Computer died this morning, new rig already ordered

Adam8281

Platinum Member
May 28, 2003
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I woke up this morning to a PC that wouldn't post, with the on-board audio blaring the message "System failed CPU test...System failed CPU test..." After some troubleshooting, I determined that either the MoBo (Asus P4P800-E Deluxe) or CPU (P4 2.8C) was toast, and that it was time to build a new PC after 4 years. So...Here's what I've bought today. All parts were ordered from NewEgg, except the video card, which I bought at BB today; in addition to the HDD and optical mentioned here, I'll be using additional HDD's from my old PC, and an old optical:

Case: Antec P182 ($130)
PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 600W ($85)
MoBo: ASUS P5Q Pro 775 P45 ($150)
CPU: Intel C2D E8400 ($190)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair DDR2 800 6400 ($86)
Video: Visiontek HD 4850 ($160)
Optical: Samsung 20X DVD+-R SATA ($27)
HDD 1: WD Raptor 10k rpm 74GB SATA drive ($55 used)
HDD 2: WD Caviar SE16 500GB SATA 3.0 Gb/s ($80)
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x64 OEM ($95)
_____________
-$50 for the CPU/Case combo
-$25 Rebate for PSU
-$20 Rebate for RAM

Grand total comes out to about $960, all shipping was free, no tax

Any suggestions in the last bit of time I have before it's too late to change the order (I imagine the Egg won't ship it until Monday)?
 

modoheo

Member
May 28, 2008
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Looks very good to me. Maybe a couple minor things:

Are you going to oc the CPU? If so, get an aftermarket CPU cooler (xigmatech or ac freezer pro 7 - see the 'attention system builders' stickied thread for links).

I would've spent 10-20 more bucks and gone with this PSU instead (though you'll likely be fine):
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005

You might also consider going with this HD, since it's single platter it's a bit faster and you get 140 more gigs for your 20 bucks:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218

Anyway, just minor details. You'll be really happy with that setup I think.

BB had the 4850 GPU for 160 bucks?! Good deal there.
 

Adam8281

Platinum Member
May 28, 2003
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Thanks for the advice. I probably won't overclock, at least not until I get bored in a few months and decide to play around. I was planning on getting an OEM CPU, and an aftermarket cooler, but the Egg only had retail kits, so I just decided to get an aftermarket cooler some time in the future if I want it.

Good advice on the HDD, I might do that. Ultimately (i.e. in a few months when I have some more money - this setup really is the most I should spend right now), I'll get a Raptor drive for the OS, and then a matching 500 GB (or 640 if I go with that) drive for RAID, but right now I have a lot of HDD space from my PC that died, so I just decided to go with the cheap 500GB as a stopgap.

Re: the video card. If you were lucky yesterday, BB would sell you a HD 4850 GPU for $200 (most BB's said they weren't allowed to sell the card until TODAY because that's the official product launch). The BB circular that was in effect yesterday said "25% off all Visiontek cards." I pointed that out to the clerk as he rung me up, and I got the card knocked down to $150 (+tax=$160). Pretty nice deal :)