New computer

[scheides]

Fuk the desktop and fuk the games, get something that won't play games so you can focus on school. Get a laptop so its portable, you can leave and go work in a coffee shop when need be. Being stuck in a chair all the time is for the goats.

[Tachyon]

Q6600 FTW, dual core is so 2007.

http://xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2quad-q6600_8.html

I don't know what's funnier the fact that both of those CPU's are from 2007 or that the stock clocked dual core actually beat the stock clocked quad core in nearly all of those benchmarks. :D

But seriously, none of this is going to matter when Nehalem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Nehalem)is released.

[DoughtCom]

What's funny is the fact that the "stock clocked" quad core is 400MHz slower and still keeps up with the E6850, which in games is about 1% slower than an E8400. When overclocked however it can beat the other CPU in almost every category. So if you're going stock vs stock then yeah the E6850/E8400 is the better choice.

And yeah the new Core i7 processor is going to fucking annihilate everything the benchmarks and overclocking results coming in on the early motherboards are absolutely insane. $1000 for a motherboard/CPU/RAM upgrade is too steep for me though, I'll wait half a year.

References: http://en.expreview.com/2007/11/30/reviewintel-45nm-wolfdale-processor-core-2-duo-e8400.html/5

[Matt D.]

And yeah the new Core i7 processor is going to fucking annihilate everything the benchmarks and overclocking results coming in on the early motherboards are absolutely insane. $1000 for a motherboard/CPU/RAM upgrade is too steep for me though, I'll wait half a year.

I can accept a $200 price tag for a sweet motherboard, but DDR3 prices are still through the roof (it's been a year...) and that's just fucking dumb. :(

[INTRIGUED]

Well thanks for all your input guys, I have a lot to think about. Still another two months until I actually pull the trigger on this so who knows what will be out there then and for how cheap.

scheides: I already have a fairly decent laptop right now. Hughes actually picked out this one. So I suppose one of the primary reasons for the new computer is for games and music and whatever misc stuff. Starting school just gives me a reason to go buy the "one" I've always wanted.

[Pushit2.0]

I don't know what's funnier the fact that both of those CPU's are from 2007 or that the stock clocked dual core actually beat the stock clocked quad core in nearly all of those benchmarks. :D

But seriously, none of this is going to matter when Nehalem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Nehalem)is released.

That and AMD has the Deneb quad core coming also. People have done testing and with the right Mobo and air cooler have hit 4.3ghz, catching up to intel, finally. The new intel series the cheapest one for ($2xx) beats the top dog quad from intel that still retails at $1,xxx. This is going to be sweet when all this new stuff hits the stores.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i7-multigpu-sli-crossfire-game-performance-review/
In 2 months you will be able to put together a really nice rig for not a lot of coin.

~John

[NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE]

http://www.nextlevelhardware.com/storage/battleship/

Here is all you need, and will ever need, and if you don't buy it you suck.

[dumb_ricer]

It would go a long ways towards getting me back in school!

[INTRIGUED]

Well I got the computer today. Gateway DX4200-09 640 gig hard drive. 4 gig of ram and picked up two 2 gig sticks and threw them in for a hefty 8. Picked out the monitor I have been eying up and I love it. Got a 22 inch samsung, 20000:1 contrast ratio. 2ms response. One thing I am disappointed on and I know I should of researched more was the video card. The damn thing has a ATI Radeon HD 3200 freakin intergrated card. Kind of just settled on it and just figured I would Just upgrade so.. Brings upon the question. What card should I get fella's? Nothing insanely expensive but something above average.

[twack]

id probably try out one of those mini laptops, but they only cost about 300. id keep the rest of the money
i take back my recommendation, i did some research and i found that they have a lot of problems and limitations that make them not so cool