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Thread: Thoughts on buying a Core 2 Duo system..

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    A shadowy flight. MSIC's Avatar
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    Thoughts on buying a Core 2 Duo system..

    As per system spec, I currently run and, to be honest, am reasonably happy with a single core Opteron system, but you know, dual core, Core 2 Duo...etc.... we all want one really.
    Looking at the prices I am really quite happy with a basic CPU at not much over £100, and might even think about stretching to a 2x2MB cache'd £200 chip which also seems good value to me. And motherboards, ok, so there wasnt the best choice available at launch but now there seem some good ones in the £70 to £90 range (i like the look of an Abit one with High Def on-board sound - am becoming more and more unsure about the value/benefit of Creative PCI cards beyond a smugness of "having them").
    But you know what gets my goat at the moment?
    Memory.
    I ran with 2 x 512MB sticks nicely enough for a while, and then picked up a couple more (from Hexus, thank you mrk) and so certainly wouldnt want to drop down from 2 GB now thanks very much. But you're talking £150 minimum, £200 if you want to overclock properly.
    Now, maybe this is me being bitter, but memory should not cost as much (or more) than the CPU, no way. Just too bloody expensive.
    So i'll wait, I reckon £100 is the absolute limit for 2 Gigs. Anyone with me?
    I'm commenting on an internet forum. Your facts hold no sway over me.
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    Anthropomorphic Personification shaithis's Avatar
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    RAM has shot up in price over the last few weeks unfortunatly

    Paid around £120 for 2GB of OCZ DDR2-800 when the Conroes first released.
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    Flat cap, Whippets, Cave. Clunk's Avatar
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    It gets my goat as well. Some ram seems a tiny bit cheaper, but other stuff is still rising. It might get cheaper after xmas hopefully.

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    This RAM price thing is the only thinking preventing me from buying now and making me think it'd be better to buy in January with the sales, quad core, more C2D chipsets, DX 10 etc...

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    I just recently helped a mate spec out a conroe build and we decided that he would have to live with a 1gb stick now and buy another whenever prices calm down. Well he's moving up from a 2500+ xp to a 6600 so i think he'll be alright with single channel for a bit

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    Buy it after xmas, computer prices drop like a stone and theres lots of new stuff getting released.

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    No doubt! I'm planning my build for around the march time frame. Things should have cooled down by then. Who knows, maybe the E6600 that I want will fall below $260.00(us). Fat chance of that huh? But maybe the 2ghz of ram will fall to my magic price range, $150.00(us), fat chance of that too huh?
    I can't understand why those of us who know the least, think of themselves to know the most!

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    Quote Originally Posted by MSIC View Post
    ......... but memory should not cost as much (or more) than the CPU, no way. Just too bloody expensive.
    So i'll wait, I reckon £100 is the absolute limit for 2 Gigs. Anyone with me?
    Showing my age I guess.... but I can remember when a RAM upgrade for an Apple Mac II from 1Mb (standard) to 4Mb (outa this world...) and yes Mb, cost £1,200.00!

    LOL this stuff nowadays is real cheap in comparison - we are talking circa1988/9 - so £1200 then must be equivalent to £2,500.00 now!

    I always marvel at motherboards, we take 'em for granted, but there is so much stuff on them, they are beautiful and complex - and great value for money - try making one!

    If only Car prices had followed the same model!

    LOL
    Try to make each and every day the best it can be.

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    Moderator chuckskull's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by EtheAv8r View Post
    I always marvel at motherboards, we take 'em for granted, but there is so much stuff on them, they are beautiful and complex - and great value for money - try making one!


    I too remember when a decent PC would require you to remortgage you house and sell your sister to a shady man with gold teeth.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chuckskull View Post


    I too remember when a decent PC would require you to remortgage you house and sell your sister to a shady man with gold teeth.
    lmao.

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    Lover & Fighter Blitzen's Avatar
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    Core 2 is by far a better option than AMD nowadays.

    Even the E6400 will outrun the quickest AMD chip around.
    For under £150 there is definitely no better choice.

    If you still want decent performance on a sub £80 CPU though the AMD chips still run nice.

    Question:
    Why eat burgers when you can have steak

  12. #12
    Flat cap, Whippets, Cave. Clunk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post

    Question:
    Why eat burgers when you can have steak
    Income support?.

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