Hi I have a really really tough decision to make on my build, help me out please!!!!

[ss samy]

So here's my situation:

I currently have a build in my shopping cart waiting to get checked out. I have the Core 2 Duo E6600 as a CPU, and the evga GeForce 7900GS KO as the video card. Anyways, i tried to add on a DX-10 card to my build. So i decided to try and see how much it would cost if i sacrificed my CPU power a bit to get a better video card. I put in the E4300 and an 8800GTS 320MB and i ended up paying only 30 dollars more. So my question is, Is it worth sacrificing the E6600 to get the 8800GTS? Is the E4300 still a good and fast processor? How much difference does 2MB extra cache make? Should I just stick to the 7900GS and the E6600 and maybe upgrade later on? My next upgrade would probably be at the end of the year. WIll the 7900GS hold out that long?

Thanks a lot for any replies

 

[ribbon13]

E6600 + upgrade GPU later.

Always... More L2 now + upgrade GPU later. It's what gives CPU legs.

 

[ss samy]

ok i was leaning towards the cheaper option as well, so thanks

 

[Atheus]

Screen resolution? You may need the power of the 8800 if you want to run a big widescreen LCD at native resolution in games.

 

[bob4432]

for me this would be simple - do you use more gpu or cpu? games or encoding? there is your answer. and remember, o/cing a 4300 to go faster than a 6600 is not an issue...

 

[Captante]

If gaming performance is more important to you, go for the 8800 .... right now the CPU will likely drop in price faster because 7-seris cards will be getting harder to come by & the price may actually rise a bit in the near-term.

 

[ribbon13]

Why not compromise with a E6420?

 

[ss samy]

i'm not really a huge overclocker, so i want to stick to the CPU with a high stock speed and maybe overclock it when i feel that I'm slowing down

 

[ss samy]

and just FYI i'm getting a 22" widescreen monitor...will this be a bit of a burden on the 7900GS?

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: ss samy
and just FYI i'm getting a 22" widescreen monitor...will this be a bit of a burden on the 7900GS?

Good argument for the better video card. 🙂

Question you really have to ask yourself, though: Is DX10 important to you? I think that would be one of the main driving forces for me in your decision here...

 

[ss samy]

actually you know what? I'll just stick with the 7900GS and E6420, and i'll get a 20" monitor of higher quality...i think my mind is made up