Building new rig, still confused about certain C2D

[spitz10]

I know there are so many posts about the different C2D processors, but I still cant figure out which one makes the most since for me, considering all the recent price drops, etc.

A little bit of background - Last summer I built a new computer, thinking that it would last me a while, with these main specs:

AMD 64 3700+ (OC'd to 2.8)
ASUS A8R-MVP
2 GB OCZ Platinum PC3200
ATI X1900GT 256
36 GB raptor
Earthwatts 500W

But I recently played on my friends computer he built about 3 months ago, and realized that my stuff just isnt up to scale. His specs:

E4300 (OC'd to 3.0)
2 GB Patriot PC2-6400
nvidia 7600GT
36 GB raptor
Earthwatts 500W

We have been playing some CS:S together and he is DESTROYING me in FPS. I would say my video card is reasonably better than his, yet he is still getting close to an avg of 80 or so fps on the maps we play, while i get 30-40.

The weird thing is that I beat him by about 15 fps on the steam video stress test, which pretty much varifies that my bottleneck is my CPU.

Sooooooo, considering:

1. the prices are dropping so low
2. I have someone willing to buy everything from me except my video card

I want to build a new system, but all I really need is CPU, mobo, RAM.

So finally my question is, Which processor should I get? Here are my objectives in upgrading:

1. Improve my gaming performance, specifically in CS:S.
2. Get the processor that provides the most value, or bang for my buck.
3. Will be best for the future.

I am looking to spend around 450 or so for everything (CPU, heatsink, mobo, RAM), with a general breakdown of 200 processor, 120 mobo, 90 RAM, 40 heatsink.

Sorry this was long, but I wanted to include as much info as possible, so I didnt have to leave anything else out. Any help is greatly appreciated, and the more recommendations the better - I also need mobo/RAM recommendations so whatever you can give me I will take.

Thanks guys. Thank GOD for AAT.

 

[spitz10]

On second thought, I would be willing to spend a little more on the processor, say 250 or so, if it would provide a substantial performance jump and/or be much better in the future.

Also, as far as my tasks outside of gaming - not much is intensive, outside of the OCCASIONAL photoshop session and video editing, as well as dvd ripping/burning

 

[nullpointerus]

I highly recommend my Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R system board ($130) and Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro HSF ($32).

 

[Yongsta]

I bought a Gigabyte P35-DS3R (e4300 @ 3.4 ghz) last week & I love it. I also have the AC Freezer 7 Pro http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC7PRO ($29 w/ shipping vs $40 at newegg w/ shipping). I bought G.skill Ram PC6400 (You can find these for $80 - $90 1GB x 2)... 5-5-5-15 timings I can get up to 430 FSB stable (lower multiplier for cpu) but I just run mines at 8x multiplier 425 FSB, before it was 9x multiplier 380 FSB. You can save a little more and get a 8800GTS 320 and get a serious boost.

 

[spitz10]

The Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R seems like the board to get - good price, good reviews, and will do exactly what I need.

The ACF 7 pro also seems like a very good choice with a very reasonable price.

So which processor??

 

[Wedge1]

Best for gaming (within your price range) would be e6750 or higher.

Best bang for your buck is probably e4300.

Best for future-proofing would be quad-core. Cost right now ~$280 - $300.

Sorry i didn't make this decision easier for you, but in a nutshell, I think that is how it currently stands. Decide how much you actually want to spend on the CPU because that will probably give you your answer.

 

[bryanW1995]

get the e6750, it's around 210 or so right now. If you go quad then you will probably need to spend more on cooling solutions etc right now. Wait on quad for penryn, they'll be much easier to manage from a heat perspective. p35 ds3r has a great rep, hard to go wrong with that.

 

[spitz10]

Ok, yea, the E6750 was my main "target." But just to be sure, is it definitely better than the E6600 and is it worth the upgrade over the E6550? Is there any reason to get the 6600 over the 6750??

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: spitz10
Is there any reason to get the 6600 over the 6750??

Yeah, it overclocks alot better, if overclocking interests you.

 

[RussianSensation]

Q6600 - $300
OCZ OCZ2P800R22GK 2GB Kit DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Revision 2 - $65 after $45 MIR
Gigabyte P35 S3L - $97
Tuniq Tower - $51

Total (prices roughly estimate shipping): $513
Your budget: $250 processor + $120 mobo + $90 ram + $40 heatsink = $500

I realize the motherboard is not DS3R, but the chipset on it is still P35 which means stock speed for it is 333FSB. To get Q6600 with 9x multiplier to 3.4ghz you need 378FSB or a small overclock of 14% on the motherboard. Since there is no need for high FSB, there is no need for DS3R in my opinion, but now you get a quad

This is the setup I am ordering this weekend.

 

[spitz10]

that is a nice setup, I just dont think I want to go quad yet, and it is a little more. Still a possibility though.

Obviously the prices just dropped, but I must admit, getting a new system isnt THAT urgent for me, so I would be willing to wait another couple months if prices were expected to fall again anytime soon. Does anyone know what the prices are supposed to do over the next 2 months or so?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: spitz10
Does anyone know what the prices are supposed to do over the next 2 months or so?

Q6600 for $150 + 8800GTS for $150

ahhh just guessing. If you are willing to wait 2 more months, there is a possibility we will see Phenom and who knows how fast it is or how fast it overclocks. I would suggest to read once every 2 weeks on new developments and come back in 2 months. Given the recent price drop of all c2d/q processors, it seems very unlikely that Intel would once again have significant price drops. In my opinion this price drop was done for (1) back-to-school season as stores start to stock up on inventory already and (2) to signal to consumers that it has never been a better time to buy. They are doing everything in their power to sway current and future users from even considering Phenom when it comes out.