Upgrading

[Sam1990]

I'm planning on upgrading a few things on my PC, mainly the hardware. Need some information from you guys though, so I know if I'm making a good choice by buying the following. What I'll need:

• Case
• Motherboard
• CPU + Fan & Heatsink
• RAM
• Fans

Now, I have pretty much found all of these items, but I'm not 100% positive if I should purchase them. I'm looking for a quad-core CPU and a nForce 700 series motherboard. Anyway, here's what I picked out so far. Give me some feedback, information, changes, etc.

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz OEM
• EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 nForce 750i
• OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) Model: OCZ2RPR10664GK
• Cooler Master 690
• Undecided about fans

I probably don't need an SLI motherboard, but I guess I like the fact of having one in case I ever to go SLI. What I need help deciding on though, is, whether I should purchase that CPU and motherboard combo, that's why I'm asking you guys.

• No overclocking will be done.
• Budget is no more than $1000 USD.
• Purchased from any retailer or e-tailer.
• Combo could be AMD, although I would prefer Intel.

Also wanted to make sure, will a 600W PSU support all this? I'll be using the one that's stated in "My System" to the left.

[=98=]

Re: Upgrading

Don't go for that horrible 750i board. Unless your hell bent on SLI, get a Intel based one such as a P5K deluxe or P5Q.

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

Well, thinking about it.. I don't think it's worth getting an SLI motherboard. I'll probably never go SLI anyway.

Any suggestions for a non-SLI motherboard?

[=98=]

Re: Upgrading

Read my post above

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

Read my post above

Oh, though they were SLI models :p. P5Q's look nice but the Q6600 won't fit them and the cheapest CPU that will costs $274.99 :hmm:. Ram is expensive for the P5Q's as well.

Looks like the P5K Deluxe is the way to go at the moment. Any other suggestions are welcome.

The CPU though, it's the 65nm one. How much difference in performance is there between the 45nm and 65nm?

Could you please recommend a nice CPU fan & heatsink? Thanks.

[=98=]

Re: Upgrading

The Q6600 will fit a P5Q deluxe.

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

Isn't Q6600 1066MHz? The P5Q Deluxe says it only supports 1600/1333MHz FSB.

[=98=]

Re: Upgrading

It just underclocks i believe.

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

It just underclocks i believe.

Well, I need to know for sure. Don't want to go be returning things. Does the P5Q Deluxe only support DDR3 memory, or can it support DDR2?

Edit - Found out for sure what it supports. But now, I can't decide on the following:

189.99 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale vs. $189.99 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield

and

$179.99 ASUS P5K Deluxe P35 vs. $149.99 ASUS P5Q Pro P45

Any suggestions?

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

Just searched "P5K Deluxe vs. P5Q Pro" on Google and this thread is second on the page, haha.

[Xodus]

Re: Upgrading

Q6600 Hands down...

[=98=]

Re: Upgrading

For gaming, the E8400 would be better. For general use, Q6600.

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

For gaming, the E8400 would be better. For general use, Q6600.

Well I kinda do both and probably won't be upgrading again for awhile, so should I stick with the Q6600? Also, what CPU fan do you recommend for it? I was thinking about the Tuniq Tower 120.

Has anyone found the ASUS P5Q-E on sale anywhere? I've only found it on NCIX and Buy, but they're both sold out.

[=98=]

Re: Upgrading

It's up to you. An E8400 will be faster in games, but a Q6600 is a better all rounder.

To be honest, if you're getting a high end graphics card, just go Q6600.

[Sam1990]

Re: Upgrading

For now I'm going to keep my 8800GT. Maybe in a few months I might get the 9800GX2, but with the ticket I just got... I need to save a few hundred to pay off that crap. It's funny how one stupid mistake could ruin everything =/. Oh well, guess I'll drive "smarter" next time.

Scratch that. I'll probably just get a 9800GTX. The 580 minimum power requirement for the GX2 is too much.