Which processor?

**sfg-Groove** · 02-10-08, 11:03 AM

Who runs sli at 1280x1024? ...

sli is for 1600x1200 and up.

**SapiensErus** · 02-10-08, 11:05 AM

I was for awhile... my LCD cant go higher.. but I hooked up an old 21" CRT that does 16x12 and now I am like "I need to get a new LCD that does at least 1600x1200." Makes a world of difference!

**sfg-Groove** · 02-10-08, 11:11 AM

oh yes! at lower resolutions it will make your cpu work harder and you will get less frames!
I am using a 22inch Viewsonic old school CRT it will run up to 2560x1600.. But all I use 1600x1200 with a single 8800GT

**SapiensErus** · 02-10-08, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by sfg-Groove

sli is for 1600x1200 and up.

I agree, and many people dont understand that. With 6 and 7 series cards SLI was a great boon, but the 8 series are just so fast that the 'ol DX9 frame buffer is empty with time left. that being said, I did see benefits in Bioshock and Crysis at 1280x1024 using SLI. But those games have some DX10 features, which may include the deeper frame buffer.

**Mozi** · 02-10-08, 01:23 PM

Lol...holy crap I'm so confused.

So I'm basically looking for a PCI motherboard, good for upgrades, I can fit the 8800GT, at least 2 gigs of RAM, and E8400 or E6850. I want this motherboard great for gaming. I figured ASUS is a great brand, since many of my friends go for that. I know I should get something with high FBS as well.

**IronStomach** · 02-10-08, 01:42 PM

Pretty much any relatively new motherboard will do you; ASUS is known for their solid build quality, so that's usually a safe bet. If you're worried about the Graphics card fitting, your concern is the case, not the mobo (although with some motherboard configurations, using a large video card that takes up two PCI-E slots can sometimes block other PCI slots, so just do some quick research before you buy). Just make sure that you don't get one of those compact Mini-ATX sized computer cases, because larger cards often don't fit in them.

**SapiensErus** · 02-10-08, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mozi

Lol...holy crap I'm so confused.

So I'm basically looking for a PCI motherboard, good for upgrades, I can fit the 8800GT, at least 2 gigs of RAM, and E8400 or E6850. I want this motherboard great for gaming. I figured ASUS is a great brand, since many of my friends go for that. I know I should get something with high FBS as well.

Here is an Intel q35 chipset mobo. It's reviews say it's pretty easy to use. It has a lot of features, but it supports DDR2 1066 memory and has the 1333 FSB. It is a little spendy at 125 bucks.
ASUS P5E-VM DO - LGA 775 Intel Q35 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131222

I guess a good question is how much do you wanna spend? You will need memory too...

**Mozi** · 02-10-08, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by SoySoldier

Originally Posted by Mozi

Lol...holy crap I'm so confused.

So I'm basically looking for a PCI motherboard, good for upgrades, I can fit the 8800GT, at least 2 gigs of RAM, and E8400 or E6850. I want this motherboard great for gaming. I figured ASUS is a great brand, since many of my friends go for that. I know I should get something with high FBS as well.

Here is an Intel q35 chipset mobo. It's reviews say it's pretty easy to use. It has a lot of features, but it supports DDR2 1066 memory and has the 1333 FSB. It is a little spendy at 125 bucks.
ASUS P5E-VM DO - LGA 775 Intel Q35 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131222

I guess a good question is how much do you wanna spend? You will need memory too...

I have a $500 limit. I chose the 8800gt (best bang for the buck. I'm estimating around $250 right here), minimum of 2 gigs of ram (which I think I can get for....$40?) so that pretty much leaves around $210 for the motherboard and processor. (Don't ask how I can get E8400 or E6850 around $210. I just can.) Motherboard may be included with the E8400 or the E6850.

No new case, no new monitor, no new keyboard and mouse. That's all I'm pretty much upgrading. Just want to get to the essentials for gaming.

**SapiensErus** · 02-10-08, 03:24 PM

So let me get this straight; you can get any of those three CPUs and a Mobo od your choice for 210 bucks?

**Mozi** · 02-10-08, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by SoySoldier

So let me get this straight; you can get any of those three CPUs and a Mobo od your choice for 210 bucks?

Yes.

But what I am really asking for is what are some of the things I should be aware of when I get a processor and a motherboard, and which of the three processors are good for gaming today, gaming in the future, while also be flexible when I upgrade.