~$2000 comp needs a last second opinion

[pinzor]

Hi, I'm currently on the brink of buying a new gaming pc, the components Im currently planning to buy are the following:
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro
Graphics Card: Club-3D Radeon HD4870 X2 Dual-DVI 2GB
Net Agg: Corsair CMPSU-650TXEU 650W
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2,66GHz Box
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR2 PC6400/800MHz CL5 2x2GB
DVD Player/Burner: Samsung SH-S223F
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 32MB 500GB
Chassi: Cooler Master Dominator 690

The thing Im the most uncertain about is whether to go for the quad-core or dual, I can't seem to get a clear answer about quad-core being superior in future games (like far cry 2/ FO3 and onwards) or not (Obviously I know quad-core is going to be the way to go in the future, but not in how near future)...

Thanks in advance

 

[brendano257]

In terms of quad/dual core I would say that on a $2000 budget a quad core is the way to go. Although the game might not use all 4 cores, the OS and background stuff can and that will benefit you in game. Far Cry 2 may support quads, but will I upgrade from my E8400 for it now? No, I'd get the quad on a new computer, but not as an upgrade just yet. Just go for the quad and 12mb L2 cache

 

[Proximon]

As long as you are spending the cash, a faster quad is the way to go. If it was a Q6600, then it's a tough choice.

Are you buying from newegg? because the Q9550 is a better deal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

[strike]If you need to save a few bucks somewhere, there is a great deal on an OCZ 600W that would be enough power for you... today only:[/strike]

(Naw i take it back, been looking at 4870s too much.)

Why the Corsair 650TX when the 750TX is the exact same price? get the 750:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[SanDiego]

that's fine keep the quad core,
overclock it to 3.0 at least,
and make sure you have good cooling for it though,
and i would say games that utilize four cores are right around the corner,
since GRID does use all four cores

 

[aevm]

+1 for the 750TX. The rest is perfect

 

[pinzor]

Im actually living in sweden so buying from newegg won't be an option

About the 750TX, in sweden it costs about $40 more, so Im not sure whether its worth the money or not, any opinions on that?

I'm probably going for the Q9550 as suggested and will hopefully be ordering it later today

thanks for the assistance!

 

[Proximon]

Nothing wrong with the 650TX. The prices are the same on newegg is all

For such a hungry card, I would have preferred more power, but 650 works just fine. I like lots of PSU, too much according to most people.

 

[pinzor]

Hehe, ok, so there will be enough power (with 650TX) to run the comp with a Q9550 then?
If so Im just about to order my new rig



EDIT: Should I go for Q9550 Box or Tray? Thanks!

 

[Proximon]

You are set.

 

[pinzor]

You are set.

Thanks a bunch

 

[aevm]

EDIT: Should I go for Q9550 Box or Tray? Thanks!

I suspect Box means a cooler is included, and Tray means no cooler. If that's right, then you need the Box version. Or get the Tray but also buy a separate CPU cooler (Arctic Freezer 7 Pro for example).

 

[ke7diz]

fore this price i would buy a aftermarket cooler

also a faster duel core will at the moment be faster than quad and will some games will be coded fore q it most likely happen that often.
so if you want to save money then e8500 will kick ass but on a 2000 budget quad will be just fine

you could also go with a second 4870 x2 if it is within price range