So Which Conroe Should I buy? [Archive] - Bjorn3d.com Forums brought to you by XFX

ToXic_WaSTe

07-15-2006, 04:35 PM

Whatever any of you get, don't buy until the 965 chipset is out and established a month or so, you'll regret it if you go with the 975 or a 965 that isn't ready for Prime Time.
Will it really be a month before before the p965 is ready? I thought the 965 was a mainstream board, not a high end OC

Miles

07-15-2006, 05:00 PM

The p965 will be offered in several configurations for both mainstream and especially high end OC...It may be shorter than a month, but don't get the board until you're sure it's a stable revision...The 965 is especially designed for the Conroe!

werty316

07-15-2006, 05:10 PM

I would get the E6600 if I had a choice as based on the reviews so far it OC's to around 3.4GHz @ stock volts and 4GHz with a bit more volts on air. X6800 is a complete waste when a cheaper chip ran reach its speed and more.

I always prefer the cheapest of the chips that OC'd really well. Thats why I got a A64 3000+ which I OC'd to 2.8GHz which I will never do again.

GIBSON

07-15-2006, 05:35 PM

I always prefer the cheapest of the chips that OC'd really well. Thats why I got a A64 3000+ which I OC'd to 2.8GHz which I will never do again.
Why not?

Anyhow, I'd also suggest getting the E6600 it's certainly the most bang for the buck. It has 4mb cache so the only difference with the higher priced models is clockspeed. I'm actually thinking bout getting one of these for my cousin, however, will both processor and decent motherboard be available before the end of august?

Miles

07-15-2006, 05:42 PM

965 boards and Conroe processors should be plentiful by the first week in August...give the board 30 days at least before buying it for any revisions that were missed in the initial build to get it out fast. Most rev2 motherboards are worth the wait and Intel is no exception.

BTW I would buy the Intel produced MB as well, ocing restrictions will be lifted on the 965 enthusiast model:mrgreen:

werty316

07-15-2006, 05:43 PM

I should have mentioned I had to put 1.7V to reach 2.8GHz from stock 1.8GHz. 1.7V is way too scary.

Expect the Core2Duo both boards and CPUs but the end of Augest.

Scott

07-15-2006, 05:59 PM

nForce 590 for me.

Victor

07-15-2006, 06:00 PM

I think E6600 is a best price/performance ratio. 300 for the CPU that has 4MB cache and at 2.4 GHz, which I think you should easily OC to 3gig.

Rather than wait for the p965 chipset, I think use the nforce5 chipset for conroe maybe even a better combo.

Man, Scott, you sure want to get into Conroe, getting tired of the AM2:).

GIBSON

07-15-2006, 08:41 PM

Expect the Core2Duo both boards and CPUs but the end of Augest.
So does that mean for or after the end of august :confused: (Sorry if this is obvious to some of you, but english isn't my native language!)

Kougar

07-15-2006, 09:09 PM

I agree with Miles, the motherboard will be key... If it can handle a 400FSB, 16000mhz QDR then running a 1:1 ratio with DDR2-800 would be possible, and 667/800 seems to be the sweet spot for memory speeds with Conroe. At that same FSB setting, the E6600 would be at 3.6ghz, but the E6700 would be at 4ghz.

4ghz seems to be the threshold for Conroe without resorting to exotic cooling, a AM2 9500 cooler can get a revision 5 E6600 and E6700 to 3.8ghz to 4ghz on average.

The problem though is I'd wait to make sure the new Revision 6 chips are still being binned the same as the Revision 5s, as so far a couple Revision 6 X6800s couldn't even reach 3.5ghz without extreme voltage hikes. All the retail Core 2 Duos will be Revision 6 chips.

Right now I'm planning on waiting to see how it plays out then I'll decide either way, as I will either be buying a E6600 or E6700 myself. ;)

Scott

07-15-2006, 09:55 PM

I have decided I will wait till Vista unless Intel sends us a CPU to review. By then we may have a challenger from AMD.

werty316

07-15-2006, 10:03 PM

Even if you can't reach a OC to 3.5GHz that is still a 1.1GHz OC for a E6600. I would be satisfied but 4GHz OC form 2.4GHz would be sweet.

Kougar

07-15-2006, 11:27 PM

The price gouging should be gone by then at least. Sure hope Intel sends you a CPU to review, especially a retail model, (B2 stepping, Revision 6) as I've still not found a single review using these. And RD600 will have been tested... ;)

Werty, so far these were both X6800's. However after finally finishing wading through those threads it might just be issues with the mainboards they were using, the 975X Intel BadAxe and the Asus P5wdh. Both were not handling well, and used the 975X chipset... I'd be pretty sure the nForce 590 SLI wouldn't have the same issues and once the 965P chipset is worked out they shouldn't either.

Scott, have your friends at nVidia released any FSB overclocking numbers for the 590 chipset yet?

ToXic_WaSTe

07-15-2006, 11:40 PM

I agree with Miles, the motherboard will be key... If it can handle a 400FSB, 16000mhz QDR then running a 1:1 ratio with DDR2-800 would be possible, and 667/800 seems to be the sweet spot for memory speeds with Conroe. At that same FSB setting, the E6600 would be at 3.6ghz, but the E6700 would be at 4ghz.

4ghz seems to be the threshold for Conroe without resorting to exotic cooling, a AM2 9500 cooler can get a revision 5 E6600 and E6700 to 3.8ghz to 4ghz on average.

The problem though is I'd wait to make sure the new Revision 6 chips are still being BINNED the same as the Revision 5s, as so far a couple Revision 6 X6800s couldn't even reach 3.5ghz without extreme voltage hikes. All the retail Core 2 Duos will be Revision 6 chips.

Right now I'm planning on waiting to see how it plays out then I'll decide either way, as I will either be buying a E6600 or E6700 myself. ;)

First, where do you see them hitting 4Ghz?

Second, what do you mean with binned, do they oc worse then the next revision or revision 5? So you dont think i should by one when they arrive at newegg?

werty316

07-16-2006, 12:13 AM

First, where do you see them hitting 4Ghz?

Second, what do you mean with binned, do they oc worse then the next revision or revision 5? So you dont think i should by one when they arrive at newegg?

Anandtech guys OC'd a E6600 form a stock 2.40GHz to 4GHz.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=18
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3940/oc6600al7.th.jpg (http://img77.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oc6600al7.jpg)
4GHz; oh yeah ;)

He meant they would bin bad OC'ing chips in the next batch. I would wait for some user reviews before buying one.

Victor

07-16-2006, 04:27 AM

I think it would be hard for AMD to catch up at the moment with Vista. Intel is really pricing the cpu at the price that it's pushing a big pressure on AMD. I think waiting till Vista is nice but then again, that would be probably like 6month, and by then, who knows maybe AMD will release something. Still the performance of Conroe and the power usage of the cpu is just amazing. I am hoping that intel will release a cheap version soon.

Kougar

07-16-2006, 04:50 AM

Well, quite a few people have ramped B1 Stepping 5 Core 2 Duos between 3.6ghz to 4ghz. The majority are people over at the XtremeSystems forums that've been doing it with some pretty flaky motherboard support half the time, and the rest have been a handful of other online reviews released before the NDA lifted. Using LN2, one XS member reached 5.2ghz for a Prime95 1m run of just under 10 seconds.

Anandtech overclocked their E6600 to 4ghz, their X6800 to 4 ghz, and strangely enough their E6700 to 3.9ghz, all stabily using a air-cooled Tuniq Tower and a Asus P5W-DH mainboard (975x chipset).

The funny thing is, both Tom's Hardware Guide and Tech Report were only able to reach ~3.46ghz with a X6800 :confused: As a reference, most Revision 5 B1 chips reach this point using only stock voltage, but even so it was the best they could attain. THG also used a Asus P5W-DH.

Regardless of all of this, I would only suggest a E6600 or E6700... more then former than the later due to the price/performance ratio. But honestly I'd only recommend what I plan to do myself, which is wait until the shipping model (Revision 6 B2s) hit people's hands in enough numbers that I can figure out how well each of these chips overclocks on average before I'll pick one.

vfrex

07-16-2006, 11:47 AM

Also, don't forget that Vista has a 20% chance of being delayed further.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-16-2006, 12:30 PM

But honestly I'd only recommend what I plan to do myself, which is wait until the shipping model (Revision 6 B2s) hit people's hands in enough numbers that I can figure out how well each of these chips overclocks on average before I'll pick one.

So you recommend waiting until they ship on the ...23rd it think?

GIBSON

07-16-2006, 12:43 PM

So you recommend waiting until they ship on the ...23rd it think?
If i'm nost mistaken, retailers will carry core 2 Duo cpu's starting from august 7

ToXic_WaSTe

07-16-2006, 12:58 PM

If i'm nost mistaken, retailers will carry core 2 Duo cpu's starting from august 7

http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/itnews.php?tid=627088

They say B2 stepping by the end of the month.

GIBSON

07-16-2006, 01:11 PM

http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/itnews.php?tid=627088

They say B2 stepping by the end of the month.
It will already be released by the end of the month, of course, but as from what I've head all the big system builders like dell 'n all will get first opportunity. That's why you probably shouldn't expect core 2 duo's in retail (seperately sold, not in a system) by around august 7.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-16-2006, 01:17 PM

It will already be released by the end of the month, of course, but as from what I've head all the big system builders like dell 'n all will get first opportunity. That's why you probably shouldn't expect core 2 duo's in retail (seperately sold, not in a system) by around august 7.

"While the performance NDA lifts later tonight availability isn’t expected until July 23rd, 2006. On July 23rd, 2006 consumers should be able to purchase Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors from most online retailers and stores. That being said, it's not unlikely that some merchants will start showing stock immediately to pre-empt shipments. Intel will officially announce availability on July 27, 2006."

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2711

hmmm online retailers, sounds like newegg and tigerdirect and the likes, and if not the 23rd then on the 27th they should be available

werty316

07-16-2006, 06:25 PM

Just wait near middle/end of Augest and watch out for customer reviews on sites like newegg.

Scott

07-16-2006, 06:38 PM

Yup good point there to look at the user reviews. Well if I get one from Intel to review then I will rebuild my rig. Otherwise I will hang on with the FX 62 for a while. I am pretty broke right now and have to get the kids school supplies and stuff for August.

Victor

07-16-2006, 06:42 PM

more of reasons to wait:). I think we all just can't resist after seeing the unbelievable performance of conroe and we all want to get out hands with it.:)

Kougar

07-16-2006, 11:00 PM

Intel is really pricing the cpu at the price that it's pushing a big pressure on AMD. I think waiting till Vista is nice but then again, that would be probably like 6month, and by then, who knows maybe AMD will release something. Still the performance of Conroe and the power usage of the cpu is just amazing. I am hoping that intel will release a cheap version soon.

AMD will be releasing the FX64 this fall (90nm), and also their 65nm Brisbane chips will be starting out in December, but be pretty scarce for a month or two.

$183 per lots of 1,000 for a E6300 is a pretty low price, considering it gives the performance of a X2 4200-4600 depending on the benchmark used. It even beat the 5000+ a couple times, and doesn't lose once to the X2 3800+ As far as games go, it's as fast as a X2 4600+ processor if not better. :mrgreen: No need to even mention the OCing headroom on it will be bigger...

By the first week of August everyone will have Core 2 Duos, and a few will get them faster than that. I've misplaced the link, but one of the major distribution nodes has a database for the people they supply to with ship/arrive dates listed. Almost all of them were listed as receiving stock from the 1st to the 8th of August, but again this wasn't a primary distributor... ;)

tomato

07-17-2006, 04:56 AM

Otherwise I will hang on with the FX 62 for a while.

Hey Scott, if you're just "hanging on" with FX 62, I would gladly take it off of your hands :P ;)

But if you were choosing an Intel CPU right now, I would get the E6600 and OC the hell out of it, it's just waaaay too good of a price to performance ratio if you OC it.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-17-2006, 11:17 AM

Just wait near middle/end of Augest and watch out for customer reviews on sites like newegg.

Well my problem is, that at the end of august a friend of mine will make a trip to Denmark(this happens once a year or less) and he will gladly get the CPU for me, but he is leaving the first of august, and this is the only chance i have to get this chip more then 50% of the danish price. (Vat. is 25% in denmark and if customs get a hold of it i will have to pay the extra 25% for the CPU). So I really cant wait till late august:(

werty316

07-17-2006, 05:41 PM

Ah well since you have no choice then go for it.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-17-2006, 08:24 PM

So you still think the E6600 will outpreform the E6700 in OC?

werty316

07-17-2006, 08:41 PM

The E6600 is cheaper by around $200 and only 270MHz slower than the E6700 so paying $200 for 270Mhz more isn't worth it since both chips so far showed they are both great OC'ing CPUs.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-17-2006, 08:58 PM

The E6600 is cheaper by around $200 and only 270MHz slower than the E6700 so paying $200 for 270Mhz more isn't worth it since both chips so far showed they are both great OC'ing CPUs.

Okay thanks;) ill read the reviews for the 10th time, and hopefully decide on which one. It just seems riduculus if its the exact same chip where they just lowered the speed, and they all OC the same. Then there would be no reason to pay the 200$ extra, and Intel isnt stupid, so I'm afraid i might not get the OC i want.

Kougar

07-17-2006, 09:15 PM

The E6600 shouldn't outperform/outclock a E6700, which was what made Anand's tests so surprising.

Nab the E6600, as 4ghz will be the limit regardless of whatever chip is used, and the worst case scenario would be that you get stuck at a ceiling of 3.4ghz with one. So in effect you'd be paying not quite double the retail price for just an extra ~400mhz. Due to how these things are produced YMMV, as always though... I'd bet 3.6-3.8 would be the cut off before voltages reach high levels.

Chakka

07-19-2006, 04:13 PM

I just am not buying any first generation product anymore. Im waiting for the first revision of any new product before I buy. I got stuck with a lowly winchester cpu when amd went to the 90nm process and its a slug compared to the venice cpu revision. Second, my motherboard is a slug too...so Ive learned my lesson.

Even though conroe beats amd on benchmarks, I have yet to see reviews which state Im going to get substantially better performance on games than with my current X2 3800+.

Good luck to you all who by 1st generation products.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-19-2006, 04:49 PM

Good luck to you all who by 1st generation products.

Thank you, I hope it works out alright:wink: But still think that the chips are going to preform fine, and OC like they should, but wish me luck anyways. I'm ordering as soon as newegg has stock 8)

werty316

07-19-2006, 05:53 PM

But future revisions should mean better OCing ;) and other stuff just how the Venice chip got a better memory controller, SSE3 instructions and 90nm process.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-19-2006, 08:01 PM

But future revisions should mean better OCing ;) and other stuff just how the Venice chip got a better memory controller, SSE3 instructions and 90nm process.

Just lie to me and say....

Yes that sounds like a great idea, i would do the exact same... then i dont have to go wondering if im rushing my rig... ;) but has to be now if i want it at a good price. :???:

But you are probably right... :S

Kougar

07-19-2006, 10:40 PM

Well, that is the problem. Conroe is already a deeply revisioned product! My only qualms are the price gouging, and lack of real motherboard support until August/September for nVidia and ATI to climb onto the bandwagon/bullet train.

Stepping | Revision
A0 1
A1 2
A2 3
B0 4
B1 5
B2 6

B2 Stepping 6 is the retail product, while most of the online world only has or used B0 4s and B1 5s ES samples to review from.

If you wait the current CPU or whatever will always get a upgrade... Infact, you can expect SSE5 Conroes at some point. While the Core 2 Duo processor uses the brand new SSE4, this instruction code was designed for the sucessor to Prelser, but not Conroe. SSE5 will be the Conroe optimized instruction set....

ToXic_WaSTe

07-19-2006, 10:43 PM

werty316

07-20-2006, 12:11 AM

So any release date on SSE5???

Search and find out as I don't think he works for Intel. Don't expect SSE5 right away.

Kougar

07-20-2006, 02:20 AM

So any release date on SSE5???

I wish I knew! I only know odd bits and pieces because I run through the XtremeSystems forums, or a few people that do happen to work at Intel post some good stuff in the THG forums.

Werty, I tried searching for "Intel SSE5", but google sent me right back here with the feeling lucky button... :mrgreen:

Honestly, I couldn't even give a guess because I have nothing to go on, just what was said about SSE4 as opposed to SSE5. Intel may add it into their Core 2 Duos at some future date, but I don't see that happening until they change them from 1066FSB to 1333FSB, or some other significant change. Which could very well mean SSE5 won't show up until the die shrink to 45nm for the 2nd half of next year with Penryn.

GIBSON

07-20-2006, 11:29 AM

But future revisions should mean better OCing ;) and other stuff just how the Venice chip got a better memory controller, SSE3 instructions and 90nm process.
As far as I know venice slightly clocked lower than its predecessor. The memory controller was more optimised, but had to lose a bit of headroom.
Concerning the SSE5. I really wouldn't care about it, it's not like SSE5 will make that much of a difference. And how long would it take until software starts to take advantage of SSE5?

ToXic_WaSTe

07-20-2006, 11:36 AM

Concerning the SSE5. I really wouldn't care about it, it's not like SSE5 will make that much of a difference. And how long would it take until software starts to take advantage of SSE5?

Is there even need for quad core yet...?

if you didnt see http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33151

THE CEO of Intel told financial analysts at a web cst last night that it will release its Kentsfield and Cloverton quad core chips before the end of this year.

Great :( another reason for waiting

werty316

07-20-2006, 06:51 PM

Untill apps and games support quadcore, nope there is not need but they would be damn good for Folding.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-20-2006, 07:12 PM

Untill apps and games support quadcore, nope there is not need but they would be damn good for Folding.

A Kentsfield running 4.5Ghz got 6000 3dmarks(06) in CPU test. That is pretty D**N fast.

Remeber 2x 285 Opterons@3187mhz each x4 cores cooled by swiftech water cooling get 4052 in CPU test 3dmark06.

, but would like to know what kentsfield gets stock.

Kougar

07-20-2006, 08:26 PM

Concerning the SSE5. I really wouldn't care about it, it's not like SSE5 will make that much of a difference. And how long would it take until software starts to take advantage of SSE5?

Exactly. There is not even anything out there that makes use of SSE4 yet and nothing expected that I've heard about. It's only a matter of time until AMD adds this instruction set into their next CPUs though anyway.

Considering that Intel has not bothered to copy 3dNow! or all the other instruction sets AMD used to create, you would think AMD would push for a new code of their own now that they have significantly more market dominance.

Kougar

07-20-2006, 08:33 PM

A Kentsfield running 4.5Ghz got 6000 3dmarks(06) in CPU test. That is pretty D**N fast.

Remeber 2x 285 Opterons@3187mhz each x4 cores cooled by swiftech water cooling get 4052 in CPU test 3dmark06.

, but would like to know what kentsfield gets stock.

I haven't been keeping up lately, I didn't know they'd gotten one above 3.6ghz :shock:

As far as stock speeds go, that is a tough one to answer. So far I have seen multiple Kentsfield B0 Stepping 4 processors (Engineering Samples) that were at stock, clocked at 2.4ghz or clocked at 2.67ghz. So I don't know what the stock speed for a retail Kentsfield will be... however both chips were quite thoroughly benchmarked in 3dmark06 and everything else, you'll just need to do a little searching through the XtremeSystems forums as the threads are now quite old... :mrgreen:

werty316

07-20-2006, 09:12 PM

Heres the link the the 4.5GHz OC QuadCore.

http://www.tyrou.net/screens/kentsfield-4455.png

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=107092
Rig description :
Intel D975XBX rev304, unmodded
Kentsfield K6700, step4
4*1GB Corsair 6400C3
Ati X1900XTX Crossfire
PCP 850SSI

The only working (and with overclocking abilities) motherboard I have for now is an unmodded Intel D975XBX rev304, with the last official bios. Kenstfield is not officially supported (scheduled for Q1'07, so nothing weird here...) and the fsb crashes above ~270-275MHz. Fortunately my sample is fully unlocked, from 6x to ... i've tried 16x for now, and it works well, it seems that it's like the X6800 on this point.

Kougar

07-20-2006, 09:45 PM

That is just plain insane... only used the multipliers too?!

The sad thing is, at 2.66ghz Kentsfield was showing it was moderately hobbled by a 1066mhz FSB bottleneck... a 4.5ghz Kentsfield would be plain crippled in comparison I would think. :(

Edit: Of course after reading his thread it doesn't sound quite that bad though

GIBSON

07-21-2006, 06:02 PM

Damn, I didn't knew there were kentsfields out there already. Those babies seem blistering fast!
BTW Kougar, I don't think the did so by only upping the multiplier. Would be pretty gay if he did. He probably upped the fsb to 275mhz (the max it would support)

werty316

07-21-2006, 06:11 PM

Based on the CPU-Z screenshot and link all the person did was up the CPU multiplier.

GIBSON

07-21-2006, 06:14 PM

Based on the CPU-Z screenshot and link all the person did was up the CPU multiplier.
Oh, I forgot these babies run at a 266fsb at stock :roll:

tomato

07-21-2006, 07:05 PM

HOLY SH*T, that's fast!!! Good luck trying to find a Kentsfield, everyone :? Those babies are gonna sell out, and fast!

Kougar

07-21-2006, 09:39 PM

HOLY SH*T, that's fast!!! Good luck trying to find a Kentsfield, everyone :? Those babies are gonna sell out, and fast!

Ultimate Moral Dilemma:

1) Buy Core 2 Duo now
or
2) Buy Core 4 Extreme later.

:| :| :|

ToXic_WaSTe

07-21-2006, 10:12 PM

Ultimate Moral Dilemma:

1) Buy Core 2 Duo now
or
2) Buy Core 4 Extreme later.

:| :| :|

Exactly my problem, a quad core would be awesome. :P ... Thats why i'm waiting with my new rig after all... DX10 will be out, 2x 16Pci-e Crossfire mobos will be out and Vista will be out, along with Kentsfield... All of this around December. :shock: So i cant see why i should throw my money at a new rig when so close to all of that. Maybe we will know more about K8L by that time too.

werty316

07-21-2006, 10:58 PM

Chakka

07-23-2006, 02:57 PM

Exactly my problem, a quad core would be awesome. :P ... Thats why i'm waiting with my new rig after all... DX10 will be out, 2x 16Pci-e Crossfire mobos will be out and Vista will be out, along with Kentsfield... All of this around December. :shock: So i cant see why i should throw my money at a new rig when so close to all of that. Maybe we will know more about K8L by that time too.

Agreed, too many changes occuring right now so if you can afford to wait, wait. The last purchase I made was in April when I got a 7900gt (modded it to 7900gtx speeds, couldnt resist). Wanted to run all of last and this years games which it is performing really well.

Everything you mention above will make all of my equipment obsolete along with anything you buy if you want to run the latest and greatest next year.

vfrex

07-23-2006, 03:06 PM

Theres always gonna be something better evey six months so why wait? You'll have to keep waiting and waiting for something you want like when a six or eight core CPU is out so your choice would have changed by then.

Wait if your current CPU is still sufficient. Otherwise, try to latch onto a processor that will hold its value for a while. I don't think that this is a difficult motto to live by.

ToXic_WaSTe

07-25-2006, 09:31 AM

Theres always gonna be something better evey six months so why wait? You'll have to keep waiting and waiting for something you want like when a six or eight core CPU is out so your choice would have changed by then.

Normally i wouldnt wait, but its the fact that DX10 will be out, and I dont want to buy something now that wont cut it next year. This rig will have to last me a lot of years and why get it now if the timing isnt optimal. But was looking forward to putting the darn thing together:S

Kougar

07-25-2006, 10:12 AM

Ya could always simply build your top of the line system with a Core 2 Duo processor... and then plug a PCI graphics card into it and use that until DX10 hardware arrives and prices settle on it. ;)

ToXic_WaSTe

07-25-2006, 10:19 AM

Ya could always simply build your top of the line system with a Core 2 Duo processor... and then plug a PCI graphics card into it and use that until DX10 hardware arrives and prices settle on it. ;)

No point in getting top of the line everything and then using a S****y PCI-E card for 6 months. :wink:

Thats why its just as good to wait, yes you get a faster proccesor but it's the gaming preformance im after too.

Kougar

07-25-2006, 10:42 AM

Ah, but I said PCI, not PCI-e :mrgreen:

I never game on my desktop anymore anyway, except for one or two games that a 9600XT could handle. ;) Having the raw CPU crunchpower and dual core with a PCI GPU is a small price to pay... and anyway I still have a working 4mb Matrox Millennium card that runs XP just great. ;)

GIBSON

07-25-2006, 11:05 AM

No point in getting top of the line everything and then using a S****y PCI-E card for 6 months. :wink:

Thats why its just as good to wait, yes you get a faster proccesor but it's the gaming preformance im after too.
Why not, it's not like DX10 is going to do anything. Just buy a good gfxcard now. And buy another one in a year or so if you really want to (it's not like the old one won't be able to run the games as some people might want to make you believe). DX10 will need some time to settle in so you might expect it being used by the second generation of DX10 cards I think. (or wait, vista is going to use DX10 right? Anyhow, you might not get all the eye candy then but hey, if vista is delayed again it will all settle right to buy a rig now and upgrade gfx later on.)

ToXic_WaSTe

07-28-2006, 03:51 PM

Why not, it's not like DX10 is going to do anything. Just buy a good gfxcard now. And buy another one in a year or so if you really want to (it's not like the old one won't be able to run the games as some people might want to make you believe). DX10 will need some time to settle in so you might expect it being used by the second generation of DX10 cards I think. (or wait, vista is going to use DX10 right? Anyhow, you might not get all the eye candy then but hey, if vista is delayed again it will all settle right to buy a rig now and upgrade gfx later on.)

I dont know about you but i dont have the money for a 500$ graphics every 3 to 6 months. This rig has to last... To make it all simple i just made a pro and con list... :lol:
The pro for waiting won.

BTW
DX10 is coming out with vista