Which is the better?

[Versaiya]

I used to build computers back when DDR2 was the best around... Now I am having to build a new computer for SWTOR and I am having a bit of difficulty. I can't decide a few things, one of them being a motherboard. Since CPU's are incredibly pricey than they used to be, most of my money will go on one of them so I am trying to budget on a motherboard. I am starting to think motherboards are not that big of a necessity if you get top-notched RAM, CPU and a GPU. I am currently running an Intel based system. GPU: Nvidia GTX 260 OC edition; CPU: Intel Duel Core E2200 2.20ghz; Memory: SLI-Ready 2048MB; Motherboard: nForce 780i.

My system right now is a bit choppy while playing SWTOR and hard to PvP with. Playable when not a lot of people are around. First things first is getting a new motherboard. So my question is, which motherboard is currently better? A new motherboard or my current one? What I can already gather is DDR3 is better which is not an available option on my current motherboard and I only need one PCI Express slot for my video card.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/...Nk2QHPuOYEBqcQ

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product...0i_sli_us.html

[glc]

How much is your upgrade budget?

[Khalil]

I had the pleasure of beta testing SWTOR 2 weekends so far. I tested it with 3 accounts on 3 different rigs.

One of the machines has a GtX275 and an Intel E8500 4GB DDR2 memory (my daughter's rig)

Second machine had a Phenom II 975 and an ATI 6870 8GB DDR3 memory (my wife's rig)

Third Machine AMD FX-8150 8 core with an ATI 6970 and 8GB DDR3 memory
(my gaming rig)

All 3 machines performed exceptionally well but since the game takes major advantage of multicore, the FX machine's frame rate was off the charts.

Now, you are probably wondering why I posted all this, the game takes major advantage of multi core technology and if you have an Nvidia 5xxx or an ATI 6xxx series card you are going to enjoy substantially more than what you would with your current rig.

DDR3 and DDR2 is a minimal concern when it comes to gaming, your biggest concern when it comes to a gaming rig should be the video card.

By upgrading your video card to something like a GTX570-580 you will see massive boost in performance.
So if budget is limited, upgrade the video card first then at a later time upgrade the mainboard/CPU which will mean you will need DDR3 anyways.

[Versaiya]

Originally Posted by glc How much is your upgrade budget?

For motherboards, I prefer to not spend more than 100.

[Versaiya]

Originally Posted by Khalil I had the pleasure of beta testing SWTOR 2 weekends so far. I tested it with 3 accounts on 3 different rigs. One of the machines has a GtX275 and an Intel E8500 4GB DDR2 memory (my daughter's rig) Second machine had a Phenom II 975 and an ATI 6870 8GB DDR3 memory (my wife's rig) Third Machine AMD FX-8150 8 core with an ATI 6970 and 8GB DDR3 memory (my gaming rig) All 3 machines performed exceptionally well but since the game takes major advantage of multicore, the FX machine's frame rate was off the charts. Now, you are probably wondering why I posted all this, the game takes major advantage of multi core technology and if you have an Nvidia 5xxx or an ATI 6xxx series card you are going to enjoy substantially more than what you would with your current rig. DDR3 and DDR2 is a minimal concern when it comes to gaming, your biggest concern when it comes to a gaming rig should be the video card. By upgrading your video card to something like a GTX570-580 you will see massive boost in performance. So if budget is limited, upgrade the video card first then at a later time upgrade the mainboard/CPU which will mean you will need DDR3 anyways.

When I turned down my graphics to minimal, the game was choppy and when I turned up the graphics to the max, it was still choppy to the same degree, why?

[Khalil]

Your E2200 is not that much of a gaming processor, the game uses CPU a lot more than other games.

What is your budget? That is how we can help you best if we know what you are looking to spend. Which windows OS are you using?

[Versaiya]

Budget for CPU's is from 100-200 and win 7

[Khalil]

You can buy a more powerful Core 2 Duo and add more memory, that will improve your system and at a later time upgrade your video card.
Amazon.com: Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo Processor 3 GHz 6 MB Cache Socket LGA775: Electronics


Your current CPU

Core 2 Duo E8400

[Versaiya]

I shouldn't worry about building another computer to get this cpu?
Intel Core i7-940 BX80601940 Processor - Quad Core, 8MB L3 Cache, 1MB L2 Cache, 2.93 GHz (3.20 GHz Max Turbo), Socket B (LGA1366), 130W, Fan, Retail at TigerDirect.com

[Khalil]

That is a completely different socket, which means new motherboard and new memory, you are talking pretty much a new build.

The LGA1366 is a failure and I would not waste money on it. The 1155 Sandybridge is a much better platform.

[Versaiya]

I know it will be a new build, which is why I was wanting to start with a motherboard, which is why I was wondering which motherboard was better so I know what to look for.

[glc]

What is your TOTAL budget, please? Let us make suggestions on the best way to allocate it between components.

[Versaiya]

$750ish

[Xitius]

In simple terms imo the Asus is the better motherboard.

[glc]

One last question - what is the brand and model of your power supply?

[Versaiya]

CompUSA.com | RS650-ACAAE3-US | Cooler Master GX Series 650W Power Supply

[glc]

Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-M Pro LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS -OR-
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

Newegg.com - EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card -OR-
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100311-3SR Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

[AndonSage]

You might want to consider a new GTX 560 Ti 448-cores 1.2GB instead of a GTX 570. They are less inexpensive while providing pretty much the same power.