CPU vs.GPU

Bob The Builder · 06-18-2008, 02:31 AM

I am trying to decide what to do about getting a new computer. Right now I have a circa 2000 Dell Dimension Desktop:
PIII 800 MHz,
384 MB RAM/133,
NVidia GeForce 256 graphics card,
Creative SB Live! Value 4.1 sound card,
30GB HDD-primary,
120GB HDD WD-1200JB-extra storage,
Win XP SP2

I do belive no matter what computer I get to replace this antique will be more than just a mild performance boost!! The thing is, that I have been reading through this site/forum for a couple weeks now and realize that there is so much more to computers these days that I don't want to just go to Best Buy and grab a pre-built HP pc. When I now see that I can build a really good pc for the same amount of money. Also, I don't want to buy stuff just cuz they are the latest and greatest, and that I'll probably never use that technology. What I am looking to do is web surf while running video editing software and burning to disc. My kids will need it to do homework/reports, wife will use it for word and excel projects, and for photos. Not real big into gaming, but maybe that is because I don't have a capable machine, yet! I did like to play Unreal Tournament and Quake III Arena when they first came out. Have seen some hp machines pre-built that could possibly suit my needs. Maybe this is the route I should take. I dunno.
This is a short list of what I am looking at for now (budget of $500-$800 for just the box, no periph's):

ASUS P5K Intel P35
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or E6750/Quad 6600
2-4 GB DDR2 (800)
WD 500GB
8800 GT-GS/8600GT
capable PSU
I have Asus Dual-Layer DVD Burner

This thread is titled CPU vs GPU. What should I focus on? Which will make the most difference when I am multi-tasking? Looking to get 17"-20" monitor.

Anything that you might change or add, info/input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Kesava · 06-18-2008, 02:40 AM

well a q6600 seems like what you want. and if you only want to play quake 4 arena and stuff then the 8600gt seems perfect.
seeing as its used for a lot of normal tasks and not that much gaming it would be better to focus on the cpu.

Bob The Builder · 06-18-2008, 02:40 AM

Saw this in another thread:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883229025

Is this something I should consider, or build this same machine myself, and use the saved coin for bigger monitor?

Bob The Builder · 06-18-2008, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kesava

well a q6600 seems like what you want. and if you only want to play quake 4 arena and stuff then the 8600gt seems perfect.
seeing as its used for a lot of normal tasks and not that much gaming it would be better to focus on the cpu.

So the other parts seem ok? Is there better stuff out there to replace any of these parts?

Kesava · 06-18-2008, 03:06 AM

id recommend going with a system you'd build yourself.

get 2 gig of ram not 4. well maybe 3 if you think you need it.
but xp sp2 wont recognise 4gb.

basically that list isnt too bad.
a "capable psu"?
its usually better to get a well known branded one, not just one that can put out enough wattage.
id recommend something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171018

if you get some random brand PSU they can often be bad quality and if they die then they can take other components with them.

Kesava · 06-18-2008, 03:09 AM

as for the motherboard id say you should get something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337

can you link me to the current motherboard you have listed up there?
thanks

Bob The Builder · 06-18-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kesava

as for the motherboard id say you should get something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337

can you link me to the current motherboard you have listed up there?
thanks

It was just a board that i saw in another thread:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180

It seemed to be a good board.

Kesava · 06-18-2008, 03:37 AM

i reckon for you the other board would be much better. and its fairly cheaper.

hackapelite · 06-18-2008, 04:52 AM

*AFAIK* you can get a 8800GT so cheap that, for the price, it pretty much destroys any 8600... where are you buying from?

oscaryu1 · 06-18-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackapelite

*AFAIK* you can get a 8800GT so cheap that, for the price, it pretty much destroys any 8600... where are you buying from?

And you can get a ESC 8800GTS G92 from Newegg for $159.99

06-18-2008, 02:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bob The Builder New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 21	CPU vs.GPU I am trying to decide what to do about getting a new computer. Right now I have a circa 2000 Dell Dimension Desktop: PIII 800 MHz, 384 MB RAM/133, NVidia GeForce 256 graphics card, Creative SB Live! Value 4.1 sound card, 30GB HDD-primary, 120GB HDD WD-1200JB-extra storage, Win XP SP2 I do belive no matter what computer I get to replace this antique will be more than just a mild performance boost!! The thing is, that I have been reading through this site/forum for a couple weeks now and realize that there is so much more to computers these days that I don't want to just go to Best Buy and grab a pre-built HP pc. When I now see that I can build a really good pc for the same amount of money. Also, I don't want to buy stuff just cuz they are the latest and greatest, and that I'll probably never use that technology. What I am looking to do is web surf while running video editing software and burning to disc. My kids will need it to do homework/reports, wife will use it for word and excel projects, and for photos. Not real big into gaming, but maybe that is because I don't have a capable machine, yet! I did like to play Unreal Tournament and Quake III Arena when they first came out. Have seen some hp machines pre-built that could possibly suit my needs. Maybe this is the route I should take. I dunno. This is a short list of what I am looking at for now (budget of $500-$800 for just the box, no periph's): ASUS P5K Intel P35 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or E6750/Quad 6600 2-4 GB DDR2 (800) WD 500GB 8800 GT-GS/8600GT capable PSU I have Asus Dual-Layer DVD Burner This thread is titled CPU vs GPU. What should I focus on? Which will make the most difference when I am multi-tasking? Looking to get 17"-20" monitor. Anything that you might change or add, info/input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

06-18-2008, 02:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kesava Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Age: 17 Posts: 3,197	well a q6600 seems like what you want. and if you only want to play quake 4 arena and stuff then the 8600gt seems perfect. seeing as its used for a lot of normal tasks and not that much gaming it would be better to focus on the cpu. __________________ formerly Kuzba Cpu:Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz @ 3.4Ghz Hsf:Zalman CNPS 9700 LED Ram:Generic 2 Gb 800 Mhz Gpu:XFX 8800 GT 512mb @ 700/1750/2000 Mobo:Gigabyte P31-DS3L OS:OSX 10.5.2 3dMark06:13518 MSN=kesava8@hotmail.com AIM=kesava8 Last edited by Kesava; 06-18-2008 at 02:42 AM.

06-18-2008, 03:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kesava Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Age: 17 Posts: 3,197	id recommend going with a system you'd build yourself. get 2 gig of ram not 4. well maybe 3 if you think you need it. but xp sp2 wont recognise 4gb. basically that list isnt too bad. a "capable psu"? its usually better to get a well known branded one, not just one that can put out enough wattage. id recommend something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171018 if you get some random brand PSU they can often be bad quality and if they die then they can take other components with them. __________________ formerly Kuzba Cpu:Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz @ 3.4Ghz Hsf:Zalman CNPS 9700 LED Ram:Generic 2 Gb 800 Mhz Gpu:XFX 8800 GT 512mb @ 700/1750/2000 Mobo:Gigabyte P31-DS3L OS:OSX 10.5.2 3dMark06:13518 MSN=kesava8@hotmail.com AIM=kesava8

06-18-2008, 03:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kesava Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Age: 17 Posts: 3,197	as for the motherboard id say you should get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337 can you link me to the current motherboard you have listed up there? thanks __________________ formerly Kuzba Cpu:Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz @ 3.4Ghz Hsf:Zalman CNPS 9700 LED Ram:Generic 2 Gb 800 Mhz Gpu:XFX 8800 GT 512mb @ 700/1750/2000 Mobo:Gigabyte P31-DS3L OS:OSX 10.5.2 3dMark06:13518 MSN=kesava8@hotmail.com AIM=kesava8

06-18-2008, 03:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kesava Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Age: 17 Posts: 3,197	i reckon for you the other board would be much better. and its fairly cheaper. __________________ formerly Kuzba Cpu:Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz @ 3.4Ghz Hsf:Zalman CNPS 9700 LED Ram:Generic 2 Gb 800 Mhz Gpu:XFX 8800 GT 512mb @ 700/1750/2000 Mobo:Gigabyte P31-DS3L OS:OSX 10.5.2 3dMark06:13518 MSN=kesava8@hotmail.com AIM=kesava8

06-18-2008, 02:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bob The Builder New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 21	Saw this in another thread: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883229025 Is this something I should consider, or build this same machine myself, and use the saved coin for bigger monitor?

06-18-2008, 04:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
hackapelite Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Solicitor's office Posts: 1,435	AFAIK you can get a 8800GT so cheap that, for the price, it pretty much destroys any 8600... where are you buying from? __________________ BY READING THE ABOVE POST, YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING: "The above post is provided solely for entertainment purposes and is not to be taken as professional advice. Therefore, I shall not be held responsible for any damage or losses that are result from anything I have posted, to the extent applicable by law. In the unlikely event that I CAN be held responsible, I have never been here, I am not here, and I will never be here, and it will be highly questionable whether I even exist."

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