Quad or duo

[pjdabeastatcod5]

well im buying a computer (my parents wont let me build one) from IBUYOPWER.COM im not sure if i should go E7400 or Q8200?

 

[CooLWoLF]

Personally, I would get the quad. More future proof as programs begin utilizing all cores.

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

ok

 

[hefox]

If you want this for games, E7400 is the one to buy.

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

why is that

 

[hefox]

Because Q8200 is pretty slow for games and you don't have too much room for OC. Where E7400 is faster and you can OC much better.

 

[CooLWoLF]

Most games do not currently use more than 2 cores, so a dual core w/ higher clock speed can beat a quad core w/ lower clock speed. Again though, this will change in the future as soon as software catches up. If you plan on using this computer for a few years w/o upgrading the cpu any time soon, get the quad.

 

[CooLWoLF]

Because Q8200 is pretty slow for games and you don't have too much room for OC. Where E7400 is faster and you can OC much better.

If his parents won't let him build a computer, I doubt they will let him overclock one. Older folks think overclocking is evil..... lol

 

[mattkk]

I would go for the E7400 because its higher clocked than the quad and it will run all the latest games with ease (plus it would overclock fairly well). However if you are thinking ahead to the future maybe the quad is the better option, who knows.

Bottom line though - I wouldn't invest too much into a socket 775 system anyway, theres no upgrade possibilites and you will be annoyed a year down the road I bet you when you wan't to upgrade your cpu and you can't. If that site has any am3 systems, grab one, as it will allow upgrades for atleast the next 3 years no doubt.

 

[Helloworld_98]

could you list the parts you're using? it wouldn't be a good idea to have something like a HAF932, a 1200w PSU and a GTX 295 with an E7400 or Q8200.

 

[hefox]

I don't think he will be able to upgrade in 2 year from now because it will be very hard to find a core 2 quad. So he should buy now a good quad to be sure that 3-4 year he will play games without problems (from the CPU point of view).

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

i am getting 450 watt psu 9400gt gpu 4gb ddr2 and also my parents dont care about over clocking :]

 

[Helloworld_98]

what make of PSU?

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

umm all it says is 450 Watt -- Standard Power Supply

 

[hefox]

If you are buying this pc for games, that is definitely not the right videocard to buy.
PSU...if is the standard one...no way.

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

well i have to keep it unger 600$ and that config is at 507 so any sugesstions for psu and gpu

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

im not going to be hardcoregaming too just a couple a hours a day and only cod5 if that helps

 

[hefox]

Corsair is the first cheapest PSU.
For videocard, try 4870 or 260 GTX.

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

well i would be at 725 unfourtantly 125 over my budget

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

the best i can do within my budget is a 9600gt gpu and a 600 watt psu

 

[Helloworld_98]

drop the 9400GT for an 8400GS or whatever the cheapest GPU is and then buy a 4870 from newegg and make sure your PSU is the 450w corsair.

 

[hefox]

Tell your parents that you can't buy a decent pc with this money. Maybe they will increase your budget.

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

well im probably going to buy a vid card and psu from newegg afterwards

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

ok i think my buget is about 700 thats is high as i can go

 

[pjdabeastatcod5]

how about an e8400 with corsair 650 watt psu and a gts 250 1gb gpu