Theoretical computer build situation

[largecanadian]

So say I'm a poor college student who just bought a car and a new laptop, only to see how crappy his desktop is getting. Getting right to my point, I'm looking at cheap processors to OC, and i was wondering what kinda performance increase would i see from my stock FX-55 @ 2.6ghz to a e2180 @3.0ghz +...my build needs to be uber cheap...i dont need much space, due to my external 500gb hdd...so what im thinking

• ECS Micro ATX board - $49.99
• Seagate 7200rpm 160gb sata2 - $45.99
• Wintec AMPX 2gb DDR2 800 - $39.99
• E2180 - $69.99
• Apevia Qpack - $74.99

2 carryover parts from current PC

• Asus HD3850
• Antec TruepowerII 430watt

Total newegg price after shipping- $280.95
Any suggestions?

[SonicSpeed]

Yes I have a few.

I would use quality RAM over what you have. This OCZ Platnuim RAM is only $6 more than what you have selected but has better timings, Over-voltage protection to 2.2V so you don't void your warranty while OCing.

RAM Link

The ECS board won't do you any good for Ocing, its completely worthless when it comes to options. This Gigabyte mobo (while more expensive, sorry) is better for Ocing.

Gigabyte Board

So adding basically 25$ to the total, while getting far superior products. Then again everyone will chime in, so you'll get some options.

[DennyCrane]

The jump to a Core2Duo will be huge... beyond just raw clockspeeds, the C2D is a far more efficient design and will do just about everything faster. And as a benefit, at a lower temperature and using less voltage.

[largecanadian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

The jump to a Core2Duo will be huge... beyond just raw clockspeeds, the C2D is a far more efficient design and will do just about everything faster. And as a benefit, at a lower temperature and using less voltage.

Like the only other processor i have thought about is the E7200, but is it really worth an extra $55 if i'm OCing my processor anyways?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonicSpeed

Yes I have a few.

I would use quality RAM over what you have. This OCZ Platnuim RAM is only $6 more than what you have selected but has better timings, Over-voltage protection to 2.2V so you don't void your warranty while OCing.

RAM Link

The ECS board won't do you any good for Ocing, its completely worthless when it comes to options. This Gigabyte mobo (while more expensive, sorry) is better for Ocing.

Gigabyte Board

So adding basically 25$ to the total, while getting far superior products. Then again everyone will chime in, so you'll get some options.

Thanks i wasn't sure about the OC-ability of the ECS board...

[DennyCrane]

Oh crap... I thought the CPU you picked was a Core2Duo... It's a Pentium
In a word: NO
Don't do it. Get a Core2Duo... the E7200 will be great.And as far as THAT one goes... It all depends on what games you're playing. You may just find they're all playing so well there's no need to OC much. Source games are HUGELY dependant upon the CPU and a good modern C2D will eliminate old bottle necks that even the best video card couldn't quite eliminate.
I have a lowly 1.67Ghz C2D in my notebook with a Go7600 and I play CS:S at 1440x900 with all setting maxxed and get about 123fps in the stress tests. Contrast this with my tower that has a 2.4Ghz Core2Quad 6600 and an 8800gt getting about 233fps. So, I'll put the E7200 somewhere in the middle of those 2 and say it'll have the horsepower to do pretty much anything you want.

[BuddhistSoldier]

looks good so far and yes the major oc will be the ram....

[largecanadian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

Oh crap... I thought the CPU you picked was a Core2Duo... It's a Pentium
In a word: NO
Don't do it. Get a Core2Duo... the E7200 will be great.And as far as THAT one goes... It all depends on what games you're playing. You may just find they're all playing so well there's no need to OC much. Source games are HUGELY dependant upon the CPU and a good modern C2D will eliminate old bottle necks that even the best video card couldn't quite eliminate.
I have a lowly 1.67Ghz C2D in my notebook with a Go7600 and I play CS:S at 1440x900 with all setting maxxed and get about 123fps in the stress tests. Contrast this with my tower that has a 2.4Ghz Core2Quad 6600 and an 8800gt getting about 233fps. So, I'll put the E7200 somewhere in the middle of those 2 and say it'll have the horsepower to do pretty much anything you want.

so my once amazing FX-55 offically sucks hard? haha i remember when i got it, so many of my buddies were jealous. i know its bottlenecking my HD3850 from the sickeningly low 3dmark06 score i get and i only get 120ish fps on the CSS stress test at 1600x1200 maxed....

one more question will the G31-based gigabyte board, that sonic suggested, run the wolfdale outta the box? ive had bad experiences with BIOS updates...

[SonicSpeed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by largecanadian

so my once amazing FX-55 offically sucks hard? haha i remember when i got it, so many of my buddies were jealous. i know its bottlenecking my HD3850 from the sickeningly low 3dmark06 score i get and i only get 120ish fps on the CSS stress test at 1600x1200 maxed....

one more question will the G31-based gigabyte board, that sonic suggested, run the wolfdale outta the box? ive had bad experiences with BIOS updates...

Good point. In that case I would choose this board instead, because one of the reviewers actually used a E7200 and it worked just fine.


Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EG31M-S2 LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

[DennyCrane]

F-55 never sucks... but it is getting a little gray around the ears. The C2D line is just so efficient it's stomping pretty much all the older CPUs.

[largecanadian]

Ok cool, so it looks like i will wait and spend a bit more money to get the suggested parts, E7200, Gigabyte board, OCZ ram....
Is the Q-Pack big enough for a HD3850? If not, any suggestions on SFF cases for full size power supplies and my video card?