£150 'ish CPU & MB Budget

[stevenp1968]

Hi All

I got a budget of £150 give or take a tenner.

I am currently running an Intel E2180 with a ASRock 4Core Dual eSATA running XP that I put together last year. This is used for basic home computing and also a lot of DVD ripping and watching. I have it linked to a home build server running Win Server 2003.

Id love to know what CPU and motherboard combos are best buys within my budget.

Thanks

Steve

 

[hp7909]

This is used for basic home computing and also a lot of DVD ripping and watching

Do you find the system slow? I ask because you could keep the E2180 & simply pick up a (better) mobo then maybe OC the CPU...

• Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775) £14.99
• Asus P5Q Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £74.99
• Sub Total : £89.98
• Shipping : £8.25
• VAT : £17.19
• Total : £115.42

 

[stevenp1968]

I did consider the mb upgrade and then the option to overclock my current CPU however I do finfd it poor at multitasking. For example if its ripping a DVD and checking emails the playback of another movie file can be a little juddery.

I am wondering about a Q6600? I hear they are very good for multi tasking?

Ialso love a bit of PC building - so any excuss!?!

Steve

 

[hp7909]

I am wondering about a Q6600?

For what you use your PC for, that CPU is highly recommended BUT over your initial budget (along with new/better mobo).

 

[AtaRo]

how much RAM your system has? why not upgrade your memory to 4gb if you dont have it already.it will improve multitasking a lot.you can get the specs given by hp7909 and add this OcUK 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 RAM and still be within your budget.

 

[stevenp1968]

Thanks - I think I will go for the extra RAM and the MB Upgrade with a view to adding the Quad Core at a later date.

Will the MB recommended Asus P5Q be ok for the Intel Q6600 at a later date??

Thanks

 

[AtaRo]

with that board Q6600 at 3ghz will be easy.