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[BravoSuperStar]

So if I could get the desktop above for $500 would that be a good deal? cant I still play games on it? Also how much better is the 4890 over the two gpu's I listed above? Could I just upgrade the vcard and be good?

Is the 4890 the best ati card out there? Can I get a passive heatsink and remove the fan on it??

Yeah that desktop is not even close to being worth $500. Even at $300 it's a complete ripoff. It's basically outdated garbage. Laptop is decent except for the video card. I can't in good conscience recommend either one. You are far better served building your own.

 

[ACH1LL3US]

I wouldn't pay more than $100 for that desktop, all of its parts need replacing to get it upto modern standards. You could buy something brand new that would obiterate it for $600 or less. Modern games will run like shit on that old thing.

No way you want to be running a high end videocard passively, its just not going to happen.

If I upgraded, if I got the 4890 can you use a pasive cooling option heatsink on it? would the 4890 be able to run most games currently out there well?

What system would you recommend building if the budget was say $600 and one if the sky was the limit?

 

[HotItalianSausage]

Yeah that desktop is not even close to being worth $500. Even at $300 it's a complete ripoff. It's basically outdated garbage. Laptop is decent except for the video card. I can't in good conscience recommend either one. You are far better served building your own.

Now for the kicker:

Which would run games (Very general term, i know) better? That desktop or that laptop?


I'll explain why I'm asking after a few answers...

 

[BravoSuperStar]

If I upgraded, if I got the 4890 can you use a pasive cooling option heatsink on it? would the 4890 be able to run most games currently out there well?

What system would you recommend building if the budget was say $600 and one if the sky was the limit?

There are passively cooled 4850's, but if you want a fanless 4890 you would need to go with a waterblock/watercooling setup. Even with a fanless heatsink on your card you will need case fans to move the airflow inside, which may or may not end up being just as loud as some of the better on-card solutions.

Now for the kicker:

Which would run games (Very general term, i know) better? That desktop or that laptop?

I would say the desktop would still generally outperform the laptop in pure gaming terms, but it's like saying "which cripple will limp the fastest"...(I'm also assuming the card and cpu are overclocked on the desktop since it's watercooled)

 

[brain_stew]

If I upgraded, if I got the 4890 can you use a pasive cooling option heatsink on it? would the 4890 be able to run most games currently out there well?

What system would you recommend building if the budget was say $600 and one if the sky was the limit?

Ofcourse a 4890 will run any current game, its the second fastest single GPU solution on the market, it'll serve you well for a very long time.

Go Core i7 if budget isn't a concern, for $600 (well actually $590 plus $20 of rebates):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197377
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

It'll annihilate both of those rigs in modern games, its not even worth debating, the gap would be beyond huge.

 

[brain_stew]

Now for the kicker:

Which would run games (Very general term, i know) better? That desktop or that laptop?


I'll explain why I'm asking after a few answers...

Depends on the game, but I'd think the laptop would generally fair better as its not restricted to a single core, but then its GPU is weaker. Either way, neither is suitable for modern games.

 

[DyTonic]

Is this processor able to fit in my motherboard?

mobo

processor

 

[brain_stew]

Is this processor able to fit in my motherboard?

mobo

processor

Yes you should be fine, but be sure you flash to the latest BIOS version before switching out. I'm not the greatest fan of the 940 at that pricepoint though, I've got to be honest. The extra cache and unlocked multi of the 720 and 940 make them better buys in my book.

 

[HotItalianSausage]

Fair enough.

I'm trying to convince Blackvette, who I work with, to build his own PC instead of throwing away $500 on that old desktop. For slightly over that amount, he could build something that is vastly superior.

He just wants to prove that it's better than my laptop, which I don't use for gaming anymore anyways.


Good luck Gaf.

 

[MWS Natural]

Hmm...After doing more research my 4890 issues might be due to Win 7 and not hardware. Oh well I already sent the card out for RMA I will know for sure when I get the new one.

 

[BravoSuperStar]

Fair enough.

I'm trying to convince Blackvette, who I work with, to build his own PC instead of throwing away $500 on that old desktop. For slightly over that amount, he could build something that is vastly superior.

He just wants to prove that it's better than my laptop, which I don't use for gaming anymore anyways.


Good luck Gaf.

I would like to know who even has the balls to charge $500 for the outdated setup. I am selling a PC with a core2duo 2.6ghz, 2gb ram, 8800gt 512mb, raptor 74gb and a creative Xfi card and felt $500 was way overpriced even for that.

 

[DyTonic]

Yes you should be fine, but be sure you flash to the latest BIOS version before switching out. I'm not the greatest fan of the 940 at that pricepoint though, I've got to be honest. The extra cache and unlocked multi of the 720 and 940 make them better buys in my book.

Well I want a decent Am2+ socket Quad-core processor at a good price...

 

[ACH1LL3US]

Ofcourse a 4890 will run any current game, its the second fastest single GPU solution on the market, it'll serve you well for a very long time.

Go Core i7 if budget isn't a concern, for $600 (well actually $590 plus $20 of rebates):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197377
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

It'll annihilate both of those rigs in modern games, its not even worth debating, the gap would be beyond huge.

Thank you that is very helpful! Now I havent been into pc gaming for about 4 yrs, what is the fastest ram you can get? Remember my last pc had corsair and I had pretty aggressive timings for them. Is ram still DDR2? I guess what I am saying is I need a refresher on the pc memory now out

 

[Angry Grimace]

If I upgraded, if I got the 4890 can you use a pasive cooling option heatsink on it? would the 4890 be able to run most games currently out there well?

What system would you recommend building if the budget was say $600 and one if the sky was the limit?

Putting a 4890 into the system you linked is the equivalent of putting a Turbocharger into a 1974 Merkur XR4Ti

 

[Tideas]

I just got an i7 920. Thinking about getting an MSI pro mobo.

Now, can I use a 4gb DDR3 dual channel card with that mobo with the processor?

Or do I NEED To get a Trip channel DD3?

I don't care about speed. I care about price. 4gb dd3 is a lot cheaper than 6gb dd3 and just the same price as 3gb ddr3

 

[Minsc]

Fair enough.

I'm trying to convince Blackvette, who I work with, to build his own PC instead of throwing away $500 on that old desktop. For slightly over that amount, he could build something that is vastly superior.

He just wants to prove that it's better than my laptop, which I don't use for gaming anymore anyways.


Good luck Gaf.

He'd probably do better picking from this page, or something like it.

 

[Nabs]

Fair enough.

I'm trying to convince Blackvette, who I work with, to build his own PC instead of throwing away $500 on that old desktop. For slightly over that amount, he could build something that is vastly superior.

He just wants to prove that it's better than my laptop, which I don't use for gaming anymore anyways.


Good luck Gaf.

500 for that desktop? wowsa... absolutely horrible deal.

 

[TheExodu5]

Ok, I'm looking to buy a used pc with the following specs:

2.5 Ghz AMD Athlon 64 fx-53 processor,
Liquid cooled
1GB of RAM (expandable)
GeForce 6800 Ulltra NVIDIA Graphics Card (256MB)
150 GB Hard drive

The builds people recommended above are probably going to get 10x the performance in games than that rig. Enjoy.

 

[Minsc]

Actually, that $500 Crysis PC from like a year ago blows that and everything on the newegg page away.

 

[purvispisgah]

So I went ahead and ordered everything from the last page (just with the upgraded video card and HDD) for a little over $900. Thanks Gaf.

Quick question:

The Windows XP version I'll be installing is a 32-bit version. As far as I'm aware, this won't be an issue with the 64-bit Phenom 720. Now, I also plan on downloading the Windows 7 beta 64-bit version to try out the DX10 features of my new 4890. Will I have any problems switching between these two versions of Windows and presumably a 32-bit and 64-bit driver for the card?

 

[brain_stew]

Fair enough.

I'm trying to convince Blackvette, who I work with, to build his own PC instead of throwing away $500 on that old desktop. For slightly over that amount, he could build something that is vastly superior.

He just wants to prove that it's better than my laptop, which I don't use for gaming anymore anyways.


Good luck Gaf.

Even something prebuilt is a much better route, that thing is useless as a modern gaming rig. All the major components, Mobo, RAM, CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD, need replacing. Its getting ass raped if he pays $500 for that thing.

 

[brain_stew]

Thank you that is very helpful! Now I havent been into pc gaming for about 4 yrs, what is the fastest ram you can get? Remember my last pc had corsair and I had pretty aggressive timings for them. Is ram still DDR2? I guess what I am saying is I need a refresher on the pc memory now out

The speed of RAM has a negligible (I'm talking sub 1% here) effect on performance. Fast RAM is only really useful for OCers, and even then the stuff I specified will manage a hefty overclock just fine. Just stick with a decent branD, G.Skill, OCZ, Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin etc. and you'll be fine.

So I went ahead and ordered everything from the last page (just with the upgraded video card and HDD) for a little over $900. Thanks Gaf.

Quick question:

The Windows XP version I'll be installing is a 32-bit version. As far as I'm aware, this won't be an issue with the 64-bit Phenom 720. Now, I also plan on downloading the Windows 7 beta 64-bit version to try out the DX10 features of my new 4890. Will I have any problems switching between these two versions of Windows and presumably a 32-bit and 64-bit driver for the card?

Why install XP at all? You're only causing more headaches for yourself. The RC of W7 is fine to use as your primary OS, just upgrade it in the new year with a full retail ersion and be done with it. No point bothering with XP-32 anymore in my book.

 

[purvispisgah]

Why install XP at all? You're only causing more headaches for yourself. The RC of W7 is fine to use as your primary OS, just upgrade it in the new year with a full retail ersion and be done with it. No point bothering with XP-32 anymore in my book.

Understandable, but two things:

1) As far as I know, the price structure for W7 hasn't been released yet. I may not feel like paying $XXX down the line, and I don't want my primary OS to be shutting my system down every 2 hours.

2) I would rather gradually move my wife over to a new OS. Maybe she'll just love W7, but if she doesn't I don't want her resenting the new comp I just dropped a grand on, know what I mean? She's not a troglodyte, but new tech isn't her favorite thing and I don't want to try her patience.

So, back to my original question: Will I have any problems with a dual boot of a 32-bit OS and a 64-bit OS?

Edit: Also, how is software compatibility for 64-bit OSes? Will I be running into a lot of problems with software I currently use?

On a side note, I used to be so tech savvy. What the hell happened to me?

Final Edit: The first page of Google yielded the answer to my question about dual booting. Sorry to anyone who took the time to read it.

 

[Minsc]

So, back to my original question: Will I have any problems with a dual boot of a 32-bit OS and a 64-bit OS?

No, you shouldn't. I've read about isolated issues with installing them on the same drive though. Your best bet is to put Windows XP on C:, and put Win 7 on a separate drive letter and separate physical drive, and then when you're ready to replace it with Windows 7 retail, do a fresh install on the C:\ after formatting it.

I'd personally just put Windows 7 RC on the thing, wife be damned. It'd run a LOT better, and it's much flashier. Tell her it's for her own good, the OS is better and it's time to move on, can't live in the past forever :lol

 

[purvispisgah]

No, you shouldn't. I've read about isolated issues with installing them on the same drive though. Your best bet is to put Windows XP on C:, and put Win 7 on a separate drive letter and separate physical drive, and then when you're ready to replace it with Windows 7 retail, do a fresh install on the C:\ after formatting it.

I'd personally just put Windows 7 RC on the thing, wife be damned. It'd run a LOT better, and it's much flashier. Tell her it's for her own good, the OS is better and it's time to move on, can't live in the past forever :lol

Yeah thinking on it, as long as she can find the pictures and videos of our son and has access to Facebook, she'll be fine. I'll just keep the XP disk around in case W7 costs an outrageous amount of money. Hopefully MS learned their lesson with the crazily priced Vista.

 

[MWS Natural]

Yeah thinking on it, as long as she can find the pictures and videos of our son and has access to Facebook, she'll be fine. I'll just keep the XP disk around in case W7 costs an outrageous amount of money. Hopefully MS learned their lesson with the crazily priced Vista.

I have read that Windows 7 will cost more than Vista.

 

[Ryu]

Yeah thinking on it, as long as she can find the pictures and videos of our son and has access to Facebook, she'll be fine. I'll just keep the XP disk around in case W7 costs an outrageous amount of money. Hopefully MS learned their lesson with the crazily priced Vista.

If that's her issue, Start, documents. It's all there. Very convenient. You can even split up the videos and pictures folders so you can view them in the start menu just like in XP. Easy stuff and looks about a million times better.

I have read that Windows 7 will cost more than Vista.

I've heard the same at least from retailers who are going to be selling it bundled in their systems. The price per system was something like 10 dollars more than Vista or XP. Who knows if this has changed though. I imagine this is why we have yet to hear the final pricing structure for the (I think) 3 different builds.

 

[Gully State]

Is there going to be DirectX 11 support for Vista or will it be a Windows 7 only feature?

 

[brain_stew]

Is there going to be DirectX 11 support for Vista or will it be a Windows 7 only feature?

Yes, of course.

 

[asdad123]

I have a XPS400 with a 9800gt and it seems my CPU is bottlenecking my performance (Its a 820 Pentium D 2.8Ghz).
Im not too computer smart, but I read up and it looks like that I can not upgrade my CPU to Core 2 Duos so that is why I'm here. What would be the cheapest way to get a core 2 rig? I assume that I would have to replace the motherboard? I am looking to spend around $250-300 dollars.
Thanks in advance!

Anyone? Or am I out of luck?

 

[Crazymoogle]

I have read that Windows 7 will cost more than Vista.

The last published rumor report I saw indicated prices would be substantially cheaper, at least for consumer retail editions...

 

[Hazaro]

Anyone? Or am I out of luck?

Download CPU-Z and check if your motherboard is LGA775, then post the motherboard model to check if it is compatible with C2D's.

10% COUPON: VGASALE10
+
HD4890 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161276
+
CoD: WaW
-
$20 Rebate
=
$151

 

[MWS Natural]

Ugh...been at it all night and can't get anything to display on the new 4890. Removed drivers, tried older ones, flashed bios, changed bios settings. Only thing left I can think of it to put XP back on here and see if it works.

 

[archnemesis]

I'm thinking of buying a new computer and I thought it would be wise to ask GAF before I hit the order button. Is this a decent build? Is it worth paying a few extra bucks for a motherboard with Crossfire support if I want to upgrade the computer in a couple of years?

Case: CoolMaster 690
Motherboard: Asus M3N-HT DELUXE/HDMI
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz AM2+
Memory: 8GB Corsair DDR2 1066Mhz
GPU: ATI HD 4890 1GB 2xDVI
HDD: 1000GB S-ATA 7200 RPM
OS: Windows 7 RC1 64 bit

I already got a monitor (Samsung 226BW [1680x1050]), and a TV (Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85 [1920x1080]) both hooked up through DVI.

 

[lowlylowlycook]

I'm thinking of buying a new computer and I thought it would be wise to ask GAF before I hit the order button. Is this a decent build? Is it worth paying a few extra bucks for a motherboard with Crossfire support if I want to upgrade the computer in a couple of years?

Case: CoolMaster 690
Motherboard: Asus M3N-HT DELUXE/HDMI
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz AM2+
Memory: 8GB Corsair DDR2 1066Mhz
GPU: ATI HD 4890 1GB 2xDVI
HDD: 1000GB S-ATA 7200 RPM
OS: Windows 7 RC1 64 bit

I already got a monitor (Samsung 226BW [1680x1050]), and a TV (Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85 [1920x1080]) both hooked up through DVI.

To use Crossfire you'll have to make sure that your PSU, which you didn't list, is up to it. That will cost more than upgrading the MB.

IMO you'd do better to drop the second 4GB or RAM and upgrade to the 3Ghz "black edition" Phenom II X4.

 

[archnemesis]

To use Crossfire you'll have to make sure that your PSU, which you didn't list, is up to it. That will cost more than upgrading the MB.

IMO you'd do better to drop the second 4GB or RAM and upgrade to the 3Ghz "black edition" Phenom II X4.

I'm going to use a 700W high-end modular PSU. Is that enough to power two GPUs?

 

[crimsonheadGCN]

I have a question to anyone who has dealt with Newegg's RMA department. Have they ever tried to send you an open box item as a replacement for like a video card or something? I sent in my video card last week for a replacement and noticed that after they approved it yesterday, they started to process an order for an open box item as a replacement. I already sent in an email to them about changing it to a new order, but haven't heard anything back from them. You think they will change it to have a new video card as a replacement?

 

[dionysus]

To use Crossfire you'll have to make sure that your PSU, which you didn't list, is up to it. That will cost more than upgrading the MB.

IMO you'd do better to drop the second 4GB or RAM and upgrade to the 3Ghz "black edition" Phenom II X4.

Edit. Out of boredom at work I priced out my rig I will be getting in a few months. $1.2k! Hopefully i7 mobos and ssd prices will come down.

Edit2. I was wrong, get the black for $40 more.

 

[asdad123]

Download CPU-Z and check if your motherboard is LGA775, then post the motherboard model to check if it is compatible with C2D's.

10% COUPON: VGASALE10
+
HD4890 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161276
+
CoD: WaW
-
$20 Rebate
=
$151

Under CPU and package it says "Socket 775 LGA" and under mainboard it says the Chipset is Intel i945P?
I have no idea what that means. The most I ever did with this computer is change the video card.

 

[brain_stew]

Aren't the lower specced AMD CPUs easily overclockable to about the same as the black edition? If he wants to do some OCing that is probably the best option.

Just looked at it, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471 is only $40 dollars more. But if you are going to overclock either I don't think there is much difference.

Edit. Out of boredom at work I priced out my rig I will be getting in a few months. $1.2k! Hopefully i7 mobos and ssd prices will come down.

The black edition ones have an unlocked multi, so they're much easier to overclock them being higher binned and the clockspeed bump make them well worth the money in my eyes. They're targetted at OCers, and are basically AMD's equivalent of Intel's "Extreme Edition" CPUs without the price premium.

 

[brain_stew]

I'm thinking of buying a new computer and I thought it would be wise to ask GAF before I hit the order button. Is this a decent build? Is it worth paying a few extra bucks for a motherboard with Crossfire support if I want to upgrade the computer in a couple of years?

Case: CoolMaster 690
Motherboard: Asus M3N-HT DELUXE/HDMI
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz AM2+
Memory: 8GB Corsair DDR2 1066Mhz
GPU: ATI HD 4890 1GB 2xDVI
HDD: 1000GB S-ATA 7200 RPM
OS: Windows 7 RC1 64 bit

I already got a monitor (Samsung 226BW [1680x1050]), and a TV (Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85 [1920x1080]) both hooked up through DVI.

Is this the motherbaord you've chosen?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131343

Seem like a terrible buy to me, uses an Nvidia chipset which is never a great thing, this is cheaper and uses a better chipset:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128384

On the lower end the 770 boards are great value as well, looks like you're choosing pricey DDR2 RAM, I reckon you might as well make the switch to DDR3 considering that, pricing should be very similar. Why 8GB btw? If its for a specific reason fair enough, but 4GB is still fine for most.

This is an excellent low cost motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381

This excellent value combo is worth looking at unless you're dead set on a quad core:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.203011

 

[Sleeker]

If i were to upgrade in the next 12 months, would it be a good idea to wait for a mobo with USB 3.0 ports on it?

 

[brain_stew]

If i were to upgrade in the next 12 months, would it be a good idea to wait for a mobo with USB 3.0 ports on it?

Its a non issue, what exactly do you want them for? External HDDs? Well eSATA is a much better solution for that anyway.

If you do find a use for them then a simple PCIe x1 card will sort you out anyway.

 

[Sleeker]

Cool, so I could just buy a card with them on it.

 

[brain_stew]

Oh, I'd also like to bring the Phenom ii X2 555 3.1ghz Black edition to GAF's attention:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

Its been out for a little while now but hasn't really been talked about over here. At almost a straight $100, you're getting some serious value here, given its unlocked multiplier, full 6MB L3 cache and black edition status this thing is a beast of an OCer and a damn fine gaming CPU. Most will manage 3.6ghz-4ghz, and at those sorts of speeds it flies. Since it has an unlocked multi, OCing should be much simpler to boot.

Not only that, but you've got the option of unlocking one or two extra core, sure this isn't guaranteed but plenty of people have had success, and its a lovely little bonus considering just how good value it already is. Even at stock and only with two cores, its a terrific gaming CPU because of the 7MB of cache and 3.1ghz clockspeed, throw in the unlocked multiplier, the excellent headroom, and possibility to unlock a couple extra cores and you're getting some serious bang for your buck.

Tech Report love it, and say it'll likely feature in their next Econobox, and any component that gets put in that rig offers serious bang for buck.

Even at stock it outperforms a core i7 920 and even 940 in games like Half Life 2: Episode 2. The damn thing flies once OCing (which is very easy given the unlocked multi) is added to the mix:

Food for thought anyway. Since we have a lot of people at GAF that love their bang for buck rigs (myself included) its definitely a CPU that needed to be highlighted, I feel.

Cool, so I could just buy a card with them on it.

Precisely.

 

[Sleeker]

im kinda surprised to see my e8400 higher than an i7 920.
is it not as good for gaming?

 

[archnemesis]

Seem like a terrible buy to me, uses an Nvidia chipset which is never a great thing, this is cheaper and uses a better chipset:

I'm probably going to get a premade model and I have a very limited selection of motherboards available. How about the Foxconn A79A-S instead? It uses the same chipset as the one you suggested, but it seems to have some BIOS issues.

On the lower end the 770 boards are great value as well, looks like you're choosing pricey DDR2 RAM, I reckon you might as well make the switch to DDR3 considering that, pricing should be very similar. Why 8GB btw? If its for a specific reason fair enough, but 4GB is still fine for most.

RAM is so cheap these days, so I figured why not add another 4GB.

 

[brain_stew]

im kinda surprised to see my e8400 higher than an i7 920.
is it not as good for gaming?

If a game isn't optimised for a quad (which is still the majority), performance will be very similar in a lot of cases. The Source engine seems to like cache an awful lot as well, which doesn't hurt the X2 550 or E8400s performance at all.

Still the E8400 is no longer a decent buy, with an X2 550 offering very similar performance at stock, easier OCing, more future upgrade options, the possibility of unlocking one or two cores, all for $65 less, its really a no brainer. Anyone that's after a dual core CPU would be crazy to choose anything else at this point. Its a great little chip, AMD are really mopping up at the low end and midrange.

 

[brain_stew]

I'm probably going to get a premade model and I have a very limited selection of motherboards available. How about the Foxconn A79A-S instead? It uses the same chipset as the one you suggested, but it seems to have some BIOS issues.


RAM is so cheap these days, so I figured why not add another 4GB.

Oh prebuilt? That changes things. I tend to prefer to stick with ASUS or Gigabyte motherboards if possible, does the vendor not have any lower cost motherboards (based on the 770 chipset for example) available? Nvidia chipsets have such a dodgy reputation, and they're often rather pricey, add that to the fact that SLI is useless to you (considering your pick of GPU) and things get iffy.

On the RAM, fair enough, just don't expect much difference atm, but I'd rather put that extra cash into upgrading to a ii 940 instead personally, if you can get both, then by all means.

Could you link me to the vendor you're using?

 

[TheHeretic]

im kinda surprised to see my e8400 higher than an i7 920.
is it not as good for gaming?

Its irrelevant because games are still GPU limited. Those tests only work by setting the graphics settings to low or using older games where all the results are well above reasonable FPS anyway. Completely inapplicable to real gaming, and yeah the Phenom II 550 is a great chip and your 920 is much better than an E8400.