System Upgrade, need your input

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jid1877

n00b
Joined
Jan 7, 2007
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I am going to upgrade my system and need advice on which way to go. I need to pro's and con's to each. The differance in price between the 2 is only about $3. Any recommandations are welcome but this is about the max I can spend right now. I do gaming, video's, internet, watch shows on the internet, ect. Here is what I am looking at:

What is the pro's and cons of each?

Intel:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

or: DFI ICFX3200-T2R/G PLUS LGA 775 ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 IE ATX Intel Motherboard

SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527

AMD:
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

XFX PVT88PUDD4 GeForce 8800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527

I haven't worked with any Intel systems since the AMD Duron came out, so don't know much about them exept for what I read about them. My Sig is up to date.
 
What are the prices you're getting those parts at, since you didn't list your budget??

Intel outperforms AMD, clock for clock, and can OC higher (easier, too).

All Core2Duo's can reach around 3Ghz on stock cooling. The E6750 can reach around 3.8Ghz with a good cooler. The E4500/E2160 can reach around 3.4Ghz with a decent cooler.

Yes, these are outdated... maybe someone has newer links? lol... but I actually havent had to use such links in a while :p

Reason to go Intel:
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2802
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2903
http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5414
http://www.guru3d.com/newsitem.php?id=5086
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-e6420.html

Here, play with this...
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=872&model2=871&chart=418
 
Ok, I am going with the intel. Now I need some input on motherboards. Here are the 3 I am looking at. I am kinda leaning toward the ASUS board. Need some feedback on the 3.

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131196

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128050

DFI ICFX3200-T2R/G PLUS LGA 775 ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 IE ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813136032

Another question I have is cooling for the cpu. I have a Thermaltake CL-P0024 http://thermaltakeusa.com/product/cooler/combo/cl-p0024/cl-p0024.asp which will work on the LGA 775 socket. How hot does the processor get? Should I keep using the fan on the cooler or can I delete it to make my system quiter?

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium 32 and just ordered the 64 bit version. Will I have to reinstall from scratch or just upgrade after installing the new hardware?
 
What features do you need in a motherboard?

If you need Firewire, Raid, an extra PCI-E 4.16x slot, and no legacy ports (serial/parallel), then the P5K-E fits your needs. If you don't need firewire nor the extra PCI-E 4.16x slot, then the DS3R fits your needs. If you want to save money, the IP35 vanilla has a nice rebate offer right now, and has both RAID and Firewire:

$120 - abit IP35 LGA 775 Intel P35 ($25 MIR)

The fins on that thermaltake are too close together for a fanless setup, IMO. You'll need at least a very quiet 120mm fan. Pick up a $5 yate loon from jab-tech.com and you should be all set.

Reinstall from scratch... its just better that way.
 
enginurd said:
What features do you need in a motherboard?

If you need Firewire, Raid, an extra PCI-E 4.16x slot, and no legacy ports (serial/parallel), then the P5K-E fits your needs. If you don't need firewire nor the extra PCI-E 4.16x slot, then the DS3R fits your needs. If you want to save money, the IP35 vanilla has a nice rebate offer right now, and has both RAID and Firewire:

$120 - abit IP35 LGA 775 Intel P35 ($25 MIR)

The fins on that thermaltake are too close together for a fanless setup, IMO. You'll need at least a very quiet 120mm fan. Pick up a $5 yate loon from jab-tech.com and you should be all set.

Reinstall from scratch... its just better that way.
Click to expand...
No, I don't use RAID, Firewire or legacy ports nor do I have a need for them. I would like to use Crossfire in the future (which P5K-E has from what I can see), but don't has the funds for a second card at this time. I do understand that tech changes and may have to buy 2 cards in the future (not sure with Crossfire). I have SLi now and know you can't mismatch cards, but don't know Crossfire (but will learn just like I learned with SLi).

I am not a fan of Abit, the last Abit board I had several years ago, blew half the capacitors and after doing research on the matter, found out that it was a problem with Abit boards.
 
I think this is what I am going to go with

Link Depot 3 ft. DVI-D male to DVI-D male dual link Cable, Black Model DVI-3-DD - OEM

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
 
It's the weekend. This forum is a little bit dead around this time. It's funny really. The weekend is when most people ask for help and its also when mostly everyone who can help is out. :)

Anyway, do note that not all games support Crossfire very well. So far from what I can see, these are the only games that see a major improvement with Crossfire:
Bioshock
Company of Heroes: Opposing Front
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
Oblivion
Prey
Team Fortress 2
Unreal Tournament 3

Also, because that Asus mobo's second x16 slot operates at x4 speeds, you will take a performance hit when doing Crossfire as shown in this article:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/10/12/crossfire_comparison_intel_x38_versus_p35/1

So if Crossfire is in your plans, the X38 chipset is your best bet. However, X38 mobos are very expensive (around $200+) and, outside of Crossfire, performs about the same as a regular $130 P35 mobo, at stock or overclocking involved.

So with all that said, I say stay with a single card setup. Less of a hassle and you know for sure that every game out there supports single card setups very very well. The DS3R will fit your needs very well.
 
Danny Bui said:
It's the weekend. This forum is a little bit dead around this time. It's funny really. The weekend is when most people ask for help and its also when mostly everyone who can help is out. :)

Anyway, do note that not all games support Crossfire very well. So far from what I can see, these are the only games that see a major improvement with Crossfire:
Bioshock
Company of Heroes: Opposing Front
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
Oblivion
Prey
Team Fortress 2
Unreal Tournament 3

Also, because that Asus mobo's second x16 slot operates at x4 speeds, you will take a performance hit when doing Crossfire as shown in this article:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/10/12/crossfire_comparison_intel_x38_versus_p35/1

So if Crossfire is in your plans, the X38 chipset is your best bet. However, X38 mobos are very expensive (around $200+) and, outside of Crossfire, performs about the same as a regular $130 P35 mobo, at stock or overclocking involved.

So with all that said, I say stay with a single card setup. Less of a hassle and you know for sure that every game out there supports single card setups very very well. The DS3R will fit your needs very well.
Click to expand...
Ya, your right. I forgot this is shopping season and all them guys are out fighting those crowds, standing in line for hours just so they can spend more money than they would if they would have just bought it on line.

Your also right that I don't need Crossfire or SLi. After going to that link and reading about crossfire, I decided it was not worth the money. I also decided against the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R because I don't use Raid. The board I decided on seem to be about the same exept for the Raid. Let me know if I am wrong! Now I can increase the amount of memery I am getting to 4GB.

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail

2 x G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail - Total of 4GB

Any final thoughts before my wife orders my Christmas present? which will be in about a week.
 
jid1877 said:
Should I get chip set coolers and replace the OEM ones?
Click to expand...

How high do you plan on OC'ing the E6750?

Yes, the DS3L is basically the same as the DS3R except it uses the ICH9 instead of the ICH9R. Both boards need additional chipset cooling if you want to go above 425Mhz FSB SDR, IMO. I used a Thermalright HR-05 on my DS3R NB since I was running at 475Mhz FSB SDR.

If you want 4GB, go with a 2x2GB kit instead:

$37 - STT DDR2-800 2GB (128x8) S-RIGID Memory (Super Talent, single stick)
$37 - STT DDR2-800 2GB (128x8) S-RIGID Memory (Super Talent, single stick)

$110 - G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

$130 - G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-1000 F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ

You might be better off getting a better vidcard than more RAM, but its up to you.

E6750: 8 × 333 = 2.6Ghz, DDR2-667 << STOCK speeds
E6750: 8 × 400 = 3.2Ghz, DDR2-800 << Easy OC
E6750: 8 × 450 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-900 << Good OC
E6750: 8 × 500 = 4.0Ghz, DDR2-1000 << Great OC
 
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