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Build to tide me over, and perhaps build apon...

post #1 of 135
4/3/08 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

I've been waiting for a long while to get a new desktop, mainly for some better vid cards, and reasonable prices on quad core processors.

I'm thoroughly underwhelmed with the nvidia 9800 cards, and I'm not paying the asking price for the latest processors or DDR3 as I'm a cheapskate at heart...

I was considering an Abit p35 mobo, a Q6600 and a 9800GX2, but like I said, I'm not impressed with the 9800's when I can get dual 8800gtx's for less than a single 9800GX2.

Currently, newegg has eVGA 8800gtx's for $289 w/mail in rebate, so I'm considering buying two of those for an SLI setup. Unfortunately, that kind of eliminates the X48 for now, as it doesn't support SLI. Will the X48 boards support SLI in the future?

Right now my big confusion is motherboard choice. The 790i boards are out due to the DDR3 requirement. The X48 boards look great, but I'm really leaning towards the 8800gtx's in SLI for outright performance, so that may also be out. If I go with a 780i board, will it have longevity and be able to support DDR3 and nehalem processors in the future?

I suppose the other thing I should consider is an X48 mobo, the Q6600 (for now) and a single card, either 9800gtx or 8800gtx until the 9900 series come out, and the current quads come down in price.

I may just wait some more, but my birthday is coming up, so my wife told me to get whatever I want within reason, so now is a good time for permission, if not hardware...

I may still go the p35/Q6600/9800gx2 route, but I'd prefer getting a system I can build on. I'm tired of getting rid of mobos whenever I upgrade...

I'd jump at the X48/Q6600/8800gtx in SLI if it supported SLI, so any news on that front would be helpful.

Three systems I'm considering.

Asus p35 mobo/Q6600/9800gx2.

or...

780i/Q6600/dual 8800gtx in SLI

or...

X48/Q6600/8800gtx or 9800gtx to hold me over until quads come down and 9900 vid cards are out...

Thanks for any input.
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post #2 of 135
4/4/08 at 4:30am
Nahalem is going to be use socket LGA 1366 so none of the current motherboards will run it. So X48 and 780/790 will be out of the question.

If you're really wanting SLI go with the 790I now get the DDR3 and play till Nahalem comes out.

Also you might want to check out the RV770's ie 4870/x2 that are coming out in May/June.

Looks very promising.
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post #3 of 135
4/4/08 at 9:31am
If you absolutely have to run SLI - then your only options in the DDR2 arena are the 780i or 750i. Both support DDR2 (780i is tri-sli, 750i is dual). Take a good look at the 780i reviews. Some 780i boards perform much better than others.

The best SLI mobos on the market currently sport the 790i chipset. IMO - still not worth the DDR3 jump, but a great chipset none-the-less.

What size/resolution monitor will you be pushing?

Like GB said - Nehalem is a different socket altogether.

Even though I am sort of Nvidia-card fanboyish, ATI has re-emerged this year with a couple of good cards. The HD 4870-series cards GB mentions will certainly be a force to reckon with. I picked up a GTS for $225 as a temp card until these things come out.

And by the way, I'll be testing a Q6600 on an X48 in a couple of weeks. I'm anxious to start now...but I'm running the X48 through it's paces on a dual-core right now. Testing an E6750 (native 2.66 w/8x multi) at 500FSB.
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post #4 of 135
4/4/08 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info guys...

Do you know when Nehalem are supposed to hit the market?
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post #5 of 135
4/4/08 at 4:08pm
2009
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post #6 of 135
4/4/08 at 4:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GbrilliantQ™ View Post
2009
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post #7 of 135
4/4/08 at 4:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck47 View Post
If you absolutely have to run SLI - then your only options in the DDR2 arena are the 780i or 750i. Both support DDR2 (780i is tri-sli, 750i is dual). Take a good look at the 780i reviews. Some 780i boards perform much better than others.

The best SLI mobos on the market currently sport the 790i chipset. IMO - still not worth the DDR3 jump, but a great chipset none-the-less.

What size/resolution monitor will you be pushing?

Like GB said - Nehalem is a different socket altogether.

Even though I am sort of Nvidia-card fanboyish, ATI has re-emerged this year with a couple of good cards. The HD 4870-series cards GB mentions will certainly be a force to reckon with. I picked up a GTS for $225 as a temp card until these things come out.

And by the way, I'll be testing a Q6600 on an X48 in a couple of weeks. I'm anxious to start now...but I'm running the X48 through it's paces on a dual-core right now. Testing an E6750 (native 2.66 w/8x multi) at 500FSB.
Hey Buck...

I'll be using a 1080p lcdtv for a monitor most of the time. I'm about to get a Sony 46" xbr. I'll also be using a 24" lcd, 1920 x 1200 with it.

I'm not completely sure I'll go SLI, but as I said, newegg has the evga 8800 gtx right now for $289. I know dual 8800 gtx's will beat the 9800gx2 for less money, so I was leaning towards that solution.

The Q6600 is a pretty sure thing...

Sounds like the X48 is the way to go, except for the SLI thing... To be honest, I'm not an SLI fan. I've got it in my m9700 laptop, and though it performs well I don't like the cost/benefit ratio. Then again with the 8800gtx's at $289, cost isn't an issue until upgrade time...
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post #8 of 135
4/4/08 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, any comments on this parts list?

1x ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
2x EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
1x PC Power & Cooling S75QB EPS12V 750W Power Supply
1x Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
2x CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4D
1x Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive
1x Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Comes to about $1400 after mail in rebates...

Seems like this may be a good hold over system for the next year or so until Nehalem and 9900 cards are out.
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post #9 of 135
4/4/08 at 7:17pm
Thread Starter 
Buck47...

What memory are you using in the X48 board you're testing? Specs say it'll take DDR2 1200/1066/800.

Second possible config...

Asus rampage X48 mobo
Q6600
EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB
...memory...?
PC Power & Cooling S75QB EPS12V 750W Power Supply
Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD
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post #10 of 135
4/4/08 at 7:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
Hey Buck...

I'll be using a 1080p lcdtv for a monitor most of the time. I'm about to get a Sony 46" xbr. I'll also be using a 24" lcd, 1920 x 1200 with it.

I'm not completely sure I'll go SLI, but as I said, newegg has the evga 8800 gtx right now for $289. I know dual 8800 gtx's will beat the 9800gx2 for less money, so I was leaning towards that solution.

The Q6600 is a pretty sure thing...

Sounds like the X48 is the way to go, except for the SLI thing... To be honest, I'm not an SLI fan. I've got it in my m9700 laptop, and though it performs well I don't like the cost/benefit ratio. Then again with the 8800gtx's at $289, cost isn't an issue until upgrade time...
For something that large, you'll definitely need something with 1gb ddr3 gpu memory.

Make sure you look at the 750i reviews. Some are good, some not so good.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
Okay, any comments on this parts list?

1x ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
2x EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
1x PC Power & Cooling S75QB EPS12V 750W Power Supply
1x Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
2x CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4D
1x Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive
1x Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Comes to about $1400 after mail in rebates...

Seems like this may be a good hold over system for the next year or so until Nehalem and 9900 cards are out.
Looks like an overall good system. Make sure you get a G0 SLACR Kentsfield. Most are SLACR chips now, so it shouldn't be a problem. The Q6600 is on sale at MicroCenter for less than $200. Not sure if you have one of those near by.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
Buck47...

What memory are you using in the X48 board you're testing?
I am using OCZ Reaper 2x2GB PC2-8500. So far, it seems to be holding up quite nicely.
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post #11 of 135
4/4/08 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I'm leaning towards the X48 system now. Won't be going with SLI 8800gtx's as I won't be able to get the rebates due to their rules... Probably will either go with a single 8800gts, or 8800gtx to hold over until the 9900's are out.

Is there a reason you went with 2x2G on the memory instead of 4x1G?

As for the GO SLACR deal, I can't seem to get anyone to confirm that's the model I'll get. I'll be going through newegg, so hopefully that's what I'll get. I checked microcenter, and they say this product is no longer available...
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post #12 of 135
4/5/08 at 12:11am
Why not a E8400 Hammerhead? OEMs are going for a song...which song you may ask? I would give a J. Geils "First I Look At The Purse" ina NY minute?!?

What case are you gonna stuff all the goodies in?



Zoid
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post #13 of 135
4/5/08 at 1:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boyd View Post
Why not a E8400 Hammerhead? OEMs are going for a song...which song you may ask? I would give a J. Geils "First I Look At The Purse" ina NY minute?!?

What case are you gonna stuff all the goodies in?



Zoid
Trying to decide whether the quad is better than the e8400... Finally found some e8400's in stock so I might go that route...

I've got a brand new surplus pred 2.0 case upstairs just waiting for some hardware...
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post #14 of 135
4/5/08 at 1:28am
I likes the sound of that. Gonna be some fun.

I didn't realize that the new X48 boards won't do Nehalem? Was just looking at the 1600MHz FSB support w/X48 and 790i...tunnell vision? Also thought the Rampage will do DDR2...?



Zoid
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post #15 of 135
4/5/08 at 2:48am
Thread Starter 
The rampage will do DDR2 or DDR3, but I guess no nehalem...

I'm going around in circles with all the hardware...
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post #16 of 135
4/5/08 at 3:05am
I know thats rite.

Just get a new Birthday 790i Area-51 along with the P2 X48 @ home build and all will be rite with the universe!



Zoid
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post #17 of 135
4/5/08 at 3:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
The rampage will do DDR2 or DDR3, but I guess no nehalem...

I'm going around in circles with all the hardware...
The Rampage Formula does DD2. The Rampage Extreme? if it's coming out will be DDR3. I love my Rampage Formula. Even though it's still in the box beside me.
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post #18 of 135
4/5/08 at 3:34am
Gotta fire that mutha up!!! Let us know. Should be trading in my P5E shortly for Rampage Formula. Those bassids shazza, hulioni and Zelly got me like this!!!



Zoid
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post #19 of 135
4/5/08 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boyd View Post
Gotta fire that mutha up!!! Let us know. Should be trading in my P5E shortly for Rampage Formula. Those bassids shazza, hulioni and Zelly got me like this!!!



Zoid
Thought you were going with the AW 790i?
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post #20 of 135
4/5/08 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
Well, I'm leaning towards the X48 system now. Won't be going with SLI 8800gtx's as I won't be able to get the rebates due to their rules... Probably will either go with a single 8800gts, or 8800gtx to hold over until the 9900's are out.

Is there a reason you went with 2x2G on the memory instead of 4x1G?

As for the GO SLACR deal, I can't seem to get anyone to confirm that's the model I'll get. I'll be going through newegg, so hopefully that's what I'll get. I checked microcenter, and they say this product is no longer available...
Unless you can actually look at the retail package, you can't tell for sure. ClubIT guarantees G0 stepping.

I went with 2x2GB mainly because of price and stability (I was actually a bit afraid to get 4x1GB due to a host of memory controller problems on the latest boards - even though there were no reported issues w/the X48). If I remember correctly, it was only $140.

GBQ has 4x1GB sticks going in his new rig. I am anxious to see how well the Rampage handles them.
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