Decisions, decisions, decisions...help?

MrGuvernment

MrGuvernment

Fully [H]
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Aug 3, 2004
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okay, lets get to the nitty gritty

Current System Specs of my 2 Rigs

Main Rig
  • DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R
  • 8G (4 x 2G) Patriot Viper
  • Corsair 1000w
  • q6600 @ 3ghz (going higher then 3.1 i need almost 1.5v - dud chip)
  • Visiontec 4850

HTPC
  • Asus P5E VM HDMI
  • C2D e4400 @ 3ghz
  • 4G (2x2G Corsair Dominator
  • Cosair 550W
  • XFX 7600GT


So, my decisions is this.

My g/f has an old crappy system and i want to get her a better one, so here was my train of thought, but i have many!


  • Options:
  • Buy a Q9550 or Q9450 put it into my Main rig, move my Q6600 to my HTPC and use the e4400 in G/f new rig (seems obvious)
  • Buy new motherboard, but , do i give my g/f my Asus P5E-VM HDMI board with the e4400 and then move my DFI board into my HTPC, and then buy a new nice mobo for my Main rig OR buy a cheap board for my g/f system and keep the 2 boards i have? I know the DFi x38 isnt great for quad cores they say... maybe why my Q6600 will only do 3.1Ghz?
  • Buy new mobo, give thr g/f the e4400, and keep the 7600GT for my HTPC, or give the g/f the 7600GT as well and get something else for me, i was thinking move my 4850 to my HTPC and get a 4870 or wait for the new line up to come out and get a better card for my Main rig (i like to game on my htpc but i dont have too...)
  • OR i keep all i got now and build my g/f a cheap AMD x2 rig for sub $300 ?


so i am tossed between spending money i dont really "need" to, but it would be nice... i am sure i know what most will say but want to check.


i do want the Q9550 but dont like the price tag for it, is the Q9450 not nearly as good or?

Oh and i want to stay 775 because i just got my waterblock for 775.
 
What does your girlfriend use her computer for? All of those options look sound, but it really depends on how much money you're willing to spend on her.
 
IMO, the Q9550/Q9450 aren't really worth their price tag since they're only 10 to 15% faster than the Q6600. Are you willing to spend $300 for a mere 15% performance increase? You could your GF a new rig for that much!

But yeah, as Tiraides asked, what does your GF use her PC for? Also what are the specs of her current spec.
 
she uses it for web, mail, her mom use Skype / webcam, saving lots of pictures, but i was also thinking it would be nice to be able to watch HD movies from it to her TV, since i have so many i could take to her house to watch.

Danny, that is why i am iffy, $329 for a new cpu.... or for that buy a decent AMD build for the G/F in total!

it is that side of me that see's a chance to buy some new toys, but then the smarter side kicks in and thinks "do you really 'NEED' to spend that money"
 
MrGuvernment said:
she uses it for web, mail, her mom use Skype / webcam, saving lots of pictures, but i was also thinking it would be nice to be able to watch HD movies from it to her TV, since i have so many i could take to her house to watch.

Danny, that is why i am iffy, $329 for a new cpu.... or for that buy a decent AMD build for the G/F in total!

it is that side of me that see's a chance to buy some new toys, but then the smarter side kicks in and thinks "do you really 'NEED' to spend that money"
Click to expand...

I say just flip a coin. Heads: buy a GF a new PC and tails: buy self a new CPU

Though you could do this a bit more rationally and just get your GF a new AMD PC.:)
 
My vote is for the AMD build for the GF... much more bang for your buck.
 
ya but then i dont get a nice purdy 9550 to over clock past 3ghz ;) ..lol

but it is so nice to have cash in the bank! i could do an amd rig with onboard that can handle HD out too though... okay you party poopers, i guess i can just get the G/F an amd rig! and put the money towards the new TV for my bedroom i wanted :d
 
Depends whether you like your girly lots and if she ever reads this :D

If she isnt that bothered about PC performance, get what you want and give her the best you can piece together after.
 
First off Kentsfield is ok with 1.50V coarsing through it (after Vdroop), I'd get anxious at about 1.525 or higher.

Danny Bui said:
IMO, the Q9550/Q9450 aren't really worth their price tag since they're only 10 to 15% faster than the Q6600. Are you willing to spend $300 for a mere 15% performance increase? You could your GF a new rig for that much!
Click to expand...

but its 45nm! It'l go alot further on an OC...

and vas is sis... http://www.intel.com/products/processor/core2quad/specifications.htm Q9100? that page is the first result on a google of "site:www.intel.com Q9550" (Intels site has become such a pain to navigate it just go straight to google)... I might have to get me one of those... when the pricing settles down...

back on topic: why not give the Q6600 to your GF? Its not like a media center is in a position to take advantage of the additional horsepower, unless your compiling on the fly or something. The rest of the system around that could be done for $300 to $500.

To get to the magic 4.0 out of a Q9550 you need to get 470Mhz out of your northbridge. Even at the 400MHz strap thats gonna put a big load on that 90nm chip. I'm not saying X38 cant do it (471 is exactly where this Maximus formula tops out... :() A new motherboard might be a good idea --but then I'd never recommend putting a normal consumer on a DFI board, that's asking for trouble.

The real question is how much are you looking to spend?
 
Well, i got so sick of this DFI board last night i orded a Asus P5Q Deluxe :), so it seems i will likely get my g/f parts left over from what i do, once the board arrives i am going to see if my Q6600 will go further, if it does i dont need a new CPU and i can grab something cheap like the new e5 series or a e7 series for my HTPC and give the e4400 to the g/f :)

Depends whether you like your girly lots and if she ever reads this

If she isnt that bothered about PC performance, get what you want and give her the best you can piece together after.
Click to expand...

Well, she doesnt read computer forums, but she also knows i love my toys, and she hates her computer now, so a new one she would be both excited, but also thinking "Guvy! you should be saving money!" which i am, but i got some to spare.

For me the cost isnt a huge issue, i just dont want to spend money i dont neccesarily need to, which i tend to do often.

So i think in buying the new mobo, will determine what else i buy after, and with Intel popping out those new 65w ones.... i could try to hold off, i am maybe thinking if i could last until i5, then Q9 prices may finalllyyyyy come down!
 
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