New PC Motherboard Advice

BoBoDaClown

So, I am back to hound the boards for more computer advice!

 

My gf and I have had to replace both our PCs in order to play AOC.  However, it has become a drawn out process due to the high cost (for even the moderate PCs we run).

 

My friend has said he will build the second one for us, but I have no idea what a good, decent SLI motheboard is.

I want a computer that looks something like this (eventually):

Dual Core AMD 4600+

4gb RAM (DDR 800 sweet?) 

2 Asus EN 8600GT Magic cards running in SLI config

 

 

 

Sorry, my lack of computer knowledge makes the next bit jumbled:

The reasons for the 2 x 8600 is: 

-I currently have an 8600 in my machine (which only has one vid card slot), but would like to eventually get a 9600 (as the money comes in). 

- so I thought:l get a 8600 for the machine that is being built, and later add the current 8600 to it, when I can afford a 9600. 

- In conclusion: I would have one machine running a 9600 and another 2x8600.

Does that make sense? Is my reasoning sound?  Will there be a decent improvement in how it runs with 2x8600?

 

 

I am unsure what mobo to buy (since I am a compu-retard), are the following decent? They are in my price range:

Asustek M2N SLI Socket AM2 nForce 500 SLI Chipset ATX Motherboard

or

ASUS M2N-SLI, ATX, AMD Socket AM2, Athlon 64 FX/A 

 

are they the same thing?

 

In conclusion, any advice would be awesome, but specifically:

1) advice on the SLI mobo

2) advice on the 8600x2

3) does it have to be a special kind of video card to run in SLI?  Or is it only the motherboard that matters?  And should the 2nd 8600 be the exact same video card, brand and all, as the 1st, or does it not matter?

 

Thanks for any advice guys!  You're all awesome!

 

BoBo

n25philly

You're reasoning on the SLI makes sense, you're choice of CPU doesn't not.  Go with an Intel Core 2 dual core or quad core.  AMD is a very poor choice for CPU right now, and their top phenom processor is slower than even intel's budget quad.

CleffyII

Don't get SLI if your putting in 2 8600.  They won't perform super special for the price.  Just get 1 good quality video card like a HD3870, or 8800GT.  They will outperform 2 8600 in sli.

I think he is going with AMD because of cost.  Truthfully, if you want a good budget build PC you pretty much have to go AMD.  I would aim at a better processor though like an AMD 5000+ Black Edition.  Also if you go AMD, don't get an AM2 board but an AM2+ board.  They are more rescent and will have a better upgrade future.  AM2 boards are pretty much obsolete.

xxthecorexx

i would suggest looking into a 750i chipset motherboard with maybe a E7200 wolfdale. add 2 gig of memory (1066) and the whole shebang should be around 400 bucks. later you can add another 2 gig of ram (if you're planning on running a 64bit os) , upgrade the video card, ect.

 

i agree with cleffy on pairing that 8600 tho. it just wouldn't be worth it.

BoBoDaClown

OK, thanks guys; will look into costing for those cpus and mobos.  Will even look and see if intel is an option.

 

The reasoning for the pairing of the 8600s is cos it's cost effective and I can't buy a better card right now.  So I fig if I buy another 8600, it doesn't cost me too much, it will run AOC fine (current one does), and when I need to upgrade I can pair em, and I'll only need to buy one 9600.

 

But if I won't see a noticeable improvement?

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

You guys consistently help this poor noob out

 

BoBo

xxthecorexx

Originally posted by BoBoDaClown


OK, thanks guys; will look into costing for those cpus and mobos.  Will even look and see if intel is an option.
 
The reasoning for the pairing of the 8600s is cos it's cost effective and I can't buy a better card right now.  So I fig if I buy another 8600, it doesn't cost me too much, it will run AOC fine (current one does), and when I need to upgrade I can pair em, and I'll only need to buy one 9600.
 
But if I won't see a noticeable improvement?
 
Thanks for the advice!
 
You guys consistently help this poor noob out
 
BoBo

was that a typo ?

and yeah, i agree with the line of thinking, hell.. i did the same thing myself, but by the time a paired my 8800GTS nvidia was already a generation ahead in gpus. i don't regret pairing my card, but cost wise it's a little hard to justify in order to get 10-15% increase. ati cards seem to scale a little better, but still... for any type of budget sli/crossfire just doesn't pay off.

BoBoDaClown

Originally posted by xxthecorexx


 
Originally posted by BoBoDaClown


OK, thanks guys; will look into costing for those cpus and mobos.  Will even look and see if intel is an option.
 
The reasoning for the pairing of the 8600s is cos it's cost effective and I can't buy a better card right now.  So I fig if I buy another 8600, it doesn't cost me too much, it will run AOC fine (current one does), and when I need to upgrade I can pair em, and I'll only need to buy one 9600.
 
But if I won't see a noticeable improvement?
 
Thanks for the advice!
 
You guys consistently help this poor noob out
 
BoBo

was that a typo ?

 

and yeah, i agree with the line of thinking, hell.. i did the same thing myself, but by the time a paired my 8800GTS nvidia was already a generation ahead in gpus. i don't regret pairing my card, but cost wise it's a little hard to justify in order to get 10-15% increase. ati cards seem to scale a little better, but still... for any type of budget sli/crossfire just doesn't pay off.

No, not a typo.  I have one 8600.  I can afford to buy another.  So I will have two comps running 8600s.  Then I can see myself updating to a 9600, so rather than chuck the 8600, I thought I could double them up.  Leaving one comp running 2x8600 and another 1x9600.  Make sense?  I feel I am not explaining myself well.

Essentially, for quite some time 1x8600 will be the graphics my two different machines will be running off.

Cheers

xxthecorexx

Originally posted by BoBoDaClown


 

No, not a typo.  I have one 8600.  I can afford to buy another.  So I will have two comps running 8600s.  Then I can see myself updating to a 9600, so rather than chuck the 8600, I thought I could double them up.  Leaving one comp running 2x8600 and another 1x9600.  Make sense?  I feel I am not explaining myself well.

 

Essentially, for quite some time 1x8600 will be the graphics my two different machines will be running off.

Cheers

ah.. i get what you're looking at doing...

hmm.. that's a call that you're gunna need to make. it seems like a good idea and if it's the way you can afford to do it now, then it makes sense. just don't make a bad decision now that will pigeon hole you later because of trying to salvage one of those 8600s.

is the motherboard you're intending on using the 8600s in later sli compatible ?

 

BoBoDaClown

I feared I was being a little confusing.

 

I haven't sorted the second comp out - it should have SLI config.

 

How does two 8600s in SLI compare to a single 9600?

 

Thanks for the help dude!

Rayx0r

 

Originally posted by BoBoDaClown


I feared I was being a little confusing.
 
I haven't sorted the second comp out - it should have SLI config.
 
How does two 8600s in SLI compare to a single 9600?
 
Thanks for the help dude!

9600 will be better

 

look into the 1gig 9600 boards. theyre clocked higher, cost a bit more though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125097

BoBoDaClown

Thanks Rayxor - will look into the 9600s once finance permits

Arndur

Get over the quad core AMDs duel cores are very good. I talked to someone who most likely knows more then just about anyone n these boards though im sure there are people here who knwos what he does. AMD right multi task better then Intel. A intel chip has 6 inputs and must go one at a time. AMD has 7 and they can run in at the same time. Now if you dont multi task much then a intel chip would be better as for a single program it will run it better. But if your like me and run a game, browser, chat program and a something like itunes then AMD is a better choice. The person I talked too gave me very good advice that allowed me to buy my computer. I spent $584 and got all the hardware I needed. I chose a AM2 board over AM2+ becuase I dont NEED AM2+ plus right now. I do plan to go to the phenom untill the end of the year so I was able to save almost $50 just by going with a cheaper board now. Figure out what you NEED not what you want. I started low now but it will run what I need and by the end of the year will have the specs I wanted to get but would have kept me from buying so soon.