Midrange price system, need some help

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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Midrange price system, need some help

Midrange price system, need some help

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Okay so i'm in the market for a new PC and my budget is around 1200

Now here is what I came up with so far. Hope its a good setup

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 $199
2x Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $120
ZALMAN ZM850-HP Continuous 850W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.91 Modular Heatpipe-Cooled SLI Power Supply $170
EVGA 01G-P3-N891-AR GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB (512MB per GPU) $429.00
Case to be decided but around ill spend around like $100
HDD I have a spare raptor which ill use.

Now my problem is the motherboard. 650/680 or x38/x48?
I want one that will support a second GX2 if I decide to get one down the line and want to OC the CPU to around 3.2, 3.4 without a sweat.

Friend of mine has the ASUS P5E Deluxe LGA 775 Intel X48 and has the same CPU OCed to 3.4 but not sure if I really need to spend $230 on a motherboard.

Also is the GX2 worth the money? Don't know much about the ATI competition.

Thanks guys.

Message edited by bobik on 06-30-2008 at 02:19:18 AM

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If you get the 650 or 680i you are going to be learning the hard way when you are overclocking because those two chipsets are completely horrible when overclocking a quad. I would go with the x38/x48 but you can only crossfire on it. TBH, the video card you are getting is not worth the money in my opinion since the 4850 or 4870 is close to par with it but cheaper.

Reply to Shadowthor

The Crucial Ballistix Tracer is actually $80 total. You can have up to 2 rebates per address.

Reply to pcgamer12

Seriously, get a 4850 or 4870 with a X38/X48 for future CF.

Reply to pcgamer12

Lets say I do get a 4870, then what motherboard would you recommend?

What about the GTX 280?

Thanks.

Reply to bobik

GTX 280 is a overpriced mess.

For one 4870: Asus P5Q Pro

If you want to Crossfire:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336

Right now 1 4870 keeps up with GTX280 and even beats it in places for good measure.

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Midrange price system, need some help