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Need computer update advice please

C

ChillyDog

n00b
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
36
Hello,

Below my current system, it's running good but perhaps it's time for a little update like the CPU and MOBO

Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu
XFX 6800GT 256Mb
Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Abit IC7-Max3
OCZ 1Gb kit EL DDR pc-3200
2x WD Raptor 36.7GB S-ATA RAID0
Maxtor DiamondMax S-ATA 120GB
Plextor PX-708A
Plextor PX-116A
Antec TrueBlue 480

Is the selection below any good ?
I have no intent to overclock, just want a good system for gaming.

Asus GeForce 8600 GT 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)
Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX (2x1GB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.66GHz (1333FSB)
EVGA nForce 680i SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (122-CK-NF68-A1)

Thx

PS: I'm running windows XP Pro, should I update ?
 
Why not OC? Its easy and does not compromise stability. Plus these Core2 chips have so much headroom in them, it'll be a waste not to tap it.

What size monitor do you have? The 8600GTS will be fine for a 19" monitor, but not so great for a 20/22".

Dominators are a waste of money, as are DDR2-1066 speed RAM. Are you in the US? If so, go with the Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 from Newegg for $110 - $47MIR. They can easily reach DDR2-1066 speeds, should you decide to OC.

(CPU Multiplier) x [Base FSB speed] = CPU Clock speed
2 x [Base FSB speed] = RAM speed
4 x [Base FSB speed] = Effective FSB speed

E6750: 8 × 333 = 2.6Ghz, DDR2-667 << STOCK speeds

How often do you upgrade? If you can afford a quadcore now, go for it. If you'd rather save $100 now, and upgrade to a quadcore later, then the E6750 is a good choice.

If you don't need SLI, don't bother with an SLI board. What size monitor do you have or plan on getting? Because SLI is only needed for high resolution 3D rendering. So, if you have or plan on getting a 1920x1080 LCD or higher, and want to game on it, then keep SLI as an option. Otherwise, theres no need for it. A single GTX is still fine for a 1920x1080 (or 1920x1200) LCD screen, and more cost effective than an 8800GTS SLI setup. SLI as an upgrade path isn't worth it unless, again, a large LCD is in the future plans. There should always be a better single card solution, and you could sell your old card to help offset the cost.

If you don't need SLI, check out the Abit IP35 Pro, Asus P5K-E, and Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R instead.

If you do need SLI, stick with the eVGA A1 you chose.
 
I'm kinda in the same situation, as I am about to buy a new computer next week, and I was considering which graphics card to buy. I have now decided that I want an X1950 Pro, because it has plenty of power for a 22 inch monitor, is cheap, and will play future games in DX9 just fine.
 
When buying a VC I think its a good idea to check out the FS/FT Section as in many cases you can get cards that are only a few months old w/ a full warrenty(as is the case w/ my BFG 7950gt) just be careful who you deal w/.
 
E6750 - good.
enginurd recommended the ABIT IP35 Pro board which is awesome and has gotten numerous awards. If you want something around $60-70 dollars cheaper and don't need the additional features that the "pro" provides, take a look at the ABIT IP35-E.
 
I have a 19inch LCD.

I dont upgrade that often, the system I have now dates from dec 2003, all I had to upgrade was the video card.

After eading your tips perhaps I should go for this ?



About the quadcore, I suppose I could afford one of these below :



Would this make a great difference ?

Oh and by the way, 1£ = 2$ ...
 
Whats your budget? Where are you shopping? scan or overclockers?

If the GeiL's are similarly priced to non-ultra-low-latency, then thats fine. Otherwise, you won't notice a huge difference between CL4 and CL5, so don't pay a huge price premium for low latency sticks.

The E6420 is old and has been replaced with the E6750. If you can afford it, and since you don't upgrade often, go for the Energy Efficient Q6600. It runs cooler, so you won't have to worry about cooling. The quadcore will last you much longer than the dual core, imo.

The HD 2900Pro should last you a while on a 19" LCD.
 
Hi,

I meant the Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.66GHz (1333FSB), not the 6420 ... and the GeIL's are about the same price. So which one should I take, these all cost about the same.

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Black Dragon DDR2 Dual Channel Kit 800MHz RAM Speed, CAS 4-4-4-12 Timings, 1.9-2.0v VDIMM, £44.99
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit 800MHz RAM Speed, CAS 4-4-4-12 Timings, 1.9-2.3v VDIMM, £44.99
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit 800MHz RAM Speed, CAS 5-5-5-15 Timings, 1.8-1.9v VDIMM, £47.99


My budget is around $ 1000 and I'm shopping in Europe, since thats where I live ;)
 
What site, so I can see other prices?

Since those are all similarly priced, go for the GeiLs. Wow, value sticks actually cost more than low latency, wth?!?! lol!
 
I hope the OP doesn't mind me borrowing his perfectly good thread since I'd like to have some advice as well. :)

I'm coming off of a 4 year old AGP based system and to make a long story short: It's just time for me to step up into PCI-E land and 8800 land, among other things. I'd like to go Quad core as well.

I currently have a 24 inch LCD with a native rez. of 1920X1200. This is as big and high as I intend to go for the forseeable future, at least.

I'm looking at this market and I'm having a hard time reading it.

I feel like I could buy something now and literally see some kind of massive price drops happen in a month or two. I understand that's the nature of the game, but I'd like to do a little better than that by myself.

Thanks for everyone's tips. :)
 
Ok, so I kinda gonna set my mind on this:

- GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
- Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
- Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)
- Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 2900 Pro SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

Then I have one more question, will I need a new PSU ?

** edit **

Other components:

- Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu
- Creative Audigy 2 ZS
- 2x WD Raptor 36.7GB S-ATA RAID0
- Maxtor DiamondMax S-ATA 120GB
- Plextor PX-708A CD-R & DVD±R
- Plextor PX-116A DVD-ROM
- Fancontroller
- Case with 2x 80x80x25 fans


Thx for the excellent advice!
 
ChillyDog said:
Then I have one more question, will I need a new PSU ?

- Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu
Click to expand...

Yes. The Antec TrueBlue is rather old, and most likely not good enough for the new system you have planned. If you want to stay with Antec, go with their new TruePower Trio line, or their Earthwatts line.

Help choosing a PSU: http://www.jonnyguru.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1036

PSU Suggestions:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103

Also, ditch the zalman. Go for either the Tuniq Tower 120, or the Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme + S-Flex fan instead. I doubt the 7000 is good enough for the HOT quads.
 
Real quick:

If I want to game at my monitor's native rez of 1920X1200 with most or all the goodies cranked can I do it with one 8800GTX or Ultra or do I have to go SLI?
 
About the PSU, would a Antec Quattro 850W PSU be over the top and should I stick with Antec TruePower Trio 650W PSU ?
 
Q-BZ said:
Real quick:

If I want to game at my monitor's native rez of 1920X1200 with most or all the goodies cranked can I do it with one 8800GTX or Ultra or do I have to go SLI?
Click to expand...

Some people are happy with a single GTX or Ultra. Others need SLI to make them happy at that res. Some people just don't play at native res. My advice: keep sli as an option. Get one card now, and if you're not happy, get another card.

ChillyDog said:
About the PSU, would a Antec Quattro 850W PSU be over the top and should I stick with Antec TruePower Trio 650W PSU ?
Click to expand...

Overkill. The 650W will do just fine.
 
OC now but wait for 4 more months when a lot of new hardware will hit the market and prices will drop some more.
 
crewzen said:
OC now but wait for 4 more months when a lot of new hardware will hit the market and prices will drop some more.
Click to expand...

From the rumored prices of CPUs, you'll only be getting 2MB more cache for the same price as the current Q6600's, and maybe better OC'ing. So, if you need a system now, a Q6600 is a good buy. Of course, if you can wait, then do so.

As far as vidcards go, you could get a holdover card for now, and sell it when you upgrade to a next gen card.
 
when will the next gen video cards be out?
is the HD2900 a good buy now, or should i get something cheaper and wait ?
 
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