Which CPU/Mobo Combo?

[Riverhound777]

I am looking to build a new computer in the next month or so and am debating on which CPU/Mobo to get. Uses will be gaming and general use. I will be overclocking. I have norrowed it down to these two choices based on price.

1. E6750 with Abit IP35 Pro

2. Q6600 with Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L

I am planning to overclock either one and cool it with a Tuniq Tower 120. Memory will be 4GB(2x2) G-Skill PC8000 and OS will be vista home prem x64. Vid card will be EVGA 8800gt 512mb.

The question is whether I should go with Quad core for future proofing and a cheaper(But still good mobo) or save some money on the processor and get a better board. Or I guess I could also go with the cheaper CPU and cheaper board and put the money elsewhere, but I don't know where I would.

 

[badnewcastle]

What are you using the system for?

 

[Nessism]

Noob here but my thoughts...

Q6600's overclock well so that seems the obvious choice for future proofing.

For a motherboard, get something that has stable power supply management; quad core's take a lot of juice and require stable power to the cpu socket. Just my $0.02, but I'd get the Gigabyte board version with the 6 phase power management.

Good luck.

 

[Riverhound777]

Originally posted by: badnewcastle
What are you using the system for?

Gaming and general use as stated above. I know most say quad is useless unless you are doing video, but I tend to use my computers for at least 2 to 3 years, so the quad may become neccesary. My question is whether or not the Abit board is going to be that much better to warrent the price, or am I fine saving money on the board to get the Quad CPU?

 

[Denithor]

Personally I would recommend getting the higher end board and lower cpu, OC to >3GHz and enjoy for 1-1.5 years. Sometime around late 2008/mid 2009 pick up a Penryn Quad on the cheap and you are set for another 1-2 years (very cheap after you sell the e6750).

Of course, we are so close to Penryn dual launch (late January) you should probably wait and pick up an e8200/e8400 instead of that e6750. The Penryn chips will run cooler, overclock better, have 50% more cache (6MB versus 4MB) and will have better resale value a year from now.

 

[Xvys]

yep, if you're waiting until next month, get the Penryn dual-core which are coming out on Jan. 20th, with models about the same price as E6750 ($170). But if you want a quad-core, the Penryn quads will not be released until March.

As far as motherboards go, I would recommend any P35, P38 or P48 board that fits your budget.

 

[JimiP]

I really like the Foxconn P35A. It's cheap, reliable, and will overclock. Also has Crossfire support.

 

[bigblockchevy]

DFI-blood iron p35 or maybe the biostar pt35d7 . either of them can hit 500+fsb with ease .

i would like to be able to recommend the abit ip35e --but my best e2140 can only do a stable 400+fsb so i won't know it's limits till wolfdale in first-q08 .

if i was wanting a quad i might hold out a bit longer for the 45nm's --the die shrink should lower temps--reduce v-core requirements and give a higher FSB --so it's win-win-win all around .

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
I am looking to build a new computer in the next month or so and am debating on which CPU/Mobo to get. Uses will be gaming and general use. I will be overclocking. I have norrowed it down to these two choices based on price.

1. E6750 with Abit IP35 Pro

2. Q6600 with Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L

I am planning to overclock either one and cool it with a Tuniq Tower 120. Memory will be 4GB(2x2) G-Skill PC8000 and OS will be vista home prem x64. Vid card will be EVGA 8800gt 512mb.

The question is whether I should go with Quad core for future proofing and a cheaper(But still good mobo) or save some money on the processor and get a better board. Or I guess I could also go with the cheaper CPU and cheaper board and put the money elsewhere, but I don't know where I would.

Riverhound777 your proposed quad setup is eerily similiar to what I just assembled yesterday.

I have G0 Q6600 cooled by Tuniq120 on Gigabyte DS3L with 2x2GB (DDR-800 rated A-Data in my case). I have a cheap video card though as my system is not for gaming.

I bought the hardware for 5 of these systems...so far I have assembled and tested 3 of them.

Thus far I have been able to hit 3.3GHz (9x367FSB) on all 3 systems...Prime95 small FFT temps are 57-59C. The systems are pretty quiet too (by my standards).

I can push them closer to 3.6GHz (9x400FSB) but the required voltage climbs so steeply that I just don't want to risk sudden death syndrome for such a measly gain in MHz.

 

[Riverhound777]

Thanks for all the tips and comments. At this point I think I am leaning towards waiting for the 8200/8400 coming out next month, just hope they don't delay it. I will probably be able to get a better deal on an 8800GT by then anyway. Going to be hard to wait though as my case(Antec P182) will be coming today.

 

[Dadofamunky]

I'm going against the grain here. I think the Q6600s still run too hot and I fail to see why you would need four cores. Just get the e6750 or go for a 45nm in a few weeks for the same price. Though the Q6600 is theoretically a bargain, unless you are using high-end applications that actually make use of the extra cores I don't see the need for the extra $100 and the increased electricity bills. It's a good product, but I just see two-core alternatives as being more practical for at least the next couple of years. "Future-proofing" is all well and good, but at some point the deficit in marginal utility has to be looked at. When will broad-based support be available for quad-core and higher? Not very soon. Even Vista doesn't provide full support, and look how long it took them to get THAT out. And benchmarks are meaningless in real-world use.

If you go for a fast dual-core, I think you'll be happier and it will be much easier to cool.

 

[Timecop1967]

On Hardforums in the Intel forum they are stating that the Wolfdale CPU has been delayed until February. And some are saying that the P35s boards like my abit pro35 may not be suitable for either Wolfdale or Yorkfield. I hope that isn't the case as I bought the Abit35Pro for sticking in a E8400.

 

[bigblockchevy]

i think intel has learned to delay and deny -

- i can't see any real reason the wolfdales shouldn't work on p35s .

create a "problem" --clear out old inventory at a high price--then a "miracle "--the problem is suddenly fixxed--but it's now going to cost you--remember that $168 price--gone--now there $$$249.99--lol no real competition from big green--they think they can do anything they want-an do so .


clear out the old stuff make wall street happy and--at the same time and get paid for shooting yourself in the foot--thats what it is all about--lol

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I just built the sysytem in my sig a week ago minus the GTX which I already had. For around 450 bucks I am pretty happy. Cruising around at 3.6 without a sweat. I also just game and surf the net and watch the occasional movie. I didnt even consider a qaud core myself, but hey thats just me. $450 thats CPU, RAM and mobo as to not confuse folks.