what should be my next move

[MasterAub]

Good day everyone,

 

I am planning to upgrade my computer this year probably in July...

 

I am no computer guru but I know the minimun since I've built my computer.

 

Here is my one and only constraint: I would like to keep my graphic Card: GeForce 8800GTS

 

Right Now my config is as follow:

 

CPU: Athlon 64 4000+ 2,41GHz

Motherboard: A8N-SLI / Premium

Graphic Card: as above GeForce 8800GTS

 

So in essence I'll have to change my mother board in order to accomodate a brand new processor

 

So my question is: what kind of motherboard and Processor should I get to make me an happy gamer for the next 3 to 4 years???

 

Feel free to bombard me with clear explanation in order to validate your reco.

 

Thank you guys, gurus of hardware

[WoogieMonster]

If you are looking to replace both your MOBO and CPU, click my name and take a look at my rig on my profile. It runs Oblivion quite well. I figure at the very most, I'll have to add a second video card one day in the future, but hopefully by then I'll be too old to really care about it anymore.

[MasterAub]

I just looked at your profile to check your config...and I have two major questions...

 

Your motherboard seems to have a graphic card incorporated in it. Is that really pertinent?

 

Your core 2 duo is definitely what I need but should I look at quad core? again I 'll do the upgrade arround July.

 

 

PS: I am 37 so by my standard you still have some gaming years ahead... ;)

[WoogieMonster]

I'm not really sure what you are asking about my MOBO, it does have a ton of accessories, but an integrated video card is not one of them.

 

The QUAD Core versus DUO Core question seems to be a topic of much disagreement. On one hand, the potential power is nothing less than awesome (so I hear), but on the other hand, no games actually use it (yet). Then there are the benchmarks that show DUOs actually outperforming QUADs. And of course the deal breaker for most people is the insane price difference. In my opinion, the current generation of games does not justify the cost and [lack of] performance available in a QUAD Core priced under 600USD. For those above that price, who knows, but anyone who can spend that just on a CPU should not be building it themselves anyway, they should be buying it from Falcon NW. I'd say stick with a DUO Core.

[IamBatosai]

I agree with woogie on the motherboard. His CPU would also be a nice choice. Though a better option that would last a little longer maybe and is a little cheaper. Would be the E8400. Its the exact same clock as Woogies E6850. But is has a smaller architecture and bigger cache.

[MasterAub]

Thank you guys.

 

I am not for spending money on useless thing just for the sake of having a mega powerful config...However let say the quad core get cheaper...and knowing that I want to be set for the next 3 to 4 years:

Should I consider quad or is it a technology that is not yet mastered but will be soon?

In other words should I wait let say December or should I go with quad (if cheaper) in July?

Or as you suggested in the first place should I stick with your reco...

 

one more thing. Today my MOBO is an ASUS and I am pretty happy with it. Obviously I'll have to change it when I change my cpu (cause chipset)

but I saw this ASUS P5N-T Deluxe...is that one worth it...better or as good as the one recomanded by Woogie???

 

 

PS: Woogie I got confused with the motherboard.

[IamBatosai]

Well, I have seen some reviews on that board saying there are alot of problems. Though a new BIOS version got released recently (this month I believe) so maybe that fixed them.

 

Also, the board woogie and I recommend is just one step up from the one you found. Either way you will have plenty of room to upgrade at later times. With support for tri-sli you are good to go for that. DDR2 1066 RAM for the ASUS P5n-T Deluxe. Or DDR2 1200 RAM for the EVGA board. (The EVGA supports slightly faster RAM) 1333 and 1066 FSB LGA 775 socket on both of the motherboards will support most Dual and quad cores released. And the next few that will be released.

[MasterAub]

Well, I have seen some reviews on that board saying there are alot of problems. Though a new BIOS version got released recently (this month I believe) so maybe that fixed them.

 

Also, the board woogie and I recommend is just one step up from the one you found. Either way you will have plenty of room to upgrade at later times. With support for tri-sli you are good to go for that. DDR2 1066 RAM for the ASUS P5n-T Deluxe. Or DDR2 1200 RAM for the EVGA board. (The EVGA supports slightly faster RAM) 1333 and 1066 FSB LGA 775 socket on both of the motherboards will support most Dual and quad cores released. And the next few that will be released.

Thanks again IamBatosai

 

From your explanation I think it's clear...the MOBO should be the EVGA so this one goes on my list of MOBO to consider.

 

Also it seems the core 2 duo you recommend is the one to go with...but will watch price and reviews of quad just in case game developper consider it more and more (which is not really the case at the moment)

 

In any case thank you

[IamBatosai]

No problem. :happy:

 

If you do however want to go with a quad core. Get the Q6600 at $255 USD its not that bad. 2.4 Ghz quad core is the slowest from intel. But its still fast. And if you want you can overclock it. However I would say wait until July. Some new processors should be released from Intel by then. So the current quad and dual cores will reduce in price. However, the E8400 will still be you best choice for a dual core for awhile. And you won't get much faster then it without going quad core and adding $600 USD.