Advice needed on new build

[Paladin]

1 . What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming, family computer, video capture/DVD creator
2. What YOUR budget is. $550-$700
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. US
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. Not really
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. DVD burner, DVD ROM, sound/AUDIGY (probably), Case
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Yes, many
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Default
8. WHEN do you plan to build it? within a month

Here's what I'm thinking. Prices current at newegg.

• Intel 8500 C2 Duo - $187
  GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P - $136
  55nm GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 - $264
  CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB - $39 (after $30 rebate)

Alternatives:
8400 C2 DUo - $164
ASUS P5Q Pro - $130
OCZ Platinum 4GB - $39 (after $30 reabate)
Cheaper video card

The big question is will my current power supply still power this all correctly:
Enermax EG465P-VE 24P

Also, my original SB Audigy is still working fine. Is there ANY reason at all to NOT still use this?? If so, what sound cards are recommended now. Onboard better now?? I have a 5.1 setup (analog).

Will probably splurge for a HP 2475w in a few months.

Thanks all..

 

[videogames101]

All your main components look fine, but what about a case, and I would advise a new PSU, maybe this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005 which is slightly overkill, but has a nice price with rebate.

Also, I'm a fan of Asus boards myself, but thats just my inner-fanboy, the gigabyte is a great board as well.

The SB is fine, no reason to replace.

 

[Paladin]

I'll be using my existing case. It's full size.

OK, I'll look into a power supply, if the 465 isn't enough.
thanks

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

The GA-EP45-UD3R (instead of P) should be fine if you're only using one video card.

 

[Denithor]

RAM - I'm too lazy to link it but there's a 4GB DDR2-800 G.Skill kit for $40 at newegg (no rebates, free shipping).

Audio - try the onboard HD audio before you install the SB. Seriously. Today's onboard audio has improved to the point that you really don't need a discrete audio card (and an old Audigy is probably going to suck compared to a new onboard setup).

 

[Paladin]

I went ahead and ordered the Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W power supply, and the CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB, while they had the $20, and $30 rebates respectively.

Does anyone else have and opinion on the Audigy, vs onboard audio?

Looking at the Realtek audio specs it looks like it supports EAX 2.0, just like the audigy. seems like it would come down to drivers, and CPU utilization/performance.

Just curious on the upcoming P55 boards, and when they would possibly be released/rumors. Not sure if it's worth it to wait for them, or just go P45.

Thanks.
:beer:

 

[krnmastersgt]

I'd go for the 8400 as opposed to the 8500 since there's no performance difference and they'll both OC to the point where nothing slows them down.
As for the sound, I'd say onboard is pretty much all you'll need, advice would be to test with onboard and then if it's not satisfying then you can go ahead and order a "better" sound card. Everything else seems solid, have fun with the new build.

 

[jamie8dc]

Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
The GA-EP45-UD3R (instead of P) should be fine if you're only using one video card.

This is the motherboard I went with. It'll save a few bucks and like he said if you're only using one card, the one you chose is overkill.

I'd go with onboard sound for now, see how you like it, and then if you feel it's not enough you can always upgrade later. For gaming if you ARE going to get a card I'd get the Creative X-Fi Xtremegamer, but it's $90 right now at newegg and I've seen it as low as $50 in the past, so if you can wait it will go down in price again.

Back in the day sound cards were pretty much necessary for gaming to help take some of the work off your other components but the onboard sound on the newer motherboards is actually pretty good.

And yeah, I was told the same thing when I was looking at the E8500. Save a few bucks and get the E8400, you won't notice a difference.