Is the Intel Pentium D Extreme 965 worth it?

[HollowRopes]

First of all, let me start off by saying I have a Gateway computer with an Intel motherboard that isn't very great. Anyway, my current processor is a Pentium D 2.8, and I've noticed that PriceWatch has Pentium D Extreme 965s for $299. Is that possibly the best I could do for this motherboard, or are there other options? Help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[lyssword]

NO, NO and NO way. You can buy a new motherboard, 2gb ram and lets say e4300 (or better) which would still be faster than 965, for same price.

 

[HollowRopes]

So I should settle for a 2.4 Core Duo for the same price, or.. ?

Also can't figure out what the last "no" could be for. More information? Thanks.

 

[HollowRopes]

Alright, I have 4GB on this motherboard.. Would that work with Core 2 motherboards? I thought both processors used LGA 775? Getting confused.

 

[Quiksilver]

Shouldn't the question you be asking is, does this motherboard support c2d or c2q? Sure it might be a p965 chipset but you never know with manufactured PC's...

 

[lyssword]

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...80860&prodlist=froogle if it fits on your mobo. Should b much better than 965, and a lot cooler/quieter.

 

[HollowRopes]

I just found out.. It won't work. Thanks QuiksilverX1, had to check some things. Okay, well.. What's a good mobo for this CPU? This is actually for my birthday on the 16th (Friday) so time is limited. Just wanting to know if it's better to buy a new cpumobo combo or piece by piece. Thanks for the information.

 

[Quiksilver]

Well how about some more information like are you interested in SLI,
How much are you willing to spend?
Do you plan on keeping the generic gateway case you have now (I never had one so I don't know if they use custom mounting holes).

If the case has standard ATX mounting holes and you don't need RAID or SLI. I would probably go with this:

Abit IP35-E
Intel E6750

About: ~$290

 

[HollowRopes]

Okay first of all, my computer is a skeleton. I've taken the front of, both sides, and alot of other stuff that I didn't need. Thing is, I don't wanna spend much more than #300 if I'm going to buy a new motherboard AND a CPU. $330 is about the budget. I have a Geforce 8800 GT, not interested in SLI. What I'm most wondering now is whether or not my current RAM will be able to suit the new motherboard I get. Thanks.

 

[Quiksilver]

Well, what is the manufacture and model number of your current memory?

 

[HollowRopes]

It's DDR2 PC4200 RAM..

 

[Quiksilver]

Well that didn't clear it up much lol, what gateway model PC did this memory come out of?

 

[Falloutboy]

ram sounds a bit on the slow side. prolly going to need to get some new ram aswell.

what I would recomend.

Abit IP35-e
E2180
2x2gb of DDR2 800

should be under your budget. then OC the 2180 to 3.0+ and call it a day

 

[HollowRopes]

I actually bought this memory on my own from Best Buy. I'm not too sure of the Gateway model. Sorry for any confusion. 0_o

Oh, Samsung. That's what I may have been missing.

 

[Falloutboy]

4200 though is I beleave 533 memory, the only current chips that use that are the low end core chips like the E2xxx series, but only reason to by those is if your going to over clock which means you want faster memory anyway.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Falloutboy
4200 though is I beleave 533 memory, the only current chips that use that are the low end core chips like the E2xxx series, but only reason to by those is if your going to over clock which means you want faster memory anyway.

Actually, if he were to buy a 2180, without overclocking his RAM, he'd be able to run that processor @ 2.66 Ghz. I think he should get the 2180, the IP-35E, and this power supply, or the 550 watt VX. That would all be slightly less than $300. Then he could ask for the ~$200 2x2 GB PC6400 RAM for Xmas.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: HollowRopes
I actually bought this memory on my own from Best Buy. I'm not too sure of the Gateway model. Sorry for any confusion. 0_o

Oh, Samsung. That's what I may have been missing.

Biggest mistake you could ever do. Never buy anything from Best Buy.

Only exception: Black Friday

 

[stevty2889]

Considering you can get a Q6600 for $266, which is way way faster, and has 2x the CPU cores, uses less power, and runs cooler, the 965 extreme edition is a huge ripoff and waste of time.

EDIT: also the PC4200 will be fine for stock speeds with a core2 duo as well if you get a 1066mhz FSB model, the ram and FSB will be 1:1 at stock speeds.

 

[GFORCE100]

Well if you could get that 965 EE real cheap then it would be fun to play around with. I still have mine albeit in a box these days. Still a capable CPU in any modern game if you pair it with a suitable graphics card.

On the other hand if you're planning to splash $299 or more then a Core 2 Duo architecture CPU would be a much better choice, especially if your board supports it. If you were to change your motherboard then a Q6600 is the best price/performance CPU currently out there and the SLACR versions can often overclock to 3.6GHz or higher.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Start off doing two things: stay clear of best buy, and buy yourself a good 775 motherboard (assuming the gateway one is locked from overclocking). That way you can simply get comfortable with overclocking on your chip that you could replace for 80-100 and get a core2 duo. I would do everything you wouldn't do on a new core2- lap the pentium-D, remove the ihs, overclock the hell out of it. If anything goes wrong, just get the 80 dollar core2. I wouldn't rush out to get any new memory right now- get the board first, because prices are continuing to fall. Aim for a board that natively supports 800 or 1066mhz ddr2. P35 boards are nice. Happy Birthday