriot DDR2 2x1gb 800mhz $101
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220144

Total $541

AMD
ASUS CROSSHAIR AM2 NVIDIA $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131593R

AMD x2 6000+ $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 800mhz $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227

Total $595

IMO id go with intel Core2 better performance ATM. If you want SLI go with a 680i chipset. I like Asus but Gigabyte have good mainboard also. If you can wait a month or so might be worth while getting an x38 intel chipset that support pci-e2.0 and full speed slots.

 

[Drudge]

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6850 - Retail
$299.99

1 Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$101.99

1 BFG Tech BFGRINF680iLTS LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$179.99

Grand Total: $581.97

How does this look? I'm not really one of those waiting types as there always seems like there is something new coming around the corner. If one waits for the next best thing, you'd be waiting forever as there is always something better coming. If that makes any sense, hehe.

 

[chookman]

yeh i just think with the x38 so close it maybe worth it. some places i believe are already taking pre-orders.

The e6850 is the top dual core honcho i suggested the q6600 for a bit more future proof and still OCable to the e6850's speed. up to you

Not a big fan of BFG for mainboards but as again your choice me personally would stick too asus or gigabyte

Good luck with it

 

[systemlord]

Any Core 2 Duo E6600 or better will make that 8800GTX scream!

 

[Drudge]

As far as x38 goes, what exactly is my main benefits over current chipsets, other than support for DDR3 memory, which will be ridiculously expensive for at least the next year?

It also seems to be questionable about SLI support which I most definitely want the option for.

I'm not sure waiting for x38 will really provide much performance benefits over what is available now.

Can anyone add to this?

 

[chookman]

The main 2 things that x38 will bring is the introduction of PCI-e 2.0 which will have theoretically double the bandwidth available of PCI-e 1.0 it also iintroduces more PCI-e lanes so that this chip is now able to support two 16x slots that will actually run at 16x speeds which hasnt been achievable on previous intel chipsets. This is why some where hopefull of SLI support (these rumours have now dead in the arse). It still uses the same southbridge so nothing new there.

 

[systemlord]

The main 2 things that x38 will bring is the introduction of PCI-e 2.0 which will have theoretically double the bandwidth available of PCI-e 1.0 it also iintroduces more PCI-e lanes so that this chip is now able to support two 16x slots that will actually run at 16x speeds which hasnt been achievable on previous intel chipsets. This is why some where hopefull of SLI support (these rumours have now dead in the arse). It still uses the same southbridge so nothing new there.

But Nvidia chipsets already support two 16x slots, and their still using PCI 1.0. I have heard that PCI-e 2.0 can be controlled through software as well. Then theres the 225-300W that it can handle.

 

[Drudge]

The main 2 things that x38 will bring is the introduction of PCI-e 2.0 which will have theoretically double the bandwidth available of PCI-e 1.0 it also iintroduces more PCI-e lanes so that this chip is now able to support two 16x slots that will actually run at 16x speeds which hasnt been achievable on previous intel chipsets. This is why some where hopefull of SLI support (these rumours have now dead in the arse). It still uses the same southbridge so nothing new there.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject, but what exactly is the benefit of having 2 PCI slots when SLI isn't even supported? And will the PCI-e 2.0 benefit my existing GeForce 8800GTX in any way?

One last thing, is DDR3 that much better than DDR2? Is the price tag really worth it?

 

[systemlord]

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject, but what exactly is the benefit of having 2 PCI slots when SLI isn't even supported? And will the PCI-e 2.0 benefit my existing GeForce 8800GTX in any way?

One last thing, is DDR3 that much better than DDR2? Is the price tag really worth it?

SLI (two full speed 16x slots) is only supported by Nvidia mobo's and chipsets such as the 680i. CrossFire ATI's version of running two graphics card together is supported on the X38 with two full speed 16x slots. DDR3 is not that much better in real world games and software at present, waise of money in my opinion. If I was building a new system I would still stick with DDR2.

 

[chookman]

SLI (two full speed 16x slots) is only supported by Nvidia mobo's and chipsets such as the 680i. CrossFire ATI's version of running two graphics card together is supported on the X38 with two full speed 16x slots. DDR3 is not that much better in real world games and software at present, waise of money in my opinion. If I was building a new system I would still stick with DDR2.

You got in before me systemlord... almost exactly what i would have said. I also would be going with DDR2 atm as the latency is still alot better than DDR3 and its a s hit load cheaper

 

[Drudge]

So to clarify, seeing as I have a GeForce 8800GTX where one day I may want to SLI the sucker, the X38 board is pretty much useless for me as I need a 680i chipset anyways. Is this correct? If so, which board would you recommend for me using a Q6600 cpu?

Had my eye on this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013

 

[jys84]

If you wait until the penryn comes out, there might be another round of price cuts, to the existing line of processors. This might allow you to put the money towards another 8800.

As for upgrading right now, Q6600 is a good way to go and I would get 4 gb (2x2gb) of decent DDR2 ram as opposed to 2 gb. Buy a decent P35 or 680i chipset mobo and you should be good to go. The processor and the ram will cost roughly $500 and if you can go a bit over $600 for a good mobo, you are set. It will probably cost you $600 flat once the new processors come out in 2 months.

 

[triatium]

Hi there

The latest memory is running at 1800 - 1900 stock frequencies now, however, boards simply dont support that. motherboard technology is moving slower than other technologies, especially graphics, cpu, & RAM.

Personal opinion, buying high-stake memory like that is more for being king of the hill in namesake, for a little while. there are (arguably) no tangible benefits immediately.

Interestingly enough, i have heard that applications, particularly games (excluding maybe the newest ones) tend to run better on single cores, due to their coding. dual and quad core is better for more general applications - thats where their strength is. but i think that the difference between quad, dual and single core specifically for gaming is negligble. I'd personally take the quad core, for future ready apps. otherwise, pump that ram. your gpu is just sick.

my specs are visible down below, and its a far cry from other enthusiasts on these forums, yet i get along quite well. would still want to upgrade etc, but cant justify it with what programs and games im using it for. you have to ask yourself the reason for the upgrade, and then do an analysis if it is genuinely necessary, or more a personal, but currently irrelevant, want.

if you decide to hold tight, hell, put the cash in a nice call account or such, so it can accrue interest better than normal savings, so when you see something, you can then get more than what you were initally going to use!