[rjohnson]

I built a compurer three or four years ago, most of the parts still work, but my graphics card is out of date, and my processor cant get the job done anymore. I want to be able to play Empire Total War. I have a list of parts that i think will help me succeed my goal, i would loke a second opinion though. Also i would like to avoid overclocking for i have no idea how to do it.
Help!

List:

1. CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
2. EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
3. GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
4. CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail
5. Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

I think that is all i will need to change.

 

[Wrench97]

The i7 cpu is a socket 1366 the board you have selected is socket 775 so that's not going to work.

i7 builds are expensive x58 motherboard, 3 sticks of tri-channel DDR3 ram.

I would use a Q9550 or for gaming a E8500 will work nicely and DDR2 800 ram on the UD3P.

Or a P6T Asus or Gigabyte EP X58 UD3P motherboard with the setup listed.

 

[Tyree]

i7 Mobo's are not completely debugged and still very much overpriced. Personally I would look into a 775 chip build for the most "bang for buck".
You will save some money and still get a great gaming experience.
Asus P5Q Mobo--Intel E8500 CPU--2X2GB PC6400RAM make a great gaming combo.

 

[rjohnson]

Sweet thanks

 

[rjohnson]

how about this?

1. Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
2. CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
3. ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Motherboard - Retail
4. EVGA 01G-P3-1281-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
5. CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
6. COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

The reason i added a case is because i dont know if i will have enough room...i probably will but i wanted to add that just in case, and if i had to select one i would use the one above if it meets yalls standards.

 

[Wrench97]

See if you can find the ram with C4 timings TWIN2X4096-6400C4
Otherwise looks good.

 

[rjohnson]

ok, so what do you recomend,
the EVGA 01G-P3-1281-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail OR EVGA 017-P3-1294-AR GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 Bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[Wrench97]

Of course the 295 would be better but more costly. If your gaming on anything less then about a 32" screen I think you'll be happy with the 285 though and doubt you would see a huge difference in a smaller screen.

 

[rjohnson]

well, as much as i would love a 32" screen, i dont have one.
thanks for the advice!