Have some free time? Build a Conroe rig for $1,400

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NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
9,711
6
76
Hello all. I may be building a Conroe rig in the comming week or so (depending on circumstances) and would like to know what you guys think. The budget is $1400 and must meet these guidlines (the best you can fit in the budget) :

1. Must be overclockable

2. Gaming Capable (1280x1024 AA/AF)

3. Must have all componants (Including XP Home) except DVD (Monitor is optional)

This is the rig I have spec'd so far but is a tad over budget :(

Motherboard: [L=Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 $151.12 Shipped
CPU:Core 2 Duo E6400 $241.80 Shipped
CPU HSF: [L=Zalman CNPS9500 LED $49.99 Shipped
RAM: Corsair XMS2 2x1GB $256 Shipped
VC: ATi X1900XT 512MB $326.12 Shipped</a>
HD: Seagate 16MB Cache 3.0GB/s 250GB $79.99 Shipped
PSU: Antec NeoHE 550W $104.99
Case: Antec Performance I P180B Black $131.99 Shipped
OS: XP Home $84 Shipped
Total: $1426.79 Shipped

Edit- Changed CPU, PSU and Graphics card. Added CPU cooler. Changed total after shipping.

Edit 2 - Super Talent DIED! :( Links went ape sh!t :mad:
 
cmdrdredd

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
get a E6400 and overclock it, save $100+ that way.

Get Corsair XMS2 6400 DDR2-800 memory and save about $20

Those 2 choices instead of what you picked out will bring you about $100 under budget after shipping. Also the DS3 motherboard has been a really good overclocker with the 2MB cache chips, but there hasn't been many reports from 4MB cache chip users on that board. It is possible that the overclockability is lessened.
 
P

Pabster

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
16,986
1
0
There is a $30 rebate on that X800GTO2.

Also, you may be able to find an E6600 for closer to $325 than $360 or $370.

AND I've seen XP Home OEM for ~$70 with a token hardware purchase (think fan screws or something.)
 
B

broly8877

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
461
0
0
Spending more on the card is much more worthwhile, drop the CPU down to a E6300/6400 and pick up a X1900/7900
 
M

Mogadon

Senior member
Aug 30, 2004
739
0
0
You'll need a 3rd HSF for the CPU if you want to get any kind of decent overclock.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Originally posted by: broly8877
Spending more on the card is much more worthwhile, drop the CPU down to a E6300/6400 and pick up a X1900/7900
Click to expand...

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
N

NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
9,711
6
76
Changed CPU to E6400, X1800GTO2 to X1900XT, OCZ to Mushkin PSU and added CPU HSF. Closer to my goal but not there yet.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Changed CPU to E6400, X1800GTO2 to X1900XT, OCZ to Mushkin PSU and added CPU HSF. Closer to my goal but not there yet.
Click to expand...

Do you shopping elsewhere. Look at ZZF, Ewiz, Monarch, you'd be surprised how much a buck here and there add up, or rather, subtract down.

Just for example...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80859

and...

http://www.computersworth.com/item.cfm?id=51

Edit: Oh I see you found ZZF, but after shipping, that link for XP Home will save you $10 right there.
 
S

Some1ne

Senior member
Apr 21, 2005
862
0
0
The X1900XT is a great card, but if you only intend to run at 1280x1024, you can get away with less and save some cash (and also get a card that's not monstrously huge, with a very loud fan when spinning at full speed...though luckily it never actually spins at full speed except during boot). A 7900GT will deliver at the settings you want, and can be found at some places for between $260 and $270 (before mail-in rebate). Also, your P180b case is a few dollars cheaper on newegg.

For RAM, this one is a little cheaper, and overclocks very well (DDR2-1000 @ CL4-4-4, 2.4V): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231065

...that should push you under $1400, and maybe even leave enough headroom for an upgrade back to the E6600, or perhaps even better, the Seagate 7200.10 320 GB disk. I have 4 of them in RAID-5, they work great, and they only cost $15 over your 250 GB model.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Wouldn't the X1900 GT be a better deal than the 7900 GT, now that prices have dropped? It seems to be as good, or even better than the 7900 GT in the benchies I see.
 
Golgatha

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,399
1,072
126
I'd budget in an Accelero X2 for that X1900XT. The stock cooler is a loud SOB.
 
B

butthead

Member
Feb 9, 2001
26
0
0
I'd upgrade to the Seagate 7200.10 320GB model for ~$15 more, it's almost as fast as my Raptor X, and you get more space to boot. I'd also do the Corsair XMS C6400 kit, which is $204 AR at the negg. It's just me, I hate dealing with flaky ram.

A little bit extra money can be shaved off by getting the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro ($25-29). It's what I'm using on my 6400 duo and it runs the thing all day at 2.93ghz without effort and low temps in the P180B I got like yours, unless I suppose you really want to make the cpu cry. And the ATI OEM X1900XT card is only $319, and Sapphire's version is $290 AR.

Lastly but not leastly... if newegg's pictures of the Mushkin PSU are to be believed, there is no way that thing will reach the mobo properly from the bottom dungeon corridor of the P180B case, so get extensions!
 
N

NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
9,711
6
76
Thanks guys for all your suggestions. The one thing I don't want to budge on is the RAM, it's simply too good (High speed, low timings and low voltage (1.8)). The X1900XT would keep me gaming at 1280x1024 for a while, and that's the goal here because I have no idea when (after this build) I'll be able to upgrade again. I aslo like the AA/AF + HDR idea :p

The Antec case I like alot because of the solid construction, PSU seperated from the rest of the componants and decent air flow. I went a little higher on the PSU I chose (NeoHE 550W) cause I feel that I will need lots of power with OC'ing and that XT.

I would like to have the E6600 to slap in the DS3, but it just isn't feasable. Basically comming down to a E6600 or an X1900XT. I'm a gamer so the XT wins out. For $1423 I think this is a decent setup and will last me a couple of years.

Questions or comments?

 
T

tersome

Senior member
Jul 8, 2006
250
0
0
Stay away from the Zalman and get a Scythe Infinity when they come in stock in a week or two.
 
N

NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
9,711
6
76
Originally posted by: Some1ne
Questions or comments?
Click to expand...

Your RAM link appears to be dead:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T800UX2GC4


Also, don't think you really need a massive PSU for your setup. I'm using an Enermax Liberty 500W with a similar config (X1900XT, E6600 overclocked, 6x HDD's), and it's more than sufficient. However, I don't think it's any cheaper than your Antec one, so it's kind of a wash.
Click to expand...


Dammit they sold out! :( Looks like the Corsair it is :/
 
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