Friend looking for mobo+CPU

[Yami]

My friend currently has a old dual-core AMD (2800 I think) and he has £250 to upgrade to an Intel setup, all he needs is mobo+CPU.

I'm thinking Q8300 and a mobo similar to my Asus P5N-D (he has an 8800 and plans to SLI), any recommendations/thoughts?

Also he's after an HS, he mentioned this but I recommend this, any thoughts?

 

[veedubfreak]

I'm selling my 750i FTW and q6600

 

[Yami]

I'm selling my 750i FTW and q6600

Just asked him;
"prefer new not too keen on second hand components"

 

[gurusan]

If he wants to go with over 2 cores on that kind of budget I would recommend either a Q6600 or go the AMD route for a tri-core 720 with an Asus m3n-ht mobo or something....

Otherwise I would recommend a wolfdale. An E0 E8400 is a better choice than a Q8200 for gaming.

 

[Yami]

Well I found this mobo for him, look good? XFX MB-N780-ISH9 nForce 780i SLI Socket 775 DDR2 Motherboard [MB-N780-ISH9] from Overclock.co.uk - Overclocking, Performance Computer Hardware, PCs and Laptops

Excellent for the price I must say, I want one.
I did try to convince to go for an E8400, with no luck, I will try again

Edit: Hurrah! Convinced him by showing him how well they OC ^_^ He's going for an E8400 now.

 

[gurusan]

good stuff. Clockspeed really helps with multi-gpu setups. Just make sure he snags an E0 stepping and it should do 4ghz at the bare minimum. For cooling I recommend a Sunbeamtech/Tuniq Core Contact Freezer

 

[Evolv]

Should be alright if he wants to SLI. But the Q8200 isn't a great processor, he would be better off with a Q6600 or Q9300/Q9400 if you can find them.

Edit: Oh ok, you convinced him.

 

[Yami]

So, any thoughts on the motherboard?

 

[Nagasama]

780i FTL. just my opinion. go with p45 chipset, way better than any 7-series chipset. unless he is absolutely definitely going SLI.

 

[gurusan]

I agree. I would not bother with SLI and the p45 chipsets seriously own.