Core 2 Duo Build Help

[lolgloin]

This will be my second build. My original budget was around $1300, maximum $1500, but I think I am choosing parts that will send me over my budget This machine will be used for pretty much everything, but I am a gamer first and foremost. I plan on overclocking.

I am kind of out of the loop on what kind of DDR2 memory I should get. Is 667 good enough? 2gb or 1gb? Also, can I cut back anywhere to save money and not lose a sigificant amount of performance?

CPU
E6600
$316

Mobo
?
?

Memory
?
?

Hard Drive
WD 7200rpm 320gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136003

Video Card
MSI 7900GTX 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127097

Case (Can't decide yet)
Lian-Li PC-61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112025
Cooler Master Ammo 533
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119098

Power Supply
Enermax Liberty 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194003

This puts me at approximately $1050 without a motherboard or RAM.

 

[lolgloin]

Would downgrading my video card to this be beneficial?

Asus 256mb 7900GT
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814150139

I typically run my desktop at some resolution at or below 1600x1200 and I have gotten used to low resolution gaming (>1024x768) I could always buy another one in a year and run them in SLI if I can't keep up...

 

[bamacre]

I'd definitely go either 7900 GT, or 7950 GX2. The GTX card just doesn't seem to be priced accordingly.

 

[lolgloin]

yeah, i really don't have a choice, i have to spend less on the video card :|

 

[Gondola71]

I have similar questions. What's the performance difference between 667 and 800 mhz DDR2?

 

[Skott]

Could go with the cheaper video card for now and then later this year when the DirectX10 cards come out upgrade to that. Its an option anyway.

 

[StevenNevets]

Originally posted by: Skott
Could go with the cheaper video card for now and then later this year when the DirectX10 cards come out upgrade to that. Its an option anyway.

 

[Operandi]

New Core2 ready boards will be coming out fairly frequently over the coming weeks, months so I wouldn't make any firm decisions yet.

As far as the case goes the PC-7 is the one you want for its use of 120mm fans and un-restricted exhaust. The Ammo is just plain stupid looking in my opinion.

 

[Howard]

How about the X1900XT? You can get it for $290 after rebate... at least you could a few days ago.

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: Howard
How about the X1900XT? You can get it for $290 after rebate... at least you could a few days ago.

ya, I was about to say why a 7900GTX it's not worth it

and don't get the ammo case it's ugly I have the PC-65B sitting in my room unused I really should use it for my conroe build but I find myself not wanting to.

 

[lolgloin]

Some new ideas:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811196019
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814150139
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227078
(Unless I need DDR2 800, still not sure)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227089

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: lolgloin
Some new ideas:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811196019
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814150139
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227078
(Unless I need DDR2 800, still not sure)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227089

That case is pure junk.