~Thinking Dual Core

[newbuilder14]

Hello,

After research I do believe that a dual core processor would be best for me. I honestly do not multi task that much, but in the long run perhaps it is better. My most demanding tasks being Photoshop or some occassional Half Life 2, what would be ideal for me, the Athlon 64 x2, the Pentium D, or the Conroe (on the expensive side of my already low budget)? Or, should I just settle on a single core CPU, and then possibly upgrade in the future?

Thanks.

[minsonngo]

Whats your budget?

[newbuilder14]

I would like to build a complete system including monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. for around $800.

[minsonngo]

Here is a nice $500 system I designed earlier today for my cousin that will suit your needs. I only had a $500 budget to work with mind you. You may want to invest in a better looking case. You will also need to include a monitor (I like ViewSonic or Acer), a keyboard and mouse set, and speakers. The $300 left over from your budget should cover those items. Feel free to modify anything to your liking.

****************************************************************************
BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 Socket 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138264
$69.99

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103537
$75.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440
$94.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3Gb/s ST3160812AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148105
$58.99

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/ LightScribe and 5X DVD-RAM Write - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106019
$32.99

Dynapower Computer Mid-Tower Case, w/ 430W Power Supply, USB, 4x 5.25" Bays. Model: Hermes Black
http://www.directron.com/hermesblack.html
$35.71

XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003
$43.99

Leadtek PX6600TD-256 Geforce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122203
$69.99

TOTAL: $497.47 (includes any shipping and tax surcharges)

[Mr.Ferrari]

Looks ok but for your needs I would get the 3800X2 and a better video card. As you said hl2 will be one of your games.

[blue60007]

I would swing for an ASUS A8N5X motherboard for a few bucks more.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Here is a nice $500 system I designed earlier today for my cousin that will suit your needs. I only had a $500 budget to work with mind you. You may want to invest in a better looking case. You will also need to include a monitor (I like ViewSonic or Acer), a keyboard and mouse set, and speakers. The $300 left over from your budget should cover those items. Feel free to modify anything to your liking. **************************************************************************** BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 Socket 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138264 $69.99 AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor – Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103537 $75.00 CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440 $94.99 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3Gb/s ST3160812AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148105 $58.99 LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/ LightScribe and 5X DVD-RAM Write - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106019 $32.99 Dynapower Computer Mid-Tower Case, w/ 430W Power Supply, USB, 4x 5.25" Bays. Model: Hermes Black http://www.directron.com/hermesblack.html $35.71 XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003 $43.99 Leadtek PX6600TD-256 Geforce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122203 $69.99 TOTAL: $497.47 (includes any shipping and tax surcharges)

Hm, cool build, just a few swaps that could be made...
Your thinking dual core, huh? Good thinking.
X2 3800+ should be your new processor. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103735
Mobo? This ones looking good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131068
Of course, get DDR2 800 ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145566

That should raise your budget a bit, but still enough to at least get an OS. You could even do a GFX upgrade too.. something like this maybe: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130020

[newbuilder14]

I was really hoping to only pay $800 (or less) for a complete system, but when I put this build together at Newegg it came out to be over $1,000 with shipping! I have ready people say that they have built cheap x2 systems, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Anyway, could I be fine with a Pentium D 805? Here is what I put together (about $200 over budget):

-LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SHW160P6S05 - OEM
-RAIDMAX Ninja ATX-918WBP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450watts PS2 -ATX12V SATA Ready Power Supply - Retail
- NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3Gb/s ST3160812AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
-Acer AL1717 Abm Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail
-ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
-GIGABYTE GN-WP01GS PCI Wireless Adapter - Retail
-eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
-XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply - Retail
-Logitech 967502-0403 Black PS/2 Wired Standard Value Keyboard - OEM
-Microsoft D66-00066 Black 3 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse - OEM
-CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail
-Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM

I guess what I am trying to ask is, what do you absolutely recommend for my needs above. I think Dual Core is a good idea, and maybe I could downgrade on the graphics card, hard drive, case, etc.. Would Intel's Pentium D be a good choice? I love the Pentium 4 I currently use, but was looking for more power, especially for games, but do not get me wrong, I am amazed how well my P4 handles games along with my 6600 pci-e.


EDIT: By the way, Blue6007, I see you recently build a Pentium D 805 system, do you like it and is it as stable as a P4, even better?

[blue60007]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

Might go for that. Quality power supply and case all in one. It's a few bucks cheaper combined like that, and you'll only pay one shipping fee for both items.

Pentium D's are good choices too, but I don't think you'll save a whole lot. The 805 is cheaper, but the good boards are little more expensive.

Considering you need a monitor and such, that does make it a little trickier to get under budget.

[dogdude16]

i would say get a single core processor since u like to play games and it will same u a few bucks and u might not need a 160g hard drive like only 100 or 120 but im not sure how much data u have

[Mr.Ferrari]

That seems like a great build.

I think that you will be better off with the 3800 X2 for your gaming purposes. Yes the pentium D 805/915 are great bang for the buck. But for the 805 especially to show any real performance increase over the 3800 X2 it needs to be heavily overclocked, which is something I really dont think should be your decideing/thinking factor right now. I would stick to that build.

[minsonngo]

I think you can cut back some if your over the initial budget.

Single core or dual core, truthfully you probably won't even notice the difference in the real life performance perspective unless you decide to run benchmark testing.

You can probably cut back on the video card too for the same reason as the CPU.

Otherwise, everything else you have listed looks pretty groovy to me.

[newbuilder14]

Well, we'll see if my budget somehow manages to raise for that build.

Oh, and what do you think of these adjustments:

x1600xt gddr3 256mb pci-e vide card
80gb sata hd (I can always add another)

Oh and by the way, I probably will be buying parts mid-late August... does that make a difference to any of your opinions based on price drops, etc.?

Thank you all so much for your generous help.

[minsonngo]

I would stick with the 160GB HDD, its a better deal and you will be suprised how fast your 80GB HDD will fill up.

The only thing I would cut back on is your CPU, video card, and your case (like blue60007 mentioned, it may be better to find a case with a quality PSU included).

The card you have there isn't too bad either for what you are using the system for.

If there are any price drops, it will only be better for you.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Well, we'll see if my budget somehow manages to raise for that build. Oh, and what do you think of these adjustments: x1600xt gddr3 256mb pci-e vide card 80gb sata hd (I can always add another) Oh and by the way, I probably will be buying parts mid-late August... does that make a difference to any of your opinions based on price drops, etc.? Thank you all so much for your generous help.

Thats a good graphics card, you can even get cheaper. You're not trying to build a super-gaming rig, are you?
Some people think that you need a graphics card thats almost $300 bucks to play the higher end games of today at maxed out settings, but you don't. Only suggestion I may recommend is possibly AM2 if you want to upgrade your computer later. AMD is gonna leave behind 939 in a couple years... but at the current moment, 939 is better.

[minsonngo]

Originally Posted by Spirit Thats a good graphics card, you can even get cheaper. You're not trying to build a super-gaming rig, are you? Some people think that you need a graphics card thats almost $300 bucks to play the higher end games of today at maxed out settings, but you don't.

Amen to that.

[newbuilder14]

Okay I think I'm going to go with the Athlon 64 x2, but the question is, for a new builder, should I go with the Socket AM2 or the Socket 939. I don't want any errors but then agian, I want something that is upgradable in the future. Any thoughts? Oh, and is it possible to build an AM2/939 system with everything but the monitor for $800 or less?

[blue60007]

I would go with 939 - it'll be cheaper (since DDR2-800 costs, I would guess, 30% more than DDR-400). Should be possible to get under $800 - especially with cheaper RAM.

[newbuilder14]

Thanks Blue. Do you recommend this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135009?

Actually, I may use this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128268.

[glc]

Neither. Spend just a bit more for an Asus A8N5X.

[seanarmenta]

i dohn't know how seriously you work in photoshop, but you will notice a difference between running it in a single or dual core environment. it not only finishes processes and renders faster, but just performs smoother overall. i would suggest at least 2GB of RAM, but that would blow your existing budget.

[newbuilder14]

You have both a Pentium D 930 and an Athlon 64 3800+ x2. I like both of them. Which would you recommend for what I need?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Very tough call. Toss a coin bud.

[blue60007]

Go with what's cheaper (overall).

[mevensen]

Just wondering, if you're building on a budget, why not go CRT instead of LCD? The difference isn't much at that size for higher end builds, but you will get better FPS performance for cheaper from a CRT.

[seanarmenta]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 You have both a Pentium D 930 and an Athlon 64 3800+ x2. I like both of them. Which would you recommend for what I need?

yep.. as was mentioned, toss a coin LOL

though from what i understand the X2 3800+ will outperform the D930.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by mevensen Just wondering, if you're building on a budget, why not go CRT instead of LCD? The difference isn't much at that size for higher end builds, but you will get better FPS performance for cheaper from a CRT.

I think it would be silly not to go with an LCD - especially since they are so cheap these days. There are almost all pros to switching to an LCD these days (price vs. a CRT being a con).

Modern LCD's are fine for gaming, use less power, less space, and are much easier on the eyes. A tight budget would be the only reason I would go for a CRT over an LCD, but even then, the gap is pretty close.

[mevensen]

Originally Posted by blue60007 A tight budget would be the only reason I would go for a CRT over an LCD, but even then, the gap is pretty close.

Since the OP is working on a relatively tight budget, that's why I figured I'd throw the question out there.

[blue60007]

Certainly, but I just took a look at Newegg and they have a Viewsonic 17" CRT for $140 and the have a 17" LCD for $150.......

[newbuilder14]

Well, I just figured out I'm probably going to get the Conroe e6400. Can anyone recommend a motherboard, memory, etc.? The build including everything will probably be around $1,200, correct me if I'm wrong.