Core 2 Duo and LGA 775 (Updated!)
 

I have a question regarding the Core 2 Duo cpus running on LGA 775 mobos. Will ALL LGA 775 mobos run a Core 2 Duo CPU, or only the ones that have it written next to them (talking newegg here) that say they will?

only where it is stated, you can find more info on Core 2 ready motherboards in our Core 2 article: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=get...&articID=4 70

I decided to ask my next question in this thread since they are somewhat connected. My friend has asked me to build a new rig for him, with a $1000 budget. However I can't decide on the CPU and GPU.

Originally I had planned the following:
CPU - Core 2 Duo E6300
GPU - 2x XFX 7600GT (running in SLI)

However the following has also crossed my mind:
CPU - Core 2 Duo E6600
GPU - XFX 7600GT (no SLI)

Take the CPU and GPU out of the equation and I am at $389. If I do the SLI and weaker CPU I end up with $984, but if I do the Stronger CPU and no SLI it's $959 (all of this w/o S&H/TAX). So roughly $1k either way.

Now, my friend basically runs a pretty old AMD 754 setup with an ATI 9600.

He pretty much uses his computer to play video games. ATM the most power consuming is Counter Strike Source and Half Life 2, along with WoW.

Now he will be keeping his new computer for a long time, say 3 years minimum.

Should I offer him the CPU over GPU set up, or the GPU (in SLI) over CPU setup? Remember, the main purpose of this rig is gaming. Or, should I offer him a stronger GPU (not a 7600, but say a 7900 model) over CPU?

Suggestions/comments anyone?

A Core 2 E6300 is plenty fast for games, so better to spend more $$$ on a video card. I would consider looking into an ATI X1900XT which has come down in price quite a bit and should be within the budget. Buying SLI from the get go in never a good deal price/performance wise.

So you think I should go with an X1900XT for around $312 and just go with the E6300? Then I have a question between the difference of OEM and Retail. Which one is which, and which one should I get?

OEM version of the CPU will most likely come without a heatsink, retail with one.

if you're talking about the VGA card, OEM is card+drivers, retail is card+drivers+utils+games

If he isn't overclocking, he can save a lot of money with the Asrock motherboards.


OEM is fine to save a few dollars.

For the motherboard I was originally thinking of getting the ASUS P5NSLI at $120.

As for the Asrock, it doesn't seem to be available at newegg yet:(

Waht is the rest of the setup?

It should be possible to build a 1k system with x1900XT, 6400, Asrock TWINS or other Core 2 mobo from Asrock and 2 GB RAM if you select the right other components.

Here is what I was thinking:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 - $193.00
pqi TURBO 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel - $93.99
SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 - $319.99
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W - $84.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160811AS 160GB - $58.99
ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) - $119.99
NEC DVD Burner - $28.99
-----------------------------------
Total: $900

But your right, if I chose the E6400 over the E6300 it would still be $949 with a better CPU.

(BTW, he doesnt need a case, monitor, mouse, or keyboard)

have a look here:

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=486


there are some improvements

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 - $242.99
ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) - $119.99
OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel - $94.99
SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT - $319.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s - $77.99
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 - $84.99
Nec DVD Burner ND-3550A - $28.99
--------------------------------------------
Total: $971

I know it's only 1gb ram, but 2gb is too expensive. He can always upgrade, and pop in another 1gb whenever he wants to.

As for that ASRock mobo...I'm sorry, maybe I am just a stuborn fool here, but what exactly is so great about it. I saw a price listing of $120. And the ASUS P5NSLI looks pretty good to me. Maybe I'm blind here so open my eyes here guys:wtf:

you are taking fairly expensive memory, there are 2 GB kits for 150$ which are a better choice

Upgrading later is difficult because of the limited ram slots on some cheap motherboards and it's also a bit slower. The Asrock ones are usually ging for 60-90.

don't forget to check zipzoomfly.com, they are often cheaper and have better shipping (FedEx not UPS)

Show me a 2gb kit, that's a better choice, and costs no more than $150.

Also, thanks for recommending ZipZoomFly, I had compleatly forgotten about it;)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231081


and for motherboard:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=245016

How bout

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=245017

as it has 1066FSB and is $10 more?

Thanks for the ram link ;)

that works too, it just has to be Core 2 ready

all gigabyte mobos series 8i945xx have core2 duo support