SPEC - Cheap C2D/Q barebones setup to tide me over...

[ps3ud0]

Hi Guys,

OK looks like Im gonna have to upgrade to get the best out of my recent purchases.

Out of my existing A64 setup Im hoping to keep: (are they all worth keeping?)

150Gb Raptor
500Gb AAKS
8800GTS 512Mb
Auzentech Prelude
Terratec TV Card
Samsung DVD-RW
CM Original Stacker
KB + Mouse
Monitor + Speakers

Looking only really for a new CPU + Memory + Mobo and perhaps PSU if you dont think my OCZ Powerstream 520W will deal with all this overclocked.

Dont know if I should go for the C2Q or C2D (expecting mild overclock to be simple) and I guess with prices I have to go DDR2 (DDR3 doesnt seem to improve performance significantly). Do DFI/Asus make the best mobos still?

I might go via the MM if new stuff is too expensive - just want to jump on the Intel bandwagon to enjoy my gaming better. No idea on how much I want to spend (is £200 too low?!?) - just want it for a temporary measure until the new Intels hit (Q3 09).

TIA

ps3ud0

 

[jak731]

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
**B Grade** Abit IP35 Pro (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 (MB-135-AB) £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 LGA775 'Wolfdale' 2.53GHz (1066FSB) - Retail £69.99
(£82.24) £69.99
(£82.24)
Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX (2x2GB) £47.99
(£56.39) £47.99
(£56.39)
Sub Total : £157.97
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £8.25
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £29.09
Total : £195.31

hows this, i think your 520 will be fine

save money by getting things off mm if possible

 

[ps3ud0]

Yeah I think MMs the best bet - just trying to work out what I want...

So thats a P35 mobo, C2D and 4Gb RAM...

I cant see that the PSU wont work - just a bit long in the tooth but was a powerhouse back in its day...

EDIT: Isnt a X38 better for overclocking? BTW that price restriction was arbitrary - I just want to buy whats good without cutting corners...

ps3ud0

 

[PhoenixUK]

GA P35DS3L
E7200
4gb GeiL Black Dragon ( worth the little premium over the cheapest ram ).


X38 isnt any better than P35/P45, unless you compare some mid-top x38 to cheapest p35 .

They allow you for x16 x16 crossfire link tho.

Buy what i've said above and you should be happy . Best stuff on this budget.

 

[ps3ud0]

OK been doing some research and come to these conclusions:

Not worth getting a C2Q especially as they run hot and need power - safer to get a C2D for my existing setup and usage. I was thinking E7200 or E8400 (both 9x multis) but I think the E7200 is a better budget buy (will wait fir the price cuts though)...

With regards to RAM I know I want 4Gb but on XP 32bit I know I wont see the full amount which I can live with (prices are just so low to make the difference to little). Should I get PC6400 or PC8500? I dno how to work out the sweet spot and if I need PC8500.

Finally I still cant work out all these Mobos - way too many!!! Ive decided a P45/P35 (prefer P45 since it seems to o/c more) board is way to go. Unsure what features I need to look out for though (definitely want eSATA and perhaps WIFI)...

ps3ud0

 

[ps3ud0]

Thought Id update this thread (way over my silly £200 initial budget):

Decided on the following in the end:

E8500 (after pricedrop - hoping near £100 - hoping for 4Ghz+)
Asus P5Q Deluxe (not the cheapest but well reviewed and very good overclocker - P45 seems perfect for my needs - does it do WIFI?)
Corsair XMS2 4Gb PC6400 (Heard Geil RMA is in Far East if I had probs - should overclock to 1000Mhz without issue)
TRUE (best AIR you can get?)

Sounds nice though its around £300-£350 in all...

ps3ud0