Really confused about new computer build

[Network_guy]

I want to upgrade my computer very soon, probably within 2 weeks. I have alot of questions

some background info:

I want to get a q9450, a motherboard that supports it and is stable, I don't have the money for 3-way sli, I have a 8800GT

questions

Is it worth the money to invest in 1200mhz ram not overclocked?
some motherboards say (1066,800,667) supports 1200 (oc). Does that mean that it does not support 1200 not oc?
What memory should I get 1200, 1066, 800. would it be better to get 800 then oc to 1200 rather than wasting on a 1200?
Asus motherboards are $200+ for 45nm, and Gigabyte motherboards are $100+. Why is it so much cheaper, is it that asus is much better in architecture, would it be better to get a gigabyte?
I have a 8800gt should I go 2-way sli, will it make that much of a difference, if im not going 2-way sli then I don't need a sli motherboard or sli ram?
A 1000W powersupply is $40 more than a 850W, is it worth it, is there any point to the extra 150W

can anyone recomend me any products

I will thank everyone who helps me out with my new build

check this post I will update it with other questions if you would like to help

 

[Kursah]

A couple of things you need to consider when creating a new build, first off what is your goal with it? Do you just want to slap it together, install OS and games and off you go? Or do you want to slap it together, get everything running okay, and start overclocking and tuning?

That will have a big impact on what is and isn't recommended..SLI memory is more of a gimmick IMO, but SLI certified memory is usually very good quality stuff too, doesn't mean it's bad...just another label to make more sales imo.

Give us some more info on what you want your build to do, how you want it to perform, what you expect out of it, if you plan to overclock, and how far you wanna go, what kind of cooling measures you're planning on taking if overclocking and such. Do that and you'll get more accurate recommendations.

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Are you going to overclock at all either way? Gaming or everyday use or what? and just like Kursah said, you need to explain what it will be used for.

 

[cdawall]

depends on what you want to do TBH the Q9450 is a waste of money at this point a Q6600 will out oc it and is supported on many more mobos.

here is a quick build for you that leaves you plenty of upgrade room

Q6600 G0
xigmatek s1283
crucial ballstix 2x1gb (D9s)
DFI lanparty X38
epower 850w

if you have to have the Q9450 just swap it and the Q6600 everything will still work just fine

 

[Network_guy]

I will be using if for gaming (crysis and all new games as far as I can go), photoshop and other design programs, running downloading software in the background antivirus and other protection programs constantly - even while gaming

and yes I want to overclock

thanks for the replies

 

[cdawall]

I will be using if for gaming (crysis and all new games as far as I can go), photoshop and other design programs, running downloading software in the background antivirus and other protection programs constantly - even while gaming

and yes I want to overclock

thanks for the replies

the one i posted should do everything you want and assuming proper sli drivers for x38 are released you can pop in a second 8800 whenever

 

[Network_guy]

will that setup work with what I want to do

take the q6600 over the q9450, the q9450 is 45nm, the q6600 is not going to upset me in the future?
if I take the q6600 then is it better to take a wolfdale instead of it?

 

[MKmods]

as to picking a PS, first you need to know what hardware you will be using.

My PC Power & Cooling 510 runs my X2 6400 and a pair of 8800GTs just fine. If I was to OC than I would get the 610 or 750 to be safe, the Corsair PSs (520-750 are also excellent)

As to mobos I have a Asus P5N E SLI that runs quads and the new 45nm stuff (its in the low $100 range)

I try to stay away from the "Latest greatest" stuff as its a lot more $$,and usually only gets you a small increase in performance.

SLI ram is just a marketing thing.

If you get a SLI mobo and dont go SLI its no big deal, BUT it does give yo the option in the future if you change ur mind (2 8800GTs in SLI is pretty good)

 

[cdawall]

will that setup work with what I want to do

take the q6600 over the q9450, the q9450 is 45nm, the q6600 is not going to upset me in the future?
if I take the q6600 then is it better to take a wolfdale instead of it?

it wont upset you thats for sure the 45nm just put out a little less heat you will hit just as high of an oc on that Q6600 and as i said if you have to have the Q9450 just select that instead of the Q6600 everything else will stay the same

 

[A Cheese Danish]

I wouldnt recommend going duallys on video cards just yet IMO. To me, i only see a slight difference between a single card and cards in sli. like cdawall said, the q6600 is a good choice for an upgrade

 

[Network_guy]

if that setup can do everything then why are people buying new q9xxx processors? and why are people buying 4gb ram?

sorry for the amount of questions, I just want to find out everything.

 

[cdawall]

if that setup can do everything then why are people buying new q9xxx processors? and why are people buying 4gb ram?

sorry for the amount of questions, I just want to find out everything.

4gb of ram is nice but if you are only in XP 32bit you will only be able to address 3.5gb of it. considering what you want to do just order 2 sets of the ram i posted

people buy the Q9xxx series because the first number is bigger and it costs more. Some of PC builders are dumb and thats just what they go off bigger/more expensive=better thats half the reason P4s sold so well 3ghz sounded a hell of a lot better that 2ghz even if the 2ghz performed better :shadedshu

 

[Network_guy]

thanks for all the replies

should I get the 6600 over the 6750?

6600 http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=012505&cid=CPU.84
6750http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014834&cid=CPU.84

is lanparty better than asus and gigabyte, why are asus motherboards so priced compared to all other motherboard manufacturers?

 

[MKmods]

something else to consider is how much you REALLY want to OC. I OC for about 5 min a month and the rest of the time its at stock. lol

Getting a Wolfdale at 3.0Ghz may be a pretty good idea.(better than the 6750)

 

[Network_guy]

so should I get a 6600, 6750, or 6850?

or maybe I should consider getting a wolfdale at 3.0?

which is better? quad core could prove usefull.

 

[MKmods]

I would pick between the Q6600 and Wolfdale.

To me I dont see any need for 4 cores, but the Q6600 is becoming a pretty good deal.

Flip a coin

 

[Network_guy]

I would use it for conversion of files, I will be converting alot

so which is better out of the q6xxx?

 

[warhammer]

Do not get a 790i Mobo with Q6600 does not overclock well.(at this point in time with latest bios)
Stick to DDR2 mem cheaper and you get more bang for $$$
Good power supply a must.

 

[Network_guy]

I made some mistakes looking at processors, I thought 6750 was q but it was e and I looked at the price of a 6850.........

so now its at cdawalls build and now I need to decide if I should get a q6600 or an e 8400

 

[rangerone766]

so should I get a 6600, 6750, or 6850?

or maybe I should consider getting a wolfdale at 3.0?

which is better? quad core could prove usefull.

the Q6600 e6750 and e6850 will all perform about the same. if they are all clocked at the same speed. i have a quad and its very nice for running benchmarks and such. but to be honest i upgraded to this q6600 from a e6750 and the only real difference i see is in benchmark numbers.

the quads are great if your a multi-tasker. kick off a few videos to convert and play a game at the same time. until software becomes more parallel so it can take better advantage of having multi cores a quad is overkill.

on the otherhand with the price of q6600's at all time lows the make a good bang for the buck.

on good air cooling the wolfdales are hitting 4.0 ghz on averege where as a q6600 will be lucky to get 3.6 on air. in single threaded apps, the wolfdale wins.

it looks like i've contradicted myself several times so far. but really that is the nature of intels lineup right now. so many choices and all of them are a good choice, its hard to make a bad decision.

if it were me i'd have to flip a coin between the wolfdale e8xxx series and a q6600, both are so close in price atm.

 

[Pinchy]

I would go with the e8400. This is solely because you will overclock, and from what I have read and overclocked e8400 > q6600.

Its not just that though; the quad cores arent used by many apps. (only things like video encoding). When quad cores become used by nearly everything, then you should get one.

Edit: lol, ranger beat me to everything

 

[Network_guy]

everyone here has a different opinion on everything. But the bottom line is one thing is generally > to another

if I get a q6600 then I will get the cooler cdawall suggested, and the mobo

I will get the memory regardless because I heard it was good.

if I get the wolfdale then I have to find out which mobo overclocks best with it, and the best cooler

here is what I got so far for my build through Canadian websites

q6600 build

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014207&cid=RAM.346.307
http://www.1click2computers.com/product_details/detail.asp?prod_id=TPQ850
http://www.sigelectronics.com/PC-Mac-Hardware/Computer-Accessories/Xigmatek-HDT-S1283-CPU-Cooler
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22211&promoid=1046
mobo I cannot find for a good deal, it comes out to 300
*edit* http://www.tddirect.ca/products/128735/DFI/LanParty_LT_X38_T2R/

e8400 build

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=018118&cid=CPU.84
same memory
same power supply
dono about mobo
dono about cooling

 

[dj_dn]

i would buy from only one or two shops to save money on shipping. And buy the case locally cause its dang $$$ to get them shipped.

I go for ncix online and Shoprbc for local.

 

[Network_guy]

I can drive to all of these stores thanks.

 

[Network_guy]

is a xeon x3220 supirior to a q6600?