Getting Conroe....Need parts recommendation

[GreggyD]

I figure on ordering the E6300. Since I'm coming from a 939/AGP board, I'm in the market for a new motherboard, memory, and video card. I'll probably get the Gigabyte $150 board that everyone is talking about. I also plan on overclocking.

What memory and video card do you guys suggest I buy? I want to keep each part under $200 (for example $200 for the memory and $200 for the video card).

Thanks!

 

[broly8877]

I'd spend $150 for some value 2GB DDR2-667, and $250~ on the video card (7900GT).

 

[Ika]

This would probably do better in the General Hardware forum, but since I'm here, I might as well respond.

I suggest getting a 7600GT for the video card. It seems to be the best video card under $200, and can be had for less than $150 (iirc). If you can stretch a little on your budget, you could upgrade to a 7900GT, which is tops in overclocking. They're about $240, but once again, IIRC. Maybe the price is lower.

 

[Kwint Sommer]

If you want to do some serious overclocking (there is a thread about E6300 overclocking) then I suggest that you go with the OCZ Platinum PC2-6400 RAM that they have at Outpost.com for $190 less $60 in rebates. According to a review at NewEgg it will go up to 1000mhz (I have a thread all about Conroe RAM) which is the equizalent of a FSB of 500 running at 1:1.
If you aren't going above a FSB of 400 then I would just get a good piece of PC2-5400 RAM but that will cost you almost as much as the OCZ Platinum that will hit 1000mhz.

For a video card I went with the x850 XT PE. It's older but in my old system it ran every game I tried with relatively high settings. For Oblivion it can do 1280 with everything on and modest AA and average in the 40s and never dip below 30 FPS. Plus you can get them new on Ebay for $150. There are a few Buy It Nows that work out to $156 shipped. I would rather get a "middle of the road" graphics card and sell it for $80 and buy a new one for $150 in two years than break the bank and not be able to afford an upgrade.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Kwint Sommer
If you want to do some serious overclocking (there is a thread about E6300 overclocking) then I suggest that you go with the OCZ Platinum PC2-6400 RAM that they have at Outpost.com for $190 less $60 in rebates. According to a review at NewEgg it will go up to 1000mhz (I have a thread all about Conroe RAM) which is the equizalent of a FSB of 500 running at 1:1.
If you aren't going above a FSB of 400 then I would just get a good piece of PC2-5400 RAM but that will cost you almost as much as the OCZ Platinum that will hit 1000mhz.

For a video card I went with the x850 XT PE. It's older but in my old system it ran every game I tried with relatively high settings. For Oblivion it can do 1280 with everything on and modest AA and average in the 40s and never dip below 30 FPS. Plus you can get them new on Ebay for $150. There are a few Buy It Nows that work out to $156 shipped. I would rather get a "middle of the road" graphics card and sell it for $80 and buy a new one for $150 in two years than break the bank and not be able to afford an upgrade.

Isn't ddr2-800 quad pumped, therefore, 1000mhz ram will run @ 250mhz effectively? Mobos can't even support 500mhz other than the gigabyte ds3. OCZ gold is better for ocing. Spend $177 on gskill ddr2-800 RAM and $240 on a 7900gt. That will only take you $13 over your budget and will demolish any other rig you have planned. Happy building!

 

[Kwint Sommer]

I don't know what "quad pumped" means but I will say that as a Freshman at MIT and an experienced OCer that I'm 95% sure that PC2-6400 runs at a FSB of 400. Furthermore, there are motherboards that will do significantly beyond 400 (just read the Conroe review @ anandtech.com, they hit 450 FSB with the P5W DH Deluxe) and ultimately the OCZ RAM comes from a more trusted manufacturer and cost a lot less after rebates. It was $190 - $60 = $130 but now the rebate is only $50.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: acegazda

Isn't ddr2-800 quad pumped, therefore, 1000mhz ram will run @ 250mhz effectively?

DDR2-800 operates at 400 MHz.

Originally posted by: Kwint Sommer
...PC2-6400 runs at a FSB of 400.

PC2-6400 (DDR2-800) operates at 400 MHz.

The FSB on Intel systems is quad pumped, meaning on C2D, it's techinically 266 MHz x4 = 1066 MHz.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: Kwint Sommer
..........

I agree with Kwint. If you're going with an E6300 and DS3, you'll need some RAM that will keep up. Get RAM that will reach DDR2-900 - DDR2-1000 so you can max out the CPU. If you don't want to spend so much on RAM, move up to an E6400 or E6600 to get a higher multiplier.

 

[GreggyD]

Quick update:

I changed my mind and went with the E6400. I ordered the DS3 and also the OCZ Platinum memory from Outpost. Now on to the video card!!!

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: GreggyD
Quick update:

I changed my mind and went with the E6400. I ordered the DS3 and also the OCZ Platinum memory from Outpost. Now on to the video card!!!

Congrats!

 

[GreggyD]

OK....it's all a done deal. Here are the parts and prices after rebates:

E6400 $250
OCZ Platinum 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 800mhz $140
Gigabyte DS3 Motherboard $154
eVGA 7600GT KO $136

Grand total $680

Thanks to all who helped!

 

[GreggyD]

WOW! My E6400 shipped TODAY from ClubIT. It's scheduled for Friday delivery.

 

[TaeKim]

Where did you order the Gigabyte DS3 and video card?

 

[GreggyD]

Originally posted by: TaeKim
Where did you order the Gigabyte DS3 and video card?

ZZF for the motherboard and NewEgg for the video card.

 

[Zebo]

If you're overclocking I would'nt waste my time with a 6300.. the odds of getting a good overclock are slim because its low multiplier and boards have trouble hitting 400FSB even in the best of hands...and certainly not made to run 24/7 at those bus speeds of 400 or more.

Spend money on the chip, skimp on memory (because it doesnt matter) and motherboard for optimal results.

There is some $120 2GB OCZ ram at outpost.. the giga DS3 board is fine but please think about 6600 or 6700 conroes.

 

[Rendition]

I just ordered the D3 and 1800XT on newegg. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Roy2001]

I am in the siliar, if not the same boat. I ordered a E6600, OCZ plantinum RAM, I would order a DS3 MB. Which 7900GT should I buy? Brand and model? Thanks.

 

[Zebo]

Hey Roy there is one on sale right now at newegg or $228 AR.. look in hot deals I have a thread on it.

 

[Zebo]

Better hurry dude it expires in 20 minutes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150150

 

[Roy2001]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Hey Roy there is one on sale right now at newegg or $228 AR.. look in hot deals I have a thread on it.

Hi, that is really good deal. Thanks!

But shipping and tax kill it to me. As total cost is over $250, I can get a EVGA KO super clocked version for $275. That model has better heatsink. Thanks again!

 

[TaeKim]

Be careful with 7900GTs, a lot people having issues RMA-ing etc. lately.

 

[Just4Ever]

I just ordered that same one on Newegg.
I was asking around about it because I had heard some stories about people RMA-ing them but it turns out the new model AR of the eVGA has fixed this problem with new Infineon memory and it also has/is RoHS.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: TaeKim
Be careful with 7900GTs, a lot people having issues RMA-ing etc. lately.

I'm not familiar with those issues..could it be trying to OC way past GTX levels with cheap GT HSF on there then RMAing?

 

[Rendition]

I just ordered an ATI 1900xt from ZipZoomFly for $289.99 after rebate.

 

[Roy2001]

OP, would your board work with RAM out of box? I heard DS3 has some issues to handle high voltage (> 1.8v) RAMs. Some guy suggests you install 1 stick and it should boot. Please let us know. Thx.