Okay, so I have a pretty sweet rig right now. I've got an 8800Ultra, single Raptor for boot and apps (a larger drive for storage), 4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800, PC Power & Cooling Silencer750, and the beauty: a Q6600 @ 3.2.
The trouble is I now find myself in need of a second machine. I could build a cheaper machine and be content, but I thought I'd see if I could get a better machine and use my old one as the step down.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Games will definitely be the most demanding use. Also, I do some programming, but nothing too demanding.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Say about $2500 including a monitor.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
I'm not a fanboy, but Intels look like the current OC champions. My NVidia card has had problems with the 64 bit drivers, but NVidia or ATI's fine, I just don't want to have to worry too much about cooling either. The setup will be air cooled, but the room should never get above 72 degrees and I've had no problems with my current setup.
I am very partial to the Thermaltake VA8003BWS case. Mine has been great, and I'm almost completely sold on getting another, but I would listen to other solutions. Similarly, my Thermaltake CL-P0310 Big Typhoon cooler has been great, but again I'd listen to other ideas.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No, this will be a completely new build.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yep, been looking, but I guess I want a unique perspective based on an upgrade of my current parts.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
OCing will be done. I guess that's part of my dilemma with it seeming as if I'm at the limits of the quad OC on air as is. I know there have been some sick dual OCs. I had a hard time deciding between the two last time, but I figured at 3.2 quad was better than a 3.8 dual as by the time 3.2 is the limiting factor, having two more cores should be worthwhile.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Say at about the end of the month.
TIA
The trouble is I now find myself in need of a second machine. I could build a cheaper machine and be content, but I thought I'd see if I could get a better machine and use my old one as the step down.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Games will definitely be the most demanding use. Also, I do some programming, but nothing too demanding.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Say about $2500 including a monitor.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
I'm not a fanboy, but Intels look like the current OC champions. My NVidia card has had problems with the 64 bit drivers, but NVidia or ATI's fine, I just don't want to have to worry too much about cooling either. The setup will be air cooled, but the room should never get above 72 degrees and I've had no problems with my current setup.
I am very partial to the Thermaltake VA8003BWS case. Mine has been great, and I'm almost completely sold on getting another, but I would listen to other solutions. Similarly, my Thermaltake CL-P0310 Big Typhoon cooler has been great, but again I'd listen to other ideas.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No, this will be a completely new build.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yep, been looking, but I guess I want a unique perspective based on an upgrade of my current parts.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
OCing will be done. I guess that's part of my dilemma with it seeming as if I'm at the limits of the quad OC on air as is. I know there have been some sick dual OCs. I had a hard time deciding between the two last time, but I figured at 3.2 quad was better than a 3.8 dual as by the time 3.2 is the limiting factor, having two more cores should be worthwhile.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Say at about the end of the month.
TIA