bikerdude on 23/10/2008 at 18:54
Quote Posted by Brethren
I usually try to get something not right on the cutting edge, but maybe a step or so below it as to not get whalloped by premium prices.
So, if I were to upgrade today, and had a budget of $1000, what would you suggest if I were to split those $$$ between my mobo, processor, memory and graphics card? and extra cooling
Evening
So your the same as me then, want good performance, but not willing to spend double just to get that extra 20%.
My Specs
* Mobo: Gigabyte GA_X38_DS5 s775 3 mnths old
* Cpu: E8400 @3.6Ghz 10 mths old
* Cooler: ThermalTake Big Typhoon 10 mths old
* Mem: G.Skill DDR2_800 1GB x4(4GB) 6 mths old
* Gfx: Palit GTX280 2 mths old
* £120+£126+£110+£240 = £596 plus postage
For $1000 now, you can get a setup even newer than mine
Intel setup
* mobo: GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS5 - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128332) $229 link
* Cpu: Intel Wolfdale E8400 3.0ghz - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037) $164 link
* Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003) $36.99 link
* mem: G.Skill DDR2_1066 2GB x2(4GB) - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166) $79 link
* GFX: BFG GTX280 - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143141) $374 (w/$30 mail-in rebate)
Amd setup
* mobo: DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136044) $119 link
* Cpu: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ 3.2GHz - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103290) $119 link
* Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 -(
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003) $36.99 link
* mem: G.Skill DDR2_1066 2GB x2(4GB) - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166) $79 link
* GFX: BFG GTX280 - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143141) $374 (w/$30 mail-in rebate)
Additional
* Xigmatech retention bracket - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019) $6.99 link
* Tuniq TX-2 Thermal Compound - (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003) $7.49 link
Intel Total $898 plus shipping
Amd Total $728 plus shipping
I strongly recomend you get that bracket for the Xigmateck cooler and that thermal paste is the one of the top 3 best on the market. The Amd motherboard is a personal favorite of mine, the DFI lanparty motherboards are legendary. I had a Lanparty NF4 with a Amd 64 X2 4800+ prior to my current setup and it was the dogs bollox...!!! I felt the saliva dribble down my chin and made a homer like noise when I saw it.. LOL
The Amd setup in games is only going to be about 10% slower, but considering its $170 cheaper.... nuff said.
biker
Renault on 23/10/2008 at 19:31
No Core 2 Quad? I would think you could do that with a cheaper mobo and come out to roughly the same number.
bikerdude on 23/10/2008 at 19:55
Quote Posted by Brethren
No Core 2 Quad? I would think you could do that with a cheaper mobo and come out to roughly the same number.
Quad core isn't cost effect atm, as most games don't make use of the extra cores and those that do, don't exhibit enough of a tangible preformance boost to warrant the extra cost.
You could get a cheaper mobo, but you want something that's gonna last you for the next few years. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, a cheap mobo will be slow, wont overclock, and may well go pop before its even a year old etc.
See this very comprehensive cpu comparision - (
http://www.guru3d.com/article/cpu-scaling-in-games-with-quad-core-processors/6)
biker
