I posted this on eq2flames but will also post here b/c some of you know this stuff pretty well :)


So if I have core2 6600 (2.4Ghz) do you think if I went to one of the new core i7's 2.66Ghz I'd see much difference? If not, suggestions as to what I should look into? I play EQ2 but I also play other games L4D, CoD, WAR, LoTRO, etc.

Sorry I don't know the exact number of this the system is a few years old... here is what system info says....

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2394 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)


currently I have:
core 2 @2.4Ghz
4GB RAM
9800GT (OC) w/512MB

I'm considering:
920 @2.66Ghz
6GB RAM
285 w/2GB RAM

would I see a significant jump in performance?

Thanks :D

Yes.

you are using 64bit windows right?

Just asking my friend loaded up his mobo with 8gigs of ram and was pissed it would use it all due to 32bit.

The core i7 2.66 is VERY overclock-able. I haven't built out a new system yet, but a friend at work just built out his and, with an after market fan (nothing too expensive, just better than stock) he is at 3.6 and stable. Supposedly it will hold stable at 4.0, but it is suggested you have a better cooling system.

You are factoring in getting a new MoBo, though, right? Also, the i7's use DDR3, a more expensive RAM, so you'll have to factor that in as well... the only things you'd be able to use off the old system are the HDD(s), DVD, case, and power (if its sufficient). Probably better off building from scratch and having a second decent system.

This is what I was considering.... I've been using cyberpower and ibuypower for configurators and then cross checking with newegg and tiger for parts to determine if I'd build or buy parts... I haven't decided yet tbh.

Do I really need a 750W PSU? They start me off with a 500W I assume I'd need something a little beefier.


CASE: NZXT Zero 2 Crafted Series Steel Full Tower 420W Case (Black Color Trim)
Neon Light Upgrade: NONE
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Default case fans
POWER SUPPLY Upgrade: 750 Watts Power Supplies (Ultra Lifetime Series Pro)
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366
COOLING FAN : CoolerMaster V8 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent Operation at only 22dBA + Overclock Proof)
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P6T Deluxe V2 Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Mainboard SAS Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA w/ eSATA, Dual GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394a, & 7.1Audio
MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) PC1333 DDR3 PC3 10666 Triple Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
FREEBIES: None
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX285 2GB 16X PCIe Video Card (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
VIDEO CARD 2: None
VIDEO CARD 3: None
MULTIPLE VIDEO CARD SETTINGS: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
LCD Monitor: NONE
2nd Monitor: NONE
HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Data Hard Drive: NONE
HARD DRIVE COOLING FAN : None
USB PORTABLE DRIVE: NONE
Optical Drive: (Special Price) LG 22X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (Black Color)
Optical Drive 2: NONE
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
SPEAKERS: NONE
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
MODEM: NONE
KEYBOARD: Logitech Deluxe 250 USB Keyboard (Black Color)
MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
Extra Thermal Display : NONE
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: NONE
Flash Media Reader/Writer: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
VIDEO CAMERA: NONE
PRINTER: None
PRINTER CABLE: None
IEEE CARD: NONE
USB PORT: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
FLOPPY: NONE
OS: NONE - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
FREEBIES: None
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
RUSH SERVICE: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS

I think I'm running a 650W at the moment in a gaming computer (core 2 processor, 8800 GT video card, all ram slots used, PCI sound, etc) and thats more than enough. I'd be more concerned with it being an Ultra brand though. I haven't had much luck with it (one DOA, and another modular one that went belly-up about 2 months in on the same configuration). If you're looking for recommendations on a power supply, I'd check out one of these (http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?Family=MjM2). I have a 650 in mine for a few years now and I've had no problems with it.

Other than that, I'd just want to know what brand of video card you're looking for. EVGA is my personal recommendation, if you're given the choice. Good pricing and great performance.

Alrighty and yes EVGA is an option.

I hope this won't create much of a tangent, but have you (or anyone else here) had any experience with liquid cooling? I have had a few folks at work talk it up as being a nice alternative for heavy powered systems (think gaming), but these folks do tend to be a bit over-impressed with their geek-lore, so I take it with a grain of salt.

Just curious if liquid cooling is a viable alternative regarding cost and maintenance, etc.

I think they're overcomplicated and unneeded unless you're doing some crazy OC stuff. But even then I know of people OCing the 2.66 i7 core to 4Ghz on just air. It's not as expensive as it used to be but meh, I don't see a need for it yet.

Well, since you'd be new to liquid cooling I would definately not go straight with the processor you want to use (and expensive at that). When you start out learning how to do it, you will burn up a lot of cpu's and a few motherboards depending.

Imho, liquid cooling requires way too much constant maintenance, and the cost is dependant on how good you maintain it. A good fan cooling is my choice, and overclock it from there. Requires little to no constant maintenance, with a nice boost in power.

I have yet to try out the new hybrid cpu cooling fans, but I might soon. I have heard mixed reviews on them.

I hope this won't create much of a tangent, but have you (or anyone else here) had any experience with liquid cooling? I have had a few folks at work talk it up as being a nice alternative for heavy powered systems (think gaming), but these folks do tend to be a bit over-impressed with their geek-lore, so I take it with a grain of salt.

Just curious if liquid cooling is a viable alternative regarding cost and maintenance, etc.

You definitely don't want to get into that, unless you enjoy working on your computer as much as using it.

I just bought 2 of these, one for me, one for Leah.
I read on some website that if you use the code INSTANT you can save 5% off purchases $999 and more on cyberpowerpc.com. I tried that and it essentially saved me shipping. I figure I have some wiggle room for growth with this setup.



*BASE_PRICE: [+1395]
CAS: Apevia X-Telstar Junior 420W Case w/ Temp Display and Fan Control (G Type Blue Color with Side-Window)
CASUPGRADE: NONE
CS_FAN: Extra Case Cooling Fan [+3] (1 x Fan)
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366 [-296]
CD: LG 20X Double Layer DVD+-RW Super Allwrite + Lightscribe Technology [+5] (Black Color)
CD2: NONE [-14]
FA_HDD: None
FLASHMEDIA: None
FREEBIE_CU1: FREE Game! Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X
FREEBIE_CU2: FREE! CyberPower Multi-Purpose Carrying Briefcase ($19.99 Value)
FREEBIE_CU3: FREE! Cyberpower Unleash The Power T-Shirt ($19 Value)
FAN: CoolerMaster V8 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent Operation at only 22dBA + Overclock Proof) [+58]
FREEBIE_RM: None
FLOPPY: NONE
FREEBIE_OS: FREE! (Halo 2) Game
HDD: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
HDD2: NONE
IEEE_CARD: NONE
KEYBOARD: Logitech Deluxe 250 USB Keyboard (Black Color)
MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
MODEM: NONE
MULTIVIEW: Xtreme Performance in SLI/CrossFireX Gaming Mode Supports Single Monitor
MONITOR: NONE
MONITOR2: NONE
MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE X58 GA-EX58-UD3R 2 WAY CROSSFIRE/SLI DDR3
MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) PC1333 DDR3 PC3 10666 Triple Channel Memory (Corsair Dominator [+19])
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
OS: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1 (64-bit Edition)
PRINTER: None
PRINTER_CABLE: None
POWERSUPPLY: 800 Watts Power Supplies [+24] (CyberPowerPC XF800S Performance ATX 2.0 Power - Quad SLI Ready)
RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
SPEAKERS: NONE
TEMP: NONE
TVRC: None
USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
USBHD: NONE
VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX285 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+240] (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA [+5])
VIDEO2: None [-122]
VIDEO3: None
WNC: NONE
_PRICE: (+1317)
_view_: detail

I'd suggest adding a discrete sound card at some point. Even the best onboard audio sounds horrible compared to a real sound card.

I have one I'll be dropping in actually as well as other gadgets :)

YAY it finally got here :)

That CPU cooler is massive I didn't know it was THAT big jesus, b/c of it I didn't get a fan on the side of the case but added another in the front.

Now for the joys of installing all my games /wrists

That's a nice setup you have there Fild! I like laptops, I guess I'm addicted to being able to get up and move around when I'm at the house.