If I build it, will it run?

[Boy'nBlack]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Looking purely at the performance side, that would be the obvious way to approach this dilemma. But the unfortunate fact of the matter is that most of us are bound by the limits of our bank account and need to get the best performance out of each dollar we spend. That said, the fact that a 3.0GHz dual core costs about the same (or usually less) as a 2.4GHz quad core makes it an easy decision when running applications that are more clock speed dependant (like 3D gaming) than processing cores dependant.

But what I also wanted to show in with those Crysis CPU Benchmarks at bit-tech was that the performance difference of processors dwindles to a very negligible margin at higher resolutions. Instead, the video card quickly becomes the performance bottleneck and it doesn't really matter if you have a 3.0GHz quad core or a 2.33GHz dual core, they are all within several frames per second of each other.

I'm not sure if you read me right or not. Take a snapshot in time, and the dual core will be cheaper than the quad core. I'm saying that it's better and cheaper to go dual core. I have not seen a speck of data on my end to say that quad core, clock for clock, is any better than dual core. No game I run actually cares if there's a quad core or dual core in the machine.

With a snapshot of a 2.4Ghz Q6600 at $270, E8400 at $198, and an x3350 at $289, I find it very hard to suggest any of the popular quads when the 8400 does it all. It's the Chevy small block or Honda if you will. The people won't go wrong getting the dual, and they are also not breaking the bank just to have the next big trend in their hands.

I'm very disappointed in all of the quads in games. Very. I've commented in the 7200 thread about wanting the E8400 back for a rig. I want it back based on actual usage. The quad has a purpose, and suppose I'll go to it for work. But in my actually daily run, the E8400 suits me much, much, much better. Not ironically, but the quad desktop is really hiding the fact that it's a work horse and not a Personal Computer CPU. Ya, sure...it smokes 3Dmark06 and Vanta...bid deal! I have no game that the E8400 doesn't do the same in. I run to the quad for work, and if there's some synthetic bragging rights to be shown.

I'm not synthetic, and I do know how to budget a system out.


And oh boy do I have 2nd, 3rd, and 18th guesses on that build just suggested. It's a list of parts, not a system. You want $1,200? It can be done without rebates, and almost positive better performance than what you have lined out.

[StevieRay]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

I'm not sure if you read me right or not. Take a snapshot in time, and the dual core will be cheaper than the quad core. I'm saying that it's better and cheaper to go dual core. I have not seen a speck of data on my end to say that quad core, clock for clock, is any better than dual core. No game I run actually cares if there's a quad core or dual core in the machine.

With a snapshot of a 2.4Ghz Q6600 at $270, E8400 at $198, and an x3350 at $289, I find it very hard to suggest any of the popular quads when the 8400 does it all. It's the Chevy small block or Honda if you will. The people won't go wrong getting the dual, and they are also not breaking the bank just to have the next big trend in their hands.

I'm very disappointed in all of the quads in games. Very. I've commented in the 7200 thread about wanting the E8400 back for a rig. I want it back based on actual usage. The quad has a purpose, and suppose I'll go to it for work. But in my actually daily run, the E8400 suits me much, much, much better. Not ironically, but the quad desktop is really hiding the fact that it's a work horse and not a Personal Computer CPU. Ya, sure...it smokes 3Dmark06 and Vanta...bid deal! I have no game that the E8400 doesn't do the same in. I run to the quad for work, and if there's some synthetic bragging rights to be shown.

I'm not synthetic, and I do know how to budget a system out.


And oh boy do I have 2nd, 3rd, and 18th guesses on that build just suggested. It's a list of parts, not a system. You want $1,200? It can be done without rebates, and almost positive better performance than what you have lined out.

So, lets hear it. Truth is I can spend 5k if I wanted, but that seems silly for what I want the machine to do. Please feel free to give me your input. So far the advice I have had has been positive, helpful, informative, and solid from what I can tell.

[StevieRay]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

That's definitely one killer system you've got lined up there. What are you going to use for cooling on the processor?

Not sure yet. I have a list but did not put it in the forum. Suggestion?

Top of the list for $45 Zalman LED 2Ball

Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

I'm not sure if you read me right or not.

I guess my post came off as a little wrong. I wasn't trying to contradict you (especially since our points were the same). I was just expounding a bit on what you said about a clock for clock comparison between dual and quad and offering my take on the whole thing.

[StevieRay]

Well, mothers day is the day, trigger pulled. I was able to get the price down to $1267 AND take away $75 MIR for a total of $1192 and $43 for shipping it all....$1,235! Feels good to me!

I went with the CM 690 case after MUCH deliberation. The P 182 from the HL review nixed the 10.5 inch GPU I purchased. The Cosmos 1000, while my fav case, just didnt have enough over the CM 690 to justify the price. Plus, the cosmos is about 4 inches higher. I needed it lower.


THERMAL GREASE TUNIQ|TX-2 R - Retail My grease!


OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Went for this memory kit....after reading a lot more on HL about 4 gig with my vista 64. Now, I just have to read over the diabloplayer thread as well as the other guides I have seen and build this baby.

PS, I have tools, and a static strap.

PSYCHED, and nervous, StevieRay

[gvblake22]

Good stuff. Just don't force anything. If you've got to force it in, you're probably doing it wrong. (and please don't take quote this post out of context!)
If you have any questions, please post here first and we'll get you pointed in the right direction

[StevieRay]

Thanks Blake, you have been very helpful. I am going to have questions for sure. I am methodical in building (motors, carpentry) and I will be the same with this...very excited!

I will have questions I am sure.

The Egg says Step 5...the countdown begins!

Originally Posted by screwballl

looks great! go for it before you or someone else second guesses anything

And thank you for this message screwball...needed to hear it. You are correct. Eventually you just have to go for it!

[screwballl]

exactly, if you don't then you end up spending the money on something unimportant, like bills and you end up waiting another year or two before a new system is built

[StevieRay]

So I order on the 11th, Sunday. Ok, ok, it is a Sunday. I do el cheapo delivery of course and finally after all day Monday get the tracking numbers. Gotta love it, everything will arrive tomorrow Tuesday, EXCEPT the RAM and the DAMN Thermal Grease! That will not be hear until Thursday. Looks like a few more days of holding on...

Oh baby. She is here. Yes, she is here....I will post pics soon.

I must say, sexy, very sexy. Just waiting on the RAM and CPU grease...then the Zalman goes in...more pics then.

[screwballl]

looks good... and nice clean wiring!