A question of choice with respect to core I7

[user1453]

Hi

I've currently got the system as shown below:

e4400 @ 3.5 ghz
thermalright tru black with dual 120mm fans in a push pul arrangment
p5n-e sli
4gb ddr 800 ram
hd4850
lcd screen 1680x1050 tn panel
2x 640 gb wd HDD's in raid 0
600w enermax psu

I've just started playing gta 4 and it is just about playable but I'd like to increase the grapical quality but I'm cpu bound currently

I was thinking that as my mobo doen't always play nice with core 2 quads of upgrading to core 2 quad

I'd like to upgrade the cpu ram and mobo, I know I can get a bolt through kit for my cooler so I'd like suggestions for the mobo and ram please. I do plan to overclock and would like to be able to hit 4ghz

total budget around £500 or less

[cmndr_andi]

In terms of motherboards, would you have a problem with a micro ATX board? The Asus rampage II Gene is only £200 and has most of the amazing features of the Rampage II Extreme.

[nightkhaos]

Do you have a preference towards any particular manufactures when it comes to boards? (i.e would you be willing to move away from ASUS?)

[user1453]

Firstly, I don't have a problem with an matx board so long as it overclocks well and isn't too stripped out compared ie I'd still like at leas 2 card crossfire/sli, 6 ram slots and good overclocking

As to motherboard manufactorer I don't mind moving away from asus, previously to this P5N-e I had an DFI nf3 and a DFI nf4, I'd like to stay away from asrock though as I have had a bad experience with them in the past.

[nightkhaos]

In that case I would recommend this DFI X58 MB, it's a good all around board, and as you probably know DFI tend to have an... extensive BIOS which is helpful for over-clocking.

[cmndr_andi]

The i7 is definitely the way forward, and the i7 920 D0 stepping is certainly the best value chip available. 4Ghz with this chip and a cooler such as a TRUE Black should be very do-able.

[nightkhaos]

I would also recommend that CPU, and that particular cooler... maybe me and cmndr_andi hang out at some of the same places eh?

[Fraz]

Are you certain you're CPU bound? I'm surpised... how did you confirm this?

[user1453]

I've had a look at both the asus gene and the DFI x58, they both seem good boards, I think they would both suit my purposes, do you think the asus would overclock more due to the additional phase on the vcore regulation circuitry?

[nightkhaos]

Well when it comes to over 6-phase power supply the difference between quality of the V rails in negiable. It all comes down to if you want to be sure that it will not wavier, if that is the case then you will want the ASUS Rampage II GENE, however if that is not important you might consider the DFI.

Looking over the two boards, personally the decision I would make would depend more on their respective prices than the quality of the phased power supplies.

[cmndr_andi]

GTA 4 is a pretty bad port and by design CPU bound, looks like the devs tried to emulate an Xbox 360 on the CPU. i'm pretty surprised he got it "playable" on a e4400 dual core. Most posts I have seen say the game brings e8400s to their knees and you need at least 3 cores to play it properly. My i7 rig runs it fine, but its not nearly as smooth as most current games with better graphics.

[Fraz]

GTA 4 is a pretty bad port and by design CPU bound, looks like the devs tried to emulate an Xbox 360 on the CPU. i'm pretty surprised he got it "playable" on a e4400 dual core. Most posts I have seen say the game brings e8400s to their knees and you need at least 3 cores to play it properly. My i7 rig runs it fine, but its not nearly as smooth as most current games with better graphics.

Interesting... thanks.

[quikgoner]

If you want to save some bucks go for the Biostar Tpower or Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4. Both are good overclockers that won't break the bank. They are also ATX form factor boards so they are bigger than the Rampage II Gene.

I've heard that the ASUS boards have a blck hole (or wall) above the 210 range. It could be specific batches though I'm not sure.

The Core i7 D0s are turning out to be some great overclockers. However its unreasonable to expect a chip to reach a certain speed. You just have to have your fingers crossed. 4Ghz isn't uncommon among avid i7 overclockers, but you do need some pretty high voltages and the temps are definately high. Make sure you have adequate cooling to complement the beast that is the TRUE.