Computer Tech, Gaming & Electronics THIS SPACE OPEN FOR ADVERTISEMENT. YOU SHOULD BE ADVERTISING HERE! Silicon Valley.
Tips & tricks, tech support, home theatre, online gaming, reviews, latest news... |  | |
03-06-2009, 08:29 PM
|
#1 | They let me be a moderator. LOL
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 9,221
Thanked 3,674 Times in 869 Posts
Failed 1,062 Times in 190 Posts
| i7 Or C2Q? Build me a new system.
So which one should I go for?
I haven't upgraded or bought a new comp since 04, and I'm really hurting for one since this one is ridiculously slow.
Full system. From Motherboard to Sound Card. Could care less about the case. As long as it looks decent and it works.
So should I go for Quad or i7?
Note that this will need to last me for the next 2+ years. I haven't played anything newer than WC3 : FT. Other than Left 4 Dead.
Needs to at least ready for SC2 or Diablo 3 when it comes out playing at the minimal level, but tons of room to go faster.
Not really a gamer, but I have aloooooot of music and videos. I mainly use it to catch up on missed episodes and music archiving. I'll need tonnnnnns of space.
Dont need : Monitor, Sound system, keyboard/mouse.
Keep it basic, but enough to be awesome for whatever the fuck new game you crazy kids play now.
Will spend upto $1500. maybe a little more.
|
| |
03-06-2009, 09:13 PM
|
#2 | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Duncan, BC
Posts: 10,128
Thanked 5,568 Times in 2,107 Posts
Failed 231 Times in 90 Posts
|
I wouldn't even bother w/ the Core 2 Quads anymore. Either spend the extra dough to get the Core i7 or save some dough and build a Phenom II system.
|
| |
03-09-2009, 01:02 PM
|
#3 | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Richmond BC
Posts: 3,192
Thanked 152 Times in 44 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
anybody know when is the next round of price drops for the i7?
|
| |
03-09-2009, 01:34 PM
|
#4 | Resident Bullshitter
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,209
Thanked 298 Times in 152 Posts
Failed 1,140 Times in 246 Posts
|
core i7 aren't even expensive when compared to Core 2 Quad.
its just DDR3 and the X58 boards that raise the price a lot
|
| |
03-09-2009, 09:12 PM
|
#5 | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Duncan, BC
Posts: 10,128
Thanked 5,568 Times in 2,107 Posts
Failed 231 Times in 90 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by .Renn.Sport core i7 aren't even expensive when compared to Core 2 Quad.
its just DDR3 and the X58 boards that raise the price a lot | Exactly ...
|
| |
03-09-2009, 09:38 PM
|
#6 | I WANT MY 10 YEARS BACK FROM RS.net!
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 20,413
Thanked 7,481 Times in 1,449 Posts
Failed 2,380 Times in 472 Posts
|
ask yourself whether you game a lot or not.
If budget is tight and you want to wait until win7 to come out.
go buy yourself something cheap for now
|
| |
03-09-2009, 09:59 PM
|
#7 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 458
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
to build a good i7 comp u need at least 2k without monitor and that will get u 1TB of space and a good 6gb of ram
|
| |
03-10-2009, 02:15 PM
|
#8 | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,771
Thanked 582 Times in 173 Posts
Failed 54 Times in 23 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by SpuGen So which one should I go for?
I haven't upgraded or bought a new comp since 04, and I'm really hurting for one since this one is ridiculously slow.
Full system. From Motherboard to Sound Card. Could care less about the case. As long as it looks decent and it works.
So should I go for Quad or i7?
Note that this will need to last me for the next 2+ years. I haven't played anything newer than WC3 : FT. Other than Left 4 Dead.
Needs to at least ready for SC2 or Diablo 3 when it comes out playing at the minimal level, but tons of room to go faster.
Not really a gamer, but I have aloooooot of music and videos. I mainly use it to catch up on missed episodes and music archiving. I'll need tonnnnnns of space.
Dont need : Monitor, Sound system, keyboard/mouse.
Keep it basic, but enough to be awesome for whatever the fuck new game you crazy kids play now.
Will spend upto $1500. maybe a little more. | SC2, Diablo 3.......these 2 games are easy for hardware. "I think"
If you play something like "Crysis" kind of game, then, go for i7
and how much of space you need ? 20 TB ? like me ?
I would put money into Raid to protect valuable files.
|
| |
03-10-2009, 04:54 PM
|
#9 | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604
Posts: 9,795
Thanked 106 Times in 55 Posts
Failed 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
For the type of PC games you play, I'd save money and go for a C2D, and a decent video card to future proof it. Quad-core is pretty useless for gaming....All you need is a Dual-core with decent clock speds (>3GHz) and a good video card.
E8400 (overclock to 3.6-4GHz easily), GTX285/295/280/260/4870/4870x2
PS: Crysis is so poorly optimized, I would never use it as a "benchmark" to see how powerful of a system you need.
|
| |
03-11-2009, 02:48 PM
|
#10 | They let me be a moderator. LOL
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 9,221
Thanked 3,674 Times in 869 Posts
Failed 1,062 Times in 190 Posts
|
I just want something that I wouldn't need to bother upgrading in at least 3+ years. Other than maybe a video card. So really I guess Im looking for the best Mobo/processor for now. That's why I was looking at the quad/i7's. Future proof for at least a while.
Not big on gaming. Mainly archiving and the ability to play games without bullshit.
|
| |
03-11-2009, 03:28 PM
|
#11 | noob
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 521
Thanked 31 Times in 13 Posts
Failed 185 Times in 20 Posts
|
If you want a future proof system then definitely go with the i7. Although core2duo/quadcore would suffice for your needs all the same. It all depends on your budget and your ability to find good deals by price matching and finding sales online.
|
| |
03-11-2009, 04:45 PM
|
#12 | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604
Posts: 9,795
Thanked 106 Times in 55 Posts
Failed 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
Nobody knows what things will be like in 3+ years, but the top of the line right now is i7....however, based on how you described your computer use, I still stand by my original recommendation and say a C2D (core2duo) is more than enough for you. If you really want quad-core, then go with i7, as the faster (extreme models) C2Q prices hardly make it worth considering. If going with C2D/C2Q I recommend going with >3GHz to future proof it, as a lower clock speed might bottle neck your video card.
Games these days are more dependent on GPU (video card) speed over CPU (to a certain extent, because the CPU still has to keep up with the GPU). In the past, a CPU can last through roughly 2-4 video card generations (unless there is a major technology change like AGP -> PCI-E).
By going the i7 route with a $1500 budget, you aren't leaving much room for a decent video card, and cheaping out on a video card with an i7 setup will gimp your gaming performance tremendously.
Don't worry about archiving data, because any computer with a big Hard drive can store data.
If you have $1500 to spend and want to spend it, then go with the i7 setup...but i just want to reiterate that I think the E8400 with a GTX295 will give you no bullshit gaming for a while.
Last edited by Eclypz; 03-11-2009 at 04:51 PM.
|
| |
03-11-2009, 08:05 PM
|
#13 | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Duncan, BC
Posts: 10,128
Thanked 5,568 Times in 2,107 Posts
Failed 231 Times in 90 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Eclypz For the type of PC games you play, I'd save money and go for a C2D, and a decent video card to future proof it. Quad-core is pretty useless for gaming....All you need is a Dual-core with decent clock speds (>3GHz) and a good video card.
E8400 (overclock to 3.6-4GHz easily), GTX285/295/280/260/4870/4870x2
PS: Crysis is so poorly optimized, I would never use it as a "benchmark" to see how powerful of a system you need. | Owning an E3110 (aka E8400) myself @ 3.87 GHz and having built many quad core systems, I would definitely disagree with this statement. Quad core is already superior in quite a few new titles (i.e. GTA IV) and the number of new games that will be quad core optimized in the future will only continue to grow. Given the relatively small price difference, I don't see much point in avoiding quad core and the Phenom IIs and Core 2 Quads overclock quite well.
|
| |
03-14-2009, 01:19 PM
|
#14 | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Richmond BC
Posts: 3,192
Thanked 152 Times in 44 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
so which motherboard would be the best for oc'ing the i7 in the long run? Asus, EVGA, or intel?
|
| |
03-14-2009, 02:15 PM
|
#15 | RS has made me the bitter person i am today!
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ♠
Posts: 4,847
Thanked 693 Times in 249 Posts
Failed 339 Times in 75 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Mugen to build a good i7 comp u need at least 2k without monitor and that will get u 1TB of space and a good 6gb of ram | Lol false.
go get an XPS computer for less than 1.5k running i7
|
| |
03-16-2009, 11:43 PM
|
#16 | They let me be a moderator. LOL
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 9,221
Thanked 3,674 Times in 869 Posts
Failed 1,062 Times in 190 Posts
|
So i7 or ??
|
| |
03-16-2009, 11:50 PM
|
#17 | RS has made me the bitter person i am today!
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ♠
Posts: 4,847
Thanked 693 Times in 249 Posts
Failed 339 Times in 75 Posts
|
i7 my man.
|
| |
03-17-2009, 12:14 AM
|
#18 | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BC
Posts: 3,224
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
I'm currently running i7
You cant go wrong with i7 other than paying the extra money over the Q series.
__________________ FEEDBACK 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5SL Nismo Kit |
| |
03-17-2009, 02:10 PM
|
#19 | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: surrey
Posts: 2,526
Thanked 149 Times in 90 Posts
Failed 132 Times in 38 Posts
|
E8400 dual core, pretty stable, with good video card, can run SC2 and diablo.
Just built one in the summer for under 1000$ including 24in monitor. keep in mind the exchange rate was in my favor. Right now you wont be able to get a E8400 for 169$ CDN.
I have it overclocked to 3.6 GHZ. I think it will last at least 3+ yrs
|
| |
03-17-2009, 02:42 PM
|
#20 | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BC
Posts: 3,224
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by wasabisashimi E8400 dual core, pretty stable, with good video card, can run SC2 and diablo.
Just built one in the summer for under 1000$ including 24in monitor. keep in mind the exchange rate was in my favor. Right now you wont be able to get a E8400 for 169$ CDN.
I have it overclocked to 3.6 GHZ. I think it will last at least 3+ yrs | thats a pretty good price. I wouldnt mind having that sorta built if I thought about it earlier.. Wasted too much money on my current setup.
__________________ FEEDBACK 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5SL Nismo Kit |
| |
03-17-2009, 06:03 PM
|
#21 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 458
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 6insomnia9 Lol false.
go get an XPS computer for less than 1.5k running i7 | lol fail. my graphic card is 4870x2.
|
| |
03-17-2009, 06:22 PM
|
#22 | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604
Posts: 9,795
Thanked 106 Times in 55 Posts
Failed 5 Times in 2 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by SpuGen So i7 or ?? | Since your budget is around $1.5k, your decision is basically:
i7 + shitty video card = poor gaming performance
C2D/C2Q + good video card = good gaming performance.
Bump your budget up to $2K, and you'll get i7 + good video card.
The choice is yours.
As for Jmac's comment about Quad cores dominating in games:
I have a Q6600 @ 3GHz with 2x8800GT Sli, and my brother has E8400 @4GHz with 4870, and his PC dominates mine in gaming....why? It's because of the clock speed. Games will not take full advantage of a Quad core so long as there are still single and dual cores out there. Programming for multiple threads is not easy, and not necessary since CPU power is not the limiting factor with today's CPUs. A good graphics card paired with any CPU >E6600 will be able to play all the games well. But at the rate video card technology is advancing these days, most hardcore gamers are upgrading their video card atleast twice a year to stay on top.
Last edited by Eclypz; 03-17-2009 at 06:28 PM.
|
| |
03-17-2009, 06:27 PM
|
#23 | HELP ME PLS!!!
Join Date: May 2002 Location: vancity
Posts: 5,734
Thanked 722 Times in 364 Posts
Failed 40 Times in 26 Posts
|
in addition to having multi-threaded games, every game scales differently when you have multi-GPU cards.
|
| |
03-17-2009, 07:44 PM
|
#24 | HELP ME PLS!!!
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: vancouver
Posts: 5,995
Thanked 1,382 Times in 480 Posts
Failed 51 Times in 26 Posts
|
since most stuff for the i7 is still expensive and new games arn't out yet mite as well get a c2d low end and use it for a while then make an upgrade when the prices fall and windows 7 comes out
it is really impossible to make the equipment future proof
computer tech always advancing really fast
|
| |
03-17-2009, 10:07 PM
|
#25 | Snapping away
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Richmond
Posts: 1,920
Thanked 97 Times in 84 Posts
Failed 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
get the i7
save up for ur video card later on, gives u an excuse to reinstall everything with w7 later on anyways
|
| |  | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:04 PM. |