I'm finally going to start a new build within the next month or so. I was going to wait for Core i7 to see what happens then, but i'm getting bored of trying to game on my old socket 754 Athlon 64 3000+ . I'm just going for a case and internals, a new 24 inch monitor may come some time next year.
I've got two specs in mind. One a Dual Core and one a Quad Core main uses will be gaming and internet browsing might try out some overclocking as well. Both specs have the following components in common:
Case: P182
Cooler: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 + Bolt thru, and MX-2 compound
Memory: 4GB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC2-6400
HDD: 640GB Western Digital WD6400AKKS
PSU: Corsair HX 520W (maybe use the 620W if I decide that I might like Xfire later)
WiFi: Netgear WG311GE
DVD: Samsung SH-223F/BEBE
Floppy: Scan Combo card reader.
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit OEM.
Now the Dual Core would have:
CPU:E8500
Motherboard:Abit iP35 Pro XE
GPU:HD4850 (HD4870)
Total Cost approx: £740 (£800)
The Quad Core would have:
CPU:Q9550 (Q6600)
Motherboard:Abit Quad-GT ix38
GPU:HD4870
Total Cost approx: £940 (£840)
I'm leaning towards the Quad Core spec as I think it will last a little longer, but the Dual Core will probably last 2.5-3 years until Core i7 becomes more mainstream and I do a new build again. Either will of course be a major boast over my current system. So which do people think would be a better choice?
Feel free to change components for better value stuff, and give me a few hints on who are good ATI card partners (good warranty, build quality, cooling, etc) as I've used nVidia mainly for the past 6-7 years.
Also sorry I had to type all this out as imageshack for some reason wouldn't let me upload pics of my baskets . Thanks for the help.