planning for new build...

[jdkick]

I'm currently using a Sempron 3400+, 1.5GB DDR and a BfG 7900GS OC connected to a 20.1" WSXGA+ LCD. The setup gets me by for most tasks but is a little lacking at times (BF2 runs fine on medium-high settings but only at sub-native resolutions).

It's pretty obvious that I haven't upgraded in quite a while so i'm tempted to treat myself this time around. I priced out a Q6600, Abit IP35 Pro and 2GB Corsair DDR2-800 for ~$640CDN before OS. I'd be recycling the drives, video card and power supply (495W Enermax NoiseTaker) from my existing machine.

Of course my practical side is telling me to go with something like an AMD X2 5200+ and a decent AM2 board w/ 2GB DDR2. In all honestly, it would probably suit my needs just fine and would free up ~$200CDN that could go towards an 8800GT.

So, i'm tossing around ideas. I am enthusiast in that I can appreciate bells and whistles, but i'm not looking to OC or mod things. My interest is to build a new box that will be solid, quick and up to the task re: a decent gaming experience (closer to native would be nice), some digital imaging (PhotoShop) and a bit of audio/video editing/encoding work. It would be preferable if I can get a little more life out of the 7900GS OC by increasing processing power with the CPU choice but i'm willing to entertain a new video card if required (I understand that newer titles are more GPU bound given CPU performance these days).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why not pick an E2140 and OC the piss out of it, and then save the extra CPU cost and put it towards a new graphics card?

 

[RussianSensation]

Without overclocking, there is no need to spend a lot of $ on superfast ram or top of the line motherboard.

Something like this works:

$104 Gigabyte DS3L
$55 - 2GB OCZ DDR2-800 with Rebate
$227 E6750
$280 8800GT

Total price: $666 :evil:

Of course the quad core will give you some advantages in video encoding but 7900GS is pretty slow compared to 8800GT and you'll feel the disadvantage in gaming a lot more than overall system speed since few programs get an advantage from a quad core.

As you mentioned, your other option is to get an X2 AM2 cpu. This means that down the line you can upgrade to a quad Phenom. The problem is Phenom is 1) not faster than equivalently clocked Core 2 Duo 2) might be a while before it is available at faster speeds. On the other hand with the Intel mobo you can always upgrade to Penryn which with SSE4 instructions for example can improve performance in DivX encoding by more than 100%. If you would not mind overclocking, you can always get something like an E4500 and with the board I linked above it'll do 3.4-3.5ghz.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Why not pick an E2140 and OC the piss out of it, and then save the extra CPU cost and put it towards a new graphics card?

agreed- nothing is going to get ur bf2 going like getting a 8800gt. The money is best spent on a 2140,2160, or 2180. Get a good oc'in board, and focus on graphics

 

[taltamir]

Firstly, you will see more of a gaming performance from replacing your video card with something better and keeping everything else, rather then doing the upgrade you suggested and keeping the video card...
Also RussianSensation makes a very good suggestion. His build is sound. If you don't plan to OC then why would would you need such a high end board?
Oh, and the E2140 is also a good idea... Don't spend TOO much on CPU.

Replace the suggested 280$ 8800GT for the one from Dell.com

Dell.com prices:
MSI OC (from 600mhz to 660) 8800GT 512MB 207$ with free shipping (tax could makes it 225, depending on state)
XFX 8800GT 225$
AMD HD3870 220$...


obviously the MSI Card is the best purchase of these... especially if you don't have to pay tax and get it for 207$.

I would seriously go with 4GB of ram... and probably avoid OCZ (they have terrible DDR2 ram, it doesn't work with anything...
I would go with this ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220227 @ 150$ with 30$ mail in rebate.

You can go a cheaper stick too for only 100$.


Also, recycle the OS... that is, use the same key as your old machine and sell the PARTS of the old machine you aren't going to use.

 

[Brutus04]

I agree...treat yourself. I like the 2180 myself, gonna order one. An Intel board will get you more mileage than an AM2.

 

[jdkick]

Thanks for the good tips. Note that i'm in Canada tho so some of the pricing will differ a bit.

I tend to stick with Corsair for memory as it's worked well for me. Rebates seem to be pretty steady too. I recently bought 8GB of XMS2 for some projects at work and it's been flawless.

I was afraid the 7900GS wouldn't be up to the task and would need to be swapped out. I'll start looking around for some deals on the 8800GT. Kinda sucks as I just bought the card last December... it was some crazy Christmas deal tho with a hefty rebate, so at least I didn't pay full price. I suppose I could toss it on eBay and recoup some of the $$$.

As for the board, I want a combination of stability/lack of quirks (the Abit IP35 Pro seems to have a good reputation here) and features (like eSATA, FireWire, good BIOS, etc). Granted, the Abit IP35 Pro is probably overkill in other respects, especially if I choose not to OC. I haven't been a big fan of Gigabyte over the years, but i'll look into the DS3L... it does have a nice price point tho it may be lacking some of the features I want.

So, i'll take another stab at the config. I tend to work with a fair amount of data on external drives and did have my eye on eSATA, which tends not to show up on entry level boards. I'll do some advanced searching on Newegg and see what models I come up with. I'll also scope out any deals on the 8800GT and consider a more affordable C2D over the C2Q. I really was tempted to splurge tho.