New Rig Advice

N

NSCTripleAgent

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
381
I have been holding out seemingly forever (still running AMD single core and Nforce board), but I think it's time to upgrade. I don't game, but my old system doesn't plow through Office 2007 like I'd like, and with Windows 7, I think it's just time. I'm asking here because I hear Intel is doing better products currently. So suggestions (CPU, MOBO, GPU) please?

Please consider:

- Will edit audio and record music
- Will sooner or later edit video, but very low priority
- Will not be for gaming
- Budget is a concern since I'm getting married at the end of the year, so can't go totally [H]ard, but I know a total new build won't be too cheap. Bang for the buck is key, but I really want to crunch audio easy.

Thanks in advance.
 
Definitely quad core, but sounds like Core i7 would be a price premium. I think Core2 Quad still has the best price/performance ratio.

P45 chipset, 4GB RAM minimum. 2x2GB kit so you can go 8GB if you want in the future.

You could get a mobo with onboard video since you're not gaming, but that will use system memory for video, which can cause crappy performance. I'd recommend still getting an addon card, but going on the cheap. GeForce 9600 kind of line.

Q8400 or Q9550 (3x the cache and higher clocks on the Q9550, if you can swing it, definitely the better option)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...nPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=507:27216

GA-EP45T-UD3LR looks like a nice board, but the GA-EP45-UD3R has been around longer, more proven design, tons of people have it and it's not much much expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...eValue=717:40132&PropertyCodeValue=3880:27176

Maybe a AMD 4650 or Geforce 9600 based card that are sub $100:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=False&Order=PRICE
 
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If you want the best you should get the Core i7, if not, you are better off with AMD AM2+ or AM3 than Intel S775 since the upgrade path is better.
 
I'd say a low end i7 like a 920 and an average motherboard, nothing too fancy. It is a little late in the game to get a C2D based system, although if money is a little tighter you can still go that way.

i7 920

Asus Mobo

$489.98 so far.

You could do a full build for some where around $1,100.00 or so.
 
Proxy said:
I'd say a low end i7 like a 920 and an average motherboard, nothing too fancy. It is a little late in the game to get a C2D based system, although if money is a little tighter you can still go that way.

i7 920

Asus Mobo

$489.98 so far.

You could do a full build for some where around $1,100.00 or so.
Click to expand...
All depends on his budget really, which he hasn't said, other than he's pinching pennies due to upcoming wedding.

You can get more components for that much money sticking with a Core2 base.

28srf3b.jpg


Either are good, just depends on how much the OP can spend. He can compare cost/performance with encoding applications. Lots of websites did that back at the i7's release.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3448&p=18
 
For your needs and price constraints I would say that an AM3 CPU is the way to go. Coming form a single core CPU to dual core or better CPU should yield major improvements.

For the CPU & mobo I would go with this combo for $205 before a $15 MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337

For the RAM I would go with this for $65: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

For the GPU I would go with this for $65: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150332

Assuming you have everything else you need that comes out to $335 plus shipping before MIR and it should suit your needs for several years. Going with AM3 versus a Core 2 setup gives a potential upgrade path as well.
 
If it is not for gaming, the integrated GPU on the 790GX mobo is enough. Spend the money on a better CPU like the PII 940 or 955. If you are not overclocking, the PII 945 have a better upgrade path than PII 940.

Edit:

A good starting point, mobo + RAM + Quad core + 1TB HDD for $430:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.213770

With that combo you only need a case, a PSU and an optical drive. You don't need any graphic card anymore. You will end up spending around $600, Core i7 would be better but nothing can beat the deal above in term of bang for the buck.
 
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