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losername

How do all!

I'm not sure this is really the right place for this post, but I'm going to try anyway! It's at least partly related to money saving, so here goes! :rolleyes:

I'm specing up a new PC for home/gaming use and while I'm trying to be frugal, I don't want to end up going through the same excercise again in six months. I've more or less decided upon most of the components, except one:

The processor; I've no doubt about the choice between Intel and AMD - AMD every time. However I'm struggling between the 64x2 4400+ (1 Mb Cache per core) and the 4200+ (512K cache per core).

The cost difference is around £80, so what do people think - should I pay the extra for the chunk of L2 cache or save my dough?

Thanks all,

Losername

tr3mor

Depends what else is in your budget? It could be worth spending the extra £80 on memory, graphics card, a better monitor or even a really nice keyboard and mouse. What's the rest of your spec looking like?

losername

Thanks for the swift reply.

I'm not looking for a new monitor - I'm sticking to the one I currently use. The rest of the box is as follows:

Mobo: ASUS A8N SLI Socket 939 nForce 4
Memory : Corsair Value 2GB
CPU : Athlon 64 x2 4400
Graphics Card: GF 6800GS 256 (Not sure about manufacturer)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 250
Case: Antec Sonata II

I was hoping if I dropped the proc I'd actually keep the cash :eek:
Oh well, just a thought!

Toxteth_OGrady

This is a far better mobo for your cpu, esp. if you want to o/c. Checkout the online reviews but nothing else touches the DFIs for s939 at the mo.

:cool:

TOG

losername

It's certainly a nice Mobo Toxteth, however, significantly more pricey. Are you suggesting I drop to the 4200 and spend the cash on the DFI board?

Can you advise what added benefit it would bring? I've always heard DFI were the best, but never known why!

Toxteth_OGrady

I would and then o/c the 4200.

:cool:

TOG

losername

Thanks TOG, I'll certainly give that some consideration although I'm not big into overclocking (warantee etc )

brummybloke

i would spend the extra on a 7800gt graphics card to be honest, unless you plan on overclocking the 6800

chewy110

if you want maximum value for money and dont mind a bit of overclocking then look no further than an amd opteron up 144. they are goning to sell quickly on http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/AMD_Athlon_MP.html because they are basically the same as the £600+ fx57's and can easily overclock to 2.8 ghz. do a few searched on google to find out more.
oh and i just got one and a DFI LanParty UT NF4 SLI-D mb for it too. it's like christmas all over again!
:beer:

wolfman

Toxteth_OGrady wrote:

This is a far better mobo for your cpu, esp. if you want to o/c. Checkout the online reviews but nothing else touches the DFIs for s939 at the mo.

:cool:

TOG

I dunno, the DFI is a good board but I'd go with either the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum or the Abit AN8. They provide some of the best performance with a good all round package. MSI have generally been seen as the king, especially with the Neo2 which was arguably the best nForce3 board.

Also I wouldn't bother overclocking if you're getting something that powerful. I can't really comment on the difference between the two cpu's you mention as I've not read up on it.

However, alternate upgrades could be, better quality ram instead of the Corsair value stuff. Or upgrade the graphics card. My 6800GT is doing ok, although is entry level given the consumption of the most recent games.

Or performance aside, maybe a bluetooth keyboard. I'd recommend the Apple Pro one, very nice. Or a Logitech MX1000.

Nice choice in case, I've always been impressed with the Sonata's.

losername

Thanks for info Wolfman,

I was always given to believe that MSI, Abit and Asus were kind of in the same league. That said, I have heard a lot of good things about the Neo4, so I'll give that a look.

I must say I'm surprised to hear you say your 6800GT is becoming 'entry level', but I really can't bring myself to spend more than £250 on a graphics card (7800) :eek:

I'm fairly happy with the value ram. It's a saving of £70 and the timings are pretty similar, I'm just losing out on the heat spreaders (not too worried by this as I'm not OC'ing).

Losername