Originally posted by: NukaCola
Would getting a Quad-Core really "future-proof" your system? I mean, by the time other new parts come, there will be better quad-cores out there. Am I right?
As time goes on, better technology will arrive. While processors will have higher frequency it all depends on how programs are written to know true performance. I would expect cores to jump as time goes on. I believe when dual cores started really becoming available my friend at Sun told me they had octo cores so dual is nothing special. I would expect Intel and AMD to release octo cores in the future.
As for my current low budget build for the summer, I decided to buy my parts locally. I will list the prices and where I purchased it.
Intel C2D E4600 (2.4GHz) Retail Box + ECS GF7050VT-M Combo ($99.99 - Fry's electronics)
2x2GB Corsair ValueSelect DDR667 ($21.99 each after MIR of $15 - Fry's electronics)
OCZ 500W StealthXStream ($24.99 after $25MIR - Microcenter)
Hitachi 500GB SATA II HDD ($64.99 - Microcenter)
Possible upgrades:
BFG 512MB GeForce 8500GT ($29.99 after $20 MIR - Fry's electronics)
Intel C2D E7200 (2.53GHz) Retail Box + ECS GF7050VT-M Combo ($119.99 - Fry's electronics)
Intel C2D E6750 (2.66GHz) Retail Box + ECS GF7050VT-M Combo ($129.99 - Fry's electronics)
I listed the upgrades because I considered those when browsing. The E4600 combo is being phased out for the E7200 and E6750 combos as my local store has stopped with the E4600 after the weekend I bought it and replaced it with the following two weekend after weekend. The BFG 512MB Video card is tempting but for now I will probably rely on the onboard GeForce7.
This isn't too bad a build for cheap. After all rebates you can get a computer up for 234 before tax and without OS. This assumes you have another windows CD lying around you can use the code from since most builders have an OEM cd they can use. Optical drives are also assumed. If you want to get a new one, they usually have them for $30 but sometimes you get lucky and find it for 20 after MIR.