Upgrade time!

[Dookie]

What I'm looking for is to be able to run the newest games at close to max settings so DX 10 is a must.

Available funds:

~$800

What I need:
New CPU
Probably new MB
New GPU


Here's what I have so far:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850
ASUS P5B-VM
ASUS 8800GTS

I just threw that list together, I've been out of the hardware loop for a while so I'm not sure how good that setup is. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated, particularly if there's new products coming out that would be worth waiting for.

 

[bamacre]

I'd wait for the new release of video cards. I am in your shoes, pretty much. Here is what I am looking at...

Intel Q6600
P35 motherboard
~500 Nvidia 9800 series

Those will replace my Pent 930 / 7950 GT setup. Everything else I have.

That AMD you have now is a skt 939, no? You're going to need new memory as well.

 

[Dookie]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd wait for the new release of video cards. I am in your shoes, pretty much. Here is what I am looking at...

Intel Q6600
P35 motherboard
~500 Nvidia 9800 series

Those will replace my Pent 930 / 7950 GT setup. Everything else I have.

That AMD you have now is a skt 939, no? You're going to need new memory as well.

True true, man $800 might not be enough :/

Are quads worth it? I've read here and there that the performance advantage is hardly noticeable.

And after reading a tread in the CPU forum I'm thinking this combo might be good, saves some money for mamarys at least.

CPU
Mobo

 

[bamacre]

I would only go with that cpu if you intend to overclock it.

The quad core cpu will definitely be the best bet when games like Crysis are released. Any application that is multi-threaded will run better with a quad core cpu.

For $277.50 shipped, its a bargain, IMO.

But I'd wait until new video cards are released to make any concrete decisions right now.

 

[Dookie]

Well I don't have a problem OC'ing but if the quad cores will outperform an OC duo i'd go that route. Would that motherboard still be a good choice to use with the quad?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Dookie
Well I don't have a problem OC'ing but if the quad cores will outperform an OC duo i'd go that route. Would that motherboard still be a good choice to use with the quad?

Yup. But, personally, I don't like Abit motherboards anymore, however I have not used one in about 18 months. But the P35 chipset is what you want. If I were buying now, I'd go with a Gigabyte, or an Intel if no overclocking.

 

[Dookie]

Right on, thanks for the help!

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

$280 Core 2 Quad Q6600 (quad core, fantastic stock speed, 9x multiplier for great overclocking)
OR:
$126 Core 2 Duo E4400 (dual core, good stock speed, 10x multiplier for insane overclocking)

AND:
$95 Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L (recent chipset, proven manufacturer, superb overclocking, cheap price)
$94-$35MIR=$59AR OCZ OCZ2G8002GK 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 (proven manufacturer, decent speed, cheap price)
$75 Western Digital WD2500KS 250GB hard disk (reliable manufacturer, decent size, decent speed, cheap price)
$65 Raidmax ATX-802BP (sleek look, sturdy construction, rolled edges, includes spare PSU, modest price)
$44 FSP Group ATX450-PA (reliable, cheap, sufficient power)
$34 Philips SPD2413BD retail (proven manufacturer, fast, cheap, includes legal copy of Nero)

TOTAL (w/Q6600): $687/$652AR
TOTAL (w/E4400): $533/$498AR

Not included: Windows, GPU, floppy drive, modem, WLAN, firewire, peripherals, etc.

 

[bamacre]

I would certainly not recommend an 8500 GT for gaming.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I would certainly not recommend an 8500 GT for gaming.

Quite right.

Hmm. I missed that first line--that was silly of me.

Maybe the GeCube HV195XTG3-E3 ($206)?