My Concerns

[Lionblade]

As you all may know, I'll be buildin a new gaming rig system soon. Now my main concern is futureproof. We all know that the Penryns will be out soon. As it stands, all 680is can support C2D but not Quad. My question is simple:

Do I get a 680i LT mb or hold out for a 7xx?

I know I've asked this before but remember: I will prob upgrade to Nehalem when it comes out, so should I shell out the extra cash for a board that don't support it when I plan to upgrade in like 2 years? Or grab the board thats on sell.. and SHOULD last me until Nehalem?

I appreciate the support.

 

[renethx]

Buy 680i LT and Q6600 and save your money for Nehalem.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

780i is mostly about Tri-SLI. You'll be spending roughly a minimum of $1400 on graphic cards alone to utilize that technology as it only works with GF8800GTX and GF8800U currently. If you plan to use SLI I'd suggest using a 680i or 680LT like renethx said. If you have no plans to use SLI, I might suggest looking elsewhere for a motherboard.

As for the Q6600, you might find more use in a dual-core, though the near future looks optimistic for quads. Y'know, just incase you wanted to save a little more money.

 

[Lionblade]

edit:
If I was go to with an XFX 680i LT with a E6750 and add a 8800GT, do you all think I can play games at good settings until the release of Nehalem and then upgrading?

 

[Denithor]

The 780i boards are out but only if you're rich or smoking something.

Why do you want a 680i chipset? For SLI? Don't bother, especially if only getting one card now. By the time you would be ready for a second card (late next year) there will be a single GPU available that will easily beat up a two-card rig.

Just get a solid P35 motherboard like the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L for $100 or the DFI P35-T2RL for $115 (if you need raid). If you want a mATX board go with the ASUS P5E-VM based on the G35 chipset (this one has raid and firewire).

You don't specify enough about your gaming to know if a C2D/8800GT will give you enough power for the next year. What games do you play/plan to play? What resolution do you game at? This setup will play anything out right now except perhaps Crysis and is overkill for many older games. A year from now is anyone's guess...what games will be out, what cards will be out, etc.

EDIT: I would suggest waiting a month and getting one of the Penryn dual-core chips (e8200/e8400) which will run cooler/overclock better than current Conroe chips and also come with 50% more cache.

 

[Lionblade]

You're right! If this is just gonna hold me out till upgrading to Nehalem, I'll go with a P35. I guess I'll hold out for a Penryn C2D. Just wanna make sure the DS3L mb you suggestied supports it. I don't see why it wouldn't.

As far as gaming, I want to play COD4 and Crysis.. Now will a Penryn C2D/E6750 with a 8800GT be able to play Crysis on moderate settings?