building and computer parts

[blitzman]

Hello fellower RFDers, recently due to my old computer has busted i'm planning on building a new one. So the problem is this will be my first time actually picking the parts and build and i was wondering which CPU to go for. I want this computer to last me about 5-7 years, my friend recommended me to use this
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=023817&cid=CPU.840

but i was planning on getting a quad core. I want to build my computer in a reasonable budget , so do u have any recommendation on buy a quadcore thats around 200 or less?

also i want to ask, do any of you have a perfer place to get your computer parts(Markham or toronto)? and also i want to ask is there deals that if you purchase more than 500 bucks, will they give you discount or any extra stuff? first time doing this, so i apologize if ask a little bit more than others.

Thank you very much! and god bless

[Warlock]

If budget is tight,
The AMD Athlon II X4 620 quad cores are around $120.00

If set on a Intel system,
A member HERE (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744522) has listed Q6600 for $120.00 without heatsink.

[LeeBear]

I don't think any system you buy now will last you 5-7 years. That being said the original CPU your friend picked is terrible for price/performance (the E5xxx CPUs are half the price and nearly as fast + Overclocks a bit easier). Like the other poster said the cheapest quad core would be the AMD Athlon II X4 620 for around $120. The cheapest Intel Quad (new) would be the Q8300 at around $185. At stock speed the Q8300 will be slightly faster at most things.

For a longer lasting system for a bit more money the Intel i5 750 is your best bet, has great Single and Multi-CPU performance and is affordable for a just recently released CPU. You can get the CPU for $230 and a decent cheap motherboard (Gigabyte P55M-UD2 mATX) for $90 at this weeks NCIX sale.

If you are going to spend $500 or more, you're better off ordering your parts from NCIX or somewhere in BC. The prices are usually better then local GTA prices and you only pay one taxes so things generally end up being cheaper after all is said and done.

-LeeBear

P.S. Here's a nice place to get some comparisons between CPU's
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=109&p2=106

[willy]

Budget ?

What are you planning to use the new system for ?

[blitzman]

I was planning on using this computer mainly for some gaming on WoW, and also for work, video watching etc. Any recommendation on a quad-core in GTA? i was planning on buying a better quadcore if i conpensate on other parts. hopefully 220 or less. Right now we were planning to buy all our parts from canadascomputer, since i'm in need of a desktop right now. But any other recommendation on where i can parts for cheaper? Also i will probably post my built list , hopefully i can find a better price CPU. Thank you!

[blitzman]

any ideas?!

[maritrunks]

Why do you need a quad core?

[blitzman]

the reason why, cause first i know dualcore is kinda outdated. i was planning to use quadcore so i wouldnt need to update again for a good another 4-5 years. Also, since i'll be doing some movie editing and gaming i thought quadcore would run more smoothly.

[Warlock]

As willy already inquired,
State budget for the entire system and any component not required.
You should also state operating system that you intend to run.

[blitzman]

my budget for my overall build is around 600-700. depending and also the main focus on what i need is my cpu and motherboard. So do you guys recommend on getting the i5 quadcore?! thank you.

and the OP system i'm planning to run will be window 7, seriously i want to try a new interface. Theres not much part that i dont required other than cd drive and probably a case.

[evanx]

As willy already inquired,
State budget for the entire system and any component not required.
You should also state operating system that you intend to run.

+1, that way OP will get better advice.

[blitzman]

my budget for my overall build is around 600-700. depending and also the main focus on what i need is my cpu and motherboard. So do you guys recommend on getting the i5 quadcore?! thank you.

and the OP system i'm planning to run will be window 7, seriously i want to try a new interface. Theres not much part that i dont required other than cd drive and probably a case.

As i've mentioned i want to run window 7 when it comes out. So currently ill be running just regular window xp. So any reocommendation on the CPUs?

[Warlock]

... Theres not much part that i dont required other than cd drive and probably a case.

:confused:
Are you saying that you have a cd drive and case?
And you need everything else?

[maritrunks]

the reason why, cause first i know dualcore is kinda outdated. i was planning to use quadcore so i wouldnt need to update again for a good another 4-5 years. Also, since i'll be doing some movie editing and gaming i thought quadcore would run more smoothly.

LOL, I think you WANT a quad core, you don't really need one.

There are only a handful of apps that use all 4 cores at the same time.

Real-World Applications
3D Studio MAX using Mental Ray Renderer (>99 % of 4 cores)
Adobe Premiere Elements v3.0.2 (52-85 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
AutoGK v2.40 (30-53 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
Cinema 4d Rendering (>99 % of 4 cores)
Dr. DivX v2.0.0 (47-65 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
DVDShrink v3.2 (~90 % of 4 cores)
Lightwave 3D (>99 % of 4 cores)
Nero Suite 7.x (>90 % of 4 cores when encoding)
Noise Ninja v2.13 (~80 % of 4 cores when doing the noise reduction on an image)
Sony Vegas 7.0e (83-100 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
TMPG XPress v4.2.3.193 (65-100 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
Winrar v3.70 (~85-90 % of 4 cores on benchmark; ~75% in practice)
x264 v0.55.663 (>99 % of 4 cores when doing the 2nd pass of a 2 pass encode)

Games: None

It MAY be good for the future, but also prices in the future will be much cheaper as well. Unless you use most of the programs listed above on a daily basis, quad core is going to be useless to you. Also, in terms of Games, it's been proven that a higher frequency single core CPU is better than a lower frequency dual core CPU, plus your graphics card does most of the work anyway.

I think you should get a higher frequency core2duo and overclock it with proper cooling.

[azn_dan]

i would look into grabbing a i5 package for about 500 and if you can harvest your case, hdd, power supply, video card and what not then go ahead. If not, those are just other costs you could factor in.

[apvm]

LOL, I think you WANT a quad core, you don't really need one.

There are only a handful of apps that use all 4 cores at the same time.

Real-World Applications
3D Studio MAX using Mental Ray Renderer (>99 % of 4 cores)
Adobe Premiere Elements v3.0.2 (52-85 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
AutoGK v2.40 (30-53 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
Cinema 4d Rendering (>99 % of 4 cores)
Dr. DivX v2.0.0 (47-65 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
DVDShrink v3.2 (~90 % of 4 cores)
Lightwave 3D (>99 % of 4 cores)
Nero Suite 7.x (>90 % of 4 cores when encoding)
Noise Ninja v2.13 (~80 % of 4 cores when doing the noise reduction on an image)
Sony Vegas 7.0e (83-100 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
TMPG XPress v4.2.3.193 (65-100 % of 4 cores depending on source type, filters, etc.)
Winrar v3.70 (~85-90 % of 4 cores on benchmark; ~75% in practice)
x264 v0.55.663 (>99 % of 4 cores when doing the 2nd pass of a 2 pass encode)

Games: None

It MAY be good for the future, but also prices in the future will be much cheaper as well. Unless you use most of the programs listed above on a daily basis, quad core is going to be useless to you. Also, in terms of Games, it's been proven that a higher frequency single core CPU is better than a lower frequency dual core CPU, plus your graphics card does most of the work anyway.

I think you should get a higher frequency core2duo and overclock it with proper cooling.

Add Ripbot264 which I use it a lot to convert mkv to AVCHD, even my Phenom 9500@2.5G beats my other E2180@3.2G when it comes to encoding with this program.

Add also DVDFllick, a free DVD authourizing software, it also make use of the extra threads.

[blitzman]

i'm just thinking well ahead. I know theres not many application that uses quadcore but i'm planning to use this computer for a well ahead of time without upgrading it. Optimistically speaking, i'm just guessing new and new programs and software will start running on higher processors. But as you have mention a dualcore being about to handle games much better, do you have any recommendation in that part?

[nite4evr]

If budget is tight,
The AMD Athlon II X4 620 quad cores are around $120.00

If set on a Intel system,
A member HERE (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744522) has listed Q6600 for $120.00 without heatsink.

x2

Athlon II X4 is the new price/performance ratio quad.