Confused - so much choice!

[husker]

Hi all,

I currently have an MS-7185 (K8N) mobo, AMD X2 4800+ CPU and 2gb ram with 2x 8800gtx cards (running windows xp) all inside an Antec 1200 case.

I am more than happy with the 8800gtxs but I think its time to upgrade to a new mobo and CPU combo, as after playing Far Cry 2 for a while and doing some research I think they are letting me down as I am not getting the kind of FPS those 2 cards should be getting (30-40fps is all I can manage).

My budget is above average but not silly money (i.e. not a £800 CPU)

Any recommendations most welcome as after reading these forums I am a bit more confused than I was before!

 

[monkey7]

From what I have read, the Asus P5Q pro is good with an E8400 (3gHz x 2). On a higher budget you could go for an Asus maximus formula with a Q9450 (2.66gHz x 4).

The 8400 can quite easily be clocked to 4gHz x 2, and the Q9450 to 3.5 - 4gHz x 4, depending on if your are lucky with your chip and what cooling you have.

Please note that I do not have any personal experience with these boards.

 

[husker]

Thanks for the reply - I'll look at those boards and CPUs now.

Whats better dual or Quad? AMD or Intel?

 

[monkey7]

Intel is better on the prestations area, where AMD is .. well... Just not really on the enthusiast market at all as things are now.

Dualcore is currently better on the fields of heat emission (half the cores - half the heat) and budget, but future applications and games are expected to benefit more from quadcore in the future. So if you have sufficient cooling and funds a quadcore would be a good idea.

 

[°TheMadDutchDude°]

More and more games are becoming better at using the Quad core to its full potential. If you have a look at the GTA IV game (to be released shortly) it recommends a Quad due to the amount of physics it has encorporated!

If you want to "future proof" your PC, get a Quad. They're well worth the money and if you get the new Q9*** series, they overclock nicely. The Q9550 will hit 3.6 - 4GHz easily, although your milage may vary

The Asus P5Q Pro, a very nice motherboard and good value for money, Although you won't be able to SLI your graphics cards, sell them and get a new ATI HD4870

 

[monkey7]

Hmm yeah I forgot about the SLI. Would require a 790x chipset (?), but that would decrease the overclock potential, right?

*Does not know his way around in the nVidia chipsets*

 

[tonpal]

If you are not in a rush have a look at the reviews for Shanghai, they should give an indication of the potential of the upcoming Phenom II. Phenom II (Deneb) is due for release in January and may bring AMD CPUs back into the equation.

Otherwise a P45 board with an E8400 or Q9300/9400 would be a good choice. The Q9x00 CPUs have half the cache of a Q9x50 but are still good performers and are a bit easier on the wallet.