WTB: Intel Quad Core gaming system or CPU/MB/RAM combo

neokeelo

I need at least something with the following specs

2.8ghz quad core ( I will try to overclock this to ~4ghz) also open to i5/i7
4GB RAM
4890/58xx series ATI GPU
Asus or other high end Motherboard.


Let me know what ya got and we can discuss a price.
I'm thinking ~$300 for CPU/RAM/MB

ben62670

Try newegg.com

neokeelo

I want to buy used so I can save money.

nguyendot

Good luck! It might be tough finding a high end mobo + quad core + 4 gigs o' ram. Ram has skyrocketed in price lately. I got 4 gigs end of 2008 for like $32, now it's like $99.


Hope someone has a decent deal for you.

AsSiMiLaTeD

For a gaming setup I would just go with a dual-core chip like the E8400. I wouldn't mess with a quad core, and if I did I would bypass the Q series and go straight for the i7 series. They're not bad chips, but such very few games right now fully utilize 4 cores that it's really not worth your money.

The main advantage that a dual core chip has is it's overclocking ability. you're not going to get any of the Q series chip up to 4 unless you have VERY good cooling, and even then there are only a couple chips that will reach that without water cooling.

I'd get the E8400 and a solid P45 based motherboard, and a good cooler for the CPU. That processor overclocks like a beast on decent cooling. I've got one running at 4.2 with just a tad of overvolt and it's 100% stable. I recommend the P45 chipset because it's a very solid overclocker, I especially have had great success with the Gigabyte boards.

neokeelo

Well, Im also running a e8400 at 3.9ghz but its still not enough in newer games like Battlefield Bad Company 2. I had a few people who had a Q9550 running ~4ghz on air cooling but they backed out of the sales. Hopefully I can find something from someone looking to upgrade.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Is battlefield a quad core game?

neokeelo

yep, Im playing the beta now and it uses the cpu for physics, graphics, sound, and networking. Its doesn't have hardware sound support. Most games coming out this year will take advantage of more cores. Intel is releasing its 6 core cpu pretty soon as well.

AsSiMiLaTeD

It's just odd that you're having a hard time running any game with that e8400 - I can run everything out there on that e8400 machine at max settings, Crysis included, granted there's a GTX295 in that machine. What video card are you using currently, think you could get away with just a video card upgrade?

Also, what's the stepping and revision on that e8400 you have now, you should be able to get that up to 4 if you've got a decent motherboard.

I'm not trying to discourage a new PC, just offering other options in case the upgrade doesn't work out for you.

neokeelo

Actually, the PC is for my brother. I'm building him a gaming PC on a budget.

My e8400 is ok, it handles games fine with my 4890 @1600x1200
( expect battlefield 2 and Crysis)

Dual Cores are a step back now that games take advantage of them more and you can get ones like the Q9550 very cheap used now. I wouldn't recommend anyone get a dual core if they are planning to want to play new games at high resolutions.

mshan242700

Watch tech bargains dot com for deals on Dell Vostro 420 (?) 350w psu, though (don't know if it is proprietary to mobo), but maybe not good choice for overclocking.

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19

zingo

My local Cl always has a ton of used computers for cheap. Yours might too.