Budget challenge

[jesh462]

I'm upgrading my little brother's system and want something that will last him a while. I've narrowed it down to essentially 2 processors: The PHII 920 or the Q6600.
I looked at the Q8200 and Q8300 but was not impressed with their cache size. I'm not too familiar with the differences between all the intel revisions, so maybe this is negligible?

The problem is I only have 600 to work with for a new processor, motherboard, memory, hsf, & power supply. To compound the problem, I've noticed that newegg is running a deal where the 920 comes with combo discounts on motherboards and video cards. I've looked at benchmarks with these 2 stock for stock, but not overclocked.

The plan is to OC each as *much* as possible and hope that it'll make it a few years for games at 1280x1024. The planned video card is a 4850, however, if I go with the PhII I might be able to squeeze a 4870 into the system.

For RAM, I thought I'd give this a shot:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227362
The PS I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817702010
HSF:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003




If anyone could help me decide on what'd be best for the system, in any area, that would be awesome.
I'm in the US and the system will be used mostly for homework, "interesting" videos, music, and of course games that strike my brother's fancy. The system has a 19" LCD with the native resolution listed above so that will help with "future proofing".
I have NO brand preferences. The system will be built immediately and I can't delay on parts as he needs a working computer for school and I'll be leaving the country soon. As you can see from how much performance I need to squeeze out of the money, whatever works is great!
Thanks guys! =)

 

[richierich1212]

So it looks like you're set on a quad. I quickly looked up some of the best rated/best priced components on newegg:

PII 940 + Biostar 790GX Mobo: $294.99 - $10 MIR = $284.99
G.Skill 4GB PC-8500 RAM: $44.99
OCZ 600W Powersupply: $84.99 - $35 MIR = $49.99
Your selected HSF Xigmatek S1283: $36.99
HIS Hightech Radeon 4870: $189.99 - $10 MIR = $179.99
Total Cost: $596.95

I'm trying to build a new system as well.

 

[jesh462]

I've been reading a bit on cache differences, and it seems like the 8 and possible 9 series of Q chips are offering SSE 4.1 which can offer good gains? There's also the FSB differences and lower cache latencies that could make up for any advantage in the 8mb cache on the Q6600. However I look at benchmarks like GTA4 and Crysis and see that the PhII just does better than the intel chips in this price range.

I think I'm leaning towards the PhII. That looks like a good find on the power supply, provided that the rebate ever comes back.

And yes I'm set on quad core just because of how long I know it will be before this system is upgraded. We're already starting to see games that have a real advantage with 4 cores.

 

[richierich1212]

Yeah I hate rebates too. But they are the only way to save on a budget.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Save some money on the vid card and get a 4850 or 9800 GTX+, for the assumed resolution it should be more than enough power for the majority of titles.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: jesh462~~~~
The plan is to OC each as *much* as possible ...

If you go with the Biostar 790gx cool the FETs with the Thermalright HR-09S Type 2

 

[Denithor]

Q8300 will whoop the Q6600 @ stock speeds, overclocks better & runs cooler.

One thing you need to consider is the PhII is going to run hotter/consume more power than either of the Intel chips. If you can wait a bit the AM3 version should be released shortly rated at 95W (versus the current 125W) plus the boards will probably offer improved overclocking & features.

If he's gotta have a quad, right now I would recommend the Q8300 + EP45-DS3P motherboard + 4850. Plan to upgrade the video card in about a year, the rest will be fine for several years.

 

[theAnimal]

Better quality PSU.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Save some money on the vid card and get a 4850 or 9800 GTX+, for the assumed resolution it should be more than enough power for the majority of titles.

:thumbsup: The low resolution really wouldn't allow the 4870 to do itself justice.

 

[batuchka]

+1 for the Phenom 2 idead
Also power consumption vastly improved over Agena core!

 

[jesh462]

Thanks for all the replies guys. =)
Animal, I decided to go with an OCZ 700w powerstream. Is that better than my previous choice in your opinion? I stuck with the 4870 1gb just so my brother can put off upgrading it longer.
I went with this GSkill memory instead. Not really a reason why, just the OCZ reviews scared me a little.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231166

I also went with the phII and 790gx since he doesn't pay for the electricity.

heyheybooboo, the mosfets run hot on the board while OCing? Is that why you recommend upgrading the cooling in that area?


I'm really pleased with how things worked out. For 701.38 I was able to get all the parts, not including 50 dollars in rebates. Counting the rebates and tax, I just barely went over budget. Yay!