Opinions on these components for my new PC...

[retroborg]

Hello,
I'm going to buy some pc components to build a new rig and I'm thinking about getting the following:

INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6600 2.40 GHZ LGA775 - 1066 FSB
RAM DDR2 KINGSTON KHX6400D2/1G HYPERX 1GB PC6400 800MHZ, Timings: 5-5-5-15
ASUS P5B P965 / ICH8 Intel chipset
ASUS EN7950GT/HTDP 512MB PCI-E

This PC is mainly aimed for 2D/3D gaming (2D Emulators, Doom3, Quake4, HL2,Prey, new upcoming 3D games, etc..) and I'm not going to intall more than one GPU in SLI mode or what ever, so I choose the cheaper P965 Intel Chipset M/B, rather than the more expensive 975X ASUS boards.
Also I might use this M/B to upgrade to a Quad Core CPU, later on when they become affordable.

1. Instead of the INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6600 2.40, would it be wiser to get INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6400 2.13 GHZ LGA775, based on performance/price ratio?

2. Is it worth spending the extra money and getting a 975x ASUS M/B instead of the P965 / ICH8, in terms of overall performance based on my needs?

3. I have not deciced whether I should get the more expensive ASUS EN7950GT/HTDP 512MB PCI-E GPU, or get the cheaper:
ASUS EN7900GS TOP/2DHT 256MB PCI-E, which comes factory overclocked:
Engine Clock: 590 MHz.
Memory Clock: 1.44GHz (720MHz DDR3)

That's higher than the stock 7950GT specs & in some benchmarks it even scores close to the 7950GT performance!
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=2086&cid=3&pg=1

4. Should I get the 1GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHZ Kingston Ram, or just get a cheaper 1GB 667MHZ DDR2 Twinmos RAM, CAS Latency: 5?
Will the 800MHZ grant me a greater difference in performance over the 667MHZ RAM taht will justify the extra cost?

Any opinions will be highly appreciated
Thanks in advance.

[pinkie_1]

If you are the OC type of person :
--- c2d 6300
--- nvidia 680i mobo (better but also way more expensive than p965)
--- 2 GB of 533 MHz RAM
--- 7900gs

If you aren't :
--- c2d 6300 up to 6600 (as a function of available money)
--- p965
--- 2 GB of 533 MHz RAM
--- x1950pro

Tips :
1. On the whole, the mobo is equally important to the cpu. You should really try to balance them out.
2. On the RAM side, size DOES matter. 2 GB of [stock 533] will be a better option than 1 GB of [800, super low latencies].
3. 7950gt simply isn't worthy, IMO. If you are a nvidia fan go for 7900gs and put the extra cash into other components, if not x1950pro is your buddy.

Suggestion :
Draw a hypothetical scheme. Start from 2 GB of [stock 533]. Add 7900gs or x1950pro (about the same $). Add a good p965 (consider connectivity, layout, oc potential, brand). What remains out of your money will be the cpu.
Lastly, feel free to finely tune this scheme... :)

[foxyshadis]

If I were buying a high-end system, I wouldn't consider DX9 video at all, I'd get a 8800 GTS, or some cheapo card to tide me over until ATI's DX10. Mainly because with the entirely new architectures behind them, I believe much more video processing will end up offloaded onto the gpu soon. (Plus, you know, more power and all.) But then again, I'd go quad-core as well; if you're in it for gaming mostly, those needs don't mean squat.

[retroborg]

If you are the OC type of person :
--- c2d 6300
--- nvidia 680i mobo (better but also way more expensive than p965)
--- 2 GB of 533 MHz RAM
--- 7900gs

If you aren't :
--- c2d 6300 up to 6600 (as a function of available money)
--- p965
--- 2 GB of 533 MHz RAM
--- x1950pro

Tips :
1. On the whole, the mobo is equally important to the cpu. You should really try to balance them out.
2. On the RAM side, size DOES matter. 2 GB of [stock 533] will be a better option than 1 GB of [800, super low latencies].
3. 7950gt simply isn't worthy, IMO. If you are a nvidia fan go for 7900gs and put the extra cash into other components, if not x1950pro is your buddy.

Suggestion :
Draw a hypothetical scheme. Start from 2 GB of [stock 533]. Add 7900gs or x1950pro (about the same $). Add a good p965 (consider connectivity, layout, oc potential, brand). What remains out of your money will be the cpu.
Lastly, feel free to finely tune this scheme... :)

If you are the OC type of person

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "OC" ;) ?

oc potential

Again "OC Potential" ?

So, you suggest that I use 2GB 533MHZ rather than 667MHZ/800MHZ. Will it be a lot more slower than 667 or 800?

Also, should I get one 1x2GB DDR2 533 or rather 2x1GB DDR2 533 so that it will work in dual channel mode? Will it be any faster this way?

Thanks in advance.

[retroborg]

If I were buying a high-end system, I wouldn't consider DX9 video at all, I'd get a 8800 GTS, or some cheapo card to tide me over until ATI's DX10. Mainly because with the entirely new architectures behind them, I believe much more video processing will end up offloaded onto the gpu soon. (Plus, you know, more power and all.) But then again, I'd go quad-core as well; if you're in it for gaming mostly, those needs don't mean squat.

Well, the reason I choose this ASUS M/B is because it supports the Quad Core CPUs:
http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=307&model=1178&modelmenu=1

[BigDid]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "OC" ;) ?
...
Again "OC Potential" ?

Hi,

Let's say you're not joking and really want to have an answer; 2 places to look:
- http://www.google.fr/search?hl=fr&q=OC+Potential&btnG=Recherche+Google&meta=
- here in doom9: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=30047

Here is one from the google 1st page result that may interest you: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/whats-highest-oc-potential-6600-air-ftopict215081.html

Concerning your query about the DDR2, again, making a google search gives interestings pages to consult: http://www.google.fr/search?hl=fr&q=ddr2+review&btnG=Rechercher&meta=

Did

[CWR03]

OC = overclocking.

[dragongodz]

Let's say you're not joking
hmmm lets say not everybody is in to hardware and may not have come across overclocking as being written as OC.

frankly not everyone is even interested in doing it even if they can and i would never suggest it for someone who doesnt understand exactly what they are doing and why.

infact i would never reccomend a cpu because it overclocks well.

[pinkie_1]

@ retroborg :
I apologize for confusing you with that 'OC'. I erroneously assumed that you'd understand what it means.
About the RAM, consider buying 2x1 GB of whatever DDR2 you can afford. Modules with higher bandwidth and/or tighter latencies will be more 'speedy'. Whether you will feel this boost or not highly depends on what apps you are running.

A (mere) suggestion : perhaps you should postpone buying your new PC... There are some interesting highlights in the near future, such as c2d with 4 MB cache and the market liberalization of dx10 cards.

@ dragongodz :
i would never suggest it for someone who doesnt understand exactly what they are doing and why.
I absolutely love this statement.
i would never reccomend a cpu because it overclocks well.
With that I disagree... but this is way off topic so I'll stfu. :)

[BigDid]

hmmm lets say not everybody is in to hardware and may not have come across overclocking as being written as OC.
So the formulation was not adapted. As a native english speaker (speaking?) could you propose a more adapted formulation?

CWR03 straight one is clear and direct; but what of the ;) (wink) smiley?
From wikipedia:
The wink is an intentional facial expression made by closing one eye; it is distinguished from the blink by the fact that the other eye remains open. A wink is a form of semi-formal communication, which indicates shared, unspoken knowledge...

Did

[Inventive Software]

Ah, this (;)) signifies saying something almost sarcastic. Take it as it comes, it's a little ambiguous.

[retroborg]

@ retroborg :
A (mere) suggestion : perhaps you should postpone buying your new PC... There are some interesting highlights in the near future, such as c2d with 4 MB cache and the market liberalization of dx10 cards.

4MB Cache?
The Core2 Duo E6600 is all ready out and has 4MB L2 Cache!
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL9S8

But, there will be cheaper Core Micro-Architecture "Core 2 Duo E4300 CPU" Review:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-e4300.html

Interestingly enough, the Intel CPU with the highest Cache memory, is the Itanium 2 CPU with an impressive 24MB L3 cache!
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL98T

As for the liberalization of dx10 cards, perhaps you're refering to:
"Cheaper GeForce 8800 Cards In Mid Feb"
http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4472

For, DDR2 533:
(Intel Core 2: Is high speed memory worth its price?)
http://core2memory.notlong.com/

[BigDid]

4MB Cache?
...
But, there will be cheaper Core Micro-Architecture "Core 2 Duo E4300 CPU" Review:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-e4300.html

Ahh, my next processor: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=120509

More review links in the thread, actually in pre-order for the 21th of january.

Did

[dragongodz]

almost sarcastic
it can also, and generally more so, mean freindly or jokingly etc. that is why i said to assume not everybody is in to hardware and will know every short form for a meaning. i can type a lot of short forms aswell but i try to restrict doing that to make sure that people dont start asking what things mean.

With that I disagree
well let me add a word that may make it clearer.
i would never reccomend a cpu just because it overclocks well.
instead many factors can come in to play. eg. cost, features, upgradabilty etc etc etc.

really a person should be deciding what they are going to predominantly be using their pc for and then even out the hardware accordingly. for example if you were building a pc for games its pointless to buy an intel x6800 and then only have 512mb ram and the cheapest gfx card.

"Cheaper GeForce 8800 Cards In Mid Feb"
and at about may we should start to see
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beareyes.com.cn%2F2%2Flib%2F200701%2F02%2F20070102054_3.htm&langpair=zh-CN%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools
and
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beareyes.com.cn%2F2%2Flib%2F200701%2F02%2F20070102054_2.htm&langpair=zh-CN%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

[retroborg]

OK, so here are some interesting notes to keep in mind for anybody getting a new pc:

1. 8900/8950/8850? Nvidia is preparing a faster version of the G80 for launch around the same time that ATI launches its new card. The full article can be found here:
http://www.theinq.com/default.aspx?article=36106

2. New cheaper low end G80 cards coming around March:
8600 Ultra
8600 GT
8300 GT
8300 GS
http://www.guru3d.com/newsitem.php?id=4834

3. L2 Cache: 4MB or 2MB?
If you're planning to keep the cpu for some time, and you're into Overclocking, the 6600 4MB L2 Cache CPU might be a better choice:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=4

4. FSB Bottlenecks: Is 1333MHz Necessary?
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=6


5. ASRock M/B not so great for overclocking:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1908020&frmKeyword=&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

6. C2D 6600 better overclocker:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=18

7. Fun trivia info:
Interestingly enough, the Intel CPU with the highest Cache memory, is the Itanium 2 CPU with an impressive 24MB L3 cache!
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL98T

8. All the Intel CPUs in full detail specs (Pentium I and up) :)
http://processorfinder.intel.com/Default.aspx