Computer for $1200- Need to have someone answer my last2 questions

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
Yes:\........ I have windows home right now& so I'm planning on getting XP Professional...?
yesh?

Is that the only main difference between the 6400 and 6600? OCing does shorten the lifespan of your computer does it not.....Also wouldn't I end up spending more on my parts to be able to OC well..?? EX: memory timings etc?

those are all relative questions. But you can do a quick and dirty OC without absolute best hardware parts... and should not affect the overall life of ur computer by "that" much.

i think go with the 6400 for now...cheaper and effective. U can upgrade other stuff accordingly if u ever plan to OC.

 

[kalrith]

If you wanted to go the AMD route, here's an AM2 X2 5600 with a free mobo for $269 shipped. That's about $50 cheaper than KungFused's recommendations.

Edit: Here's another case and power supply option. There's a $50 MIR involved, but after that it comes out cheaper than the other recommendations. There's a free shipping code out there too, which'll save $24 on this beast.

 

[harobikes333]

I don't plan on OCing at all really...

It seems that AMD is the way to go if I'm not OCing....?? or no...:???

Like Kalrith said, the 5600 looks pretty good.....?

 

[harobikes333]

any advice?

Thanks again.

 

[kalrith]

Here's AT's article that does a comparison between all the current CPUs. At stock speeds, the 5600 and the E6400 are really close in performance. $50 cheaper and the same performance looks like the better deal to me. However, there should be some CPU price cuts by the end of the month. Intel is supposed to cut prices around April 22, but I'm not sure about AMD. I know it's not good to constantly do the waiting game, but it also stinks to purchase something and in less than a month be able to get the same thing for $100 less or something substantially faster for the same price.

 

[harobikes333]

Very true. From what it looks like right now, AMD has the more bang for your buck if you aren't planning on OCing at all (not wanting to void warranty) Agreed.???

How long do you think I would have to wait for AMD to drop their prices some? I put my two weeks in and today is my last day of work so for a while I'll have some time to get my computer put together. I just don't want to wait all summer to build my computer.

thanks again!

 

[kalrith]

According to this thread, the price cuts should be around April 22. The 5600 is supposed to drop to $192. Add a $70 mobo to that, and you're at the same price that newegg had the combo deal at. Unfortunately they just bumped the price up to $299, so I'm not sure if it's as good of a deal. The free mobo seemed to get decent reviews though.

The price drops would put both the X2 6000 and E6600 in your price range. At stock speeds, they're pretty comprable to each other.

 

[harobikes333]

any advantages over each other?? :??? I don't know why but I seem to like AMD as a company better... I don't really know why lol Any suggestion on which one to get when the end of April comes around???

Thanks for the reply!

 

[harobikes333]

bumps?

Any more advice on the CPU or anything else?

 

[harobikes333]

Help??

 

[harobikes333]

bump Thanks again for all the replies so far!!!!

BUDGET= $1200 Including Monitor, OS, case, mobo, etc.

OS: cheapest windows that will run dual core the best( aka XP Pro? )

Monitor: I'm looking for a LCD to watch movies on and do gaming on...

CPU:AMD and Intel are going to be comparable when the April 22nd price cut goes into effect? Not sure which way to go

RAM:CPU affects what kind i get but I'm planning on 2GB

Moboepends on the CPU I get

Fans:I don't know how many to have /

Graphics Card: 6800...??? if it will be the same price about when price drops come...?

Case: Looking for a decent case... (aren't we all)

PSU: 500W Seasonic or Corsair 520W or Enhance 500W

Thanks again!!!

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Even though I'm a long time AMD fanboy I would have to go with Intel, for the simple reason that your assured a dropin upgrade to quadcore which is supposed to be available in the fall for less than $300 bucks. With AMD that might also be the case once barcelona arrives, but it's not definate wether it will require a socket change or not.

For me when I upgraded a couple of months ago it was a no brainer because I planned on overclocking, and I couldn't be happier. My E6400 at 3.3ghz rocks!

 

[harobikes333]

Thanks for the reply

I'm just making sure, seeing that intel mobos are more ..

 

[harobikes333]

is there going to be a price cut on just the intel CPU or are the mobos going to go down too? oh and I'm suppose to wait and not get the 7900GS...? In another thead someone told me that I should wait a little bit and then go for ... a 8600? or something I don't know.

 

[harobikes333]

bump

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
is there going to be a price cut on just the intel CPU or are the mobos going to go down too? oh and I'm suppose to wait and not get the 7900GS...? In another thead someone told me that I should wait a little bit and then go for ... a 8600? or something I don't know.

tomorrow will be 3 weeks from your op posting of this thread ... like the lady said in a nice way .." hurry up and buy "

 

[harobikes333]

:? what...? you've just confused me lol

The price cuts are suppose to be April 22 for intels CPUs....thus I would want to wait until then... if I get AMD I wouldn't have to wait...?

you highlighted wait and wait... but then you say hurry up and buy. you've confused me

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
:? what...? you've just confused me lol

The price cuts are suppose to be April 22 for intels CPUs....thus I would want to wait until then... if I get AMD I wouldn't have to wait...?

you highlighted wait and wait... but then you say hurry up and buy. you've confused me

pretty much in computer building/assembly if you wait and keep waiting you'll be spending less time enjoying ..3 weeks ago I'd posted that dell deal w/20" lcd..you would have been enjoying(or not) that system at least a week now...

 

[harobikes333]

true... I'm just wanting the most for my money and since its less than a month away I thought I'd wait until the Intel Chip prices go down..?
AMD already did their price cuts, correct? So, if I didn't want to wait, AMD would be the way to go? ( I don't plan on OCing)

I don't know what to do about the graphics cards, when do they drop in price or should I just get the 7900GS...?

Sorry about taking so long:\

 

[Bill Brasky]

If want the best bang for your buck, you should wait. Usually this isn't advisable since you can wait forever, but the intel price cuts are quite close and hopefully R600 will be out soon. Both of these could allow you to afford noticeably faster hardware. If you're eager to buy, get a conroe setup after the price cuts and don't spend much, if any, on a video card. Then when R600 drives down the cost of the existing market, you should be able to buy a gpu in the next price bracket.

Just remember that you don't have to buy everything at once. Upgrading in a stepwise fashion is quite common.

edit: fixed wording

 

[harobikes333]

Thanks for the reply!

Could you tell me what R600 is... ? I plan on getting a computer right after the conroe cuts so I'll get a conroe something and then what should I get for a mobo... would I have to get one with integrated graphics since you said it would be best to wait for the new R600 to drive prices down ?

Thanks again!

 

[harobikes333]

bump

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
Thanks for the reply!

Could you tell me what R600 is... ? I plan on getting a computer right after the conroe cuts so I'll get a conroe something and then what should I get for a mobo... would I have to get one with integrated graphics since you said it would be best to wait for the new R600 to drive prices down ?

Thanks again!

It's amazing what a simple search will do. R600 links: 1 2 3 4 5

Basically R600 is AMD's (ATI's) answer to Nvidia's 8xxx series. Even if you don't want to purchase an AMD card, the competition will surely drive Nvidia's prices down.

You can either get a mobo with integrated graphics or get a cheap PCI-e or PCI graphics card. I would recommend one of the latter, since it will give you a backup card in case you ever have problems with your new card or if you want to sell it before purchasing a new one. Here's a decent card for $35 AR. That might save you some hassle with the onboard graphics and wouldn't limit you so much on your mobo choices. You could also peruse the FS/FT forum to see if there are any good deals.

Good luck!

 

[harobikes333]

April 22nd is here and so are the price drops...? yesh? So I'm planning on putting together parts list today or tomorrow and ordering around the middle of the week!!!


BUDGET= $1200 Including Monitor, OS, case, mobo, etc.

OS: cheapest windows that will run dual core the best( aka XP Pro? )

Monitor: I'm looking for a LCD to watch movies on and do light gaming on.. general use

CPU: I'm not OCing ever so even though AMD is competitive I think I'm going Intel since the socket seems to have a better upgrade path...? ( I don't plan on upgrading this computer CPU though...) Building it for my parents and I to use and when I leave they sure as heck won't need a faster computer.

RAM: 2GB ....?

Mobo: 775 socket... again, I'm notgoing to OC.

Graphics Card: I'm still in a haze here... R600 hasn't come out yet so could someone tell me whats up with prices then right now? ( aka ) whats the most for my money...?

Fans: Would like a quiet computer but I don't know how many fans I need... two three?

Case: Looking for a decent case... (aren't we all) Just want to be able to keep my parts cool.

PSU: 500W Seasonic or Corsair 520W or Enhance 500W

I'm definitely lost on the mobo part....

 

[harobikes333]

bump. I'm hoping to buy my parts today or tomorrow.