Processor recommendation

[[AK]Swae]

Calling all you computer folks!

I think it's time to upgrade the ole single core processor. I need suggestions as to what some good options are. I'd prefer to get something that I don't have to upgrade next year, but I don't want to spend a small fortune either.

So if you were about to get a new processor, what would you get?

[[AK]Nuts]

(damn swae, just came in to post the same question!)

My problem is that I get my PC's from work - they're, um... 'excess property', wink wink, nudge nudge - so they are basically business PC's and they just can't handle all of my upgrades.

The current one only has a 250w power supply. Two optical drives, two hard drives, floppy drive, USB mouse, and a new video card = FAIL. So on this computer I've max the RAM, gone as far as I can got with AGP and now it's starting to show its limitations.

So, seeing how I haven't bought a computer since 1996, maybe it's time to quit using business PC's (HP workstations) and get a real computer?

So my question is what the hell is up with dual core and quad core.
I know I need at least 3ghz and 3gb of ram (I don't want to go 64bit processing yet) and PCI-express and a fat power supply but like Swae I need a recommendation on chips.

I'm currently looking at THIS Intel Pentium D Dual Core 950 3.4Ghz PC. I'm upgrading to a 650w power supply and the Nvidia Geforce 8800gts 320mb Dual Dvi-I.

Any recommendations. C'mon guys, help out or I'll raise the price of oil. Maybe unleash the De Vinci virus at work! Hack the Gibson!

-bill

[[AK]Abaddon]

I'd be looking at the Intel Core 2 Duos or quads. I've got a Core 2 Duo 6600 (2.4 gHz), and it is smoking fast. They are affordable as well. I know you are used to seeing gHz above 3, but this is actually faster than that Pentium D.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115003

[[AK]Brorlis]

Nuts and Swae....

Here's the problem. With older Rigs, You have the limitation of AGP and the Motherboards socket. If I remember Swae you have a Dell right? Another problem, Dells don't like upgrades, their really propriatary machines.

Now the good news is that CD/DVD Roms and the such can be reused in a new rig. So any real money is just going to be spent in 4 major catagories.

1) The motherboard
2) The processor
3) The Memory
4) The Video Card

Places like Tiger Direct
and New Egg Have Motherboard combos they sell with the MB,Processor, and Memory that lessen the money blow.

Certain things your looking for in a new Rig that will buy you some time and give you room for upgrade are support for Dual and Quad core processors, and a motherboard thats SLI ready. The ability to run multiple video cards in SLI mode is amazing. You can purchase a single video card and run like that and later on buy a second, strap them in SLI and run TWICE the video. Most MB's have support for at least 4G of memory these days so thats not an issue.

I'll look around and find some MB combos that you'll enjoy for a few years without fear of having to upgrade.

[[AK]Mydrial]

Don't forget the power supply....you will be disappointed when you find out you cant run all the new gear....make sure the old one can handle the new equipment load....its really not a bad idea to upgrade it anyways...an old power supply all of a sudden running under a heavier power load doesn't make me feel comfortable.......just my .02¢

[[AK]FiGHT*CLuB]

I just rebuilt with a q6600. very nice chip.

I saved a budle of money by checking deal sites for parts i wanted.

slickdeals.net leterally saved me about 1000 bucks with my last build.

Its a forum where people post the best deals found. Sales from local chains, online sites, rebates and price mistakes exc..

Some really killer deals on parts can be found there.

Main page!
http://www.slickdeals.net/
Current hot deals forum.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?f=9

[[AK]Swae]

Nuts and Swae....

Here's the problem. With older Rigs, You have the limitation of AGP and the Motherboards socket. If I remember Swae you have a Dell right? Another problem, Dells don't like upgrades, their really propriatary machines.

Well, I had a Dell, and then Kidd got a hold of it. The only thing left from that system is the processor and the CD/DVD Rom Drive - I have a new hard drive, new video card, additional memory (can't remember if we kept the old and added or just replaced it entirely), new power supply, and a spiffy new large case with lots of fans. I know I will have to upgrade the motherboard when I get a new processor, but I'm hoping I can do so in such a way as to keep all the other components that are all < 6 months old.

Is it worth it to go with quad core at this point or would a dual core be sufficient? I know the faster the processor the better, but is there an arbitrary number that I should not go below?

[[AK]Bribo]

Is it worth it to go with quad core at this point or would a dual core be sufficient? I know the faster the processor the better, but is there an arbitrary number that I should not go below?

I recommend the 8-core!

[[AK]Brorlis]

Is it worth it to go with quad core at this point or would a dual core be sufficient? I know the faster the processor the better, but is there an arbitrary number that I should not go below?

A duel core CPU would be sufficient at this point but with prices the way they are its just a few bucks more to get a better chip. I wouldn't get anything smaller than the Q6600
Its a small quad core cpu but nothings small about it.

Couple it with this Motherboard

And this
Video Card

And you'll be a happy Gamer =)