AT, Help me build a C2D system

[menorton]

Dear Anandtech,

It has come to pass that I need a respectable Conroe system as the new family computer. Gaming does not matter, but Vista and using it for 5 years do. I am trying to build a really silent computer, so if AT knows of any comparable parts please tell me so. I do not know much about Intel compatible mobos and ram, and i was wondering if AT could help me out.

The following is what I know of:
$313 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
$150 GPU:. I will buy this when the GF 8600s come out in April (thus the need for a onboard vga on the mobo).
$69 HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE 250GB SATA
$100 Case and PSU: Antec Sonata II + 450watt PSU
$33 DVD: Lite On 18x DVD-RW
$60 Mouse and KB: Nice logitech and Rosewill
$50 Sound Card: Low end Creative X-Fi
$279 Speakers: Logitch Z-5500
$0 (We already have a 17" LCD)

I would like help on the following:
~$120 Mobo: ??? All i require is a basic mobo that can work with the E6600 (LGA 775). No sli, no major overclocking, just basic USB, SATA. Greatly preferred, however, is having onboard video. In case the GPU blows out, we can still use the computer untill we get a new one.
~$180 RAM: ??? I want 2GB that cost me at most $180 and wont substantially bottleneck my system.


Total Cost: $1,350

 

[chizow]

Looks like you have a pretty good idea of what you need. :thumbsup: All those parts look good, for the 2 you're unsure about:

1) Mobo: One of these should do what you need. C2D up to 1066 FSB w/ onboard video. I'm not an expert on Intel chipsets by any means so I'm not sure what the advantages/disadvantages are between them.

2) RAM: If you don't plan to OC and definitely plan to run Vista, you may consider getting 4GB of RAM for just a bit more than what you budgeted for. There's a large thread in Hot Deals for some excellent Super Talent RAM that goes for $125 per 2GB.

Otherwise, looks good enjoy!

 

[engiNURD]

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965G-DS3
RAM: G.Skill 2GBNQ DDR2-800 2GB, Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB DDR2-800 (LLK), or Buffalo Firestix 2GB DDR2-800

 

[menorton]

Hmm. the MSI G965M-F one looks acceptable at $92.

As per that Super Talent, i see it as 667 mhz, not the 800mhz that C2D can run at.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[jpeyton]

C2D can't run at 800MHz. 1066MHz divided by 2 = 566MHz DDR, not 800MHz. Even 667MHz is overkill.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

533 FSB is stock for C2D

 

[ShellGuy]

I would change the PS but that is just me..


Will

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
C2D can't run at 800MHz. 1066MHz divided by 2 = 533MHz DDR, not 800MHz. Even 667MHz is overkill.

Fixed. Don't you just hate it when you make stupid mistakes when trying to do simple math?

 

[McManCSU]

Klipsch speaks are the best if you are gonna beef up your sound. ie: http://www.shentech.com/promediaultra51dh.html

It is kind of silly that you are getting a "low end sound card", but really expensive speakers... Personally, I wouldn't bother with nice speakers without an about average SC. The degraded sound quality can definitely noticable and annoying, trust me I would spend the extra $50 on a nicer SC. (Creative is a good SC choice though).

 

[yh125d]

Since you're not gaming, an 8600 is overkill. maybe get a X1950PRO and use the extra cash saved for 4 gigs of ram.

The FSB on intels is quad pumped, so for a rated FSB ov 1066, the actual fsb is 1066/4 = 266mHz.

The memory is double pumped, 533mHz/2 = 266mHz. Since you're not overclocking, ddr2 533 will not bottleneck your system

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: McManCSU

It is kind of silly that you are getting a "low end sound card", but really expensive speakers... Personally, I wouldn't bother with nice speakers without an about average SC. The degraded sound quality can definitely noticable and annoying, trust me I would spend the extra $50 on a nicer SC. (Creative is a good SC choice though).

I was under the impression that sound cards w/ vista were a moot point?