Dual Core Desktop

[kapilmunjal]

Hi,

I am planning to build a Dual Core system for my own use at home. But I am not able to figure out which Motherboard and RAM I should go for.

I would like to buy a Motherboard which should support Core2Duo processors also, so that I could upgrade my processor later.

Please help me with my queries related to the Desktop configuration.

1. Which Intel mother board supports Core2Duo and Dual Core processors?
2. Which RAM will work with this Desktop configuration - DDR 2 or DDR 3?
3. I would like to install an external Video Graphics Card with this, which are my options under this configuration.

Regards
Kapil Kumar

[toad_frog09]

Dual cores,c2d's have lost this era to 4 & 6 cores.
But some dual core chips have continued to amaze people now & then.
Regarding your config, there are several questions i'd like to ask.
1st & formost, whats your budget? Be precise.
Eg, cpu - rs 5000. & so on.
Next, Are you looking for some hardcore/casual gaming from your rig, or would it be used for programming/web surfing/audio-visual editing/24x7 downloading etc?
When are you planning to buy? And from where?
Just fill out these details.

[unidentified]

How about going with the MSI P45-8D ATX Intel P45 775 Motherboard, it supports ddr2 and ddr3 ram and also comes at a decent price:

Main Memory

• Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 667/800/ 1066 (OC) SDRAM. (Max: 16GB)
• Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.5 Volt DDR3 800/1066/1333/ 1600 (OC) SDRAM. (Max: 8GB)
• Supports dual channel memory architecture.

For CPU it supports Intel Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Duo based processors in LGA775 package.

By external graphic card what do you mean exactly, are you looking for graphic card that can be connected outside your computer case or vice versa?

[kapilmunjal]

Dual cores,c2d's have lost this era to 4 & 6 cores.
But some dual core chips have continued to amaze people now & then.
Regarding your config, there are several questions i'd like to ask.
1st & formost, whats your budget? Be precise.
Eg, cpu - rs 5000. & so on.
Next, Are you looking for some hardcore/casual gaming from your rig, or would it be used for programming/web surfing/audio-visual editing/24x7 downloading etc?
When are you planning to buy? And from where?
Just fill out these details.

My budget is not much, I would like to build a system under Rs. 14000, which could be upgraded later. I already have an old monitor, mouse, keyboard etc.

I need the system for
- casual gaming from my 3 year old kid
- programming
- web surfing/
- 24x7 downloading

My plan is to have a motherboard which supports the latest processors and the old processors also. So, if today I go for Dual Core processor with a good Motherboard, then after 1 year when the processor like C2Duo and C2Quad will be available for much less price, I will update the it.

I tried to get some information from different website and came up with this configuration

1. Intel Dual Core E5300 Processor
2. Intel Desktop Board DG43GT
3. Transcend 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Desktop Ram??????
4. I Ball Baby 306 mATX Case??????
5. Seagate 500GB Sata Hard Drive (ST3500418AS)
6. Sony 24X High Speed DVD Writer (DRU-870S)


Please help me with this, if this configuration is correct or I need to change this.

Regards
Kapil Munjal

[kapilmunjal]

How about going with the MSI P45-8D ATX Intel P45 775 Motherboard, it supports ddr2 and ddr3 ram and also comes at a decent price:

Main Memory

• Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 667/800/ 1066 (OC) SDRAM. (Max: 16GB)
• Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.5 Volt DDR3 800/1066/1333/ 1600 (OC) SDRAM. (Max: 8GB)
• Supports dual channel memory architecture.

For CPU it supports Intel Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Duo based processors in LGA775 package.

By external graphic card what do you mean exactly, are you looking for graphic card that can be connected outside your computer case or vice versa?

Thanks for your suggestion, but I would like to go for Intel motherboard only. And external graphics card means an extra graphics card other than the integrated graphics on the motherboard.

[unidentified]

1. Intel Dual Core E5300 Processor
2. Intel Desktop Board DG43GT
3. Transcend 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Desktop Ram??????
4. I Ball Baby 306 mATX Case??????
5. Seagate 500GB Sata Hard Drive (ST3500418AS)
6. Sony 24X High Speed DVD Writer (DRU-870S)

The Intel Desktop Board DG43GT alone will cost you Rs. 4833 approx., then the Intel Dual Core E5300 Processor will cost you Rs. 3500 approx., then the Transcend 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Desktop Ram will cost you Rs. 3200 approx., and rest of the hardware components that you have listed will most probably cost you Rs. 5000. No doubt the config that you have listed is good enough for every other need that you are looking for, but it is going above your budget and also you forgot that you also need to add a graphic card in your list, guess you will have to increase your limit.

[sorav]

can i get a motherboard for intel pentium dual core E5300 with ddr2 ram support upto 4gb and a graphics card add-in feature. in a price range of RS2000-3000.

[kapilmunjal]

The Intel Desktop Board DG43GT alone will cost you Rs. 4833 approx., then the Intel Dual Core E5300 Processor will cost you Rs. 3500 approx., then the Transcend 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Desktop Ram will cost you Rs. 3200 approx., and rest of the hardware components that you have listed will most probably cost you Rs. 5000. No doubt the config that you have listed is good enough for every other need that you are looking for, but it is going above your budget and also you forgot that you also need to add a graphic card in your list, guess you will have to increase your limit.

Thanks for providing the estimate of all the components. I think I will delay the buying of graphics card as of now, and will invest in one later. I have one more questions, does DG43GT support DDR3 RAM? and does iBall baby 306 cabinet is compatible with DG43GT?

Please help me with this.

[toad_frog09]

Ok, First of all, the DG43GT does not support DDR3 Memory. Check it on Intel website.
Next I cannot emphasize more for you to NOT buy a Intel board. They have very very bad reputation with their boards. I am sure the local shopkeepers of your town might have suggested you to buy a intel board reason bieng "same company" but seriously, this is not a vehicle that same company's parts would fit and work better. If you make a thread on any forum about intel motherboards, then it'd filled with bunch of negative replies all boo-ing intel boards. Dont trust me, then try it.
So the Best Motherboard manufacturers in today's time are
GIGABYTE, MSI & ASUS.

Now a bit complicated part, you've mentioned that you wanted a MOBO that would be able to hold a new CPU in future. So that you could put a new CPU in old board. But INTEL, strictly could'nt care less for Indian markets. Each time they come out with a new CPU Series, they start a new socket type. Example the i7 series intel CPU's only support a LGA 1366 based motherboard, i3 & i5 only support an LGA 1156, and C2D's & Pentium Dual Cores support only a LGA 775 based motherboard. So even if you decide to stick with a C2D on LGA775 board, which certainly is gonna die in another 2-3 years, you would be left with an under-performing computer with Huge price tag.

So my advice is to better buy a AMD CPU with AM3 based Motherboard.
In that way, you would be easily be able to upgrade CPUs.
Not to forget the huge price difference between the CPU's made by Intel and AMD.

I am falling short of time here so, i'll just quickly post the best AMD CPU and motherboard for you.
any questions,,, please do reply.

CPU - AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor

Motherboard - (All following boards are best performers as by users and experts reviewes)Foxconn A6GMV AM3 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

If this one is not available, then go with..
ASUS M4N68T-M AM3 NVIDIA Geforce 7025/nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
OR
MSI 740GM-P25 AM3 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
OR
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard


Please reply for further queries or questions....

With REgards..
Mr. Toad.

[unidentified]

No the board will not support the DDR3 RAM which you are thinking to upgrade in your system. The board can only work with the DDR2 RAM only. So no use of buying the new DDR3 RAM. I am not sure about the cabinet but i will find the solution for the same and will get back to you soon with the same. Thanks

[toad_frog09]

Its my personal opinion, other users may differ but i think that is not that worth buying a DDR2 Memory/Based motherboards in today's world.
The difference between DDR2 & DDR3 memory might not be visible to human eyes, but DDR3 certainly puts a PC a step forward. The DDR2 stick comes just 400-500 rupees cheaper than DDR3, which is well worth it.
So Its my advice for you to go with a DDR3 memory, and the motherboard supporting it.

As for the AMD CPU I mentioned about earlier the 250 is not only of the same league as of the e5300 but also is cheaper.

As for the case, this is a good one

GIGABYTE gz-KXA Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case @ under 1000. (15-17 American dollars)
But I don't find any big disadvantages of buying a local piece at a mere cost of 500-700 rupees(along as you manage to put few fans yourself).
Buying a IBall specifically does not make any big difference.