PC Question

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 28 Dec 2006, 13:36

Update:
I think I've decided on an upgrade path. I am interested in comments/opinions/suggestions.

Intel Core 2 DuoE6700
Nvidia 8800 GTX

I'll need a mobo and RAM, so that is where I'm looking for suggestions. Also, any reason to go to the extreme? That is the Core 2 Extreme? I'd like to get an SLI mobo (so keep the upgrade possibilities open longer), but I don't care about all the on-board sound, wireless, etc that some of the mobos come with. Any preference on chipsets? I know I'll need an LGA775 board, but that doesn't narrow it down far enough for me.

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 28 Dec 2006, 17:25

Core 2 E is a little faster for a lot more money. Diminishing returns there.

As for chipsets, the 2 main ones are the Intel (975 I think?) and the new nvidia 680i, but it has had some technical issues they're still working out. So the Intel may be the safest, if not always fastest, way to go.

I hate the fact that I need to go to DDR2 for Core 2 Duo, so I'm thinking of just getting an A64 X2 and a PCI-E mobo and keeping my RAM.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 28 Dec 2006, 18:27

the core 2 duo will run cooler and therefore quiter than a x2 though - you might want to consider that. but you will not get sli on the intel chipset, you would have to get an intel biased nvidia chipset. honestly though i do not think sli is needed - especially if you are going to get an 8800gtx... i would go for the e6700 - the one i have booted my system in about 1/4th the time the 2.8 pentium d did. i have not installed an os on that machine yet though...

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 29 Dec 2006, 07:50

i was thinking that if the mobo was sli, I could ultimately grab a cheap 8800 in a year or so to "fill it out."

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 29 Dec 2006, 07:54

i just looked at an Abit board and it does appear to have the intel 975 chipset AND SLI, so that does not appear to be an nForce only feature. Still researching.

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 29 Dec 2006, 07:56

I'll also be taking the Intel Duo Core 2 route sometime next year. It seems to be the best option right now for me.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 29 Dec 2006, 09:15

Here is my first cut. Any suggestions? Wish it was cheaper, but it should kick. Straw Man System

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 29 Dec 2006, 10:05

PanzerMeyer wrote:Intel Duo Core 2

it is properly Intel Core 2 Duo. Pentium has changed to Core, Core 2 is the second generation. Duo indicates dual cores...

Gator,
does the PNY have lifetime warranty? you might look at the bfg or evga card from newegg instead. i think they also have rebates that make them come out cheaper.

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 29 Dec 2006, 10:08

Steel wrote:
PanzerMeyer wrote:Intel Duo Core 2
it is properly Intel Core 2 Duo. Pentium has changed to Core, Core 2 is the second generation. Duo indicates dual cores...

Gator,
does the PNY have lifetime warranty? you might look at the bfg or evga card from newegg instead. i think they also have rebates that make them come out cheaper.

Hehe..that's what I meant to type! My mistake.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 29 Dec 2006, 10:54

i think the pny has the longer warranty. I'm not set on that one though - I'll likely see what the best buy is next month sometime. Feb perhaps even. Especially on the vid card - if ATI enters the dx10 market, the prices could change drastically.

I looked into the 680i chipset. It appears that most of the problems are with the RAID bios and people who overclock aggresively (I overclocked such and such to 4000MHz and my system crashes all the time! duh!) or don't use proper cooling. On this also, I'm in a wait and see. I can't think nvidia will abandon the chipset - they are betting on it. I'd like to see more options in the 680i space.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 30 Dec 2006, 13:09

Gaotr,
from the BFG site...i don't think PNY can beat that.

LIFETIME WARRANTY.
Other vendors may claim to have a â€œlifetime warrantyâ€

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 30 Dec 2006, 21:43

good find - that is compelling. 5 years though would be a long life for a vid card.

Anyway, that obviously moves BFG up on my list - however, i always thought they were good - merely pricy.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 31 Dec 2006, 00:49

they all cost the same. check my prevbious post - both bfg and evga have a rebate from newegg - making them the cheapest two... i think evga is also lifetime warranty.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 07 Jan 2007, 18:03

Well, I've bought all the components I need for my new system. Hopefully it's a winner for me.

BFG 8800GTX vid card
Intel E6600 CPU
eVGA 680i Mobo
2GB GeIL RAM (240 pin PC2 8500)
X-Fi sound card
2x320 GB WD SATA 3Gb/s drives
Antec TP3-650 PSU

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 07 Jan 2007, 20:24

i was looking today and the bfg 8800gtx we bought last week has gone up in price!

mine is close to yours Gator:
bgf 8800gtx
e6700 cpu
2GB ddr2-667
4 73GB WD Raptor HDD's
will select between a Antec Neo 500 or Seasonic SS600HT
i will try onboard sound to see how it goes - i have the high end i975XBX intel board with the high def audio, 1394 onboard and the silicon image 3114 sata raid chip

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 14 Jan 2007, 10:37

well, i switched my RAM to a matched set of Corsair and the install went without a hitch. I love it so far.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 14 Jan 2007, 11:28

what are you running?

i installed xp 64 bit last night and have everything running... no games yet though, and i need to find a free version of 64 bit capable antivirus. so far it looks like only avast has anything.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 14 Jan 2007, 12:11

i installed xp(32) ... I'll wait for vista before I go 64 -- i figure that's when all the drivers, etc will support it better.

Love the case - installing the hardware was a dream. bought two hard disks - one was doa -- am returning it to newegg for a replacement. The GeIL RAM never worked right. Not sure why. Returned it too. The motherboard is beautiful, no trouble with it. I wish it had one more usb header on the mobo - two wasn't enough. the 8800 was huge, but installed easily enough. just using the latest forceware drivers right now ... nothing beta or 3rd party yet.

I tried r6-vegas -- all settings maxed. Looks awesome and is smooth as glass. I'm installing M2TW and Company of Heroes (can't say COH because i don't want anyone to think i've gone to the dark side of MMOs). I want to play the games that brought my opteron to its knees.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 14 Jan 2007, 12:37

are you using your creative sound card or onboard sound? i am going to try the onboard sound on the intel board i have for a while...

i put on xp64 bit so i can go straight to 64 bit vista. you will have to wipe and reformat as you can not uprade from 32 bit to 64 bit.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 14 Jan 2007, 12:58

yep. I knew that, but I didn't think I wanted to go from XP to vista without a wipe and reformat anyway, so i didn't think it mattered which xp i was using.

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