Mobo/CPU

**...bigdog...** · 10-17-07, 04:54 PM

and bacon, he meant "if I had $800, I could build a bad ass computer".

and that's true.

My recommendation would be to go with something cheaper now, but that gives you limitless options in the future.

that means you need to pick the right socket/motherboard combination.

Right now, an intel core 2 duo 6550 is similar to an AMD X2 6000. They are also both the same price. ($160 or so).

If you really wanna party, you could go for the new quadcores.

bottom line Q6600 for $279.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

beats the SHIT out of an X26000+ and any core2duo you can think of, except the 6850, ....which it matches in price, but still "beats".

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_20...=874&chart=416

Once you choose the processor, then you choose the motherboard. I'm no intel expert, but I've owned and assembled enough computers to know that without a good motherboard, the whole thing is worthless.

Asus, Abit, Gigabyte....in that order.....make the best stuff in terms of stability, widespread use (and thus TRUST and CONSISTENCY), as well as support (BIOS updates, tech help, internet search info, etc).

So.....$200 on the processor, $100-$150 on the motherboard, $100 on the powersupply, $100 on the RAM.......Still have $300 left. How about a 2900XT?

This assumes you are going to keep your current case, monitor, keyboard, speaker, sound card, HD's, OS disks, etc.

**Toker** · 10-17-07, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by ...bigdog...

If you really wanna party, you could go for the new quadcores.

bottom line Q6600 for $279.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

beats the SHIT out of an X26000+ and any core2duo you can think of, except the 6850, ....which it matches in price, but still "beats".

I just finished a Q6600 build w/ an ABIT mobo and couldn't be happier. I find myself sitting in BIOS just staring at individual core temps. Thus far it's ultra stable and we'll see what numbers I can pull out once I start OC'n for fun... If you guys wanna step it up, that quad is simply amazing for the price...

**Graverunner** · 10-17-07, 05:35 PM

The links and insight were really helpful, thanks a ton. I don't have anything right now (this is the first desktop i've had). I'm not really looking for dual GPU or quad-core right now, but its good to know for later. I'm pretty sure I have a screen, which will save me like 200 bucks, but I don't really know much about optical drives or cases, other than that the form factor needs to match the motherboard.
I thought this mobo looked good:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...y=REVIEWS#tabs

**MotoZ** · 10-17-07, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by BigHub

theres no need for dual GPU's... waste of money. A SINGLE 8800GTX or GTS would do the trick. I'm pretty sure he is on a budget, hence why im referring him to bigdog, because he is good with that. Annnd i don't know why the fuck your comin off on me like im wrong or something, when im not.

I was quoting off what you said "An $800 budget leaves no room for error.", When there is PLENTY of room for error when spending $800 on CPU and MB. All he is looking for is a new MB and CPU and I know for a FACT, MB's and CPU's will not run you up to $800.... do you even read the post? I was just saying, if you gave me $800... my CPU and MB would be the fastest damn thing in the planet. I don't expect anybody to give me anything. So get the sand out of your vagina.

Nowhere in his post did he say he wanted dual GPUs.

First, I'm not saying he WANTS dual GPU's in his PC. My concern is that he may end up paying for two GPUs - one that goes in his machine and another that sits in a closet and collects dust.

He said that he could get a decent GPU from his friend. So the first thing I thought is OK, we have a starting point. What is this "decent GPU"? If it's not up to par for Crysis and the other games that he listed then we would need to budget for a new GPU and advise that he not buy the GPU from his buddy...because it would end up in the closet.

Second, it is clear from his first post that for $800 he is looking for a complete box...not just a CPU/MB combination. He said his TOTAL budget is $800, and his PRIMARY concern is the CPU/MB combination. That infers that there are secondary items that he also needs to buy, such as a case, HDD, DVD, RAM, PS, and maybe a GPU. So did I read his post? You can bet I did.

Third, that sand is in my ass. A vagina looks and smells much better. So stop trying to dick me

**Mcstrange** · 10-17-07, 06:06 PM

so we need a full system?
CPU, MoBo, Ram, Case, Powersupply, Drives and an OS?
Maybe plus or minus a video card? (a 7600 is not all that powerful, but will server its purpose until you can upgrade in a few months)
Let me do some looking and I will see what can be thrown together for around 800. The OS will put a damper on things since your dumping at least an 8th of your budget towards that.

**MoufRoof** · 10-17-07, 07:52 PM

this is the amd system i just built. scroll down for the links to my parts. you could make a few changes in the cpu mobo department, but everything else is pretty sound i think. all this for $561 plus shipping.

http://www.texasteamplayers.com/inde...2793#msg272793

**Graverunner** · 10-17-07, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the links MoufRoof. I know the graphics card isn't amazing. but it will work with what I'm playing currrently, and save me a bunch of money for parts now.

**MoufRoof** · 10-17-07, 08:26 PM

no problem. i play mostly bf2 so i don't know how it would run on other games, but let me tell you. it runs bf2 on high settings without a single hiccup. i'm very happy with the 8600gt. if you have the money to spare then why not get something faster? $561 leaves you alot of room to play.