Thinking about upgrading a MOBO and Processor

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:52 am

Hey, I was thinking on getting a new mobo and CPU for christmas and wanted something not too expensive but not too cheap. And since I don't have a dual-core (I know, my system isn't new anymore) and saw this.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/Sea ... CatId=1599
I admit it may not be high-end or whatever, but I need some opinions as to what to get.

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:16 am

lets start with what you have first.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:08 pm

Right now: These are my current specs

CPU: Pentium IV HT (3.40GHz, Prescott, MMX, 2MB cache((?)), EMT64, SSE 1, 2, 3; other stuff I may have forgotten )

MOBO: Asus P5DW2 http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardw ... ews/p5wd2/

RAM: 3072MB DDR2 SDRAM (DDR2 800)

Video: PNY GeForce 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 (PCIe 2.0 16x)

OS: Windows XP Home SP3

As far as speed difference is concerned, what will a Core 2 Duo as far as gaming (speed, etc)?

Clements · Post by **Clements** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:22 pm

You would certainly notice the difference, I'd say. You could get a E8400 and a P45 motherboard or something and it'll be a lot faster.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:34 pm

That's good to hear, so, I'll definitely look at a few more MOBOs/CPUs before I make a final decision. You said the E8400 series CPU combo? Ah, that would be this: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1599 It's a little more money, but I assume the difference between the E7300 and E8400 alone would be worth buying.

Post by **grinvader** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:43 pm

mobo is not an acronym STOP it's an abbreviation STOP drop the caps STOP dumbass STOP

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:57 pm

Sorry about that . Six months of working for tech support (not to mention all the pointless "acronyms") has severely brainwashed me. So, is the motherboard a good one to get ? http://www.compusa.com/applications/Sea ... CatId=1599

adventure_of_link · Post by **adventure_of_link** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:26 am

grinvader wrote:mobo is not an acronym STOP it's an abbreviation STOP drop the caps STOP dumbass STOP

neither is STOP but hey.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:34 am

Something a little worrisome about this motherboard/cpu bundle: http://www.compusa.com/applications/Sea ... Q6700%20MB
I'm a little worried about the fact that, since the motherboard comes with buying the CPU, it says that it's an OEM processor. Can I trust it (i.e. how it's shipped, etc) to not be damaged by the time it gets here?

Post by **grinvader** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:53 pm

adventure_of_link wrote:
grinvader wrote:mobo is not an acronym STOP it's an abbreviation STOP drop the caps STOP dumbass STOP
neither is STOP but hey.

telegraph buttich

use it

PHoNyMiKe · Post by **PHoNyMiKe** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:58 pm

you need to specify what your needs are. onboard video? surround sound optical/coaxial? I want dual pci express and optical, just in case I want surround and the tv doesn't have hdmi (which my vid card handles by itself). there's some boards that support ddr2 and ddr3, so they won't be so obsolete in several years.

I got an E8400, it can overclock to 3.6ghz no problem (google it). I'm getting an aftermarket heatsink just to keep everything real nice ($30 plus free hdmi cord).

I'm still looking for that perfect motherboard

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:32 pm

I don't plan on overclocking (can't afford to risk voiding the CPU's warranty and the like) so, I've went ahead and got myself a Quad Core Q6600. From what I understand, despite the fact that that clock speed is only 2.40GHz, it would be faster for all four cores to do the tasks at that speed, than it would be for a single core, clocked at 3.20GHz, doing the exact same tasks. I'm also well aware of the fact that, although many programs don't utilize all cores yet, it will at least help with multitasking a heck of a lot better and also will help with programs that already use at least dual cores; I'll be better prepared for quad core programs in the near future. I've been reading up on several forums/benchmark websites, and based off of what I read and seen, they seem to do very well with games like Oblivion (which I have) and Crysis, which use multithreading (and extremely well in programs for video and sound editing). The processor will take a huge load off games like that and distrubute the tasks (graphics, AI, etc.) across all four cores, so, in turn, I'll get a much better framerate. As far as the motheboard's concerned, it's an Intel Motherboard:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-text-_-
And will support up to 8GB of DDR2 800 (which I have 3.0GB already, so I don't have to get more) and support for most, if not all, Dual and Quad core CPUs (excluding Core 2 Extreme). Not top of the line, but not the worst one out there. I'm not the type to OC my processor or plan on using all 8GB of RAM in a 64-bit OS, but, it will be enough to help programs run much, much quicker. IMHO, I don't need the most top of the line hardware for me to enjoy today's software. With my GeForce 9600GT, games will run like a charm (as if many games don't already, but they will soon run all the more better); the Motheboard and CPU are coming tomorrow (Monday) so, I'm excited! So all-in-all, I take it I should assume to see an speed/load increase one way or another?

My specs will be as follows (tomorrow):

Motherboard: Intel BOXDP35DPM (4GB RAM 32-bit/8GB RAM 64-bit)
CPU Socket Type: LGA755
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (1066MHz FSB, 2.40GHz, 256K L1 cache,
8MB L2 cache)
CPU Type: Kentsfield
CPU Features: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EMT64
RAM: 3.0GHz DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Video: PNY GeForce 9600GT 512MB GDDR3
OS: Windows XP Home SP3