I need to build a 'puter and I need it "future-proof"

[ghost_recon88]

Well, I just need the mobo future-proof. I plan on picking up one of the new 45nm dual-cores on launch week, but the system I'm putting it in is one I'm building now. In between now and then it will have an E2xxx CPU in it just as a holdover. I've been out of the whole desktop loop for a while, and have kinda lost track of whats what. My biggest 3 questions concern the power supply, motherboard, and RAM.

First off, what motherboards are available now that are good overclockers, and will support the new 45nm CPUs?

Secondly, it appears DDR2-6400 is the stuff to be using and overclocking these days. Is Crucial Ballistix where its at? From what I've been reading, they appear to be overclocking extremely well; are they the best sticks out there? Also regarding RAM, will the new Intel CPUs allow you to run RAM @ 1T? That will pretty much decide whether I go 2x2GB or 4x1GB. AFAIK, the current chips only run @ 2T.

Lastly how big of a power supply are people running these days? I plan on having an 8800GT/GTX hooked up, a new 45nm CPU, 2x hard drives, 1x optical, 2x PCI cards, and thats about it.

Any other input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

O yea, I forgot. I plan on going with air cooling, so whats the best heatsink/fan combo out there these days? thanks

 

[bing]

Future proof for how long ?

 

[ryanmartini]

future proofing means ddr3, etc.. somight want to specify what you want

 

[DocClock aka MadClocker]

Howdy,
I kinda like the gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R...as far as "future proof" this board can take ddr2 OR ddr3, and is quad core optomized (so they say) and ready for the upcoming 45nm cpu's. The above board is what I'm posting with atm with a Q6600, and Kingston 1150 mhz ddr2 (pc9200?)...and I'm very happy with the setup. I dunno about 2t in dual channel, but I think it can be done in single ch mode. I understand that you want memory with micron D9 chips..there are a few varieties of D9, mine are D9GMH I think. There is another hot brand, of ram chips but I can't remember who they are.
I haven't clocked it yet fearing the stock h.s. wouldn't cut it. As far as the power sup, I would go with 700w at the minimum.
I like overkill when it comes to power supplies..there are several people here that think like I do that the power supply is the most overlooked component in a system and the foundation on which every other part depends.
If I left anything out, or someone wants to add to what chips are best (ram) atm, please feel free to do so.

 

[Sederien]

When I hear "future-proof," I immediately translate to:

"In six months, I'd like not to be embarrassed or regretful."

And that's not always easy to do...

 

[ghost_recon88]

By future proof, I simply mean I want it to support the new 45nm CPUs. DDR2 is fine with me, its cheap, its fast, and its gonna be a long time before DDR3 becomes the standard. On newegg, the people who bought it there apparently are having quite a few problems with it. Any other good overclocking ones that can take the new 45nm CPUs?

And as far as being embarrased or regretful, thats why I'm getting a cheapo CPU until the new 45nm CPUs come out.

 

[DocClock aka MadClocker]

I have had no trouble so far, I have been running this rig for about 3 weeks, the jury is still out as to weather I'll be happy with it, me being a huge Abit fan. Like you, I wanted a little future proofing with ddr3 coming out with better chips all the time, I don't want to be left behind when everybody else migrates to ddr3.
I haven't been able to play with overclocking since the 815 chipset came out for the PIII, so I don't have the experience with all the new features of todays mobo's..but I'm a fast study....and it looks like I'm gonna have a lot of fun.

 

[BobcatDan]

By future proof, you will probably also want a board with PCI-E 2.0 right? Just something to think about, and most new boards support the peryrn chip so that shouldn't be an issue.
Dan

 

[ghost_recon88]

Hmm, yea I didn't even think about PCI-E 2.0. And for the record, I'm totally cool with DDR2 only boards. DDR3 is still a ways out of my price range, plus until they get some lower timings, I'll stick with my low CL DDR2.

 

[BobcatDan]

Given how cheep the 8800GT is, I would say getting a PCI-E 2.0 board is one of the main priorities. Well, considering graphics cars are the first things to get outdated.
Dan

 

[ghost_recon88]

My mind is made now on getting a E8550 on launch week, lapping it right away, then having some fun How much of a performance difference is the between the P35 and the X38? Does the X38 use DDR2 or DDR3?

 

[Elluzion]

My Recommendations:

Memory: For overclocking, I would say the Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 sticks. These seem to be pretty solid and can take a beating.

Power Supply: Definetly the Corsair 520hx, great modular power supply and rock solid. Perfect for overclocking

X38 Mobo: An abit x38 mobo is coming soon called the Quad gt or something. Supposed to be real good. Right now on new egg their are about 7 x38 mobo's. They range from $220-330 or so. I would get one that is just DDR2, you don't wanna be mixing the DDR2 and DDR3's right now. Wait till a newer socket later until you upgrade to DDR3 and then u will hav 2 get a new mobo anyways (possibly, no one knows yet)

Hope this helped

Yeah the E8550 is a great choice. For the gfx card, I would say an 8800GT for now. They get outdated real fast so you might wanna stay up on that.

Good LUCK

 

[Evilsizer]

x38 board can have both or either one... stay away from the ones that have both on board. imo the only reason for X38 board is for CF... just cause 8800gt is pcie 2.0 ready doesnt mean its going to be better with it... save the money go with a nice P35 boardgot for the 8800gt or the newer 8800GTS with 112sp.

as far as ddr3 goes, it will blow away ddr2, timings dont matter as much like they use to....

chipsets that support 45nm's are NV680I/NV7000's,P35,X38

*edit*
psst there is no E8550, its a E8500.
http://www.ocforums.com/showpost.php?p=5298264&postcount=1

*edit2*
the 2 abit x38 boards are X38 Quad GT(ddr2) and X38 MAX(ddr3), the max got dropped. cause X48 is coming soon and is going to be on DDR3 only boards..

 

[BobcatDan]

The point of getting a PCIE-2.0 board is to be able to upgrade to a PCI-E 2.0 only vid card in the future, not just for the 8800GT.
Dan

 

[orion456]

Well, I just need the mobo future-proof.

The only way to be future proof is to buy cheap so you can throw it away without regrets. It's absolutely guaranteed that what ever you buy today will be looking old in a year from now.

So I recommend a Q6600, GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3P Rev 2.0 mobo, stealthxstream PSU, the cheapest pc6400 memory on sale and a ThermalTake Black Matrix Case.

You will have an amazingly cheap machine with awesome power and in a year or two you can sell it for 1/2 price and have spent almost nothing. More likely you will keep it because the performance difference between an overclocked Q6600 and the QX9650 is not all that great.

 

[Evilsizer]

The point of getting a PCIE-2.0 board is to be able to upgrade to a PCI-E only vid card in the future, not just for the 8800GT.
Dan

might want to rephrase that cause it doesnt make any sense...

 

[Elluzion]

^hehe maybe I wont put so much money into my setup. Because upgrading goes fast lol...

why am i bitchin, why don't I just get a Q6600 G0? and a cheap oc'able mobo...

 

[BobcatDan]

might want to rephrase that cause it doesnt make any sense...

Sorry, added the 2.0 to the second PCI-E...

 

[Evilsizer]

^hehe maybe I wont put so much money into my setup. Because upgrading goes fast lol...

why am i bitchin, why don't I just get a Q6600 G0? and a cheap oc'able mobo...

cause in about 2months you can spend he same amount on the cpu that will oc even futher thus lastering even longer then the Q6600 G0.

 

[Moto7451]

PCIe 2.0 Cards are backwards compatible since there is no mechanical or power differences besides the lower amount of power provided through the "official spec" PCIe 1 slot, but thats what molex connectors are for .

This isn't going to be like the AGP 8x ONLY cards because each major revision to the AGP spec brought a different signaling voltage with each major update after 2x. In this case the PCIe 2.0 card just slows itself down to run on the PCIe 1.0 bus.