Advice on a new build

[jrenz]

Update:

Based on replies and a bit of my own research, I've put together everything I am going to get (pending any major objections). Thanks for everyone's advice, it was much appreciated. See below for updates:


I haven't kept up with hardware trends in the last few years too closely, so I am kinda at a loss as to where to look.

I'd like to build a system to replace my aging Dell. Most of the work being done on it is graphics related... modeling, video editing, rendering, etc. Would also like to be able to play some high-end games on it (MS Flight Sim X).

My line of thought was that I would buy a barebones system and pick up everything else seperately. I'm not sure though as to what processor/mobo combination to get, how much/type of memory, video card, etc. I have an idea of what I need, but like I said, I don't really know what's out there these days.

Here's a list of components and my needs:

Processor: Core 2 Duo E6400 - $222.00 @ Newegg

Mobo: BioStar TForce965PT Express ATX - $104.99 @ Newegg

Memory: OCZ S.O.E 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel - $156.00 @ Newegg

Video: 7900GS - Fry's has a hot deal ending tomorrow, -$80 MIR = $109.99

Storage: Planning on swapping a HD out of older computer. 250GB Maxtor

PSU: Rosewill RP500-2 500W - $53.99 @ Newegg (Never heard of the brand, but the reviews were positive)

Case: Still need a case... any suggestions would be great... would like to keep it around $50-$75.

Price: $646.97 w/o case, + shipping. Not bad I think, for my purposes.

Please let me know what your suggestions are. I appreciate the help.

 

[kilcan]

e6600 Processor (Intel Core 2 Duo) - $315
Biostar TForce 965PT Mobo - $105
eVGA GeForce 7600GT Video Card - $89
2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $156
160GB Western Digital SATA 3.0 Harddrive - $53

Basically that puts you at $718 plus shipping. You also want a case and a Power supply, but if you already have a case, the power supply will still keep you under the 800 mark - a good one probably runs about 50-60 bucks. You shouldnt need more than a 400-450W one. (So I'm told)

 

[jrenz]

Thanks for the advice. I will need to pick up a new case. I will not need a new hard drive.

Any recommendations on cases? Any deal going on?

 

[jrenz]

I've also read a little bit that the E6600 isn't worth the extra ~$100 over the E6400. I won't be doing much if any OC'ing. Would I still be advised in getting the 6600? Or should I take the 6400 and use the $100 toward something else?

 

[Imyourzero]

What's your time frame as far as purchasing? Intel is slashing prices on the Core 2 Duos in April and you'll be able to pick up an E6600 for around the current price of the E6400.

If you can't wait that long and aren't afraid to overclock, I'd snap up an E6400 in a heartbeat. They're fast at stock speeds, but with VERY minimal effort (and stock cooling) you should easily be able to reach 2.8-3.2 GHz which is much faster than a stock E6600. Take the money that you saved on the CPU and use it to purchase a better graphics card...Flight Sim X is pretty demanding if you want it to be really pretty.

Definitely go for 2GB of memory and DON'T skimp on the PSU. Anything around 500w from a quality manuf. like Seasonic/Corsair will be plenty.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

I second the 2gb of memory. I just went from 1gb to 2gb, last week. Loads games faster. Desktop comes back faster after a game is over.

 

[jrenz]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
What's your time frame as far as purchasing? Intel is slashing prices on the Core 2 Duos in April and you'll be able to pick up an E6600 for around the current price of the E6400.

If you can't wait that long and aren't afraid to overclock, I'd snap up an E6400 in a heartbeat. They're fast at stock speeds, but with VERY minimal effort (and stock cooling) you should easily be able to reach 2.8-3.2 GHz which is much faster than a stock E6600. Take the money that you saved on the CPU and use it to purchase a better graphics card...Flight Sim X is pretty demanding if you want it to be really pretty.

Definitely go for 2GB of memory and DON'T skimp on the PSU. Anything around 500w from a quality manuf. like Seasonic/Corsair will be plenty.

I'd really like to purchase within the next week. Been doing a lot of graphics design for a class, using Maya/MAX and VS .NET all at once, system comes to a crawl after about half an hour.

I haven't really done any serious overclocking before... I don't want take any chances as far as damaging anything. If it is as easy as you make it seem, that would probably be my best bet.

What would you recommend as far as graphics cards?

 

[Hulk]

Might want to consider an HDCP video card if you ever want to view HD content on the monitor at full resolution.

 

[Dunbar]

Originally posted by: jrenz

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
I haven't really done any serious overclocking before... I don't want take any chances as far as damaging anything. If it is as easy as you make it seem, that would probably be my best bet.

What would you recommend as far as graphics cards?

You should raise the FSB up to where the computer is still stable, you won't hurt anything. For a video card it depends on your budget:

$150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16814130056

$200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

$300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130082

Flight Simulator X is a CPU limited game so the more expensive video cards aren't going to get you much.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: Dunbar

Originally posted by: jrenz

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
I haven't really done any serious overclocking before... I don't want take any chances as far as damaging anything. If it is as easy as you make it seem, that would probably be my best bet.

What would you recommend as far as graphics cards?

You should raise the FSB up to where the computer is still stable, you won't hurt anything. For a video card it depends on your budget:

$150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16814130056

$200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

$300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130082

Flight Simulator X is a CPU limited game so the more expensive video cards aren't going to get you much.

Not according to [ H ]...in their reviews of video cards, the faster cards allowed them to turn on more eye candy (and a higher level of AA) while maintaining an enjoyable frame rate.

That's not to say a faster CPU won't help the game also, but they noted a clear improvement when using the better graphics cards.

 

[nighttalk]

here is my new build..just got it 3days ago

intel e6300 $223.99
seagate 250G sata 16mb $89.99
gigabyte ds3 $163.99
corsair 2x1g (667mhz) $180
evga 8800gts 320mb superclocked $349.99
silverstone 500w $90
(all in canadian dollars)

already have case dvdburner and etc
really nice build
and if u dunt play game like crazy..get a lower video card..safe u more money

 

[jrenz]

Bump for edit

 

[Shaker8]

If your Serous about the overclocking go with this combo

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

I just bought this processor and it was a much easier overclock than the E6400 I had overclocked previously. It has a Multi of 9 vice the 8 and 7 of the E6300/E6400. To get to 3.1ghz all I had to do was raise the FSB to 350 and lock the PCI Bus. I had slightly better memory but the memory you have should be fine. You may have to up the Voltage with the memory you have though. This board has been proven to get FSB up to 400mhz and more so its a better choice as well.

Remember MSFSX is a game that will support DX10(as soon as the drivers come out)
if thats important to you the video card you have now will do until some more DX10 cards come out hopefully in the 150 to 250 range.

As far as cases go thats subjective, but watch COMPUSA along with FRYS. I just picked up a AeroCool ExtremeEngin3T a $110 dollar case there for 50 bucks.