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

[Elluzion]

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.

lol i know...

 

[BobcatDan]

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 .

I thought PCI-E 2.0 boards were backwards compatible, not the cards.
Dan

 

[orion456]

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.

You know what they say about cars, brand new is so nice, but 2 years old is almost the same and almost 1/2 the price.

For almost all applications, a Q6600 is way over kill and 1/4 the price. That being the case, it's hard to justify spending more until you can talk about two or three times more speed.

 

[ghost_recon88]

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.

That sounds like what I'll end up doing, except for the fact I see no need in going quad-core until socket B comes out, and after reading about it, I plan on selling this guy to get one of those shortly after they're out (assuming DDR3 prices have dropped). So thats why I've been planning on getting a dual-core 45nm CPU and overclocking the heck out of it. The P35 board sounds like that where its at as far as price and overclocking goes. Looks like I'll be shopping around for one

Ok so I just did some quick pricing,

CPU: E8400 $183
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2-6400 for under $100 shipped (http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T8UB2GC5&ref=lmcd)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3P Rev 2.0 $95 used (I saw one go for that on anandtech)
Heatsink: Thermaltake V1 CL-P0401 (just snagged one for $30)
Video: 8800GT $280

Case, opticals, hard drive are things I'll buy as I find good deals on them. Anyone have a specific suggestion for the PSU? I want something that will be able to handle the load on the next gen quad-cores, so I'm thinking at least 700 watts.

 

[Elluzion]

^you don't need 700 wats. The next gen of quads are using less power consumption... 65nm to 45nm uses less power consumption..

I would go with the corsair 520hx or 620hx. the 520hx can handle sli 8800gt 's

 

[jason4207]

You don't need 700W. The overall wattage rating isn't as important as the AMP rating on the 12v rail(s) either. The Corsair 520 or 620 are proven performers and will power your system w/ juice to spare. The PSU in my sig is also a very good choice.

Since you have to wait until January to get your CPU. I'd also wait until then to get your gfx card. Something better might be right over the horizon, and if not the GT should have leveled off in cost. Right now it is going for more than MSRP.

That MoBo should be fine, but personally I like what Abit, and Asus have to offer better.

Edit: Looks like you beat me Elluzion

 

[ghost_recon88]

I like Abit as well, all my boards up until this point have been them. But everyone kept on ranting about the Gigabyte, so I figured it was the best P35 board out there. Which Abit would you recommend? The IP35 Pro, IP35, or the IP35-E? The Asus boards cost a bit more, are they really better overclockers?

And man, those are some expensive power supplies The most expensive one I've bought to this date was $80.

Nm, was looking at newegg. @ Clubit, the 520hx is only $89 AR.

 

[jason4207]

The IP35 Pro is obviously the best, but I'm not sure how much better it is than the IP35. They both use the ICH9R SB while the E just has the ICH9 SB. The ICH9R gives you RAID options, and is a must for me. Your needs may be different.

I have the P5K Premium, and really like it. It has a voltage damper option which eliminates Vdroop. It does cost quite a bit more, though, and it is possible to do a simple pencil mod to the IP35 boards to eliminate Vdroop.

 

[ghost_recon88]

I don't really need the RAID options, although I am tempted to get a pair of 150GB raptors and raid em No, must resist. For this build I won't be needing RAID. I just checked and the normal IP35 has the ICH9R southbridge. And its only $135 shipped. That looks like the one I'll be getting.

 

[Evilsizer]

IP35-E is a good choice for a low cost ocing board same with the gigabyte p35-s3/p35-DS3L's. reall though my fav is with abit, i only recommened gigabyte alot cause at the time they were the cheapest p35 boards in $100 point. the IP35-E is now below $100 oc's solid with the right cpu..

 

[ghost_recon88]

K sweet. I'm pretty sure I'm getting a QX6700, AMD FX-62, high clocking DDR2, 7950GX2, and a AM2 Crossfire mobo + cash in trade for my laptop in my sig. Hopefuly that goes through, then I can sell those parts here on ocforums, and finally get some cash to get this desktop rolling.

 

[Elluzion]

QX's are a waste of money imo. save itt

 

[ghost_recon88]

I'm getting it in a trade, I don't plan on using it. I plan on reselling it here very cheaply. Same goes for all those other parts listed above. I'm not sure I can get the asking value for my laptop, so this trade + cash appears to be the only way of getting rid of it.

 

[leftheaded]

RAM: 2x2GB DDR2-6400 for under $100 shipped (http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T8UB2GC5&ref=lmcd)

wow, that price is tempting me. is this good stuff? $200 for 8GB is pretty sick

 

[xilix]

Unless you're going 64bit I'd cut the ram back to 2GB. 32bit systems won't use 4GB. When you get your new 45nm chip, post and let us know how it clocks. I originally had no plans to get a new CPU for a long time, but they look to be very INSANE clockers, so I might be forced to buy one.

 

[ghost_recon88]

I do plan on going 64-bit. I figure since my CPU will be 64-bit, and since XP is starting to show its age, I'll go with Vista. + Vista has DX10 support.

 

[BobcatDan]

Even in vista 64 I don't use all 4 gigs, though I do use more than two. Most I use is about 2.5 gigs (via task manager).
Dan

 

[ghost_recon88]

Yea well like I said its a little future proof, and I'm sure some of the video editing I do will consume 3GB +.

 

[jason4207]

VISTA will use more RAM if you have it available. I saw one guy who had 6GB of RAM and he was using 5GB. I have 2GBs and have never used more than 1GB w/ Bioshock. I haven't checked yet to see what Crysis is using. I'm contemplating getting another 2GB of Ballistix, though, just b/c RAM is so cheap right now.

 

[cheece2001]

it all depends on what u wana do.. if u're a gamer.. u're gona have to have th best of the best to be able to keep up with the games for a few years. if u just do word, internet and stuff like that.. u can use a P3 or somehting and it will still last you for years and years. the only reason tey make this stuff so crazy in speed and all that is for the games ..mostly ....for the general public

for me i kinda stopped gaming so i'm not gona upgrade for a very long time so i'm sticking with my system and it dong more than enough for what i'm dong right now.