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I need a new machine and I need a little part help

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by jmgarvin

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I need some feedback on the parts I've picked. I plan on using this for a work and gaming computer. I'm not a frame counter, so I don't care about the biggest and best, but I do want a beefy machine, but without spending a ton...Ok, so I've boiled down my choices to this:

CPU:
Intel? Core? 2 Duo E6850

Mobo:
ASUS P5KC 1333MHZ C2D Socket 775 Motherboard

RAM:
?????

I'd like 3GB, but I'm not sure what the best bang for my buck is here.

Video Card:
BFG GeForce 8800GT

Sound Card:
Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 (CHEAP!!)

HDD:
SATA drive of some flavor

21 replies

by boxfiddler

I've been using ASUS boards since I built my first computer and couldn't be happier. Never any trouble out of them. And the same for Sound Blaster Audigy... Love that sound. I'd max the RAM. I've also been using Kingston RAM from day one with no complaints.

That's a mighty nice lookin' board there! At least if what I found to look at is right. Are you going DDR2 or DDR3 RAM?

Don't know diddly about the gaming reqs for video, and have yet to mess with SATA.

Have fun!

by jamesrl

I've seen other cases where what looks good on paper doesn't pan out to real life improvements - don't forget your system is only as fast as its weakest link.

Having said that, I suspect that the unique feature in this MB to run either is more to enable people to upgrade and use their old RAM. If the price delta between DDR2 and DDR3 isn't too high, I'd go three....

James

by rob miners

Gigabyte Boards with an Intel Chipset. I have had an excellent run with this combination. Never had Sata problems and never needed drivers for XP. Onboard Sound is OK too. Check out the specifications, Memory and CPU guide. 2GB RAM suits my gaming needs. Anyway a couple of links for you to have a look at.

http://www.giga-byte.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=2637&ProductName=GA-P35-DQ6

http://www.giga-byte.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=2748&ProductName=GA-P35-DS3

by jmgarvin

I'll have to dig into those too now!!! ARG! You're making this harder, not easier ;-)

by rob miners

using these boards with the Intel Chipset for years now and my clients are more than happy as they last up to and beyond 4 years.

I have a theory.

Intel CPU's work with Intel Chipsets. Intel is the only manufacturer to produce both CPU and Chipset.
Microsoft creates Software designed to run on an Intel based platform.
Gigabyte create Motherboards designed for Intel CPU's that have an Intel Chipset.

I reckon that it is a bloody good combination. :)

by jamesrl

AMD produces CPUs and chipsets:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_14603,00.html

You will note that there are AMD chipsets and ATI chipsets.

I've run computers with an ATI chipset (MSI MB) with an AMD processor (before the mergerP) and they worked just fine thanks.

I don't have an issue with Intel either, my current computer is Intel, but I wouldn't discount an AMD setup either.

I think the latest chipset from either is better than an older chipset from either - its quite competitive out there.

The new Phenom quad core AMDs look quite attractive and competitive. As for MS, it has alliances with AMD as well (google HPC). At one point MS was wanting to ensure that there would not be a monopoly chip maker and was encouraging AMD.

James

by rob miners

that shows how much interest that I take in AMD. Those chipsets have been around for over 12 months and I didn't even realise. :)

by jamesrl

AMD have been making chipsets since 1996 (1999 for non AMD CPUs), ATI since 2002.

The computer that I had with an ATI chipset worked flawlessly. It had integrated graphics (which you would expect from a company whose main line of business is graphics) but I used a different graphics card.

ATI did make chipsets for Intel CPUs as well, but stopped new design after the AMD acquision.

James

by boxfiddler

nothing but AMD on my ASUS boards. No problems, ever.
When I get the itch to build a new one, I sell the old. The first one I built back in 2000 is still up and running, sold to a friend back in 2005. I do a little minor tech support when he has a problem, and the problems - so far - have been those good old user error problems.
Happy, happy with AMD.

by Former member

DFI motherboards are good and stable, i have a DFI board and i have no problems with it. DFI have brought a new board and it looks good, more info here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136046
DFI do motherboards for AMD also. So you are spoilt for choice. AMD do a Quad core processor that cheaper than Intel, though that the price now might be the same.

Please post back if you have anymore problems or questions.

by jmgarvin

I also know (from past experience) AMD chips run a little hot, is there a good CPU heatsink/fan you recommend?

What's the best quadcore chip from AMD that's about in the same price range as the Intel chip (in OP)?

by boxfiddler

but to help manage heat I run in a small [home] server size box with 6 onboard fans. 3 in, and 3 out to keep the air flowing. Works pretty darn well. But my chip is one of the first 64bits released by AMD, so age could be a factor. Is an Antec midrange box.

edit: just for fun I put those fans that glow blue in the front. Way cool looking at night with all the other odd little lights that are on in this room!

by Former member

Will be the top of range one that is on Newegg's web site. To be quite truthful Amd runs cooler than Intel in my opinion. I have a heatsink and fan from Zalman of which keeps everything nice and cool. If you get everything that is related to the processor (including heatsink/fan and motherboard) then you can not go wrong, but get the best heatsink and fan for the processor and also a big power supply (go for something like 1000 watt, then you can push the limits to the processor, i have tested it and have not got an error so far, the processor still runs cool.
Happy shopping. :)

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by jmgarvin

I plan on going for the green colored ones this go around ;-)

by boxfiddler

my speaker lights are green, modem lights green, UPS light green, router light green. Had to have another color. Thought about red, but that would be just too 'Christmassy'! Not year round, thanks.

Will be interested to know what your final configuration is. I'm going to be building a new one soon myself.

by dumphrey

you will be putting the computer to. A Zalman cooler will be very quiet, and keep the machine in spec, even if gaming, but it will not keep gaming temps down as low as many of the thermaltake products. trade off? It may sound like a small Jet engine in your box... Overall, look for a case with at minimum 1 120mm case fan, and then purchase a nice after market fan to go in, much less noise to 80mm and more airflow at high speeds. Some cases have air "funnels" to scope outside air straight into the cpu fan... never noticed a huge difference by this, but cant see it being a bad idea. No matter what you do, make sure you take some compressed air to the cpu heatsink monthly at least to prevent "gunk" buildup. In the past, I have had to remove cpu blocks, and soak them in cleaner, nearly pressure wash them, and reattach fans and thermal paste before reinstalling. makes a noticeable difference in some older machines.

by dumphrey

prefer the M-Audio cards. Or really, any of the cards based on the VIA Envy chips. The cpu load will be slightly higher then with a Audigy product, but I think the sound is less "cold" and feels richer with a more developed sound stage. But thats pumping it through a marantz amp into paradigm monitor 3s.

by dumphrey

on a via chipset, running an athlon 64 3000 (first generation). Its been on non-stop (except for update reboots) since I built it almost 5 years ago.
Abit is another brand that has done me right in the past.

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