Which is better? (Processor, RAM and GFX card related)

**VALIS** · September 01, 2007, 11:32 PM

Processor
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 (4 x 2.40GHZ) 1066MHZ
or
Intel Core2 Duo E6850 (2 x 3.00GHZ) 1333MHZ

Graphics Card
786MB GEFORCE 8800GTX
or
Dual 320MB GEFORCE 8800GTS SLI

RAM
2048MB Corsair XMS 800MHZ
or
4096MB Corsair DDR2 667MHZ

Cheers.

**Shaun** · September 02, 2007, 06:34 AM

Processor: I would take the Core 2 Duo, as quad cores are pretty much a waste of money at the moment. Graphics card: take the ultra high end over the two medium end cards. RAM: I don't know of any games which need more than 2GB of RAM, so just get two at the moment, and upgrade if needed (but that hopefully wont be the case for a year at least!).

**Dick** · September 02, 2007, 08:55 AM

Quad core cannot be used so go for the dual core, which you will find more useful. One very good graphics card beats two average (admittedly above avearge but for the purposes of the metaphor they will be labelled average) ones, so go for the single card. Get the 2GB of RAM and upgrade when it is cheaper to do so and when you will be able to utilise it.

**Shaun** · September 02, 2007, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Dick

Quad core cannot be used so go for the dual core, which you will find more useful.

Not only that, but I forgot to mention that there are currently no true quad core processors out; the Q#### range are essentially two dual cores stuck together, rather than an actual quad core.

@Duke: that's what we are here for.

**VALIS** · September 02, 2007, 01:51 PM

Cheers guys.
I wasn't sure, especially when it came to the processor.

**VALIS** · September 03, 2007, 03:51 AM

Also should I get XMS2 RAM or DDR2 RAM?

**Freddie** · September 03, 2007, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by Duke

Also should I get XMS2 RAM or DDR2 RAM?

Its the same thing, XMS2 is just a brand name that Corsair uses to market its range of 'premium' DDR2 memory. Frankly I think premium ram is a waste of money, those stupid heatspreaders that they put on them do jack bit to cool the memory modules. I would go with either Crucial or Corsair normal/value ram.

Do you plan to overclcok your CPU?

**VALIS** · September 03, 2007, 04:53 AM

Originally Posted by Freddie

Its the same thing, XMS2 is just a brand name that Corsair uses to market its range of 'premium' DDR2 memory. Frankly I think premium ram is a waste of money, those stupid heatspreaders that they put on them do jack bit to cool the memory modules. I would go with either Crucial or Corsair normal/value ram.

But XMS2 is 800MHZ while standard DDR2 is only 667MHZ.......is that a significant leap or ultimately irrelevant and a waste?

Do you plan to overclcok your CPU?

No.

**Freddie** · September 03, 2007, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Duke

But XMS2 is 800MHZ while standard DDR2 is only 667MHZ.......is that a significant leap or ultimately irrelevant and a waste?

All that means is that the XMS2 module you are looking at is running at a different speed. You can get DDR2 that runs at 800MHZ. I’m not going to get into FSB ratios with you so I will say is you want 800MHZ ram.

BTW if you can try and get your memory from Crucial as you get a life’s times warranty with it.

**Ummagumma** · September 03, 2007, 09:37 AM

With memory choices, I'll always recommend GeiL. When set up correctly it works like a charm, and when you overclock it can outperform many other brands 'premium' memory. (The 667Mhz sticks have been tested to operate at speeds over 945Mhz at the same timings.. over 40% overclock with just a voltage increase!)

If you are from the UK, you may be interested in this (great offer!)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-058-GL