first new build in 4 years

[tokie]

ok so the topic is pretty self-explanatory. I have a case/psu/dvd-rw/hard drive already, so all I am down to is the CPU/mobo/ram/vidcard.

I will be getting an ATI 4830 no matter which platform I go with. I am coming from an original AMD64 3200+ and an X800XTPE, so anything will be a huge upgrade.

here are the possibilities (Canadian$):
AMD X2 7750 - $98
ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+ - $86
4GB DDR2-800 - $45
OR
Intel E5200 - $102
some G31-based mobo, range from $60-80
4GB DDR2-800 - $45

I'm leaning towards the AMD one, as they both come out to roughly the same price (~$350). In terms of OC'ing, the E5200 would have more headroom, but I would only do a minor OC on both, like both to 3GHz.

another problem is I don't know how much difference performance between DDR2-800 and 1066 on the Athlon, whether getting the 800 would be fine. also, are the G31-based mobo's decent for overclocking to say, 3ghz? please critique and whip this into shape!

 

[Blain]

* E7300
* Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
* Your 1.8v A-Data is fine.

 

[tokie]

thats an extra $150 that I'm not willing to pay. basically, the cpu+ram+mobo+vidcard must come out to ~$350, and I think only the E5200 fits the bill for the intel.

 

[Blain]

"thats an extra $150 that I'm not willing to pay"

It's your money... :thumbsup:

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: tokie
ok so the topic is pretty self-explanatory. I have a case/psu/dvd-rw/hard drive already, so all I am down to is the CPU/mobo/ram/vidcard.

I will be getting an ATI 4830 no matter which platform I go with. I am coming from an original AMD64 3200+ and an X800XTPE, so anything will be a huge upgrade.

here are the possibilities (Canadian$):
AMD X2 7750 - $98
ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+ - $86
4GB DDR2-800 - $45
OR
Intel E5200 - $102
some G31-based mobo, range from $60-80
4GB DDR2-800 - $45

I'm leaning towards the AMD one, as they both come out to roughly the same price (~$350). In terms of OC'ing, the E5200 would have more headroom, but I would only do a minor OC on both, like both to 3GHz.

another problem is I don't know how much difference performance between DDR2-800 and 1066 on the Athlon, whether getting the 800 would be fine. also, are the G31-based mobo's decent for overclocking to say, 3ghz? please critique and whip this into shape!

That's an interesting question - I don't know if the memory controller on the X2 7750 is 800MHz or 1066MHz.

If you are looking forward to an AM3 upgrade in the future I'd say go with DDR2 1066MHz.

In my limited experience with the 'Black Editions' OCing with the multi is a gimmick for lazy people - LOL. You will get a higher OC by increasing the AMD base clock and leaving the cpu multi at stock.

The 780v has PCIe Gen2 - double the bandwidth of the x16 slot on the G31. Not much of a boost these days (maybe 5%) but could make a difference in the future. The HD 4830 should work well for you - a little OC could get you in the HD 4850 range ...

 

[Denithor]

e5200 $102
Foxconn G31MV-K $52
Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 $37AR
Thermaltake 430W PSU $47

All have free shipping, although it expires on the RAM & PSU tomorrow.

Sapphire 4830 $128 before rebate - I would recommend not filing this rebate, it's only $10 and if you cut out the UPC you cannot RMA to Newegg. Otherwise they cover the card under their standard 1 year warranty versus having to go to Sapphire if you have problems (their RMA process sucks, at least here in the US).

EDIT: Don't worry about the PCIe 1.1 vs 2.0 thing at all. Even the almighty GTX 280 doesn't fill the bandwidth of PCIe 1.1 yet so there is no difference between the two, especially on lower end cards like you're considering.