CPU Wattage + Hardware suggestions

[Tank]

Hello all. It's been years since I have been here, but the itch to get back into PC's and build another killer machine is once again upon me, so here I am.

This is a total newb question, but I honestly do not know the answer. I want to run a 140 watt CPU, but the motherboard I really want only lists CPU's on the support list up to 125W. Could I still run a 140W CPU on a 125W board?

These are the boards I am considering, 2 of which do support 140W CPU's. I am assuming the one I want that does not support 140W is the best board around, hopefully someone can shed some light on this for me? Perhaps the best board is one I am ignoring?

Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO

All I know forsure about the system is, I will be doing 2 GeForce 295's, want to stick with AMD, and I will be running the fastest RAM I possibly can, as much as I can.

So while this was a thread for CPU help, I hope some of the more experienced, more knowledgeable folks around here can help me pick out the best of the best. I know Intel is leading the pack right now, but even knowing that, I still want to stick with AMD.

I am also looking for suggestions for water cooling, I want to go water this time instead of air, what's the best option for reliability and performance?

Thanks all, and good to be back!

[liljim]

Welcome back Tank, its no doubt been a while. This first post will be quick then we'll dive in a little deeper.

Why do you "want" to run a 140 watt cpu?

Our goal i think will be to find you a lower wattage cpu that meets the performance your looking for then find a board to match it.

[Tank]

I wanted to run the 140 watt CPU simply because it is the fastest and best in that category. I realize the 955 is identical in every way except the 200 MHZ loss in speed from the 965. Yes I figured I could just overclock the 955 to meet or even exceed the 965, but to be honest, I have never overclocked in my life, and I do not even know how. I used to know a lot about PC's, but having been out of the loop for a few years, and with how things change so fast, I feel as if I am learning all over again.

I have always had an obsession with getting the best, most expensive hardware. I know Intel is the best right now, but, I am staying in the AMD CPU family so, the best they have right now is the 965 unless I am mistaken?

I do not want to cheap out on the motherboard, I have no problem with spending $300 on a motherboard, if it is worth it. The one ASUS board I mentioned above has a HDMI output on it. From what I hear this is still a fairly new thing for PC's, is this something worth buying? Or is it more geared towards folks who want to use HD TV's for monitors?

Good to see you again liljim, if I am not mistaken you helped me a bunch last time with my first build!

[liljim]

[Tank]

I guess though another way to look at it is, yes it will draw more juice, but it is only 15 more watts? 15 more watts, for 200 more MHZ, isn't that terrible is it? I would imagine the 965 would only run a few degrees hotter than a 955, and, I do plan to watercool anyhow, so, that will help a lot with case temps.

Also, the way I look at it, are you seriously telling me that if I run a AMD CPU, with Nvidia cards, that I can only run DDR2 memory?? That motherboard does not even support DDR3...that is pretty sad, I figured things were more far ahead than that!

If I am right, it looks like if I am willing to buy a motherboard meant for crossfire, I can run DDR3 memory, and a higher speed of memory to boot. The downside here is, I have always found Nvidia to have better image quality then ATI, is such still the case?

I did remember I do not need a motherboard with HDMI last night at work haha. It occurred to me, I was like "DOH" I felt like a idiot for even posting something so stupid haha, can't believe it did not occur to me it would be on the video card.

As far as OS, I will be running XP PRO 64 bit edition until Windows 7 is in a final and stable state.

Which is my better choice, ATI 4870X2 cards, or GTX 295 cards? Some people have suggested ATI's HD4870X2, but as I stated up there, what's the comparison?

[liljim]

The thing about ATI now is that AMD purchased them some time back and now produce the GPU. Thats why its so hard to match up AMD with Nvidia cards anymore. AMD processor, AMD motherboard chipset, AMD/ATI graphics are all now designed to play well together. Since the buyout, ATI's performance increased while the price has fallen some. The HD4870 cards have some really good reviews, they probably lack slightly in framerate comparison but i doubt its anything close to a noticeable difference to the eye.

Im still a AMD-Nvidia fan myself however im not one that needs the biggest and the best so i get to avoid alot of the conflict and save a few bucks too. I run a single vid card and so far havent needed a second for anything. Every game i play, i play on maxed settings running a dual core AMD @ 3ghz, 4 gigs of ddr2 and a Nvidia 8800gt . I know that theres alot out there now that can eat me alive on benchmarks scores but i can assure you it doesnt effect game play nearly as much as people think.

[Tank]

This is a kind of double negative situation.

To run the video cards I want, I have to run a Intel CPU.
To run the CPU I want, I have to run ATI cards.

As you said liljim, AMD was made to work with AMD chipsets and ATI cards, what else would one expect? Now I have to make a critical decision, every single PC I have ever made, for me or anyone else, has always been AMD powered, do I dare stray away now?

[liljim]

lol, tough indeed.

For me, being the AMD fan that i am, i would stay with them and give their vid cards a try. I think intel is overpriced and overrated and wouldnt use their cpu just to use a vid card. I love nvidia cards because ive been a customer for many years, i know the software like the back of my hand and the reliability has been 100% for me. The same is said for AMD CPU's which is why if i were building new dual card setup i would be looking at their vid cards now. Were not talking about the old ATI rage cards anymore, this is an entire different generation. Hopefully i still have a year or better before im faced with your dilemma.