Complete Nub

Status
Not open for further replies.
scott1102 said:
can someone please tell me how good or bad this computer is?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
4GB DDR2 800MHz memory
2x 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT
2x 640GB SATA hard drive (7200rpm)
Blu Ray Reader and DVD Rewriter
Liquid CPU Cooling

Its basically the Acer Sniper II Gaming PC
Click to expand...

If you're looking to a buy a new system now, do not go skt775. You can also get a much better system for your money if thats what you're willing to spend. Would you want to try building one yourself? That way you get exactly what you want, its cheaper and you've learnt something new ;)
 
reflux said:
I built this rig last night. We didn't need a case or DVD drive but it gives you some idea of what you could get for £800 if you added those on.

amended-spec.jpg
Click to expand...

i'd go with this. only thing i would change is to get a 5850 graphics card and possibly a better cpu cooler.

that'll be most of your £800 spent but you'll have a mint system which will last you a long time
 
ok thanks for the input guys, ill definatly keep away from that computer then :)

I know im being stubborn here but i would like the Q9550. I know its not the most upto date and when it comes to computer parts, they update every couple of months so most of the time your always out of date lol Surely there not THAT bad? i dont think there a year old yet are they? and the power they produce is pretty good

I know im asking a lot here But could someone please list me a good setup? Only things id like including are an upto date good Nvidia gfx card capable of all modern gameing demands and if the q9550 would technically do the job, a motherboard good enough for it?
 
The Q9550 is was launched in March 2008 iirc and is thus nearly two years old. It performs worse than the i5 or i7 range, costs about the same and forces you to use an old motherboard with a dead socket (Intel are no longer making socket 775 CPUs).

It would be a total waste of money - as everyone, including myself has stated. Whilst I understand that you're not very knowledgeable, it pays to educate yourself and listen to the opinions of others so that you get the best value, best performing machine possible.

There's also no reason to insist on an Nvidia graphics card too. At the moment, ATi cards are the best balance of price and performance, and above £200 nothing can touch them because Nvidia are yet to produce a competing series.

The spec I've posted above, with a Radeon 5850 instead of the 5770, would be noticeably more powerful than a Q9550 setup and is based on recent technology that performs well and is power efficient.
 
The problem is they are old. For the same money you can get a decent modern processor like an i5 and it will have value over time.

If you go for skt775 for your Q9550, then you'll be stuck with it. By the time you look to upgrade, you'll have to replace both the motherboard and the processor.

On the flipside, skt1156 has longevity. It'll be around for some time to come now, so if and when you decide to upgrade, you may only need to plug in a new cpu and you'll be laughing.

It's not that the Q9550 is slow, it's just that what you'll have to buy with it doesnt represent value for money in the long run.

Oh and most people on this forum will be recommending ATi cards until NVidia get their act together :p myself included. You'll be wanting a 5770 or a 5850.

Most of us will just point you back to reflux's spec, I'd happily buy that myself.
 
Reflux's spec looks spot on for the money so i'd get that or something very similar on the i5 platform. Also about nvidia cards- the high end cards are in very short supply at the moment as are ati's. Best bang for buck at the moment seems to be the 5770. If you wanted anything better i'd say crossfire 2 5770s, but now the 5850s are in stock at a cheaper price than xfiring i'd go with that.
 
Oh ok. Well firstly id like to apologise sincerely. No sarcasm intended honestly.

I really didnt know all of that, regarding the out of date socket etc....

I will definatly go for the new processor then. My query now is,

Is it possible to get a really TOP processor if i save money on other parts? Thats the entire reason i was gripping onto the Q9550 with both hands because i knew it was one of the best of its range.

It's totally a mental thing lol I wouldnt like to buy an i5 processor if for £100 more i could get an i7, if you know what i mean.

I know i only have 800 to spend but id like to get the best processor and gfx card possible as those 2 parts are the main parts regarding gaming performance arnt they?

Im happy with onboard sound, happy with average/good cooling, dont need liquid cooling. Aslong as the processor is a BEAST and the graphics card is also very good im happy.

Oh and ill go ATI :)
 
Correct me if im wrong here, but isn't the AMD 965 better the the I5 if he isn't going to be overclocking it? 3.6Ghz Vs 2.5? I know the I5 is slightly better but I thought that was when it was overclocked. and I know both are better than the Q9550. I defo wouldnt get that considering the price of both the I5 and the 965.
 
Last edited:
scott1102 said:
..Is it possible to get a really TOP processor if i save money on other parts?...
Click to expand...


Yes, but you shouldnt skimp on other important components :p. Need to find a good balance between CPU and graphics horsepower. At that price, the rig that's been specced for you will give a very good balance.
 
Rightyho, re processor choice you either want an Intel i5, an Intel i7 or a an AMD Phenom II. I'm a bit rusty on AMDs but with a decent Phenom II such as the 965 you'll do pretty well.

Are you intending to overclock?
 
Yes, an i7 920 would perform better, but you'd have to change a lot of that rig for it.

First: you'd need a different socket motherboard, skt1366 (more expensive)
Second: You'll be wanting to use triple-channel RAM. Most people go for 3x2GB for 6GB in total.
Third: You'll also be wanting some more graphics horsepower, so at least a 5850

Basically, it'll cost more when you actually come to the final figure.
 
overclocking... iv never done it but did a lot of research into it about a year back and i may do it eventually, but im not an overclocker, so if i did do it, it would only be small for an ego boost lol

Like changing a 2.8 to a 3.0, never anything big what requires different hardware etc...

Well im lookin at intel website and it seems i7's are better than i5's and in the table of performance the i7 920 is in the middle'ish.
 
scott1102 said:
..Well im lookin at intel website and it seems i7's are better than i5's and in the table of performance the i7 920 is in the middle'ish.
Click to expand...

At stock, yes. People buy them for the clocking potential :D. Not just from 2.8 to 3 ghz, people regularly take these from 2.66 to 4GHz. That's what makes them worth the cash. If you pop into the overclocking forum, there should be hundreds of threads floating about regarding the 920..
 
I7 has a higher price tag for other parts as well and I think what is being said is the i5 is a better solution and not far off a cheaper i7 for a lower price?
 
lol i dont :D, i just like rounding numbers up lol

for example if an i7 is 2.88 ill clock it to 3.0 :)

But like i said, im happy having average to good parts, i dont need extreme parts
 
Yeah, the 920 is the best value overclocking chip. It's the lowest end socket 1366 processor, but when overclocked rocks harder than me in the mosh pit and goes toe to toe with the faster, more expensive processors. Mine runs at just over 4ghz every day.

It does require, as someone mentioned, a more expensive motherboard and RAM and you need decent cooling.
 
But wouldnt an AM3 Solution be cheaper and as its a mainstream Socket be more future proof? then a I5 that was brought out for a cheaper option to the i7? I mean I dont know much about intel so I could also be talking a load of **** :D
 
Last edited:
thanks reflux,

The main problem i have with building my own is i dont know what motherboard is compatible with the processor or graphics card.

I dont suppose you could do me a huge favour :D

List me up a rig with the 920, a good gaming ati card and the rest of the bits you would get if you was building it for yourself with an £800 budget?

I'll personally mow your lawn for a year?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom