Ordering Parts Soon :D

[Zayla74]

So,Ill be ording all my stuff for my first intel build tonight.

Basically I have decided on this MOBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136043

For the CPU, I have really been struggling to decide, E8400, Q9300, or the 6600 :-/

Being as I mostly game and the occasional video conversion (not often), Im not sure the extra 2 cores would be a must have for my needs at this point.

It would seem the 45nm tech would be the best choice, and from the benchmarks and tests Ive seen so far, the E8400 can best or match the 6600 in most cases (faster clock and 45nm tech maybe?). Especially the type of stuff I'll be doing. Of course, on any app that will actually use all 4 cores the 6600 leaves it in the dust ...

So my thoughts are go w/a E8400 now, and at end of year move to the new 45nm quads when faster and cheaper?

Im rambling I know LOL, still a bit confused... the Q9300 seems good but from what Ive seen wont OC as well as 6600 :-/
So ... would this be the right choice atm ya think?
Also, just curious if anyone has exp. with this MOBO. I am hoping the transition later to a quad will be fine with it...

Anyhow, any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[JaYp146]

I'd go with either the E8400 or E7200 (recent release). 8400's guaranteed to OC better, but the 7200's soon to going to be more widely available and (hopefully) cheaper.

Solid choice on the motherboard, should suit you nicely.

 

[Shambler]

On a side note: You are going to be folding with this computer right?!

 

[Valnar]

Best P35 mobo choice in the price range, IMO.

Robert

 

[heatlesssun]

If you're going to do ANY video encoding at all, go with the Q9300 for SSE4. You can't overclock for new instructions. If you're worried about overclocking spend $80 dollars more and get the Q9450.

 

[Zayla74]

Thanks for the replies.
I have one more question, hopefully one of you would know. I seen the X38 DFi,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045

Im just curious, is the X38 chipset worth the extra money over the p35 I have chosen?
Beyond the obvious, It'll allow me to throw in another ATI 3870 later and run in X-fire as well as PCI-X 2.0, any other advantages?

Stupid question maybe... Im not sure Id ever run dual GPU's .. but ya never know.

 

[Valnar]

Thanks for the replies.
I have one more question, hopefully one of you would know. I seen the X38 DFi,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045

Im just curious, is the X38 chipset worth the extra money over the p35 I have chosen?
Beyond the obvious, It'll allow me to throw in another ATI 3870 later and run in X-fire as well as PCI-X 2.0, any other advantages?

Stupid question maybe... Im not sure Id ever run dual GPU's .. but ya never know.

I bought an X38 for the extra PCIe lanes, not because I'd ever need dual graphics. Having the extra PCIe x16 slot leaves it open for fast x4 or x8 RAID cards in the future. I went with the higher end DFI Lanparty LT X38-T2R. It's a lot of extra money though for that second PCIe NIC, firewire and sound module. But overall, I think the X38 chipset is worth it for the freedom of being able to plug in any PCIe peripheral that may come along. Things may come out in the next year which we haven't even considered yet!

-Robert

 

[Ocellaris]

Things may come out in the next year which we haven't even considered yet!

Yes, like new cheap motherboards that do what you want without a 2nd PCIe slot

Anyway to the OP, remember that the 8400 benchmarks are always with nothing running int he background and situations like that. And normally if the 8400 ever gets a decent advantage for FPS, its in a low resolution. If you multitask a lot, Q6600/Q9300 hands down.