advice pc hardware (yet again)

Good choice to keep the PSU and chassis. If you're going to OC, then you could save a bit with the E8400 and just clock it up a bit. Also, you could save a bit by getting DDR-800 RAM, instead of 1066. Also, I haven't been following graphics cards, but couldn't you save a bit by getting the 1GB card (if there is one) as you really don't need 2GB of graphics memory... I would also recommend buying aftermarket CPU and graphics coolers. The Zalman CNPS 9700AlCu (CPU) and Zalman CNPS VF1000 (graphics) should do well.

PM PostmanPot, he should be able to sort out some good prices for you.
 
The E8400 and E8500 dont have much of a price difference ... yes been reading up on DDR2800 vs DDR2 1066 ... noting that the E8500 has a FSB of 1333Mhz and multiplier of 9.5x would i be correct in saying that even the DDR2-800 wont be operating anywhere near its 800Mhz speed under non-overclocked conditions??? ...
 
adamr said:
The E8400 and E8500 dont have much of a price difference ... yes been reading up on DDR2800 vs DDR2 1066 ... noting that the E8500 has a FSB of 1333Mhz and multiplier of 9.5x would i be correct in saying that even the DDR2-800 wont be operating anywhere near its 800Mhz speed under non-overclocked conditions??? ...
Click to expand...

Only if you insist on running it in a 1:1 ratio between the bus speed and the RAM. :)
 
I see you are going fro the ATI card, which is a waste unless you are running at a high resolution. As discussed earlier, the current resolution you are playing at right now is too little for a card like you are going to buy. Unless you change to 22" or higher soon, that card is wasted. Unless the Crossfire profiles in the driver have been properly implemented for newer games, you'll find that the card will end up defaulting to using one GPU only, thereby wasting half of your card.

I see the reason why you were struggling with Crysis now, after you posted what you want to sell. Even the 8800GTX can't power that game alone with such older equipment.

@ Grimspoon

Glad I could help a little, hope it continues to run well from now on. :)
 
Asha'man X said:
.... Unless the Crossfire profiles in the driver have been properly implemented for newer games, you'll find that the card will end up defaulting to using one GPU only....
Click to expand...

mmm did not know that ... i know the card is a dual GPU type of setup, but always thought on a single card solutions its like a single card ... guess then im better off with the 280GTX (this is a single gpu solution right?), sure at 1280x1024 its quicker ... need to google this ... not good experience with SLI and the like ... so i wont do the cross-fire thing ... its a waste like u pointed out ... the game needs to have that profile


EDIT:

ok this will be the pc spec ... now to start getting prices :D

4 Gig DDR2-800 Mushkin CL4 Memory
Asus P5Q Motherboard
GTX 280 Geforce
Antec P180 Silver (keeping my case) ... actually maybe not ... want the Coolermaster Cosmos 1000
X-Fi Elite Pro Sound Card (keeping my sound card)
WiFi Card (still decide which one)
E8500 Intel Dual Core
Seagate 320 Gig HDD 7200RPM
22" Samsung LCD (i decided will sell my 19" Viewsonic)
Samsung DVD Writer (keeping my writer)
Samsung CD Writer (keeping my writer)
Silverstone 750W PSU (keeping my PSU)
 
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This's what I'd advise (in terms of BEST quality)

I hope you're willing to maybe buy from more than one shop, cause I'll quote from different shops :

Motherboard :
Choose your chipset first.
I'd go with either the P45 or X48.

P45 supports DDR2 - 1066, X48 only via OC'ing.

The ASUS boards are only that popular because of the added sound-card.
You have a sound-card, so it's unneccessary.

Best boards IMO (quality-wise): DFI, you can get them at www.landmarkpc.co.za


Board that's current world record holder for best OC (highest FSB on a P45):
Biostar-Tpower


My choice : DFI P45.

CPU :

E8500 is best value for money ATM.
(Upgrade to a 3.5 odd GHz Quad in a year's time when it's supported by games.)

If you're not scared of whipping out another R1000, get a Q9550 now already, they're about R3400 @ pcint.

RAM :
If you're not looking at overclocking too madly, go cheap!
If you go P45 : Get DDR1066
The following sticks are all great :

If you go X48, either overclock and use the DDR1066's or get some of these : DDR800
DDR3??? - not worth it yet.

PSU :
I'd keep the one you have, it's a great PSU and you're gonna waste it if you buy a similar new one.

The following are all great :

HDD :
There's been some complaints against the new Seagate 500GB's. I think the new batches is fine though.

Your own choice, either go 320GB, but I'd go for either the 500GB from www.pcint.co.za
Graphics :

The Sapphire 4870X2 is fine, BUT :
You'll NEVER need 2GB Video-RAM on 1280x1024

If you plan on keeping the 19", rather go 4870.. It's almost IDENTICAL in performance on resolutions < 1680x1050.

Sell off your 19" and buy a 22" or better, lookey here : http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/samsung-t260-rose-black-wide-screen-p-2143.html :)

Sound :
Your soundcard is great, but I think headphones are MUCH better then speakers, even surround-sound.

I'd get a set of these :

Sennheiser is probably the best, although the Rzer and SteelSeries are very popular too.

Case :

Keep your P180, it rocks!

If you're itching, the only cases you can "upgrade" to would be one of these :

 
I'd definitely keep the P180. You can't get much better than that. He also mentione that he would be storing data on an external drive, so maybe consider a VelociRaptor...
 
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