Quadcore system advice

D3Z1R3 · 06-25-2008, 06:43 PM

Hi,
I am in the process of purchasing a new quadcore, however need some advice on two systems to decide which is better for me.

The first system is listed below:
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.40G
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L
4G Transcend DDR2 800(can upgrade to 4GB Corsair DDR2 800Mhz: for $45.00)
Western Digital SATAII 500G
Asus 20X CD/DVD-RW Dual Layer SATA with LightScribe
Nvidia GeForce 512M 8600GT PCI-Express
Realtek RTL8110SC Gigabit LAN
Realtek ALC889A Audio controller

The second system is:
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.40G
Gigabyte GA G31M S2L
4G Hynix DDR2 (800)
Samsung 750G SATAII(32M) HD
1Gb GeForce nVidia 8600GT PCI
20X DL DVDRW is LiteOn or Samsung
Integrated Gigabit LAN & High Definition Lan

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. Both are similar prices.. this would be used for general web browsing, dvd's, music and downloads.

**Fox** · 06-25-2008, 07:36 PM

Not a big gamer? If you don't plan to do serious gaming on these machines, then I'd say they might be overkill. The 8600's are somewhat weak (I don't know why they bother making the 1gb version at all), but this isn't an issue if you don't do a lot of gaming. But relative to the high-performance capabilities of the CPU and motherboard, they might be low.

What are the prices on these machines?

D3Z1R3 · 06-25-2008, 07:48 PM

Na, not a big gamer. Recently bought a PS3, so that's fine for gaming.
I'm after a system that will last me a few years.
I currently have
Intel 2.4ghz
512mb ddr
80gb

I've had this for a few years now and while it has served me well, i've had a few virus issues and my hard drive is almost full. Also burning dvd's is a hassle, as it takes upto 40mins per stage(decryption, shrink etc..)

They are around $800AUD..

patriothntr · 06-26-2008, 05:21 AM

Sounds like you could do with a lower end C2D machine, or even a triple or quad core AMD.

The 1gb 8600 cards tend to have GDDR2 which kinda sucks...I would not recommend them.

I would stick with some cheaper memory, for your uses you won't notice the difference of the better stuff...

**Fox** · 06-26-2008, 07:52 AM

Yep, the above is good advice.

Is your memory DDR1 or DDR2? If it's 2, then you have a much better upgrade path, if you choose to go that route- I think it might be better, since all you would really need to change is the hard drive (if you need more space for the media) and the ram. The processor would probably still pull its weight.

If not, like patriot said, you'd probably be better off with a more 'budget' system - you'd save yourself some money, since a lot of the components of those machines (with the exception of the video cards) are geared towards gaming.

If you're not comfortable with opening up and upgrading the computer, I would just look for a ready-built model that's more suitable for your purposes.

D3Z1R3 · 06-26-2008, 06:42 PM

My ram is DDR1.
Which system looks the better value?
If choosing system 1, would you upgrade the RAM from Transcend to Corsair for $45? Also, they are offering an upgrade of the case for $135 to http://www.antec.com/us/productDetai...?ProdID=15137# which retails at around $200 with shipping.. I think a lower end system would be sufficient, however i would like a system that i do not need to upgrade for a few years, thats why im leaning towards one of the two above.

**Fox** · 06-27-2008, 07:58 AM

I don't think it would be worth paying the price to upgrade the ram, because typically with the cheaper ram brands (transcend being one of them), they either work perfectly or they have a problem that's usually a showstopper. Let the builder test it, and you should be fine.

The corsair ram would probably be better in almost every respect, but for simple, non-intense applications, I don't think the difference would be big enough to warrant the upgrade now. If you decide you want to do it later, it may turn out that 45 dollars would be the entire cost for the new sticks, considering you can get 2GB sticks of DDR2-800 now for about 30USD, slightly more in AUD, after rebate. I don't know whether you guys get hit with VAT or whether rebates, are common, but the price of ram is falling either way.

The case is all up to you. If you think you really need the extras that it would give, go for it. Otherwise, I've always been of the mind that the case is the place to be practical with, since they can really cost a lot if you get spendy with one.

Aside from that, both of these systems look like they would have good upgrade paths, so I don't think you'd be going wrong with either of them, as long as they're a good deal and they work the way they should.

06-25-2008, 06:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
D3Z1R3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Quadcore system advice Hi, I am in the process of purchasing a new quadcore, however need some advice on two systems to decide which is better for me. The first system is listed below: Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.40G Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L 4G Transcend DDR2 800(can upgrade to 4GB Corsair DDR2 800Mhz: for $45.00) Western Digital SATAII 500G Asus 20X CD/DVD-RW Dual Layer SATA with LightScribe Nvidia GeForce 512M 8600GT PCI-Express Realtek RTL8110SC Gigabit LAN Realtek ALC889A Audio controller The second system is: Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.40G Gigabyte GA G31M S2L 4G Hynix DDR2 (800) Samsung 750G SATAII(32M) HD 1Gb GeForce nVidia 8600GT PCI 20X DL DVDRW is LiteOn or Samsung Integrated Gigabit LAN & High Definition Lan Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. Both are similar prices.. this would be used for general web browsing, dvd's, music and downloads.

06-25-2008, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fox Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: Quadcore system advice Not a big gamer? If you don't plan to do serious gaming on these machines, then I'd say they might be overkill. The 8600's are somewhat weak (I don't know why they bother making the 1gb version at all), but this isn't an issue if you don't do a lot of gaming. But relative to the high-performance capabilities of the CPU and motherboard, they might be low. What are the prices on these machines? __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

06-25-2008, 07:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
D3Z1R3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Quadcore system advice Na, not a big gamer. Recently bought a PS3, so that's fine for gaming. I'm after a system that will last me a few years. I currently have Intel 2.4ghz 512mb ddr 80gb I've had this for a few years now and while it has served me well, i've had a few virus issues and my hard drive is almost full. Also burning dvd's is a hassle, as it takes upto 40mins per stage(decryption, shrink etc..) They are around $800AUD..

06-26-2008, 05:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: Quadcore system advice Sounds like you could do with a lower end C2D machine, or even a triple or quad core AMD. The 1gb 8600 cards tend to have GDDR2 which kinda sucks...I would not recommend them. I would stick with some cheaper memory, for your uses you won't notice the difference of the better stuff...

06-26-2008, 07:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fox Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: Quadcore system advice Yep, the above is good advice. Is your memory DDR1 or DDR2? If it's 2, then you have a much better upgrade path, if you choose to go that route- I think it might be better, since all you would really need to change is the hard drive (if you need more space for the media) and the ram. The processor would probably still pull its weight. If not, like patriot said, you'd probably be better off with a more 'budget' system - you'd save yourself some money, since a lot of the components of those machines (with the exception of the video cards) are geared towards gaming. If you're not comfortable with opening up and upgrading the computer, I would just look for a ready-built model that's more suitable for your purposes. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

06-26-2008, 06:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
D3Z1R3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Quadcore system advice My ram is DDR1. Which system looks the better value? If choosing system 1, would you upgrade the RAM from Transcend to Corsair for $45? Also, they are offering an upgrade of the case for $135 to http://www.antec.com/us/productDetai...?ProdID=15137# which retails at around $200 with shipping.. I think a lower end system would be sufficient, however i would like a system that i do not need to upgrade for a few years, thats why im leaning towards one of the two above.

06-27-2008, 07:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
Fox Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: Quadcore system advice I don't think it would be worth paying the price to upgrade the ram, because typically with the cheaper ram brands (transcend being one of them), they either work perfectly or they have a problem that's usually a showstopper. Let the builder test it, and you should be fine. The corsair ram would probably be better in almost every respect, but for simple, non-intense applications, I don't think the difference would be big enough to warrant the upgrade now. If you decide you want to do it later, it may turn out that 45 dollars would be the entire cost for the new sticks, considering you can get 2GB sticks of DDR2-800 now for about 30USD, slightly more in AUD, after rebate. I don't know whether you guys get hit with VAT or whether rebates, are common, but the price of ram is falling either way. The case is all up to you. If you think you really need the extras that it would give, go for it. Otherwise, I've always been of the mind that the case is the place to be practical with, since they can really cost a lot if you get spendy with one. Aside from that, both of these systems look like they would have good upgrade paths, so I don't think you'd be going wrong with either of them, as long as they're a good deal and they work the way they should. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!