Looking to build a new machine - what proc?

[kyzen]

I'm replacing:
C2D 6300 (stock clock)
Gigabyte DS3 rev 1.3
2 gigs RAM
Nvidia 7900 GS
250 gig HD

Need a whole new system, max budget of about $1000 - though if I can keep it under that, I can put that money towards a new 24" screen.

I'd like 4 gigs of RAM minimum (though 8 would be great), a much faster processor, and a better video card.

Any suggestions on the processor? I was thinking the 8400 at first, but I've heard that there are some new processors coming out soon. I can't seem to find any information/prices about them though.

Also, I know this probably isn't the forum for it, but, any suggestions for the overall build? I'm more or less satisfied with how my last machine turned out, but as time went on since buying it, I learned I could've made some better choices.

Also, it's probably worth mentioning that I don't want/plan to overclock, and if I do, I probably would just do a very conservative and small overclock, rather than push it to the point that I have to test it for stability for several hours.

I'm planning to have a 24" screen sooner or later, so I'd like to be able to play games as well as possible at that 1920x1200 resolution, without going over my $1000 budget.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[harpoon84]

If you want to save money, I suggest you overclock.

Most E6300s can be overclocked to 3GHz+ and it'll basically match the current high end dual cores on the market.

Anyway, if you want a new build, something based on the E8400 (or X3110, they're the same chips rebadged) would be ideal. As for the GPU, for $250 - $300 a 8800GTS 512MB should hold you in good stead at 1920 x 1200 (except in Crysis ), also consider the 3870X2 if your budget will allow it, its more powerful but costs around $450.

Techreport has some decent guides on overall builds as well, check it out:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14225

 

[Denithor]

Just go with the MSI 8800GTS OC 512MB ($227 after MIR at newegg + Witcher free), 2 more GB of DDR2. Overclock to around 3GHz and your gaming performance will be as good as anyone's for less green than a complete rebuild.

 

[Markfw]

to get a good OC, he may need new memory, PC-800 or better to get a good OC. 3.2 is common and 3.4 is doable. Need active NB cooling on that motherboard also. I agree with all the other suggestions.

 

[RussianSensation]

DS3 will easily do 425FSB without any active cooling.

That would place you at 3.0ghz for your processor. Most DDR2 800 ram will also have no problems reaching DDR2 850 speeds with a slight voltage bump to 2.0V 5-5-5 settings. You might want to consider buying an aftermarket cooler though like Xigmatek HDT-D1264 $20

Then just buy a faster graphics card and that 24 inch monitor. At 1920x1200 you'll be 95% cpu limited anyways.

For a graphics card you can get 9600GT OC $145
or spend a little more for an 8800GT 512 $160

 

[kyzen]

It's probably worth mentioning that I really do want to rebuild - I do some work from home, and recently decided that rather than having 7 underused low-specced computers (fastest was a 1.5ghz Athlon XP with 1 gig of RAM) lying around acting as various servers, I would take my current gaming rig and turn it into a server with multiple virtual machines on it, so I could stop wasting power.

So I figure my options were to make a new computer to act as the server, or use my current gaming machine as the server, and treat myself to a new one. The later option seemed like a great excuse to spoil myself with an upgrade.

 

[harpoon84]

Fair enough, it doesn't hurt to splurge every once in a while.

As mentioned, the most important component for high res gaming is the GPU, in most games CPU speed only has a minor (if any) impact on performance at 1920 x 1200. (Btw, I'm sure RussianSensation meant you'll be 95% GPU limited, not CPU limited )

 

[Winterpool]

If you do want to run VMs, then you'll probably want Intel's 'Vanderpool' tech, which is only available in the fully fledged Conroes (or their Penryn successors). So nothing lower than an E6300 or E6550. I'm in need of a VM test server myself but am going to build something with cheaper AMD kit as it won't be my primary workstation (that, I hope, will be Penryn-based).

This is an awkward moment to buy a new cpu because we're all waiting for Intel to open the Penryn floodgates. For whatever reason (production headaches, desire to clear Conroe inventory, etc). there are few Penryn processors to be found at retail, certainly at reasonable prices. The E8400 was introduced at < $200, but you'll be lucky to find one now for $250. I'm not willing to pay that premium, but I don't know how long I can wait for higher production and lower prices.

If you're not going to run VMs straightaway, you could buy a Pentium E2180 or the like for $76, overclock it to 3+ GHz; then buy a Penryn processor in the spring or summer, after retail prices fall back. Does anyone know if VMware ESX or Windows Hyper-V run better on quadcore processors?

You may want to read these threads for more discussion of similar situations to yours. My counsel in the second link in the previous sentence might apply to you (ie a $100ish or less P35 board and a good-value Intel chip). For gaming, I agree with Denithor, find an 8800 GT < $200, like that factory-overclocked MSI NX8800GT OC, though we are seeing 9600 GTs drop below $150 after rebate now.

 

[Winterpool]

I thought I'd put up my own purchases (accomplished and intended) for my new system to provide some hard figures:

+ $70 AR ... Antec P182 case
+ $35 AR ... Antec Neo HE 500W power supply
+ $60 AR ... Abit IP35-E motherboard
+ $29 AR ... 2 GB Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4
+ $196 ... ASUS EN9600GT video card
+ $ 60 ... Seagate 320 GB SATA hard drive

+ $200? ... Core 2 Duo E8400 (stock cooling initially)
+ $ 30? ... SATA dvd-rw drive (I want to be done with IDE!)

The total comes to less than $700 including tax and postage (both of which I almost universally avoided through choice of retailers and discounts), though that's after almost $150 rebates. It sounds as if you would want to put together something similar, though you would buy more memory up front and could get an 8800 GT for the same $ I spent (I paid a premium for the pretty lass and flowers -- jah, I'm a sucker for artwork I won't even see).

A not so wonderful 23 or 24-inch monitor could cost you as little as $300 to 400. Personally I'm saving up for an Apple 23-inch Cinema eventually because I do want a 1920x1200 S-IPS LCD panel.

 

[TigerMonsoonDragon]

just get an 8800gts 512mb and that monitor you want

 

[v8envy]

Depending on how many virtual machines you're gonna get going, consider a Q6600 instead. Not much slower than the new unreleased 45nm quads, overclockable. Reasonably priced if you've got a Microcenter B&M nearby.

I run a Xeon 3210 (same cpu with a lower multiplier) at 3 ghz as my home server, and it's a little screamer. Otherwise, yeah, jut OC your current 6300 chip. Not much better out there (that you can buy) right now.