What do you guys think about this combo?

[mavanhel]

I'm interested in building a rig and I've had my eye on this CPU/mobo combo for awhile, I was wondering what you guys could tell me about it. (I'll be using this system primarily for gaming)

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo Wolfdale E8500 3.16GHz

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Mobo: ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131377

I'm definitely interested in the overclocking abilities of this mobo.

Thanks.

 

[Transmaniacon]

The Core 2 Duo uses the out-dated LGA775 Socket. Buying this is buying into a dead end path. For that budget, you can build a faster AM3 system using the AMD Phenom II x3 720 BE CPU.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can get the Intel i5 750 CPU which is the fastest of the mentioned CPUs.

Phenom II 720 - $119.99
Intel i5 750 - $199.99

i5 > 720

 

[mavanhel]

Why is LGA 775 a dead-end path? It seems as if all (or almost all) of the Intel dual cores use this socket, and even some quad cores.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%2050001157%201051707842&name=LGA%20775

 

[Transmaniacon]

Intel released the socket 1366 earlier this year, and a month ago the socket 1156. The new i5 and i7 CPUs are what Intel will focus on, and there will be no new LGA775 socket chips from now on. This means the prices will rise as these become legacy items, and any further upgrade will require a new motherboard, RAM, and CPU.

By choosing the AM3 or i5/i7 route now, you will have the ability to just purchase a new CPU should you feel the need, instead of replacing all the guts.

Not to mention both the i5/i7 and Phenom II 720 out perform comparable LGA775 chips.

 

[mavanhel]

Thanks for the information. I've been looking at the i5, just because it's closer to my price range, but I've heard it can run very hot? Do you know anything about this and/or how to combat it?

 

[Transmaniacon]

You can pick up a CPU cooler for it, this one is pretty good and will handle a light to mild overclock;

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=1156_heatsink-_-35-103-065-_-Product ($29.99)

Also you will need thermal paste, this is a good option;

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020&cm_re=mx-2-_-35-186-020-_-Product ($7.98)

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice