Questions for the hardware gurus

[Zach Wegner]

I've been thinking about an upgrade for a long time now, and I think now might be the time. I just have some general questions. I'd like to build it from scratch, and get a quad core. I don't think I'd be able to afford a dual quad core, but if it is reasonable I'm certainly interested.

What is the best place to get one? I've been looking on Newegg.com and it's pretty good. Are there any other places (say ebay) to get good deals?

What all do I need? I know of a CPU, a motherboard, a case, a power supply, RAM, a hard drive, maybe a cooling system. Anything else? I am not really concerned about a video card, I can use an old one.

I'm not too interested in overclocking, unless it is 100% stable and easy to do, like as described in this thread: http://www.talkchess.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15997

Also, should I wait a few months? Any new processors on the horizon?

[tano-urayoan]

I am no expert just a reader. In this sites you could browse for what you are interested and maybe get a good deal http://www.pricegrabber.com , http://www.pricewatch.com or as you suggest ebay or even amazon.

In this site http://www.enginechess.com the author has 2 sections about computer systems and computer part reviews.

Also if you are not in a hurry you could wait for the lattest Intel processors build in 45nm. The dual cores just came out and the quad cores should arrive in the first quarter of this year. (They were hold because they found some 'problems' running at certain speed during a fixed amount of time). Or you could even wait for the next generation of ship where they integrate the memory controller in the CPU (a la AMD).

Hope this helps in your query.

[ArmoredGuns]

I can consider myself as a hardware guru.

The new 45nm Quads are coming around March, so it would be a good idea to wait for them. They overclock like a beast, and yes, overclocking is very easy and if you manage it right you can get it 100% stable which is also extremely easy to do.

Also, Newegg is the best place IMO to build one. You can find there the cheapest prices and their customer care is more than excellent.

Anything else you need to ask just contact me.

Juan-Pablo.

[seemychess]

i use newegg and zipzoomfly.com for all my hardware needs. sometimes you just have to jump in and buy your system, but nake sure it is compable (ram, motherboard and cpu) with each other. good luck.

[Dann Corbit]

I can consider myself as a hardware guru.

The new 45nm Quads are coming around March, so it would be a good idea to wait for them. They overclock like a beast, and yes, overclocking is very easy and if you manage it right you can get it 100% stable which is also extremely easy to do.

Also, Newegg is the best place IMO to build one. You can find there the cheapest prices and their customer care is more than excellent.

Anything else you need to ask just contact me.

Juan-Pablo.

Another factor is that soon machines will be implemented with DDR3 type RAM, which is a huge leap up from DDR2. So the .45 nm technology plus the DDR3 RAM should result in monster machines with a ferocious bite.

[playjunior]

If you wait, there is ALWAYS something new coming in horizon.
Also-the new stuff, when it comes out, is always expensive.

I'd just buy a quad, and spend the extra cash on engines.

[ArmoredGuns]

I can consider myself as a hardware guru.

The new 45nm Quads are coming around March, so it would be a good idea to wait for them. They overclock like a beast, and yes, overclocking is very easy and if you manage it right you can get it 100% stable which is also extremely easy to do.

Also, Newegg is the best place IMO to build one. You can find there the cheapest prices and their customer care is more than excellent.

Anything else you need to ask just contact me.

Juan-Pablo.

Another factor is that soon machines will be implemented with DDR3 type RAM, which is a huge leap up from DDR2. So the .45 nm technology plus the DDR3 RAM should result in monster machines with a ferocious bite.

The difference in performance between DDR2 and DDR3 is minimal ATM, but the difference in prices is very big.

[Dann Corbit]

I can consider myself as a hardware guru.

The new 45nm Quads are coming around March, so it would be a good idea to wait for them. They overclock like a beast, and yes, overclocking is very easy and if you manage it right you can get it 100% stable which is also extremely easy to do.

Also, Newegg is the best place IMO to build one. You can find there the cheapest prices and their customer care is more than excellent.

Anything else you need to ask just contact me.

Juan-Pablo.

When DDR3-2000 comes out (should be soon), I guess that shortly thereafter, DDR3-1800 will not be a lot more expensive than DDR2 memories.


Another factor is that soon machines will be implemented with DDR3 type RAM, which is a huge leap up from DDR2. So the .45 nm technology plus the DDR3 RAM should result in monster machines with a ferocious bite.

The difference in performance between DDR2 and DDR3 is minimal ATM, but the difference in prices is very big.

[Zach Wegner]

Another factor is that soon machines will be implemented with DDR3 type RAM, which is a huge leap up from DDR2. So the .45 nm technology plus the DDR3 RAM should result in monster machines with a ferocious bite.

I think I'll wait for the 45nm. I might just stay with the DDR2 if there's not much difference but price. I also heard that Intel has/is going to have an onboard memory bus a la AMD? Would that be on the new 45nm processors?

This is going to be a nice purchase, I just got a check for $580 for financial aid for the fall of 2007, and I'm going to get another for the spring. So I'm pretty excited about this...

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[tano-urayoan]

... I also heard that Intel has/is going to have an onboard memory bus a la AMD? Would that be on the new 45nm processors?

I think this will come next year in Intel's new architecture model.