Looking for low Cost Motherboard CPU combo, please help

kman79

Senior member
Sep 14, 2004
366
0
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I'm not that type to upgrade much, probably once every three to four years.

My 7800GTX finally bit the dust, and since I'm due for an upgrade, I went ahead and purchased a 9800 GTX about three weeks ago. Since the new NVIDIA Cards are to be released tomorrow, I get to use EVGA's step up program and maybe get the GTX 280. So basically the weak link is now my AMD 4800. Here are my Options

Option 1: Fight the urge and stick with my current MB/CPU until Nehalem is released and just be content with sub-par gaming

Option 2: Purchase a low cost motherboard and a Q9300 and 2GB of DDR2 RAM, similar to this:
ASUS P5Q Intel P45
Intel Q9300
Mushkin 2GB

This way I can enjoy and have better use of the video card for at least 6-8 Months until Nahelem prices settle.

Option 3: Spend good money on good motherboard/CPU/RAM combination and talk myself into thinking there wouldn't much of an increase in performance when compared to a Nahelem platform, something similar to this:
Intel Q9300
Asus Striker II Extreme
OCZ Platinum

This way, I can enjoy using the video card in all its glory now!?

If it were you, which option would you choose? I already have the proper Silverstone PSU to support which every route I choose, and my P182 case that just came in.

Any help and opinion is appreciated, thanks

 

razor2025

Diamond Member
May 24, 2002
3,010
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71
Get G.skill 4GB PC6400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231148

instead of the Mushkin or OCZ.

Keep the Asus P5Q. I don't see why you need to blow $400 on a board unless you're planning to SLI and wants to waste money away.

If you still want cheap "hold-me-over" quad core, go for Q6600. $200 and it's not too far in performance from Q9300.

If you're willing to make do with dual-core. Get a E2200/2180 for $80, and overclock it to 3.2ghz easily. That'll give you E6500/6600 performance to hold you over.
 

kman79

Senior member
Sep 14, 2004
366
0
0
I appreciate the advice.

I do, or at least I would like to have the possibilities of SLI if a need does arise. As I said earlier, I don't update/upgrade every time a new CPU comes out, so I figured spend the money on a decent CPU and a decent motherboard and it should be good for a few years.

I take it your opinion is go ahead with option 2? Again, I appreciate the input.