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Decided on the Intel setup.

JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
PLEASE DO NOT FLAME OR GET INTO DEBATES IN THIS THREAD.


This is not the first time I have posted a thread like this. Unfortunately, the last time I had to hold off on upgrading due to bills and stuff like that.

But now I will finally get to upgrade.

I am using a 40 inch LCD Samsung 1080P @ 1920x1080 for a monitor. And it will need to last a minimum of two years.


INTEL

$269.99----ASUS Maximus II Formula Intel P45
$174.99----Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale
$..88.99----Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB)
$284.99----VisionTek Radeon HD 4870
$119.99----CORSAIR 750W

Subtotal: $938.95 w/ E8400
Subtotal: $953.95 w/ E8500
Subtotal: $958.95 w/ Q6600
Subtotal: $1033.95 w/ Q9300
Subtotal: $1093.95 w/ Q9450

I know two of these are over the $1000 limit. But it may be possible to swing that price as well.

______________________________________

I just need opinions on the setup above. Of course I would *rather* have user experiences than opinions.
______________________________________

EDIT: Added information

1. The build will be used for gaming mostly. And some video editing.

2. Build cannot cost more than $1000

3. Will be purchasing from Newegg.

4. The only brand preferences I really have is Asus and ATI.

5. Will reuse my hard drive and cd-drives.

6. I have read other threads and still could not come to a conclusion.

7. No plans on overclocking *YET*. Maybe in the future. But would like the option of Crossfire.

8. Will be ordering on August 10.

:laugh:
 
My current mobo is the Asus Rampage X48, and it's one heck of a nice motherboard. However, it's main advantages are it's excellent overclockability and it's capacity for crossfire at X16 speeds - neither of which you seem to have any interest in. For those reasons, it's more mobo than you need. Perhaps consider an excellent p45 chipset board for half the price?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131295

I also own the Corsair PSU, and believe it to be one of the best values on the PSU market currently. Very quiet, powerful, stable, and reliable at a great price.

Because of the lower voltage, timings, and price, I'd recommend this RAM to you:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

The CPU is really a no-brainer - the Intel Wolfdale is faster and cheaper. I'm very glad to see AMD catching up on the GPU side, but their CPU's have a ways to go.

 
Well, as of right now, I have no need or want for overclocking. But....I would like to keep the option open for Crossfire down the road.

Hmmm, I guess its possible to change out the motherboard, and maybe even go with a quad for the Intel setup.
 
I like to root for the underdog from time to time. I think after I get a 9450, the next machine I get/build may be an AMD. My old FX60 was one hell of a machine. since I sold the processor, I've installed a great stepping Opteron 170!
 
If your system is for gaming and you really will be doing little or no CPU-intensive tasks such as video editing/rendering, than you're better off with a dual-core Intel CPU rather than a quad, since games don't take advantage of the extra cores and also especially since you're not planning to overclock (the dual core's stock frequencies are higher).

Be aware that if you think it's likely you'll move to crossfire in the future, you should get an X38 or X48 board, since they're the only ones that support crossfire at the full X16 speed (the p45's like the Asus P5Q do NOT).

If you want a quad and still want the option to crossfire down the line, to stay within your budget I'd recommend option 4, but substitute the Intel Q6600 CPU.
 
Good catch.

I said I wanted the option of Crossfire down the road. But yet I listed two builds that wasn't Crossfire capable 😕

Updated OP.
 
Would love some advice on the setups.

If I were to overclock, I am assuming the E8500 rig would be best ?
 
The E8500 generally overclocks higher than the Q6600. Right now, with the Asus Rampage board I have, mine is set at 9.5X400FSB = 3.8GHz with only a mild bump in the vcore voltage, stable with relatively cool temps with the Xigmatek CPU cooler.

Since you say your system is primarily for gaming, I'd vote Rig 1 at this point.
 
Yea, after I got to looking through the parts again. I just added the option of the Q6600 to the Rig #1. So either that or the E8500.

It is possible to get into some overclocking in the future. Although gaming is the primary concern, there will be a lot of other things done on the build as well. File compression, video editing, rendering.
 
Another question.

Is the Asus Rampage Formula the same board as the Asus P5E X38 ?

I know the P5E is X38 and the Rampage is X48, But is that the only difference ?

The layouts are just about identical.

I have also read up on the P45 chipset and have taking a liking to it. I got rid of the X48 Rampage and have added the Maximus II Formula P45. $20 cheaper as well.



I have decided as well, to get into overclocking. Out of the two CPUs listed above...which would be best bang/buck ?

And also what are your thoughts on the Quad 9300 ?
 
The P45 chipset is nice, but as I mentioned earlier in this thread, just be aware that it only supports crossfire at X8 speeds, not the full X16 speed. Only the X38 and X48 chipset boards support full-speed X16 Crossfire.
 
Yea, I do understand that. However, I want the option of Crossfire like I stated...but even at the speeds of the HD 4870.... Crossfire won't ever be needed.

I guess I just like knowing I have two PCI-E slots 😱
 
I might sound like a broken record but:

$270 + 285 = $555 for X48 + 4870
$ 95 + 500 = $595 for P43 + 4870 x2 -- or another $10-20 for P45 if you need it

You get the crossfire power now instead of paying $170 just for future proofiness.
 
Originally posted by: JPB
Oh, and what is the *ABSOLUTE BEST* after market cpu cooler for Intel 775 ?

How is this Zalman ?

Or Asus ?

Tuniq Tower
Click to expand...

None of those.

The Thermalright 120 Extreme-
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ..._AM2.html?tl=c14s52b34

With a noctua fan-
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...543_CFM_at_19_dBA.html

is the absolute best.


But, at a better price/performance ration, Xigatek's 1283 Rifle Cooler is the best
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003
(make sure to get the retention bracket! http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16835233019)

The Tuniq is good as well, so is the Zerotherm Nirvana 120
 
I have a Thermalright XP-90 on my current cpu. It won't work with 775 socket will it ?
 
So what would be the best cpu for up to two years ?

Im concerned that if I go with dual core...within that time, there will be a lot of games that really take advantage of quad core and I will need it.

Opinions ?
 
Originally posted by: JPB
So what would be the best cpu for up to two years ?

Im concerned that if I go with dual core...within that time, there will be a lot of games that really take advantage of quad core and I will need it.

Opinions ?
Click to expand...

I think dual core will be the standard for the next 2 years. At this point I'd take speed over multiple cores.
 
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