New CPU and Motherboard please!

[Repulse]

I have been a little 'distant' with technology and gaming recently. As a result im here to ask for a little of advice :-P.

The system specs to the left and in my profile are current and im wanting to upgrade my Motherboard and possibly my CPU, what would you guys suggest? Im looking for a motherboard that will fit my current case (Gigabyte 3D Aurora) and will house all the other hardware I have. Im not planning on busting the bank here but will take not of all suggestions.

Thanks Guys!

And Hey! :-)

[=98=]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

Gigabyte UD3P/R (Depending on crossfire needs)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450/Q9550

Done.

[Repulse]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

I still have the Nvidia 8800GTX so crossfire is not an issue.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

Hold your urge to upgrade until September. Intel's going to release Lynnfield which is supposed to be cheaper. That'll also make Phenom II and Core 2 Duo to drop price.

[[CA]1|Sgt.MG42]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

Fitting an MB in your cae should not be a problem (Standard ATX Form Factor). What is your budget and what are your current system Specs? :)

[Repulse]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

My current system specs;

Motherboard: Asus M2N32-SLi Deluxe nForce 590 SLi
CPU: AMD AM2 Athlon 64 Dual Core 4600+
RAM: 4 x 1024MB DDR2 PC6400 [SoE]
HDD: Maxtor 320GB & Western Digital 400GB (SATA2 7200RPM)
Video: nVIDIA 8800GTX (712mb)
Sound: Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty
PSU: Thermaltake Purepower™ RX 600W

I think both the MB and the CPU needs replacing.

Thanks for comments so far.

[[CA]1|Sgt.MG42]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

At this point, Intel is the way to go. Your choices are Core i7 or LGA775. If you are on a budget, go with LGA775. Are you planning on overclocking and how much are you willing to spend (this will dictate your choice)?

I'd suggest:

• ASUS Maximus II Formula or the Foxconn BlackOps if you like to tweak extensively.
• ASUS P5Q, Gigabyte EP45 or Biostar TPower I45 if you don't need a million settings to tweak.

As for the processor go with a 45nm Quad Core Q9550 if you use your computer for image processing, video editing or computation. If not, go with an E8500/E8400 that easily clocks to 4.0 GHz on air.

The i7 route is more expensive as you have to purchase DDR3. Plus motherboards are much more expensive.

[Repulse]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

Thanks, any ideas on the cheapest place to get hold of the above? :P.

Im still looking for decent performance, but where you can save cash why dont you :-P.

Some offer or deal where you get the CPU and motherboard together would be great :-P.

Thanks.

[[21CW]HIVictim]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

If you got some money to spend hit up the i7 bandwagon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197519

If you want to save a couple bucks and get some nice performance and great overclockability, try a Core 2 Duo setup.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188027

If you feel like overclocking the Core 2 Duo setup, throw out the stock NB fan and mod up your own with this.
(Picture of this mod in my own system) <-- Clickies

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835191003

and...

http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/tape-glue-adhesives/tape/double-sided-tape/product-ARS24093

[=98=]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

If you want to save a couple bucks and get some nice performance and great overclockability, try a Core 2 Duo setup.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188027

Not sure how you can recommend that. I would buy a better CPU, an E8400 or E8600 and a cheaper motherboard, something like mine, the Ep45-UD3R/P which is known for it's excellent overclocking.

Unless you want SLI, I wouldn't touch an Nvidia chipset.

[[21CW]HIVictim]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

Not sure how you can recommend that. I would buy a better CPU, an E8400 or E8600 and a cheaper motherboard, something like mine, the Ep45-UD3R/P which is known for it's excellent overclocking.

Unless you want SLI, I wouldn't touch an Nvidia chipset.

He has an nvidia graphics card, if he had a ATI card, i probably would have gone the Gigabyte route. That said, it is completely up to him if he wants to go Gigabyte and save even more money, just the option to SLI will be gone.

Link to board Alex referenced *great board also*: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128359

My mothers PC which i recently built runs a E7400 and Gigabyte budget board. I just figured Nvidia chipset would be best for his setup.

As for the E8400 or E8600, both those are is completely different price ranges. Great chips yes, but these E7xxx chips are great overclockers and run much cooler than the E8xxx series.

[Repulse]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

Thanks again guys, shall read about the suggestions above.

Im pobably looking to spend £150 max for a motherboard and and CPU, i've had SLi before and didnt like it too much then so not something I plan on getting again any time soon.

[[21CW]HIVictim]

Re: New CPU and Motherboard please!

With a medium sized budget like that I would highly recommend a Gigabyte board as Alex recommended.