Upgrade Recommendations

Tulkamir

Hey, I'm a bit out of date on the current hardware situation and have to get a new motherboard and processor. I was wondering what is currently good to get.

Looking at the AMD site they have a few lines of processors I'm unfamiliar with. Like I'm not sure what's better, Phenom, FX, X2, what have you. I'm also not sure whether intel or amd is on top right now. I'm thinking of getting something decently high end.

So yea, if anyone could point me in the right direction or make any recommendations on what's good now that'd be awesome, thanks.

sonic

Intel is on top for the mid to high range processors and AMD still controls the low end. If you want to get something good, just get any Core2Duo really with a good socket lga 775 motherboard. 2GB of DDR2 RAM is dirt cheap, so grab at least 2 (or 4 if you will be rendering or doing movie work).

Whatever you do, don't get FX series processors. They are slightly better than the X2s and they are a shitbucket more expensive.

As far as graphics card goes, if you want high end, get the new 8800gt. It is the best performer for the price, hands down.

Let me know if you have any more questions and I can help you out. I worked in comp repair / IT for several years, so I'm used to building custom machines all the time.

sonic

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128077

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

Grab a decent power supply, decent case, decent hard drive, and you're good to go

Tulkamir

Awesome, thanks a tonne man. I'm good as far as HD, PSU and ram go(got 4 gigs on sale on boxing day) for now, though I may have to look into that video card soon here.

Just quickly, whats the difference between the quad and duo? I see the quad is slightly more expensive, but dunno if it's worth the cash?

Also, what's the current verdict on vista? I've used it briefly, like the interface, but don't know how it's performing. I'm thinking of getting it so I can run DX10. Is it worth it now or should I wait until a new Service Pack?

Anyways, thanks again Sonic, I'd have been lost without ya.

Rwolf

I run a intel quad q6600, and I can say it's nice if you are gonna use it for rendering, but for gaming, duo actually runs slightly better in some cases (from review comparisons).

It's handy for me since I can render 3/4 of a million hairs in XSI in 5-10 min. vs 15-20 with a dual core cpu.

Also the Q6600 quad core is the only affordable quad core from intel atm, and still faster than AMD's new line of quad cores. It currently runs by at $280, and a decient mobo at $150

Mongrelman

Also worth noting the new intel quads are due in about a month (I think). Apparently they are a bit better, but either way it should drive the prices of current ones down.

Jesse Moody

Also the new 9 series nvidia cards should be out in February so I would wait for those to hit.

That is what I am waiting for to start building a new rig.

Ged

what are these new nvidia 9 series cards? do you think they will knock down the 8800GT prices? Ive been looking at the 8800GT for my birthday but lack of supply seems to be pushing prices up rather than down.

Jesse Moody

[ QUOTE ]
what are these new nvidia 9 series cards? do you think they will knock down the 8800GT prices? Ive been looking at the 8800GT for my birthday but lack of supply seems to be pushing prices up rather than down.

[/ QUOTE ]

here you go

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/04/nvidia-geforce-9800-gx2-pics-specs-leaked/

pliang

Yeah..I've been using the 8800 GT(S) 320 mb and so far it's working great...just a consumer comment.

Tulkamir

Great, thanks a bunch guys. Looks like I know what I need to get now. Can't wait to get a working computer again.