First post, new build

[ericmlaing]

Hi. My name's Eric... been 'lurking' at Toms for a little while now...
Here's the scoop... looking to build a brand new system (built a few before) but this one's for me!
Originally I was going to go Phenom but then swaggered to Core 2 Quad... thing is, I've been reading more and more and more and wonder if (for the $) I should just go Duo.
For instance, I can get a Q6600 for $250, a Q9550 for $450... but, I can get an E8500 for $250 as well.
Looking at charts and data etc etc... the quads only really kick butt under certain situations. I'm not a "power" user... I game a little but want a dang fast machine (that I will OC - case, coolers etc have all been accounted for already).
I'm just torn about the chip seeing as the E8500 is almost half the price of the Q9550 but the same as the Q6600.
I don't think I need quad but it would be nice (and I'm not looking to upgrade anytime soon after this purchase).

I also have some motherboards picked out (both integrated graphics and not); but if I could get some (cost effective) advice there too it would be great.

I like the integrated because, well, it's easier and cheaper.
I do love the higher ram capacities of the non integrated and I really want to get my GeForce N9500GT (512mb, 1000MHz).
Both the IG and non have HDMI/DVI etc...
RAM, drives etc are a non issue as I can get all that stuff pretty cheap (Seagate SATA 500gb 32mb for $70... I guess that's a good price )

Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

[mford66215]

Few games will use more than one processor - for now. I'm happy with my q6600, but then I've always got something going on behind the game........like streaming audio while burning dvd's, etc...

Future proof with the quad is one option certainly...but I think in your case you should save the $$ on the cpu and invest in decent motherboard and a good video card. My guess is that you'll be happier with the better frame rates and OC ability that you can find once you move the money from the processor into the other components...

Where are you paying $250 for a Q6600 though? Locally they're ~$180 right now. Overseas????

 

[knotknut]

Where do you live, what country?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL120408&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL120408-_-ProcessorsDesktops-_-L2C-_-19115041
$299.99 with promo code "EMCBCAEBD"

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz $164.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz $187.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Heres a couple of Motherboard ideas:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA $116.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

4gb DDR2-800 ram is 30- 40 bucks

If you are looking at intergrated Motherboards the Gigabyte AMD 780G units are the best choice. You didnt want AMD
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128341

 

[ericmlaing]

Wow. I live just outside Peterborough Ontario. The prices I'm getting are because we "deal" with the wholesaler. I think we're being jerked around for pricing. Yes, the prices are Canadian... but what a difference on the Q9550. It's almost half...

Thanks for the replies.
I should have stated my location in the original post, my bad.

 

[jthorn]

The Quad vs. duo debate is really about the future since there are not too many apps out yet that utilize more than 2 cores. If you do a lot of encoding and video processing, etc. a quad might be a better choice. If you run one app at a time, or if that app is a game, then a duo will still satify you. A lot of folks make the mistake of configuring more build than they need or can afford and some of their posts on these forums are good comedy. You can best a lot of folks and their expensive stock quad cores with your own OC'd intel duo (at or above 3 ghz) for $150 - $200. The E8400 listed by 'knotknut' is a damn good buy. Of course you can always OC the quad - i.e. an OC'd Q6600 is hard to beat for value. But, if the duo meets your needs then buy that.

 

[ericmlaing]

Side note, sorry... I suppose yes, I should focus more on the MB etc as (with, for now, the 775 socket) and could get a really good MB and upgrade the chip later. Easier than a MB upgrade... I see the light

 

[ericmlaing]

I may sound like I pest, I know, but if I can get for the same price (virtually) the Q6600 2.4 or the E8500 3.16. (which has the faster bus, but...).. what do I do? Argh. It's all so tempting and complicated.

 

[knotknut]

Ok, my opinion...everybody's got one.

For everyday all around I would go with a quad core Q6600 (SLACR)
Overclock mildly to 3.0ghz-3.2ghz.
Put on an aftermarket HSF like ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

and get good DDR2-800 RAM wit spec like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

If you are strictly into gaming go for the E8400 or E8500
and use the same RAM

 

[jthorn]

For everyday all around I would go with a quad core Q6600 (SLACR) Overclock mildly to 3.0ghz-3.2ghz. Put on an aftermarket HSF like ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro and get good DDR2-800 RAM

That pretty much describes the custom build I ordered last July and I am happy. If buying today then I might take a good hard look at the 9450 and order on the next big price drop. But I would still run it on a P45 MB and use DDR2-800 ram.

 

[ericmlaing]

Thanks again all. I'm pretty sure I'll keep flip flopping on which chip to get (either the Q6600 or the E8500); that will just have to be a game day decision. All else being the same (case, board, ram etc) - thanks again.

 

[wareup]

very meticulous of you! It would be helpful of you know what is your requirements then you'll figure out what is the best rig for you. I would say that you rig now is Great! its low in graphics but very nice in data processing. I like that because I'm done with playing and now work!

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