Budget Core 2 Duo build

[OSX]

I'm looking to build a new Core 2 Duo system. However, I'm on a bit of a budget (about 1000$), and if there is any way I can save some money, please say so. The only thing I need to have is the Core 2 Duo and the nVidia card, since I'm going to be dual-booting linux and ATi's linux drivers suck. This system is going to be used for gaming.

Processor: Core 2 Duo E6400
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
RAM: pqi TURBO DDR2-533
PSU: Fortron 400W
Video: GeForce 7600GT (will this be good for gaming at 1280x1024?)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250G 16MB Cache
Optical: NEC DVD-RW DL
Optical: Lite-On DVD-ROM
Case: Thermaltake Mambo

If there is any way I can improve this or save money, please say so.

 

[dakotagts]

If you are not OC'ing step down to the PQI Turbo 533 DDR2, if you need more info read this thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1904139&enterthread=y

and as I have seen from many posts the 7600GT will work for that res, but if you save enough on the ram, you can get the 7900GT


This is basicly the same rig I am setting up, my only differnce is I may try to stuff the 6600 in there for more speed, and I bought an Ultra Aluminus case and X2 PSU, havent fired it up because I dont have anything but the case and psu.

 

[OSX]

Wow! It seems that the DDR2-533 is the best bang for the buck by far. Where is a good place to get that PQI Turbo for cheap?

Actually, I think I will get the 7900GT, since eVGA has a 30$ rebate on one and it's only a 50$ price difference.

 

[Bobthelost]

Looks good to me, think about saving money on the case, in the end it makes zero performance difference and if you've got some cable ties and a hacksaw those 80mm fan mounts just became 120mm ones.

 

[dakotagts]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141199

I think it is 133 or something

also OCZ has their gold on rebate for $135 at outpost.com PC6400 so, little speed up at same price

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Looks good to me, think about saving money on the case, in the end it makes zero performance difference and if you've got some cable ties and a hacksaw those 80mm fan mounts just became 120mm ones.

The case is $34 after 10$ rebate...

 

[OSX]

Well, I've been looking around and the ThermalTake Mambo at ZZF has a rebate, so it will cost me 25$. With that, and the cheaper RAM, I'll be able to get a 7900GT.

 

[dakotagts]

nice thats a bonus

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: OSX
Well, I've been looking around and the ThermalTake Mambo at ZZF has a rebate, so it will cost me 25$. With that, and the cheaper RAM, I'll be able to get a 7900GT.

😎

Another place to save a few $ for now at least is the dual burner / reader setup, it's all going on one channel which won't help if you want to do on the fly and while it can be nice to have two optical drives it's rarely a requirement.

 

[gobucks]

what's your ram budget? I found these OCZ PC6400 modules at outpost for $135 AR:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4884800

This will allow for a lot more overclocking of your CPU.

Also, for video, I definitely recommend an X1900GT, X1800XT, or 7900GT. they are all around $200-225. the 7600GT is fine, but for an extra $50-75, you get twice the performance, so it's a no-brainer IMHO.

 

[dakotagts]

Originally posted by: gobucks
what's your ram budget? I found these OCZ PC6400 modules at outpost for $135 AR:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4884800

This will allow for a lot more overclocking of your CPU.

Also, for video, I definitely recommend an X1900GT, X1800XT, or 7900GT. they are all around $200-225. the 7600GT is fine, but for an extra $50-75, you get twice the performance, so it's a no-brainer IMHO.

Thanks for the link, did not put that in my post

 

[OSX]

The X1900 is out of the question because I will not put up with ATi's terrible linux support. Also, it seems that the pqi TURBO is the value RAM for Conroe builds, because the lower timings give it a huge performance advantage.