Upgrading System, Am I Making Right Choice?

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edgeh2o

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
138
It's been a while but I'm finally ready to upgrade!

I think my system is in my sig, but just in case, I have:
Gigabyte DS3L P35,
Intel C2D E6600 @ 3.2,
Windows XP Pro, 2GB G.SKILL DDR2 800,
BFG 8800GT OC 512MB,
750GB WD SE,
SAMSUNG SH-S203B
Onkyo TX-SR506 via optical cable -> onboard sound

I'm fortunate to be a part of Intel Retail Edge program with a rockstar status, so in december I plan on for sure getting:
Intel® Core™ i7-860 processor
Intel® X25-M Solid-State Drive

Got a free copy of Windows 7 64-bit from my school (CSUMB)

And for now, I'm planning on using the same video card...

So that leaves the motherboard and memory.

Do you guys think it would be a good idea to get the Intel® Desktop Board DP55WG for $109 from Intel Retail Edge? Or should I spend more money and get a Gigabyte or Asus board? I'll probably want to overclock just a little bit, but overall I'm looking for the most stable and least amount of issues in a motherboard, and would be willing to pay around $150.

Also, what kind of memory should I get? It's been so long since I've looked at computer hardware I don't know what's best. A quick newegg search lead me to GSkill 4GB DDR3 1600 for $95. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193&cm_re=GSKILL-_-20-231-193-_-Product

I've been extremely happy with my current GSkill, so would that memory be prime for whatever motherboard I end up getting?
 
Heh, I had no clue Monterey Bay had a cal state. Nice area, though, and a VERY nice community hosptial (unfortunately, from experience, lol).

I'd ditch the Intel board and go for an Asus or Gigabyte. Can't go wrong with a UD3x or P7P55x, IMO. Just make sure it has the features you need, and the layout will fit whatever cards you need to install.

G.Skill is still a good choice. For best compatibility, get 1.5v DDR3-1600 or 1333, depending on how high you'd like to OC. For OC'ing, pickup a CM Hyper 212+ aftermarket cooler.

How much is the SSD via retail edge?
 
gwarren - Board looks good, like I said, I've been really happy with my Gigabyte. I don't see myself ever using 2 videocards, is there an even cheaper route with just 1 pci-e?

enginurd - Yeah they built it on the old Fort Ord base, established about 18 years ago now I think, and their suppose to finish building/remodeling the campus by 2016 I think. Anyways, yeah its a great area, I actually live in Santa Cruz right now and commute.

I think Im goona go with the GSkill DDR3-1600. So...like I said it's been a while... I know right now with my DDR2-800 memory that it runs best when my FSB is oc'd to 1600Mhz so it is running a 1:1 ratio correct? What would a need to oc the gigabyte board to, to run the DDR3 1600 memory at a 1:1 ratio, and what ratio would it run at if I ran the i7 at stock?

The SSD is $129 through the retail edge :)
 
edgeh2o said:
gwarren - Board looks good, like I said, I've been really happy with my Gigabyte. I don't see myself ever using 2 videocards, is there an even cheaper route with just 1 pci-e?

I think Im goona go with the GSkill DDR3-1600. So...like I said it's been a while... I know right now with my DDR2-800 memory that it runs best when my FSB is oc'd to 1600Mhz so it is running a 1:1 ratio correct? What would a need to oc the gigabyte board to, to run the DDR3 1600 memory at a 1:1 ratio, and what ratio would it run at if I ran the i7 at stock?

The SSD is $129 through the retail edge :)
Click to expand...

Think the main reason why gwarren007 recommended that mobo was because it had USB 3.0. Dunno if that's important to you or not. This mobo is a decent choice as well:
$110 - Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 mATX Motherboard

Correct on the 1:1 ratio for the DDR2 800 RAM. As for the Core i7 setup, not sure TBH.

Limit one SSD per person right? ;)
 
:eek: ... i need to find a friend w/ retail edge.

DRAM multi on P55/X58 is 6x or 8x w/ base FSB 133Mhz @ stock.
 
I see, I'd probably spend the extra $20-30 then to have USB 3.0 in the future.

Yeah, only 1 SSD/user :(

Since I use my computer to play music and movies on a $1500+ sound system I've built over the past year, SQ is extremely important to me. I've found the best way to connect my computer to my receiver is through S/PDIF optical. I've noticed that my current motherboard, and the new P55 Gigabyte motherboards use the ALC888 Realtek chip, however the Intel DP55WG uses the newer ALC889 Realtek chip.

According to this review, http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/06/27/xfx_nforce_680i_sli/7 the ALC888 performed quite better than the ALC889, if I interpreted the graph right.

That said, if SQ is my #1 concern, should I make sure to get a motherboard with the ALC888 chip, and stay away from the ALC889?
 
If you're using optical out, your receiver is doing all of the sound processing...so the specs of the integrated audio chipset shouldn't matter. Right? At least that's how I understand it.
 
I watch Blurays on my Sony standalone...

Right now I'm running a 3.1 setup (didn't have room for surrounds) but I'm moving soon so I will return to my 5.1 setup...and in the future I definitely plan on running 7.1, maybe even 7.2, and I would definitely like to tryout Dolby Height and Wide modes...

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR707
Speakers: AV123 ELT525 5.0
Sub: SVS PB10-NSD
 
Yah, no need for a soundcard with your setup, as yourzero pointed out.
 
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