CPU question

[Uncola7]

INTRO-
OK, my name is Dan and i am 16 years old. Recently My dad and i decided that we would build a PC together because i want to pursue a career in Game Design and learn more about programing. Because we only have My Powerbook to use, we thought it would be a good idea to build a machine.

now here is where it gets tricky... well at least to me it does... we searched the webb to find all the components we want to include in our project, and we agreed on all of them except for one... The CPU. I wanted to originally use the QX9775, but then the price held me back. Through further research we both found a Processor that we thought would work with our system. I chose the Q9550, and my father chose the Q9450. This is the only thing we are disagreeing on. I think we should use the Q9550 because it has a faster clocking speed but my dad says its a little too pricey and he assures me that going with the Q4950 will suffice for the things I want to do.

Will the higher end CPU make any difference and if so how much?

This is the set up we are planning to go with

EVGA nForce 790i Ultra SLi DDR3 Motherboard
EVGA GeForce GTX 280 Graphics Card
Corsair 1000 WATT Power Supply
Western Digital 1TB SATA Drive
NZXT LEXA Blackline ATX Mid Tower
Tuniq Cooling Tower
OCZ 2GB DDR3 SLi Memory
Pioneer 2OX IDE DVD Burner
Q9550 CPU or the Q9450 CPU

also if there is anything wrong with our choices please help me and tell me what i can do to improve

 

[protokiller]

GTX 280 is a huge waste of money.

And no you won't really notice the clock speed difference, for sure not in a quad core.

 

[Uncola7]

why is the GTX 280 a waste of money? is there something better for cheaper? i eventually wanted to buy another GTX 280 and run both of them. are there any other upgrades i should consider looking ?

 

[protokiller]

After Nvidia releases better drivers the GTX280 should be the GPU king but right now it's being beat by the 9800X2. (afaik)

The best price/performance ratio goes to the Radeon 4870/4850

How long is this rig going to last? Do you plan to overclock? Are you going to be mostly gaming on this thing?

 

[Uncola7]

yes, i plan to do mostly gaming and programing. I don't really plan to overclock. This is really supposed to last me roughly 3-4 years since that is when i will be in college and doing the majority of my programming/game design work. right now i really just want a powerful machine with great specs that will not limit me in any way in the areas of programming or gaming.

Also with the ATX tower i Picked fit all of these components? I heard that the Tuniq cooling system is rather large. will it be able to fit in the NZXT case?

 

[Grimmy]

Heh... he asks about the CPU and you guys are complaining about the GPU. :lol:

Well...

Q9450 - 2.66ghz - $329
Q9550 - 2.83ghz - $549

So you wanna pay... an extra $220 for a meazly 170mhz?

Listen to dad, I'd say.

If your into OC'ing the system to its max, the Q9550 can go higher, but that depends on allot of things. The Q9450 can still keep up with it.

 

[Uncola7]

yeah, your right. are there any Bugs with either of the CPUs? and do i even need a cooling system for them or am i just being cautious?

 

[Grimmy]

The only bug would be perhaps the DTS (digital thermal sensor) perhaps. Where the temps may stick.

As far as cooling, as long as you have good airflow, and cool ambient temps, there shouldn't be anything to worry about at stock speeds. Although the Video card will produce more heat then anything on the system when its under load.

I use the ZeroTherm NV 120 on my Q6600, and it works just as good as my Tuniq. Although, its almost the same size.

 

[Uncola7]

Even though this is a thread about CPUs, i have another question pertaining to the GPU aspect of a system. Did i pick a good Graphics card as far as the GTX goes? Or is there something Better out there for the same or less price. Price is not my Main concern but i dont want to spend more than $600

 

[wrazor]

Are you in a lot of hurry?? I suppose you said you plan to sli your GTX. Proabably you might want to get ati 4870 now and upgrade to beast gpu in 3 yrs time(when you get into uni). If you can wait upto september, nvidia is reported to be releasing a beast of a card for 650$ or something. GL

 

[Uncola7]

well... in a time constraint for the motherboard, GPU, and RAM because the deals on them run out on 7/31/08 so im kind of pressed for time as far as the GPU goes but one of the reasons we had for building our own machine was the possibility of upgrading. I just wanted to know what if the GTX is considered "top of the line" for now and if not, is there anything better out there?

 

[Uncola7]

also i have a question about the OS i should use. I already have a copy of Vista Home Basic, Should i upgrade to Vista Ultimate? If so why, and what would i gain from upgrading?

 

[aznguy0028]

okay...here are my thoughts...

ditch the mobo
ditch the GTX280
ditch the DDR3 ram (can't believe no one said anything about it yet)
ditch the Q9550
ditch the PSU

Mobo: Gigabye GA-X48-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336&Tpk=x48-ds4

Vid Card: ATI/AMD Radeon 4870 (4870x2 in a few weeks if you absolutely want the top of the line)

PowerColor's 4870 254.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131113

or Asus's 4870 254.99$ also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121258

(i would get the asus, just cause i like the decal sticker on it better)

Ram: your discretion. but get either DDR2 800 or DDR2 1066 at most. price and timings are your choice

Processor - Q9450 for sure, save yourself some money in this damn crippling economy we live in right now. plus, if you do some research and read the overclocking guide in the forums here, you can get it to 3.2ghz...which is faster than your Q9550 at stock, and you just spent ZERO extra dollars for free performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042

PSU - Corsair 750TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=Corsair%2b750TX

build it, and send me a postcard on how much money i just saved you. or your 4870 if you have two

 

[aznguy0028]

and honestly...i'm just trying to save you money, because all the parts you listed are expensive and not needed. for example, you won't need DDR3 until nehalem

1000W PSU is just overkill

Q9550 is a waste of money for 170mhz faster at stock.

mobo is freaking expensive, and the 4000 series from ATI is whooping nvidia left and right across the board in price/performance...not to mention the 4870x2 that will come out soon.

happy building

 

[Uncola7]

lol thanks good advice. Its pretty hard making a PC i cant believe the whole process behind it, at first i figured buy some parts and throw stuff together... not the case at all. im still stuck at buying the components. well, i hope everything works out well and i'll send that post card when im finished lol.

 

[Vertigon]

Who decided to buy the 1000W PSU is what I want to know lol.

 

[PCnut]

I agree with aznguy0028 but i would get the Asus Rampage Formula motherboard. Everything else he said is sound advise.

 

[sarwar_r87]

^^^ lol he might need 1000W if he plans to do gtx280 sli.....

but srsly, MB, PSU, gtx 280 and also q9550 is a BIG waste of money.....go with aznguy0028; but i would also recomend waiting on 4870x2 (if u wan the "soon to be" best out there .)it should be out in weeks

 

[zenmaster]

okay...here are my thoughts...

ditch the mobo
ditch the GTX280
ditch the DDR3 ram (can't believe no one said anything about it yet)
ditch the Q9550
ditch the PSU

Mobo: Gigabye GA-X48-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336&Tpk=x48-ds4

Vid Card: ATI/AMD Radeon 4870 (4870x2 in a few weeks if you absolutely want the top of the line)

PowerColor's 4870 254.99$ after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131113

or Asus's 4870 254.99$ also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121258

(i would get the asus, just cause i like the decal sticker on it better)

Ram: your discretion. but get either DDR2 800 or DDR2 1066 at most. price and timings are your choice

Processor - Q9450 for sure, save yourself some money in this damn crippling economy we live in right now. plus, if you do some research and read the overclocking guide in the forums here, you can get it to 3.2ghz...which is faster than your Q9550 at stock, and you just spent ZERO extra dollars for free performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042

PSU - Corsair 750TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=Corsair%2b750TX

build it, and send me a postcard on how much money i just saved you. or your 4870 if you have two

Could not agree more.
And even with those cuts, it's still way more than necessary.
Thank your lucky stars you have a Dad even willing to shell that out.

A Decent system could be had for $700-$800.
The rest is just gravy, so enjoy it.

 

[Uncola7]

well i do have the cash for the more costly items like the GTX and the nForce mother board. i just wanted to know what set up gives me the most power and speed as well as the best set up for gaming and programming

 

[Wisecracker]

You are spending way too much money for very little return in performance.

E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz: $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Western Digital Raptor X 150GB 10000 RPM Hard Drive: $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136011
(for your OS/Apps)

Western Digital Caviar 640GB Hard Drive: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
(for your data - $85 with promo code EMCAHCFAD)


64-bit OS & 4-6Gb of ram.

Can beat an AMD Radeon HD 4850 in price/performance. In Crossfire will smoke the GTX 280 and cost $100 less.

 

[Vertigon]

"Thank your lucky stars you have a Dad even willing to shell that out. "

I hope you appreciate your dad Uncola. Heres the deal:

Q9450 on a X48 or P45 maniboard.
4 GB ram (low latency
2x4870's xfire
750W PSU (good name brand unit)
2XHD's sata2 in RAID0
Good high flow case (I love my Cosmos S)

This system will outperform your spec for what you need it to do and is still moderately future proof. You definetly don't need a cooler unless your going to overclock, even then you can moderately overclock with it's stock cooler. Yes I know you appreciate it.

 

[Kraynor]

I'm with everything that's been said already about saving cash and actually making a better system because of it. Here's a nice little thing some people failed to mention:

If you get the ATI 4870, you can still get a 4870x2 in the future and crossfire them.

And also something I'm surprised nobody pointed out - ditch the DVD burner, get one that's SATA2, not IDE.

 

[Uncola7]

thanks to everyone for your advice. its confusing trying to build this machine since i've never done anything like this before; i have always used macs because my brother does graphic design so those are the computers we prefer to use. the budget that we are working with is Roughly $2000. it could go a little higher than that, like another hundred dollars. I am thankful that my dad is willing to pay for this but he is not the only one, i have $1400 of my own money committed to this project so i am really the one who is paying the majority of it. So keep in mind that i have no problem paying more money for a better component if it means i am getting more out of the machine. My major obviously requires having the best graphics available to me so i just want to know Is Crossfire really that superior to SLi? I also have a question about the OS. I have a copy of Vista Basic, but should i upgrade the Vista Ultimate?

 

[Vertigon]

Well SLI and Crossfire are Nvidia's and ATI's idea of using two graphics cards to bump up performance especially at high resolution. So to know which is better you'd have to look at benchmarks in dual configuration, having said that the 4870 is the best value high end consumer card available today. Also what supreme law said holds true with RAM, then again I don't think DDR3 is too expensive for people who their RAM running at the same speed as their cpu. I am an overclocker so I don't mind shelling out for low latency quality stuff.
As for the operating system, upgrade. You don't need Ultimate but home basic is a poor choice in my opinion. Also consider getting a 64 bit version. I have Vista Business 64 and it runs bioshock, crysis etc just fine. Also adobe will be releasing 64 bit versions of Photoshop and Lightroom for PC soon which I think you'll love.
When your brother does some really high end design work on your machine he will be incredibly envious, and you will see for yourself which machine will be the better "design" machine.
Also get an antivirus, like Kasperspsky, it takes a bit of time to know how to use it, but you won't ever have to worry about anything. Don't be afraid to spend a bit on good gear, sometimes good stable overclocking gear is worth 10 times what you paid.