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Mobo/CPU combo for Under 450 (Gaming Rig)

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So I went with the 3500+ Venice and an ECS KV2 Extreme mobo. Sure, the mobo isn't that great, but I got a deal on it and I was restricted to Fry's Electronics. They didn't have a single board that was suggested on here. I hate that place, never again will I purchase from them. So far so good with the new system though, it's damn quick. Thanks for the 3500+ suggestion fellas.
 
Guess no one cares...

But anyway...has anyone had any luck with the ECS board? It seems to be pretty quick and stable...not sure how overclockable it is.
 
Originally posted by: dbdynsty25
Actually another question is will I see a significant performance boost over something like the 3400+ (Newcastle or Clawhammer) that runs on the 754 boards? They are probably 50 bucks cheaper and have a slightly higher clockspeed at 2.4 ghz.
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This is part of why I asked if you'd be overclocking.

S754 is at the end of the line, but if you don't see yourself going to dual core anytime soon, and expect your computer to last a while, S754 might make sense. An equivalently 'rated' S754 processor is generally slightly faster than the same rated S939 processor. However the overclockability of the S939 processors can't be matched by the 754s that are still on the newcastle core.

for the most part, Venice cores are pretty much guaranteed to 2.4 GHz no matter what you get. Most get higher. If you buy a S939 3200+ you have 2.0GHz as a given, and have an easy path to 2.4 GHz with little tinkering (240 MHz HTT x 10, set memory to the 166 divider, which makes it actually run at the standard PC3200 speed of 200 MHz). This allows you to save money and have good overclocking potential too.

I don't think you need to go with the 3500+ unless you are pretty adamant against overclocking. If you are going to dabble in overclocking, I think the 3200+ is good for somoene who is fairly new to it. I would be tremendously suprised if you can't get 2.4 GHz on the stock HSF. My 3000+ Venice will do around 2.5-2.6 GHz if I push it, but I usually run at stock voltage and 2.4GHz simply because I don't really need the extra 1-200 MHz.

Edit:
Lol. I guess I should have read to the end of the thread. I hope you are happy with your purchase... good luck and have fun.
 
Sempron 2600 OC to 2.6Ghz $70
DFI LP 250GB $95
Corsiar Value ram 1G $70
nV 6600GT $170

total = $405 now take your mom to dinner with change
 
Well just a little update...got a Zalman 7000-aclu fan on my 3500+ and I've got it up to 2.45 ghz stable. Been playing BF2 all night and it hasn't had a single problem. I love it. Thanks for the advice guys.

BTW...I cannot believe how freakin' loud the stock fan is on the AMD's and P4's these days...sheesh.
 
Originally posted by: dbdynsty25
BTW...I cannot believe how freakin' loud the stock fan is on the AMD's and P4's these days...sheesh.
Click to expand...

Really? I just put in a 3000+ Venice and I was surprised at how quiet the stock fan is. I have nice quiet Seagate drives and nothing but L1A Panaflos and do I dare say the stock AMD fan is just as quiet as a Panaflo!!

I have CnQ disabled. Maybe they use a lower RPM fan on the 3000 vs. the 3500
 
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