Post - Time for hardware upgrades.. Input/suggestions appreciated.
I'm planning to upgrade my hardware a bit soon, and I need some input/suggestions here since it's been a while since my last update so I'm not 100% up-to-date on the latest motherboards, memory, graphics cards etc...
I don't want the latest HW since that's a bit to expensive vs. performance, but I'm looking for a few months old stuff for a more reasonable price...
I'm an "AMD guy" myself so what I've been looking at now are the following configurations:
The biggest decision is here. Do you want to go the INTEL or the AMD route. This not only determines the processor but the Video card (Crossfire/SLi) choices as well.
Right now the Intel Conroe's are the best bang for buck. They are cheaper and much faster. For example I just bought 3 weeks ago a Intel E6600 (cost 280€) which has the same performace as the FX-62 (900€). They are also awesome for overclocking. For example, with a good cooler you can buy a E6300 (1.8 Ghz) at overclock the sucker to 3.0Ghz! A E6300 will cost you €150.
I am not an Intel fanboy. I prefer AMD, but the numbers don't lie. The Intel is the MUCH better bargain at the moment. However AMD will be launching their 4x4 chip this year, will they take back the crown? Time will tell. Why buy a AMD based system that costs more and is much slower? There is just no reason to do so. Intel is unbeatable.
MOTHERBOARD
For a Motherboard get any 975x or the 965x from either ASUS (P5B for example) or DFI UNLESS you want SLi in which case you must get one of the Nvidia i680 boards. YOU'LL NEED TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT SLI. I use the ASUS P5N32-E SLi. Most of these boards are good though none are fantastic. The intel chipsets over clock MUCH better.
If you must buy AMD get the Nvidia 590i or 570i, the 590i overclocks much better. DFi is my personal choice. MSI is good but I prefer ASUS or DFi, just a habit I guess.
RAM
In either Conroe or AMD you need DDR2 (DDR3 is soon)
The fastest your motherboard can take. PC-800 is typical and it overclocks well. Make sure you get a name brand (Corsair, Crucial; OCZ). I am using Corsair series because its optimized for SLi. If you do use Sli make sure the chip say so. Also make sure you buy them in pairs, not individually. Each pair is tested with the other and you'll get optimal performance. The extra cost is minor.
Video Card
Same as CPU. If you go Conroe get Nvidia if you choose AMD get ATi. Since the AMD-ATI merger I wouldn't recommend Intel users getting ATI and visa-versa. Intel has already said they WON'T be supporting Crossfire. AMD will likewise no longer support anything Nvidia related...
The 8800GTS is a nice card. The brand isn't that important IMHO. With video cards, The cards themselves are almost identical in terms of performance (unless its a "special" meaning overclocked at the factory). They differ on features I would get the one that offers the most features (video-in, dual monitor support, extra games or software) whichever is the cheapest. Gainward, BFG, ASUS, are good names
Soundcard
I just bought the X-fi Fatal1ty. The only advantage this card has is that it has the X-RAM. This is a extra 64mb of audio RAM. Most games don't support it (yet, but hopefully soon). But those that do like BF2142 you can tell the difference. Be aware that not all the X-FI cards have the X-RAM. In fact it may just be the Fatali1y (perhaps Premium as well, I'll have to check that).
Keep in mind that that the X-FI has certain compatibility problems with certain motherboards (cracking and popping noise). I had no issues, but Buyer beware.
Also if you want to do music editing go by a Turtle Beach or Terranec. Professional audio is not Creative's strength.
PSU+Case
Make sure you get a good case. Lian-li, Antec, Coolermaster or Enermax. Cheap cases can cause serious problems. I once wreaked a rather expensive computer because the POS case I bought became polarized (the metal carried a charge which fried the motherboard). Since then I only use Lian-li. Also remember that aluminum is better than plastic for cooling and that its better to have 1-2 large case fans than 3-4 small ones (its quieter).
For the PSU. Only buy a quality PSU. Iusually only get Enermax or Antec although I am about to try a ASUS. For any modern PC you will want at least 450W. Modular PSU is handy if you can afford it.
Last edited by mmarsh; February 1st, 2007 at 16:08.
I'm sorry if I sounded arrogent, I was asking a rhetorical question, I wasn't trying to be a jerk.
The whole AM2 series has been less than inspiring. I certainly hope the 4x4 becomes popular because I don't want Intel to regain its monopoly and have CPU prices go through the roof again.
Don't know much in Chieftech, but Hyper is pretty good. I know lots of nerds that use it. Your 580W should be good. just make sure it has the right connectors for SLI if you go down that path.
Also I know your own a budget, but the quad processors are already out (Q6600 Q6700). For Games and home user stuff they arnt necessary, but for other types of things like application devolopement they can make a difference. I think the Intel Q6600 starts at $580 USD.
I'm sorry if I sounded arrogent, I was asking a rhetorical question, I wasn't trying to be a jerk.
No problem at all, didn't think so either..
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Also I know your own a budget, but the quad processors are already out (Q6600 Q6700).
I've seen them, but they're to new and therefore too pricey IMO right now.
I usually never buy the latest tech, since the price vs. performance "ratio" isn't the best there....
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Don't know much in Chieftech, but Hyper is pretty good. I know lots of nerds that use it.
I like the Chieftec Dragon case a lot, and I've also added DampTek Noise Absorption Mats to it so it's pretty silent.. http://www.nexustek.nl/damptek.htm
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Your 580W should be good. just make sure it has the right connectors for SLI if you go down that path.
The Hiper PSU is "SLI-Ready", so that shouldn't be a problem.
It's a really great and silent PSU, can barely hear that it's running.
E6600 (if you really a overclocking nut, you could get a E6300 and overclock that sucker). Personally I would get the E6600 and overclock it. I got mine at 3.2 Ghz without difficulty. I see it in Paris for €255. Its a great chip. If you do want to get the E6300 (save 100€) make sure you get a good overclocking motherboard (i975X chipset).
Motherboard. No SLi.
If no GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3. MSI is also very good. The P965 is a good mainstream chipset. If you really want a speed demon, the Asus P5W (P975X). There is also the "BX" (battleaxes out there) which are even faster. But I cannot find them in France. (DS3 €119, 179€ for Asus P5W)
Motherboard Sli
Your choices are limited. There has been trouble with the i680 reference desiegn and SATA drivers. So I wouldnt try motherboards from EVGA, and BFG. That leaves the ASUS Striker Extreme and the P5N32-E. These are essentially the same board but the Striker has a bunch of Gizmos that are nice but not required. Certainly not worth the Extra 120€. That just leaves the P5N32-E SLi its no frills, overclocks reasonbly (but not as good as i975bx) and its the cheapest. (203€). There will be a few new ones coming out very soon Gigabyte had annouced theirs, and I am still waiting on DFi and maybe Abit. Stay tuned.
RAM
Corsair DDR2 XMS2 PC6400 CAS4 5-5-12 running at 800ghz. I don't see the use for PC1000 RAM, just overclock if you want. (220€)
Video Card
8800GTS (any make). As said they generally are the same interns of performance. Just get the one with the features that suites you. Also make sure its the 640mb version not the 320mb. (420€)
Disks Drives (forgot this one yesterday)
If you get a fast system either try setting up a RAID 0 with 2 disks at 7200 RPMs or just get a single Disk at 15000 RPMs. I like Seagate or WD. Hitatchi isn't bad. Avoid Maxtor. They are junk. They are the cheapest, but it really is the addage "you get what you pay for". Get any capcity you want. but at least 160GB. The more the merrier.
Memory:
Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 2048MB CL5 Kit w/two matched CM2X1024A-6400 Dimm's
(would have prefered PC8000 or better, but they're pretty expensive here...)
Graphics card:
GeForce 8800GTS (640MB) of some kind..
And I haven't decided if I want the Zalman Reserator 2 Water Cooling System or not yet.. Zalman Reserator 2 Fanless Water Cooling System - Anyone tried it??
(it should also be possible to add a silent fan to the radiator to improve the cooling even more for overclocking..)
CPU+MEMORY. I have both the Intel E6600 and the Corsair-6400 memory. I am very pleased with both. The fit each other well. Go for it. Just keep in mind the E6650 will be release sometime this quarter.
Graphics Card+Motherboard. Here is where you might run into a choice. The last time we spoke I suggested the i975 chipset, I still do, but if you do select this, both SLi and Crossfire are off the table. Since my last Post, the major problems with SLi and MS VISTA, (poor Nvidia drivers) are largely resolved,making SLi on Vista a much more attractive option. The question is which is more important to you, better overclocking rates or SLi? To me overclocking is much less important than SLi, I only notice a slight performance increase in overclocking, whereas SLi I get a great performance boost.
Furthermore the SLI motherboards are now cheap enough where the price difference is exactly the same. In France the MSI Powerup and the ASUS P5N32-E are exactly the same price (€175).
I guess it boils down to this: If you want to get the best possible overclocking speed get the E6600, the MSI Powerup, and a water cooling system. Remember overclocking is not a sure thing, part of it is which chip you get. One E6600 may overclock much better than another. (It has to do the way the chip was cast at fabrication) so it is very much luck of the draw.
OR
Get a perfectly good i680 motherboard which will overclock well but not outstandingly, a good AIR HSF I have a the (Zalmans 9700 and the Big Typhoon on each of my systems, (these are probably the best HSF on the market) and use the €250 (+€100) toward a second 2nd Graphics card.
You don't even need to get the 2nd GPU right away, you can wait.
Or the safest bet is to use the savings to get your wife/girlfriend a present, as buying a new super-computer-geek PC usually angers she-who-must-be-obeyed.
Little side note, don't make the mistake of not thinking hard about the small things...like cases, fans, and power supplies, etc..
We often get all caught up in the latest and greatest CPU's, memory, gfx cards, mobos, and the like yet none of those are anything if you don't have a quality case (something with lots of room), power supply (something that can take the abuse and has the power), and cooling system (we need air movement here sir).
Or the safest bet is to use the savings to get your wife/girlfriend a present, as buying a new super-computer-geek PC usually angers she-who-must-be-obeyed.
I know, that's why it's taken this long to be "allowed" to buy a new computer...
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Furthermore the SLI motherboards are now cheap enough where the price difference is exactly the same. In France the MSI Powerup and the ASUS P5N32-E are exactly the same price (€175).
It's slightly more expensive here, but not much so I'll look into that one as well.
(since you're trying to push SLI on me anyway.. )
But I would really like to try water cooling on my new system.
Really no good reason why other than that it sounds cool..
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Little side note, don't make the mistake of not thinking hard about the small things...like cases, fans, and power supplies, etc..
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