hurtstotalktoyou
Platinum Member
Okay, guys; I'm pretty sure I'm going to upgrade my system to dual core. Because I'm switching platforms, I'll also need a new motherboard, RAM and video card, as well. I don't have a set budget, but the object of the game is to get this to be as *cheap* as possible without sacrificing CPU overclocking or reliability.
First, the CPU: I'd of course like to try for a Core 2 Duo E6300, but I think that's going to be a bit too expensive, especially if I end up needing an expensive motherboard, too. So I'm probably going to be stuck with a Pentium D. I figure I'll get an 805, but would it be worth the extra $26 for a 915, instead? What are the overclocking potentials of the two, do you think, on stock cooling?
Second, the motherboard: I was thinking about the Gigabyte GA-945P-S3 ($97.12 shipped from NewEgg). This site, as well as Newegg's reviews indicate it is a great overclocker. However, some folks argue the GA-965P-S3 ($131.12 from NewEgg) is a better choice. I've heard claims about it having better capacitors as well as better overclocking potential. Is that true or are people just talking out of their behinds? The 965P-S3 is $34 more expensive--money I'd rather use to either get a better CPU or more RAM if I have it to spend. Or is there another board which might be better for an 805 other than those two?
Third, the memory: The Gigabyte boards require 1.8v memory. However, since they support DDR2-400 settings, that means I can overclock a CPU by more than 60% while keeping DDR2-667 memory at or below stock speeds. And that of course means I can choose between DDR2-667 or DDR2-800, at my discretion. Now, for the time being I'll only get a single stick of 512MB. That way I can put more money into the CPU and motherboard, and then upgrade to 1GB a little later, when I have more funds. But should I get the Wintec 3AMD2800-512M1-R ($54.98, DDR2-800) or the Patriot PSD251266781H ($59.98, DDR2-667)? Obviously I'd like to go for the Wintec, which is both faster and cheaper--but is it reliable? If I'm not mistaken, Patriot is a more trustworthy manufacturer. I don't mind sacrificing $5 and a bit of performance for reliability.
Finally, the video card: I do not play games. All I need is a PCIe x16 card with VGA and TV out ports. I'd like it to run Aero, if possible, but not at any great additional expense. I was eyeing the Biostar V6202EL63 retail ($37.98), Chaintech SV62LE-T2 open box ($33.98), MSI NX6200TC-TD128ELF open box ($34.63), ASUS EAX300SE-X/TD/128M open box ($34.63), PowerColor X300SE64HM256 open box ($34.99) or ASUS EN6200TC256/TD/64M open box ($35.63). I honestly don't know which of these will perform best, or whether the performance differences are great enough I shouldn't just get the cheapest one (the Chaintech SV62LE-T2). Any suggestions would be extremely helpful.
Thanks very much!
First, the CPU: I'd of course like to try for a Core 2 Duo E6300, but I think that's going to be a bit too expensive, especially if I end up needing an expensive motherboard, too. So I'm probably going to be stuck with a Pentium D. I figure I'll get an 805, but would it be worth the extra $26 for a 915, instead? What are the overclocking potentials of the two, do you think, on stock cooling?
Second, the motherboard: I was thinking about the Gigabyte GA-945P-S3 ($97.12 shipped from NewEgg). This site, as well as Newegg's reviews indicate it is a great overclocker. However, some folks argue the GA-965P-S3 ($131.12 from NewEgg) is a better choice. I've heard claims about it having better capacitors as well as better overclocking potential. Is that true or are people just talking out of their behinds? The 965P-S3 is $34 more expensive--money I'd rather use to either get a better CPU or more RAM if I have it to spend. Or is there another board which might be better for an 805 other than those two?
Third, the memory: The Gigabyte boards require 1.8v memory. However, since they support DDR2-400 settings, that means I can overclock a CPU by more than 60% while keeping DDR2-667 memory at or below stock speeds. And that of course means I can choose between DDR2-667 or DDR2-800, at my discretion. Now, for the time being I'll only get a single stick of 512MB. That way I can put more money into the CPU and motherboard, and then upgrade to 1GB a little later, when I have more funds. But should I get the Wintec 3AMD2800-512M1-R ($54.98, DDR2-800) or the Patriot PSD251266781H ($59.98, DDR2-667)? Obviously I'd like to go for the Wintec, which is both faster and cheaper--but is it reliable? If I'm not mistaken, Patriot is a more trustworthy manufacturer. I don't mind sacrificing $5 and a bit of performance for reliability.
Finally, the video card: I do not play games. All I need is a PCIe x16 card with VGA and TV out ports. I'd like it to run Aero, if possible, but not at any great additional expense. I was eyeing the Biostar V6202EL63 retail ($37.98), Chaintech SV62LE-T2 open box ($33.98), MSI NX6200TC-TD128ELF open box ($34.63), ASUS EAX300SE-X/TD/128M open box ($34.63), PowerColor X300SE64HM256 open box ($34.99) or ASUS EN6200TC256/TD/64M open box ($35.63). I honestly don't know which of these will perform best, or whether the performance differences are great enough I shouldn't just get the cheapest one (the Chaintech SV62LE-T2). Any suggestions would be extremely helpful.
Thanks very much!
