[Solved] Should I build around a Q9400?

Hi,

I want to build a new PC, but I am not sure which processor to use. Should I go with a LGA 775 socket or AM3? I was specifically looking at a Q9400 or Phenom 955.

I feel a little doubtful of the Phenom 955 after the following marks it received in comparison to the older C2Duos and C2Quad:
http://www.techspot.com/review/162 [...] page6.html

I want the capability of playing games smoothly with somewhat nice details at 1680x1050. I also want the speed of encoding/decoding files to be decent.

Would you please give me your opinions. What do you think of building a entire new PC using LGA 775?
The PC will be used for light gaming and internet, email, burning media, etc.

I don't feel like paying for the pricey i7 platform, but according to some of the threads here it appears the LGA 775 chips are still a bit pricey as well, in your opinions.
If there is a better chip please tell me. I have kind of excluded the i5 because I thought tom'shardware said they don't recommend it in one of their articles.

Please give me your advice.

Crap how can microcenter afford to sell the i7 920 at $200?

+1 i5

Don't buy 775/C2D.

^^ Only with overclocking.

First off, the only real price premium of going i5/i7 is on the mobo side; the processers themselves are quite competitive, and DDR3 prices have finally fallen. If you can afford the setup, i7 is the way to go.

i5 vs AM3 is touch only because of the lack of any significant performance benifit for the price the i5 gives, even though i5 is clearly the better CPU overall.

I'm trying to get a system together for a friend that costs around $650-700 dollars. I'm having a real tough time doing so I've tried getting there with the Phenom 955 but it ends up being about 750 or so.

I'm not sure which graphics card to get. It just needs to play game smoothly at 1680x1050. He's not an enthusiast.

Nice.
You're gonna need some DDR3 memory to go with it though.

Yeah, socket 775 is a bit dead. Now there is nothing wrong with building a computer around the Q9400, unless you would like to upgrade the CPU latter on . Even if you are looking at 775 for the cost, fr the money AMD would be a better choice right now. AM3 will be around for a while and AM3 boards have become more affordable lately. A Phenom II 955 with a decent AM3 board and 4GB of DDR3 would make a good gaming rig. If you want something faster though then an i5 would be the way to go.

The monitor will be 22inches in diameter if that makes any difference . (1680x1050)

The real question is, will you be terribly disappointed if it doesn't unlock another 2 cores? If so, don't buy it with that in mind.

It's still a very competent gaming cpu however, even with only 2 cores. You might be better served having a look at the X3's....AMD sure have made the midrange interesting tbh and I often wonder which one I'd buy myself.

hah jenny bet me to it.
Yeah an X3 would be a good option.

Cut n Paste FTW (btw --- s775 probably won't go EOL until 2011 but it certainly does limit your options going forward) ...

Phenom 720BE / Asus M4A79XTD Evo AM3 790x: $202 AR
(The Phenom 550BE combo will save you $16 AR)

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $60
(free shipping with Promo Code EMCMMLP22 valid till 11/09/2009)

There is also a free shipping promo code (EMCMMLP24) and rebate on this Raidmax case which would save you $30 over the Antec 300.

WD 320Gb 'Blue' hard drive: $45
(Promo Code EMCMMLP28 valid till 11/09/2009)

Sony DVD optical: $28

OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w PSU: $100 ($70 AR)

There is a 4Gb (2x2Gb) kit of Crucial DDR3 1333 for around $80 that is qualified for that Asus mobo.

That's $495-$525 depending how you go ($455-$485 ARs).


You have not mentioned whether you have an OS but you are safely within shouting distance of the HD4850 <---> HD4870 to maintain your budget .....


Yer bud better save up his money if he wants to Crossfire ---- the HD48XXs will probably be disappearing quite fast.

You may already know this, but just to make sure.
4Gb RAM + 1Gb video memory (or even 512Mb) will exceed the 32bit Windows 4Gb limitation. Causing some of your memory to disappear/be unusable in Windows.

You will need 64bit XP, Vista, or 7. I'd recommend 7 out of the three.

Edit: and no 3 cores will not confuse anything, 3 core processors are rather perfect at the moment because lots of games only use 2-3 threads. The way multi-core/multi-thread works is very dynamic, and being triple core will not cause any issues whatsoever.

He's not buying an i5.
Why did you even post that? In the topic it clearly says Q9400.

Added note: With the Q9400 and a good heatsink, and some overclocking, should be able to do 3.5-3.8Ghz. I just did some googling and looked at other Q9400 setups.

No I was just confused.
He's decided on a Phenom II already, and was aware of the i5 socket issues. The socket issue isn't really a massive drama but still I wont be recommending it until its resolved. Foxconn needs a punch in the face.

There is no such thing as overkill.
But if it's messing with your budget, then yeah something smaller would do well. I run a 600W in my setup.