Posted: 5/1/2009 10:48:31 PM EDT
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Hey guys, I'm about due for a new computer(desktop)
I've been out of the game awhile and am not sure about the new stuff. I hava a couple questions about stuff I've seen on ibuypower.com Memory: Theres DDR3 and DDR2. Which is better? CPU: Is it really necessary to get a quadcore when the clock speeds are lower than the dual cores? Video Cards: Nvidia has new cards out that have GTX in front of the numbers.... Last I saw, they were 8800GT and all that noise. Do the new cards work better or something? ETA I want to keep it as close to $1,000 as possible(times are tough  )
UPDATE This is what I went with, thanks for all the input Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 (4x 2.83GHz/12MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) ) Motherboard ( ASUS P5KPL-CM Intel G31 Chipset w/6-channels, Gb LAN, S-ATA 3Gb/s, USB 2.0, Single PCI-E MB ) Memory ( 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand ) Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 1792MB w/DVI + TV Out Video ) |
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DDR2 can be faster than DDR3 - it depends on motherboard design. Quad-cores are better, for multi-threaded apps that can take advantage. On-die caching is better in the quad-cores, and more than makes up for raw CPU frequency advantages that the dual-core has. For gaming purposes, the rule is: Buy the most expensive GPU you can afford - everything else is secondary. The current crop of graphics cards are hard to compare - some GPU chipsets work better with some apps. For example, an ATI HD4870 (about $250) blows an nVidia FX3500 (about $500) away when it comes to games and video editing apps, but can't hold a candle to the nVidia card in 3D modeling apps. |
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Hey guys, I'm about due for a new computer(desktop) I've been out of the game awhile and am not sure about the new stuff. I hava a couple questions about stuff I've seen on ibuypower.com Memory: Theres DDR3 and DDR2. Which is better? CPU: Is it really necessary to get a quadcore when the clock speeds are lower than the dual cores? Video Cards: Nvidia has new cards out that have GTX in front of the numbers.... Last I saw, they were 8800GT and all that noise. Do the new cards work better or something? ETA I want to keep it as close to $1,000 as possible(times are tough )The new Nvida cards are totally bad assed as I've heard. |
| Just for knowledge's sake, the reason they are reducing the clock speed is because they hit a barrier where heat and cross-talk we too big of an issue. This is because they are packing so many gates into such a small footprint. In recent years they have been decreasing the CPU voltage and the clock-speed, but due to multicore technology, the overall power is still increasing. |
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Please stay away from iBuy Power. Please. I've built many computers and helped friends on consultations on what to buy, and with experience, stay away from pre-built gaming computers. I implore you to build your own. Crazy? Not even. It is one of the most simple process out there. People freak quite often because of the wires and complex looking equipment, but really, it's as simple as plug wire A into slot B. Building is cheaper, more tailored, often more reliable, and as with ARs, more enjoyable :) If you can out an AR together, you can do a computer with half the amount of difficulty. Now, as for your questions: 1. DDR 2 vs. DDR3: A big debate out there. Is DDR 3 faster? On paper yes, but in practice, only if you have the right equipment. To fully utilize DDR 3 you need a capable motherboard, and a CPU that is capable of handling the data rate. In all general purposes, and for what you have stated you'll be using it for, DDR 2 is fine. 2. Quadcore vs. Dual Core: This comes down to what you're using it for. I've seen no where in this thread where you said you'll be doing anything a dual core can't handle. Quad core is for higher end rendering (like video editing and 3d rendering) and other various high end processing needs. Video games do not really count as they more ofthen need a faster CPU rather than a "more powerful" CPU. 3. Nvida vs. ATI: The GTX just means it's got a faster clock speed. For you, I'd recomend a GTX 260 from Nvidia. Excellent price, good for more than enough games, and DX 10 for windows vista if that's how you roll. So, really, please build it. Check out www.newegg.com, it's by far the best place to purchase componets. I've bought hundreds of parts from them and never had a problem, both in returns of defective products and the quality of products. Off the bat I created a list on newegg that meets your needs and budget. IM me your email and I can send it to you. |
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For gaming purposes, the rule is: Buy the most expensive GPU you can afford - everything else is secondary. Of course, there are other ideas. http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/28/1823234 you forget how to hot link? 
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/28/1823234 |
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Just for knowledge's sake, the reason they are reducing the clock speed is because they hit a barrier where heat and cross-talk we too big of an issue. This is because they are packing so many gates into such a small footprint. In recent years they have been decreasing the CPU voltage and the clock-speed, but due to multicore technology, the overall power is still increasing. Are you talking processing power in terms of capability or actual current/voltage draw? Cause mainstream CPU power has dropped from 90W to 65W (with no loss of performance). Peak power (over clocked & extreme editions) have been stable. Hell, a 20W Atom performs as well or better than a 130W Pressler or 90W Conroe. To answer one or the OP's question... Do not use DDR3 unless you plan on Windows Vista 64bit (assuming your HW will handle it). That's the only OS where real performanes are seen. You get some under XP 64bit as well, but not enough for the diet difference. |
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No, I was too lazy to bother.  To answer one or the OP's question... Do not use DDR3 unless you plan on Windows Vista 64bit (assuming your HW will handle it). That's the only OS where real performanes are seen. You get some under XP 64bit as well, but not enough for the diet difference. Que?  |
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Please stay away from iBuy Power. Please. I've built many computers and helped friends on consultations on what to buy, and with experience, stay away from pre-built gaming computers. I implore you to build your own. Crazy? Not even. It is one of the most simple process out there. People freak quite often because of the wires and complex looking equipment, but really, it's as simple as plug wire A into slot B. Building is cheaper, more tailored, often more reliable, and as with ARs, more enjoyable :) If you can out an AR together, you can do a computer with half the amount of difficulty. Now, as for your questions: 1. DDR 2 vs. DDR3: A big debate out there. Is DDR 3 faster? On paper yes, but in practice, only if you have the right equipment. To fully utilize DDR 3 you need a capable motherboard, and a CPU that is capable of handling the data rate. In all general purposes, and for what you have stated you'll be using it for, DDR 2 is fine. 2. Quadcore vs. Dual Core: This comes down to what you're using it for. I've seen no where in this thread where you said you'll be doing anything a dual core can't handle. Quad core is for higher end rendering (like video editing and 3d rendering) and other various high end processing needs. Video games do not really count as they more ofthen need a faster CPU rather than a "more powerful" CPU. 3. Nvida vs. ATI: The GTX just means it's got a faster clock speed. For you, I'd recomend a GTX 260 from Nvidia. Excellent price, good for more than enough games, and DX 10 for windows vista if that's how you roll. So, really, please build it. Check out www.newegg.com, it's by far the best place to purchase componets. I've bought hundreds of parts from them and never had a problem, both in returns of defective products and the quality of products. Off the bat I created a list on newegg that meets your needs and budget. IM me your email and I can send it to you. Thats really good advice, I built an AR and like it better than my Bushy. Do you run into compatability issues when putting it together yourself? |
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No, I was too lazy to bother.
To answer one or the OP's question... Donot use DDR3 unless you plan on Windows Vista 64bit (assuming your HWwill handle it). That's the only OS where real performanes are seen.You get some under XP 64bit as well, but not enough for the dietdifference. Que?
Let's just say that I work for the company that sets the specs and I got to spend much time in validation testing gathering data to prove that statement. |
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My build main specs , and prices are what I paid a couple of months ago so they are a bit cheaper now also I'm not including prices on my case and other stuff because the options are so many on what you may want.
AMD Phenom 2 940 $225.00 4 gigs of ram $54.00 BFG GTX 260 vid card $240.00 Gigabyte mb with AMD 790X chipset $114.00 Runs ALL games at their highest detail at 1680x1060 . I always go for the most bang for the buck and that means not the absolute best or fastest and you end up with %85-%100 , depends on apps and the phenom 2 cpu 's love games , of the performance of the latest and greatest high end stuff at hundreds of dollars less. |
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I would go Intel, but when I bought my PC four months ago they cost a lot more in terms of price/preformance. So I went with an AMD Phenom 9950 BE quad core CPU. This is dated now that the Phenom IIs are out.
1) If you can, go with an Intel quad core CPU. Go with the Core I7s. This is the new socket, LGA775 is outdated now. 2) Go with DDR3 RAM. It costs nearly the same as DDR2, and it is the new standard. DDR2 does not work with Core I7 CPU/motherboards either. 3) Stay away from Seagate 7200.11 series hard drives. The 7200.11 series had major reliabity issues. I bought one, but after reading the horror stories online, I bought a Western Digital 1GB FALs 32MB cache hard drive. Whatever HDD you get, make sure it has 32MB cache. 4) Get a good, big case with lots of space and airflow. Modern video cards are huge. 5) The Nvidia GTX 275 and ATI HD 4890 1GB cards cost $250 each, and are really all you need unless you are playing at resolutions over 1650x1080. If that is too much money, look at the GTX 260 216 at $180 or ATI HD 4870 1GB for the same price. 6) Get a good high quality PSU. Check www.newegg.com for prices. They are great to deal with, and I would strongly suggest to buy from them. |
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CPU
Mobo Case Mounting kit, screws, etc CPU-thermal paste RAM Memory modules Video Card Power Supply (with video card connector) Hard Drive Hard Drive mounting screws SATA cable for hard drive DVD-RW drive SATA or IDE cable for DVD drive DVD mounting Screws That's all I can think of. |
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CPU Mobo Case Mounting kit, screws, etc CPU-thermal paste RAM Memory modules Video Card Power Supply (with video card connector) Hard Drive Hard Drive mounting screws SATA cable for hard drive DVD-RW drive SATA or IDE cable for DVD drive DVD mounting Screws That's all I can think of. Thanks! Whats a mobo? |
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CPU Mobo Case Mounting kit, screws, etc CPU-thermal paste RAM Memory modules Video Card Power Supply (with video card connector) Hard Drive Hard Drive mounting screws SATA cable for hard drive DVD-RW drive SATA or IDE cable for DVD drive DVD mounting Screws That's all I can think of. Thanks! Whats a mobo? Motherboard. |
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CPU Mobo Case Mounting kit, screws, etc CPU-thermal paste RAM Memory modules Video Card Power Supply (with video card connector) Hard Drive Hard Drive mounting screws SATA cable for hard drive DVD-RW drive SATA or IDE cable for DVD drive DVD mounting Screws That's all I can think of. Thanks! Whats a mobo? Motherboard. Make sure you get some kind of cooling system if it doesn't come with the case.
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heads up, I just bought this one
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1328639 |
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Another question. This processor Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8300 (4x 2.5GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) Each core has a speed of 2.5GHz Some games require 3GHz to run smoothly. Will the cores work together? A 2.5GHZ dual core CPU means it has two cores, each with 2.5GHZ. Older games will not use more than one core, but most modern ones do. Even when they do, it is not a 100% preformance increase. More like a 30-50%. That being said, that CPU can max out most games. Seriously. GHZ means nothing. 2.5GHZ on a Q8300 = 4GHZ or so on an old Pentium 4. You also have to take into account L1 and L2 cache (more = better) and nm (smaller = better). And, do not get the Q8300. This is LGA 775 socket. This socket is dead. If you would ever want to upgrade in two or so years, you would have to buy an entirely new motherboard in addition to a CPU. If you want to get Intel, go with the Core I7 series. If the Core I7 costs too much, go with AMD's AMD 2+ socket. They are making new CPUs that will support this older socket, so you will have better upgrade options. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103472 It cost the same as a Q8300, but it is a quad core. This means it is more future proof, as in the next year or so more and more games will be using more than two cores. Each core is around the same speed as the Q8300, so it is a no brainer. It is a much better deal. And, again, there will be more upgrade options in the future. To summerize, it gives better preformance for the same amount of money, and you will have more upgrade options in the future. |
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Another question. This processor Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8300 (4x 2.5GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) Each core has a speed of 2.5GHz Some games require 3GHz to run smoothly. Will the cores work together? A 2.5GHZ dual core CPU means it has two cores, each with 2.5GHZ. Older games will not use more than one core, but most modern ones do. Even when they do, it is not a 100% preformance increase. More like a 30-50%. That being said, that CPU can max out most games. Seriously. GHZ means nothing. 2.5GHZ on a Q8300 = 4GHZ or so on an old Pentium 4. You also have to take into account L1 and L2 cache (more = better) and nm (smaller = better). And, do not get the Q8300. This is LGA 775 socket. This socket is dead. If you would ever want to upgrade in two or so years, you would have to buy an entirely new motherboard in addition to a CPU. If you want to get Intel, go with the Core I7 series. If the Core I7 costs too much, go with AMD's AMD 2+ socket. They are making new CPUs that will support this older socket, so you will have better upgrade options. This is why I went with AMD with my PC I built 4 months ago. Better upgrade options, and it was considerbly cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103472 It cost the same as a Q8300, but it is a quad core. This means it is more future proof, as in the next year or so more and more games will be using more than two cores. Each core is around the same speed as the Q8300, so it is a no brainer. It is a much better deal. And, again, there will be more upgrade options in the future. To summerize, it gives better preformance for the same amount of money, and you will have more upgrade options in the future. |