advice for next mobo/cpu/ram upgrade

[BarbaricSoul]

I'm actually in the process of my next upgrade. I'm going from amd to intel. I would like to know what everyone thinks about my choices.

For the proc , I'm looking at a qx6700 being sold here by coodiggy for $400, a zeon x3220 being sold by DaedalusHelios for $220, a new q6600 OEM for $235 or a new e8400 OEM for $199(both new proc would be bought from newegg). Also, provided I could find one in stock, a e8500 for around $300 isn't out of the question. I'm sure I would be satisfied with anyone of these proccessors, I'm just curious about what you guys think I should get.

My main trouble I having is deciding on a motherboard. I have no intentions of spending a ungodly amount of money for ddr3 ram, so I need a ddr2 motherboard. I do like EVGA's step up program and the reputation for customer support, but I would prefer to keep the price of my next motherboard under $200. I have no real preference when it comes to chipsets honestly, my only concern is I read here that my new gfx card (9800gx2) doesnt really like intel chipsets. If anyone here has a 9800gx2 running on a intel chipset, please tell me about your set up(I do really like everything I've read about the DFI IronBlood mobo). Also, considering my gfx card is $600, I have no intentions of going quad sli

The components I have already picked out and purchased are as following-

3 gigs ddr2 800 Crucial Ballistics tracer ram(2*1gig sticks and 2* 512 meg sticks, both dual channel sets)
9800 gx2 gfx card
everything else I'm planning on using in my system after this upgrade is in my system specs.

I use my computer for watching DVD's, music, surfing the web and gaming(cod4, crysis, bf2, NFS, DOW,and a few other various games). I do plan on OC'ing my new stuff as far as I can and still be stable. I'm also interested in having very good benchmarks aswell. I am planning of having this upgrade complete within the next 3 weeks.

I'm looking foward to your replies(sits back and take another sip of coffee)

[beyond_amusia]

With the CPU, go with Quad core, fastest you can afford. =P That way you will be somewhat future proofed... Juat last year when I got my Pentium D I thought I'd be future proofed for a while and already there are games recomending better CPUs. For a mobo, pick one that will support 8 or 16GB of RAM, but as to a good brand, I cannot really point you in a good direction because I've only use Asus boards and while they are pretty good, I've had a couple issues in the past with them (low end thou). I also suggest a 64 bit OS so you can use more than 4GB of RAM should you choose to do so, and so that you can run x64 games (they run better than 32 bit games).

[n8d0g80]

Unless you need RAID, firewire, or SLI, get a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L(http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=ga+p35+ds3l&x=0&y=0). It's cheap, reliable, and overclocks like a champ.

I've read a in a lot of places that most games only take advantage of, at most, 2 cores.

Keeping that in mind, I'd go with the e8400. Buy a decent cooling solution(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003 gets good reviews) and overclock that beast to ~4ghz.

4 gb of decent cheapish DDR2 ram and you're off to the races.

[farlex85]

That ds3l is a solid board, but I've seen the same thing with gx2 not playing nice w/ intel. Really, if you wanna get the most out your card, you will probably need to spend enough for a 750i. I personally would wait for the 9900 gtx, but it looks like you've already sprung for the gx2, so an sli board would probably be your best bet.

The best deals on a quad right now is 6700 at clubit.com on saturdays, where only on that particular day it is selling for $299. I personally find the x3350 (xeon version of the q9450) at $350 to be a solid deal and probably the most powerful non-extreme proc you can find right now (also at clubit). You may not need a quad now though, in which case the 8400 would be a good choice, but given the timing, I would say if you got the dough go for the x3350.

[BarbaricSoul]

I would like to hear from more of you please, especailly about the gx2 running on intel chipsets..

[BarbaricSoul]

[QUOTE=farlex85;736179] I personally would wait for the 9900 gtx, but it looks like you've already sprung for the gx2, so an sli board would probably be your best bet.
QUOTE]


I'm stepping up my 320 meg 8800gts with EVGA, the GX2 only costs me $313 and my 8800 gts. Because I'm getting the $600 gx2, I really don't need a SLI board. I'm not gonna spend $600 on another gx2.

[farlex85]

The reason I suggested an SLI board is b/c I believe they work much better with the gx2, as it needs to have sli enabled to run fully. But somebody else may know more.......

[BarbaricSoul]

I'm planning on making my purchase tomorrow, I would really like to hear from some more people here, please.

[JrRacinFan]

I beleive you should get the MSI P7N Platinum no matter what. But one thing to ponder is this, a second GTS or the GX2?

Now the only reason for the motherboard choice, PCIe 2.0 and SLI for futureproofing, it may help with your performance with the GX2 with it being 2.0 compatible.

EDIT: To also add, the e8500 over an e8400 for cost vs performance is quite silly IMO. That extra $100 can get you an EVEN better power supply. I say either the Xeon X3220 or the OEM e8400. No matter what you are probably going to be upgrading the HSF on it anyway. As for RAM, 2x2GB PC6400 kits are starting to get pretty cheap, and pair that with Vista 64.

[BarbaricSoul]

well SLI more than likely won't happen. Even with my current CPU/mobo(x2 5200 90nm cpu and 570 sli chipset mobo), I can do crysis at 1680*1050 all setting at high so I really don't see the need for another $600 gfx card, but I didn't catch the board I was looking at wasn't PCI 2.0 capable.

I'm gonna use my gigabyte pro cooler 2 with my new CPU and already have 3 gigs of crucial ballistics tracer ddr2 800 ram. I'm planning on holding off atleast for alittle while before I get vista 64.

[JrRacinFan]

well SLI more than likely won't happen. Even with my current CPU/mobo(x2 5200 90nm cpu and 570 sli chipset mobo), I can do crysis at 1680*1050 all setting at high

And why are you "upgrading"? :D

[BarbaricSoul]

ok, you got a point

[BarbaricSoul]

well I made my decision. I now have a e8400 C2D and a EVGA 750i FTW motherboard coming.

[ShadowFold]

Nice.. EVGA makes great boards even tho they are reference design :p

[BarbaricSoul]

Nice.. EVGA makes great boards even tho they are reference design :p

heh, if I don't like it, I do like EVGA's step up

[webwizard]

The XFX PVT98FYDDU GeForce 9800 GTX would be a nice card. I am upgrading to one from my 2 XFX PVT94PYDSU GeForce 9600GT Alpha Dogs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150292

I don't think I need a SLI set up with this card.

[BarbaricSoul]

The XFX PVT98FYDDU GeForce 9800 GTX would be a nice card. I am upgrading to one from my 2 XFX PVT94PYDSU GeForce 9600GT Alpha Dogs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150292

I don't think I need a SLI set up with this card.

I already have the GX2