Please Spec me good combo

d.bauer · 2 Dec 2008 at 06:47

Well i'm looking for new CPU, RAM and motherboard. I sort of know what i want, but would like your input. What is the best combo that won't have any conflict's(Ballistix on LanParty cough,cough), and will perform well( will run GTA4*)/stable under OC. Badget is around £450-500. Any saved moneys i will donate to the local pub.

jak731 · 2 Dec 2008 at 14:15

what graphics card(s) are you planning to have?

single ATi?

single Nvidia?

ATi cards in crossfire or crossfireX?

Nvidia cards in SLi or Tri-Sli?

d.bauer · 2 Dec 2008 at 15:22

I already have ATI 4870, Sammy 226BW, Corsair 750W, and no i don't want xfire or SLI or i7 CPU. I just need good combo, can't decide on CPU, Dual or Quad. Was thinking ASUS p43/p45, but i need good advice. Please chaps help me out here.

lunarwolf · 2 Dec 2008 at 15:47

4870 should be fine for 22", I don't have GT4 on PC but I can't imagine it requires more than FC.

what cpu, ram are u using currently? a e8400 and a good p45 board would be ideal for gaming

perso, i would get a asus deluxe or gigabyte extreme for better OC capability
Asus P5Q Deluxe Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-Extreme Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

jak731 · 2 Dec 2008 at 15:51

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.83GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - OEM £189.99
(£218.49) £189.99
(£218.49)
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £89.99
(£103.49) £89.99
(£103.49)
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Platinum Series DDR2 (OCZ2P10664GK) £54.99
(£63.24) £54.99
(£63.24)
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/LGA775) £25.99
(£29.89) £25.99
(£29.89)
Sub Total : £360.96
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DHL @ Home Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £8.49
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £55.42
Total : £424.87

changes

remove the Thermalright cooler if you already have a compatable lga775 cooler that you are happy with using. (the OEM CPU does not come with one)

needs a 120mm fan on the thermalright cooler.

d.bauer · 2 Dec 2008 at 16:02

thanks guys! Jak731 your basket looks just like mine. Could you please tell more about motherboard. I was thinking P5Q Deluxe or is it just a waste of my money?

jak731 · 2 Dec 2008 at 16:06

firstly look at both MBs, what features do you need on the deluxe that isnt on the pro?

lunarwolf · 2 Dec 2008 at 16:50

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/asus-p5q-pro.html

depends on if you want to OC.

dont need a quad for games, cheaper dual core with higher clock is best

Paul2506 · 2 Dec 2008 at 18:28

GTA 4:

Minimum System Requirements

- OS: Windows Vista - Service Pack 1 / XP - Service Pack 3

-Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz, AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4Ghz

- Memory: 1.5GB, 16GB Free Hard Drive Space

- Video Card: 256MB NVIDIA 7900 / 256MB ATI X1900

Recommended System Requirements

- OS: Windows Vista - Service Pack 1 / XP - Service Pack 3

- Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz, AMD Phenom X3 2.1Ghz

- Memory: 2 GB (Windows XP) 2.5 GB (Windows Vista)

- 18 GB Free Hard Drive Space

- Video Card: 512MB NVIDIA 8600 / 512MB ATI 3870

i recommend what "jak731" said

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.83GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - OEM £189.99
(£218.49) £189.99
(£218.49)
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £89.99
(£103.49) £89.99
(£103.49)
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Platinum Series DDR2 (OCZ2P10664GK) £54.99
(£63.24) £54.99
(£63.24)

d.bauer · 3 Dec 2008 at 00:59

I have question about q9550 is it E0 or C1?

jak731 · 3 Dec 2008 at 15:01

no - one will know apart from OCUK

AlexTrickle · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:23

d.bauer said:
I have question about q9550 is it E0 or C1?

There was a thread a few weeks ago announcing the imminent release of the Q9550 with E0 stepping, don't know whether its happened yet.

Also if purely for gaming then i'd save money and go for an E8500.

d.bauer · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:53

I will hold on to it(CPU) for around a year or so, wanna see how i7 matures.
Oh one more thing, is there a substitute for TTrue 120 performance wise? It's monstrous cooler and i don't think it my case can accommodate it