Looking to upgrade to C2D setup.

[Matt2]

I'm looking to upgrade to a C2D setup. After the R600 fiasco settles, I plan on making my one and only upgrade to my system including new mobo, CPU, RAM and video card.

Current specs:
Opty 170 @ 2.7GHZ
2GB OCZ GamerXtreme PC4000
DFI LanParty CFX3200 Crossfire mobo
Silverstone 560w PSU
Watercooled

I want to sell my current mobo+CPU+RAM and try to upgrade for as little money as possible. I'm going to overclock the snot out of this CPU so I need suggestions about the best C2D overclocking setup that will yield the best results for the smallest amount of money.

I havent paid any attention to C2D or any mobos or RAM, so help me shed some light on this!

EDIT: Almost 100% made up my mind to go with E4300 unless someone can convince me otherwise. Still need help picking mobo and RAM. Want to hit 3GHZ if not more.

 

[Fallengod]

Well as little money as possible...

Well, the cheapest possible route, is going to the FS/T forum and buy used components there. You can find an E4300 for $100ish or an E6300 for $120ish. Memory for $80-$100. If you are not comfortable with that though...Ill suggest what you can find new.

Memory: 2 gigs of pc2-6400 memory, is pretty much around the $100 mark now. Prices have been so crazy, buying new will actually be cheaper than finding used. So pick some whatever name brand of pc2-6400 memory and you should be fine,even for some overclocking.

CPU: since you put seem to want the cheapest one possible...Just pick up an E4300 for $115ish with free shipping.

Mobo: Hard to help here since it some what depends on what you need. They range from about $100-$160 for any decent quality boards. Theres so many out its hard to say what is the best. Id personally try not to go too cheap on the mobo since it is sort of the heart of the system. There is supposedly a decent $100ish board, which is the Biostar P965PT or whatever its called. Might check that out. The Gigabyte DS3 is fairly cheap, although do some research cause they seem to have lots of issues. Of course theres a slew of Asus boards and such as well.


I am actually in the middle of upgrading myself. Personally ill be buying either the Abit Quadgt or DFI infinity 965-s. My memory is still up in the air, since it depends what I get sold and decide to keep. I think my CPU is going to be an E6400 or E6420.

 

[Matt2]

Thanks for the reply Fallengod.

I want to make clear that I dont necessarily want the cheapest components, but after selling my current gear, I'd like to keep the net cost under $100 since my main priority is my GPU upgrade.

I want this setup to be the best setup I can possibly get for the money. SO it's more about bang for the buck rather than cheap.

I'm a little confused about the mobo chipsets available and what RAM I need to get.

What's the difference between the 965 and 975X chipsets? Which one am I going to want if I go with a low multiplier CPU such as the e6300 or e6400?

What about the memory? I'm going to be getting a low multiplier CPU so do i want the faster DDR2-800 memory?

Bottomline, I need these components to match up well with eachother. Whatever CPU I choose I want, need it to get past 3GHZ. The higher the better. I dont want to choose components that are going to bottleneck eachother.

 

[Fallengod]

For mobo. Just get a P965 chipset. Maybe the Nvidia chipset possibly. Yer own your own picking those.....


Like I said, there are many deals for memory lately. Get any name brand 2GB kit of PC2-6400 (800mhz) memory and that still allows for a 3.2ghz overclock for even an E6400. There has been many pc2-6400 micron d9 chip gets lately for around $100, and those will do 1000+mhz. That would be the best buy. Although that is kind of overkill if you dont need that high of speed. Like the firestix or curcial ballistix kits. Possibly a good proMOS set. Any gskill/corsair/ OCZ in the $100 range would be good too.

Also I wouldnt really call E6400 (8x) a low multiplier. Like I just said, even normal stock pc2-6400 memory would allow for a 3.2ghz overclock. I would call the E6300 a low multiplier though. I wouldnt get that cpu unless you definitely get a good mobo and ram. Obviously the best bet for cheap is the E4300 since it is the cheapest, has a high multiplier. Saves you worry about memory and mobo a little.

 

[CCityInstaller]

Originally posted by: Matt2
Thanks for the reply Fallengod.

I want to make clear that I dont necessarily want the cheapest components, but after selling my current gear, I'd like to keep the net cost under $100 since my main priority is my GPU upgrade.

I want this setup to be the best setup I can possibly get for the money. SO it's more about bang for the buck rather than cheap.

I'm a little confused about the mobo chipsets available and what RAM I need to get.

What's the difference between the 965 and 975X chipsets? Which one am I going to want if I go with a low multiplier CPU such as the e6300 or e6400?

What about the memory? I'm going to be getting a low multiplier CPU so do i want the faster DDR2-800 memory?

Bottomline, I need these components to match up well with eachother. Whatever CPU I choose I want, need it to get past 3GHZ. The higher the better. I dont want to choose components that are going to bottleneck eachother.

The 965 is actually a newer chipset then the 975. That being said, I am typing on my brand new C2D E4400 using an Abit AWD9 (975). I love it so far. I would suggest staying with a board that allows you to adjust the FSB/Memory Strap if you use a 965 based board. The Abit QuadGT and the DFI are popular.

 

[jhurst]

MEMORY: G.Skill 2x1gb HZ (micron D9's) - DDR800, 4-4-4-12, will OC to over DDR1000. I think I saw it on Newegg for $118 (Using a PROMO CODE)

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: jhurst
MEMORY: G.Skill 2x1gb HZ (micron D9's) - DDR800, 4-4-4-12, will OC to over DDR1000. I think I saw it on Newegg for $118 (Using a PROMO CODE)

You saw right!

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: jhurst
MEMORY: G.Skill 2x1gb HZ (micron D9's) - DDR800, 4-4-4-12, will OC to over DDR1000. I think I saw it on Newegg for $118 (Using a PROMO CODE)

Is this what you're talking about?

$90 for 1GB is far too rich for my blood.

So I decided on the E4300 for the CPU. Still need suggestions on mobo and RAM.

Trying to get highest possible OC at lowest possible cost.

EDIT: What do you guys think about this Gigabyte DS3 965P - $99

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: Matt2

Originally posted by: jhurst
MEMORY: G.Skill 2x1gb HZ (micron D9's) - DDR800, 4-4-4-12, will OC to over DDR1000. I think I saw it on Newegg for $118 (Using a PROMO CODE)

Is this what you're talking about?

$90 for 1GB is far too rich for my blood.

So I decided on the E4300 for the CPU. Still need suggestions on mobo and RAM.

Trying to get highest possible OC at lowest possible cost.

EDIT: What do you guys think about this Gigabyte DS3 965P - $99

He's talking about this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231065

And that motherboard is just fine

 

[Matt2]

So how do I get that promo code Kromis?

~$350 for the whole setup, more than I wanted to spend.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: Matt2
So how do I get that promo code Kromis?

~$350 for the whole setup, more than I wanted to spend.

Decisions, decisions.

YGPM

 

[richardrds]

I am an AMD fan, so i am not an expert on C2D setup's, but I think Intel is releasing their new bearlake mobo's, P35/X38 pretty soon.

I would suggest you wait a few weeks and get one of these because they are supposed to also support the next gen C2D's (Penryn).

It is not known yet whether the current P965/680I mobo's will be able to support Penryn. They say maybe with a bios flash, but no promises if they will all work to support future Penryn cores.

 

[DerComissar]

Check my sig if you want some good, proven highly-overclockable components.
I too tend to go for bang for the buck, and the best part is that with all the recent price drops the pricing on most of this is much lower now.
An E6400 @3600 provides great performance and the DS3 has been very stable and overclocking-friendly.

 

[Kromis]

Let me get this straight...

The upcoming desktop processors from Intel are of the PENRYN codename? I thought it was Wolfdale?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: richardrds
I am an AMD fan, so i am not an expert on C2D setup's, but I think Intel is releasing their new bearlake mobo's, P35/X38 pretty soon.

I would suggest you wait a few weeks and get one of these because they are supposed to also support the next gen C2D's (Penryn).

It is not known yet whether the current P965/680I mobo's will be able to support Penryn. They say maybe with a bios flash, but no promises if they will all work to support future Penryn cores.

Wait? Remember when the P965 came out and if you waited...you ended up waiting for many months for stock and stupid markup pricing?

Don't wait when it's cheap now for really fast tech.

Also GET THE G.SKILL HZ...sorry had to shout it I've had these to 1200Mhz at 5-5-5-15 on an Asus Commando board. With only 2.3v. Your mileage will vary, but you can run Cas3 DDR2-800 at 2.1v easy...2.3v gets you cas4 DDR2-1000