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| Thread ID: 96010 | 2008-12-25 05:35:00 | PC Upgrade | darthcarnate (14113) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 732403 | 2009-01-14 23:48:00 | This motherboard is far inferior to the Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS3R motherboard that I am currently set on - it has far less connections, supports only 2 slots of DDR2 RAM (as opposed to 4X DDR3 RAM), can only have ONE GPU, and, as far as the AsusTek website says, doesn't support quad-core CPUs, an upgrade I want to make in the future. The Gigabyte board I am looking at supports both cheaper dual-cores and high-performance quads. It may even support the new Intel i7s. Nope, the P45 CANNOT support i7. Different socket, different chipset. i7 only works with an LGA1366 socket with an X58 chipset. |
qazwsxokmijn (102) | ||
| 732404 | 2009-01-14 23:54:00 | JIMO comes down to what you can afford. If you want it for games, then I put the money to the video card and try to get some savings from your other places. GF 9600GT is pretty good for what it is at $160 or such. On a budget I wouldn't worry about DDR2 or DDR3 you cannot afford to be picky. For the motherboard, they come with a socket that the CPU sits in. AMD is different to the Intel and while it works with Dual, Quad Cores, i7 8 Cores will require a totally different motherboard with a right socket so it can physically plug in. If you not have Firewire you could save money on the motherboard or get a PCI card for that. If overall cheaper. If you are into games, and on a budget then I wouldn't worry about Quad Cores, get the Dual Core, don't even think about i7 - the motherboard with the slowest CPU - Ghz at about 2.4 I guess is gonna cost you $1,000 - 1,200 at least just for those 2 parts. |
Nomad (952) | ||
| 732405 | 2009-01-14 23:55:00 | The budget changes:rolleyes: I plan to spend mainly on a good motherboard and PSU (the Gigabyte and the NeoPower PSU), and buy an OK CPU and generic DDR3 RAM, then add in a good GPU and upgrade the RAM, then upgrade to a quad-core CPU. Someone in there (between the RAM and the CPU most likely) I plan to buy a 22" LCD screen and wireless laser mouse/keyboard, and add on a SATA HDD. |
darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732406 | 2009-01-14 23:57:00 | So what's the budget now :illogical | Nomad (952) | ||
| 732407 | 2009-01-15 00:07:00 | Thanks Nomad. I am aware about the different sockets - I didn't seriously expect it to support i7, but than I don't want to go there - the prices are ridiculous! It can support fairly advanced Core 2 Extreme quad-cores, so I'll upgrade to that much later on. As I just stated now, I intend to add on the GPU soon after I upgrade the mobo (and CPU, PSU, RAM). I do, however, want it to last for about 3 years, which is why I am getting a fairly good mobo, with lots of expandibility. I also need FireWire for my DV camera. The point is, I want a motherboard that I won't have to upgrade for quite a while, with lots of expandability. The Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS3R seems to fill that role. I also wouldn't have a clue how to put it in, and therefore will need to pay for a local PC shop to install the mobo, CPU and PSU - and I'm in Blenheim... The GPU, RAM, HDD, etc. I can handle. I believe my case is big enough: the mobo is ATX, and the case dimensions are 17.65 x 6.6 x 17.8 in (44.8 x 16.7 x 45.2 cm). I certainly don't want those cases with aerodynamic styling and a million glowing lights - I look at the screen, not the case! |
darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732408 | 2009-01-15 00:10:00 | OK... the budget was going to be $700 in a few months. Currently, atm, it's $400. However, I may gain another source of income this month, which could increase it to $830 by the end of March. This is why I want to do it in stages. |
darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732409 | 2009-01-15 00:20:00 | Generally the motherboard isn't that expandable IMO. Get the stuff you want like Firewire, or if you also want eSATA, RAID etc etc... and go with it. What I find is that even after 1 or 2 year should you upgrade, you may get more bang for your dollar by upgrading the CPU as well as the motherboard. Ie.. up a platform. IMO FSB, chipset isn't gonna do much for you, just get what is compatible at the start with the first CPU. Hence I wouldn't upgrade CPU on the same motherboard. Games tend not too impt for Quad Cores if you have a budget, I would just buy what is good now ... dual cores. To keep cost down I may go for DDR2 instead. Likewise, get the PSU from Antec with included case, not as good as Neopower but a lot less. I got a Antec case with Antec 550W for $261. For your current case, yeah ATX no probs unless it is a slimline case. If you gonna use that case and don't want your old computer for anything, just use the case, biff the guts out and chop in a new PSU or even use the current for the time being if it handles. |
Nomad (952) | ||
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