Core 2 Duo System for ~$1300

[uncleezno]

So I've got a list of what I want for my new computer priced at around $1000. I've been trolling boards all day reading opinions and researching, so I hope that I've made some decent choices. I plan on overclocking a little bit, but nothing crazy.

case - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CACT05UW ($50 @ Newegg)
mobo - Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ($150) Asus P5B-E P965 ($151 @ Newegg)
processor - Boxed intel Duo E6300 w/ Heatsink and fan ($189 @ Newegg)
ram - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 ($225 @ Newegg)
video - EVGA GeForce 7950 GT 256MB DDR3 ($200 @ ZipZoomFly)
hd - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB ($80 @ TigerDirect)
dvd - CDR/DVD - NEC 18x DVD Burner ND-3550A ($30 @ NewEgg)
psu - Enermax EG565P-VE FMA 535W ($88 @ ZipZoomFly)

TOTAL - $1013

edit: plus $289 for a new dell E207WFP 20" Widescreen Monitor

Thanks!

 

[alevasseur14]

It would help a lot if you told us what you wanted to do with your system. I was looking and looking for a video card in your list until I realized you're getting a MB with on board video. For surfing the internet and doing other office type stuff, that's totally fine. If you feel like doing any gaming, however, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you're interested in doing any gaming, you can get some great cards for almost dirt these days.

Hope this helps!

BTW... Hope you like your monitor! My 2007WFP is being delivered tomorrow. Should be a pretty good step up from the old analog 17"!

 

[uncleezno]

I'll be using the system for some gaming - I'm dying to play Oblivion, and Civ 4 chugs on my four-year old laptop.

If you read the post, it clearly states what video card I am getting:

case - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CACT05UW ($50 @ Newegg)
mobo - Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ($150) Asus P5B-E P965 ($151 @ Newegg)
processor - Boxed intel Duo E6300 w/ Heatsink and fan ($189 @ Newegg)
ram - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 ($225 @ Newegg)
video - EVGA GeForce 7950 GT 256MB DDR3 ($200 @ ZipZoomFly)
hd - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB ($80 @ TigerDirect)
dvd - CDR/DVD - NEC 18x DVD Burner ND-3550A ($30 @ NewEgg)
psu - Enermax EG565P-VE FMA 535W ($88 @ ZipZoomFly)


Thanks for the good word on the monitor!

 

[hellokeith]

Get a DL DVD burner for just a few extra $.

Is that Barracuda serial ata?

 

[uncleezno]

What's a DL DVD burner?

And yes, the Barracuda is SATA.

EDIT: Oh, double layer. I'll look in to that.

 

[Ruptga]

I'm pretty sure you can do better than a 256MB 7950GT for two hundred bucks, though I'm no price guru.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger
I'm pretty sure you can do better than a 256MB 7950GT for two hundred bucks, though I'm no price guru.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102061

Cheaper and more cheerful.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: uncleezno
So I've got a list of what I want for my new computer priced at around $1000. I've been trolling boards all day reading opinions and researching, so I hope that I've made some decent choices. I plan on overclocking a little bit, but nothing crazy.

case - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CACT05UW ($50 @ Newegg)
mobo - Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ($150) Asus P5B-E P965 ($151 @ Newegg)
processor - Boxed intel Duo E6300 w/ Heatsink and fan ($189 @ Newegg)
ram - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 ($225 @ Newegg)
video - EVGA GeForce 7950 GT 256MB DDR3 ($200 @ ZipZoomFly)
hd - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB ($80 @ TigerDirect)
dvd - CDR/DVD - NEC 18x DVD Burner ND-3550A ($30 @ NewEgg)
psu - Enermax EG565P-VE FMA 535W ($88 @ ZipZoomFly)

TOTAL - $1013

edit: plus $289 for a new dell E207WFP 20" Widescreen MonitorThanks!

You need a 512 mb card for newer games with that monitor IMO.

 

[Boyo]

You list two mobos, so I take it that you are undecided about which one to get. I would recommend the Asus P5B-E.....Also you video card is fine. You will want to upgrade to DX10 in a few months or so, so don't bother with the 512MB.

 

[owensdj]

hellokeith, the DVD drive he has on there is a dual layer drive.

 

[uncleezno]

Thanks for all the advice, guys, I really appreciate it!

To be totally honest, I'm not going to be upgrading this thing once it's purchased. With that in mind, should I buy a 512MB vid card now, or wait another two months and scoop up a midlevel DX10 card? All the DX10 cards I've seen cost almost as much as the rest of the components put together!

 

[trOver]

budget dx10 cards should be coming out soon...