would like some input for a new mobo/cpu.

**s3gulit** · 10-26-07, 12:05 PM

hey guys and gals,

so i've been outta the pc thing for a couple of months now and would like some reccomendations for a good matched mobo/cpu. I plan on swapping my power supply over, my ram (if possible), soundcard, gfx card, hard drives, etc.

Right now its a less than stellar 2.8ghz P4 (x86 family) and a stock dell mobo....i know, i know...

I plan on upgrading to a better case since mine is all fubared since i left it on the floor heater and the plastic melted, lol.

So...what are some good options? I'm not looking to get the best, most top of the line stuff because it'll be out-dated sooner than later anyway....just looking for something that'll handle gaming better and i'd like room to add SLI/Crossfire down the road so 2 pci-e slots are a must... is the E-6600 (i believe) duo-core still a solid cpu for gaming, or did something better release?

If someone could post links to sites (newegg, tiger direct, etc) with a nice matched CPU/MOBO combination i'd appreciate it.

**Mcstrange** · 10-26-07, 01:13 PM

The Intel core 2 6550 is the sweet spot currently. 170$ + 124~$ mobo and your set.

**HeavyG** · 10-26-07, 01:18 PM

Also consider the E6750. It is just a bit more and has an added punch. For $270, you could get the E6850, which would be simply badass.

**s3gulit** · 10-26-07, 01:58 PM

so what kinda motherboards should i be looking at? I hate having everything locked from dell and i can never fiddle with settings, given i really only overclock my gfx card, but it still sucks that i can't squeeze some more out of the rest of the system...

**Mcstrange** · 10-26-07, 02:12 PM

riddle me this:
How much are you willing to spend?

100 dollars is doable, but not better than want you have, over a thousand is also doable, but stupid... 250-350 is going to get you a good amount of power without going overboard into the stupidly expensive chips, but if you can spend up to 400 you can get a quad core chip and be ready for the world of tomorrow...

so again how much $$$ is too much?

**Graverunner** · 10-26-07, 02:58 PM

This is the mobo I've picked out. It says it has two PCIe slots and ut was reviewed very well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128064

**s3gulit** · 10-26-07, 03:21 PM

for the motherboard/cpu (assuming my 550W power supply will swap over with no problems) i dont wanna spend more than $700 combined. being that i'm looking at some high dollar cases since they seem to be the only ones that have designs i like.

**Toker** · 10-26-07, 03:29 PM

For the money, coolest, easiest, roomiest, quietest case I've ever used...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129017

If you got some extra cash, the P-190's are dope..