Building a super PC

B

blando3

Well-known member
I have a Dell XPS 400 with Dual Core 2.4 GHZ, 4 gigs RAM, and a 500 gig hard drive. It's 2 years old now and I am looking to upgrade and want to build my own, as fast and beefy as I can.

Any suggestions on motherboards, processors, etc?
Thanks!
 
I've heard of people building fast computers for $1000, but I'd be willing to spend up to $2000 for the right hardware.

I bought my Dell for $2300 a few years ago and I know I can build something better for less.
 
blando3 said:
I've heard of people building fast computers for $1000, but I'd be willing to spend up to $2000 for the right hardware.

I bought my Dell for $2300 a few years ago and I know I can build something better for less.
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You need server boards for Xeon's. Although it's not a bad idea, half your budget or more will go toward the Processor and Server board.

Going with a Q6600 or Q6700 you'll find yourself with plenty of processor horsepower and space to pick up larger quantities of fast Ram (8gb anyone? :D). You'll also be able to add a lot of storage space, and possibly a better LCD.

The overall package should be balanced, so to start I'd suggest lookin' at a Q6600 or Q6700 for now.
 
Kholi said:
You need server boards for Xeon's. Although it's not a bad idea, half your budget or more will go toward the Processor and Server board.

Going with a Q6600 or Q6700 you'll find yourself with plenty of processor horsepower and space to pick up larger quantities of fast Ram (8gb anyone? :D). You'll also be able to add a lot of storage space, and possibly a better LCD.

The overall package should be balanced, so to start I'd suggest lookin' at a Q6600 or Q6700 for now.
Click to expand...

you'll definitely find better value in a q6600 or q6700, but i don't think it would be worth a new build for him just to upgrade to that. if i'm going to spend two grand then i want 8 cores. :)
 
ugafan said:
you'll definitely find better value in a q6600 or q6700, but i don't think it would be worth a new build for him just to upgrade to that. if i'm going to spend two grand then i want 8 cores. :)
Click to expand...

The motherboard you'd have to buy to handle 8 Cores would run you 300.

Just for the processors and motherboard alone? Let's give a generous estimate of 1300.00 (if you find great deals).

Now, consider server boards should/need ECC Ram, add another 250+ for about 2 Gigs of ECC.

You're up to 1550. You've still got to get a case, fans (you need decent cooling for the machine), HDD space, Power Supply (750watt).

Your budget at that point exceeds 2000.00. And your rig isn't balanced.
 
I suppose I would be willing to spend more if it meant building a lightning-fast, beefy, earth-moving machine.
 
If i go with the Q6700, is there a motherboard that would allow for 2 processors? I'm looking on Newegg and they don't seem to specify that.

I figure why not go all out - 2 Quad cores (if possible) and 8 gigs of RAM!
 
I just ordered a new box and am now pacing up and down till it arrives.

Asus P5K-vm Mainboard
Quad Q6600 processor
PNY GEFORCE 8800GT XLR8 video card
Seagate 250GB C:/ sata
Seagate 1TB D:/ sata
Asus lightscribe DVD burner
Asus Bluray player+ DVD combo burner
4GB Kingston 667 MHZ ram
Sound Blaster X-FI Black platinum FATA1TY Champion series sound card.

I'm figuring this should make things GO!

Putting two quads in one box seems like putting two V8's in a Mini.

I'm wondering if this new rig will be faster overall than my P4 3ghz processor single core or will it be a tad slower with more crunching power?
 
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