New build recycling a few parts

[dpro1979]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming and Programming (multiple cores would be useful)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$800-1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
No particular preference, just hoping to get the best for my money.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
2 HDDs, 8800GTS, 520W PS, Fans/Floppy drive

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I've searched and read many threads, trying to get an idea of a few good parts.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Perhaps a small OC, I'm not looking for a giant OC more a stable system.



I posted something before but I didn't have this info posted, so I am pretty sure no one wanted to deal with all the extra questions 🙂.

I'm looking at intel right now due to its performance and cost but if someone has an AMD alternative I'll listen, however I am running AMD right now, and so far this computer has been very very unstable.

Here's the parts I am looking at:

CPU: E6750 or Q6600
RAM: Ballistix
or Crucial SLI RAM
Case: TT Armor (open to suggestions on this)

Mobo: I'm having a hard time figuring out what I want here. Do I want DDR2/3 i.e. combo boards, or should I stick with a DDR2 board? I'm leaning towards the P35 chipset.

I'm looking for a spacious, good air-cooling case, such as the armor, but possibly slightly lighter. As for the mobo, I prefer p35, unless there's a good reason for 680i. I'm not so worried about raid, but I'd like a very stable decent overclocker (don't we all?).

Thanks much for any responses!

 

[MarcVenice]

Just go with a ddr2 mobo, with your budget ddr3 is way out of range. By the time ddr3 comes affordable, and you actually need it because of a new CPU, then you also need a new motherboard. Asus p5k, p5k-se or gigabyte ds3r or ds3l have my vote, for 100$ to 135$. I'd get this ram, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034 it's twice as cheap, and will allow you to overclock pretty far as well. If you are in for the leds, go with the crucial SLI ram.

I think the q6600 fits your budget btw, paired with a 8800gts 320mb or maybe a 2900pro should make for quite the gaming rig. So far I've been playing BioShock and MoH: Airborne with everything on high @ 1680*1050 with a x2 3800+ at 2.6ghz. Your CPU would be lots faster then mine to boot. You could save some money if you buy a antec 900 btw. And definately check out other places like clubit.com and such for better deals. As for the PSU, a corsair 520hx would be a good pick.

Last but not least, the HD, I'd buy a 500gb samsung spinpoint t166, according to anandtech it's fast, quiet and runs cool. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152052

 

[dpro1979]

Yeah thats kinda what I was figuring, DDR3 seems a bit over the top right now when I can get superb performance from DDR2 still.

So the antec 900 is pretty good then? Well I have seen a lot of people saying they like this. I basically want space + good cooling... of course we all want that.

P5K, P5K-SE, DS3R, DS3L are all good boards, hmmm I'll have to check these out.

The RAM has a 50 buck rebate, so they are similar to what you posted 🙂. But both are good sticks I'm not all that fond of the leds just want good ram.

Got a 8800GTS 640 now, and a 520 watt ps, so that sounds good, thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: dpro1979
I am running AMD right now, and so far this computer has been very very unstable.

I don't think being an AMD chip has anything to do with being unstable. For reference, here's a guy with an unstable Intel system:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2101487&enterthread=y

The system isn't stable at stock speeds

Anyways, back to your new build question. Since you have a budget of $800-1000 minus a video card and power supply, then may as well get a quad core Intel with lots of DDR2. AMD doesn't have anything that competes at that price point. If you were to say for instance that your budget is around $400 for the whole system, then AMD would be a viable choice.

 

[dpro1979]

Thanks Zap, I know the chip doesn't mean anything in terms of stability guarantee but, my computer just frustrates me at the moment 🙂 plus wanted to try out Intel in any event.

I'm just looking for a way out of my current system for not too much, while still increasing performance.

Currently heavily considering a Gigabyte-p35c-ds3r, or maybe a p35-ds4? Both look like excellent boards w/ some nice memory it would seem a very solid choice.