upgrade or new build openion

[zenyora]

i currently i have this rig:
Cpu: AMD Opteron 170 dual core
Mobo: Asus A8n sli premium
Gpu: EVGA Nvidia 7800GT
Ram:OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

lately iv been thinking about a new i7 build, but the prices for the parts are still high, so do you think its worth upgrading or should i just go with a new build .

the problem though is that i might need a new board ad iv been having some weird colors and minor errors which make me think something is wrong with it , anyway let me know what you think ..

 

[Yami]

It'd be pretty hard to upgrade that, you're much better off saving the money for a new build, i7 or Core 2.

 

[zenyora]

well this is what i am thinking at this point


LG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech Black SATA Model GH20NS15

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card


ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

what do you think? would i be able to use my old ram with this board?

 

[Yami]

No, you'd need DDR2 RAM - go for something like this.

You'd be better off with a Q8300 than a Q6600.
Other than that, looks good - what about OS, PSU (power supply), and hard drive(s)?

 

[Evolv]

Q8300 are rubbish, they were pretty much a failure. He's better off spending a little extra for a Q9400.

Don't get a 9800GTX, either get a 9800GTX+ or a HD4850. I'd recommend the 4850 though.

 

[zenyora]

well i wasn't looking to spend anything over 800, i would like to save some money untill the i7 goes down in price. as for harddrives iam going to use the SATA i have in this box and the power PSU which is 750w.

but i am wondering why should i move away from both the card and the cpu that i suggested? from the reviews i read on newegg that cpu actually OCs pretty good ...

 

[Evolv]

The newer Q6600 don't overclock as well as the old ones which have G0 stepping. They have a higher VID and can only hit like 3.4-3.6Ghz. The old ones could do 4.0Ghz

You can get a HD4850 for less which is on par with a 9800GTX:
Newegg.com - MSI R4850-T2D512 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

If you go with the P5Q Pro, it can support Crossfire. That way in the future, if you need more power, you can add another 4850. It doesn't support SLI so you wouldn't be able to do that with a 9800GTX.

 

[zenyora]

thanks for the help all
at this point i am just wondering what is my best options here for $800, i don't need a case or a psu or hard drives that is still a bang for the buck until the i7s go down.

 

[Thresh25]

for 800 bucks if you don't need a psu or hdd, I'm pretty sure you could build an i7 machine.

 

[Pinscher]

for 800 bucks if you don't need a psu or hdd, I'm pretty sure you could build an i7 machine.

no that would get him pretty much a cpu, ram, and mobo with no room for a gfx card

Here's a solid system I suggest for your price range and the info you've given

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1255-A1 GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Comes to $788.24 with tax - shipping not calculated because I don't know where you are.

This build will dominate and you will be able to wait until whatever comes after i7 to upgrade.