Help me build a core 2 duo system with a g80 GPU for under $1000

[ibex333]

My budget is exactly $1000. I cant spend a penny more.

I need a 8800GTS 320/640mb in the system.

I will use Win XP, Case, Sound Card, Hard Drive and DVD Writer from the old system in the sig.

Tried several configs on newegg, but I just cant fit in my price range. Can anyone help?



I was thinking to get just a new PSU + GPU right now, and get everything else later. (I only care about games atm)
However, after this PSU and this video card I only have $450 left over which doesnt seem to be enough to get CPU+Mobo+2gig RAM in the future...




Comments? Suggestions? Ideas? Flame?

 

[Dream Operator]

1. If you are going to go with 2x1GB, just get 1GB now and upgrade down the road.
2. You really going to need a 700w PSU? If you are going to SLI some GTX's, that may be the way to go, but you could scale back here for sure.
3.Maybe you will need to go with the 320mb version. If you are set on the 640mb, use the 6600gt for awhile and save some more $$.
4. Go with a low end Core2Duo. Very overclockable I read.

 

[jpeyton]

E4300 $170
Biostar TForce965 $110
8800GTS 320MB $300
Sunbeam NUUO $60
2GB Super Talent DDR2 667 $115

Total: $755

 

[jkresh]

$450 might actually be enough, 160 for 2gigs of ocz pc6400 http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4815800?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG, leaving you 300 for motherboard and processor. 185 for an e6300 and 115 for some 965 board (Biostar, gigabyte and abit have 965 boards for < $115). . Its a tight fit but it should work. (after rebates anyway).

 

[eggrolls]

the 320mb version of the 8800gts doesn't impact frame rates that much except in some games at very high resolution. the price difference between the 320mb and 640 is about $60. Go with the 320mb, a cheaper PSU, and you will have enough for the ram, mobo, and cpu. Rough estimate: $300 vid card, $200 cpu, $200 ram, $100 mobo, $100 psu... that's already $900. If you don't have to pay tax for newegg, then you got almost $80-90 to throw around. Probably best to put that toward a better mobo. You can also wait till the core2duo prices to drop...

 

[ibex333]

Given my setup, how many watts on a PSU is enough for me provided I want a little slack just in case?

 

[jkresh]

its not how many watts it how many quality watts. A low end core2, single card 8800gts, with 1 optical drive and 1 hard drive is not likely to use 400wats, so a good quality 500 watt power supply should be enough. Though to be safe a good quality 600 watt would be better. At 135$ after rebate that powersupply is good and will allow you to add a few more hard drives and maybe another 8800 in sli later (it will also allow a lot of room for overclocking the processor (which can dramatically boost power use).

 

[engiNURD]

Go with jpeyton's build. Its perfect for your needs. The GXS 700W has ripple. Ripple = bad for computer. Go with the Sunbeam. If you plan on SLI, go with the 620W Corsair instead of the GXS. You could always add in a GPU PSU later, if you go with the 550W now.

 

[s44]

The Sunbeam has Fuhjyyu caps. Go with a Corsair, Enhance (the Egg has an Enhance-made XClio Stablepower for $70), or even the Antec Earthpower.

 

[ibex333]

Okie... So I pulled the trigger and got a 8800GTS 640mb + 700w OCZ GameXstream.

Installed everything.... And... I'm only getting 25-30fps on all games. Obvious bottleneck.

1)Many people advice to get an X2 and OC it - this path is cheaper than going with c2d, but it's still expencive enough, plus good memory for my mobo is hard to find at a cheap price these days. I'm thinking I'll still have to go with "jpeyton's" build.

In that case, couple of questions: If I get a core 2 duo now, will it last me 2 years at least? I know that in a computer world nothing is certain, but I'm sure you can approximate. If quad cores will become mainstream by the end of 2009, I'll be wasting my money... I need this thing to handle anything I throw at it for the next 2 years AT LEAST.

2) Is e4300 a good CPU? I know it's crippled somehow... Some support for virtual operation system I think or something like that... Does it mean that if I want to run Win98/WinXP games/progs in Vista I wont be able to? Can anyone link me to a site that comparres the 4300 to a 6300 and up?

3)How good is that Biostar mobo? Newegg reviews on it are not too hot... Are there any mobos in that same price range that have firewire port and support for quad core?(I want to be as future proof as I can for the money)

4)If I do get a core 2 duo CPU will my video card finally "spread it's wings"? or I'll have to OC the CPU to get the card to run full speed?

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: ibex333
Okie... So I pulled the trigger and got a 8800GTS 640mb + 700w OCZ GameXstream.

Installed everything.... And... I'm only getting 25-30fps on all games. Obvious bottleneck.

1)Many people advice to get an X2 and OC it - this path is cheaper than going with c2d, but it's still expencive enough, plus good memory for my mobo is hard to find at a cheap price these days. I'm thinking I'll still have to go with "jpeyton's" build.

In that case, couple of questions: If I get a core 2 duo now, will it last me 2 years at least? I know that in a computer world nothing is certain, but I'm sure you can approximate. If quad cores will become mainstream by the end of 2009, I'll be wasting my money... I need this thing to handle anything I throw at it for the next 2 years AT LEAST.

2) Is e4300 a good CPU? I know it's crippled somehow... Some support for virtual operation system I think or something like that... Does it mean that if I want to run Win98/WinXP games/progs in Vista I wont be able to? Can anyone link me to a site that comparres the 4300 to a 6300 and up?

3)How good is that Biostar mobo? Newegg reviews on it are not too hot... Are there any mobos in that same price range that have firewire port and support for quad core?(I want to be as future proof as I can for the money)

4)If I do get a core 2 duo CPU will my video card finally "spread it's wings"? or I'll have to OC the CPU to get the card to run full speed?

It looks to me that your not getting a good overclocking board ,overclocking ram and e4300cpu with your budget. The solution is simple..... Buy a x2 4200 and overclock it with your existing ram. 175.00?? Not enough performance? Sell your 1 gig of ram and get 2gigs of good overclocking ddr ram.175.00$ Mabe your still not satified... buy a good cooler (40 bucks?) and you should get at least 2.6,2.7 which is on par with a e6600 core 2 duo and should push your 8800gts off the ground and spreading it's wings. Thats 340.00$(don't forget the money for the ram you sold), and you don't have to reformat your hard drive!!

 

[Agentbolt]

VT is missing on the E4300 and that's the only difference. Running programs in compatibility mode won't be affected, but trying to run Linux/Windows or something like that (two different partitions or different HDs) will be. VT makes exactly zero difference for gamers.

The E4300 is a crapshoot. Some hit a high OC, some seem to top out at ~2.7 GHZ. When they hit 115 bucks, they are going to be worth it no matter what OC they hit

 

[ibex333]

Allrighty.. It seems I can go with a core 2 duo after all. After I'll get the $55 MIR, Sell my old CPU, Video Card and Mobo, I'll have at least an extra $90.

I selected these parts:

1)Memory

2)CPU

3)Motherboard

Total: $475

Questions:

1)Will the board fit into my case? (any cheaper boards in same category?) Must be ASUS or Gigabyte - no biostars, foxconns, and the like.

2)Will the memory boot on 1st try with no bios flash? ( some people on egg say it will, but I want to make sure) I have no spare ram so if it dont boot I'm screwed.

3)I have almost all AS5 left in that little "syringe" from when I built my PC 2 years ago. Does this tuff expire or dry out?

4)Will my old sound card and HD work in new mobo?

5)This mobo has no Firewire port. I need this for my DV Cam. Can I buy a firewire card later and install it?

6)How do I prep the old HD for a new system? Just format it then use it in a new rig? or there's more involved?

 

[ibex333]

sorry but I have to bump

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: ibex333
Allrighty.. It seems I can go with a core 2 duo after all. After I'll get the $55 MIR, Sell my old CPU, Video Card and Mobo, I'll have at least an extra $90.

I selected these parts:

1)Memory

2)CPU

3)Motherboard

Total: $475

Questions:

1)Will the board fit into my case? (any cheaper boards in same category?) Must be ASUS or Gigabyte - no biostars, foxconns, and the like.

2)Will the memory boot on 1st try with no bios flash? ( some people on egg say it will, but I want to make sure) I have no spare ram so if it dont boot I'm screwed.

3)I have almost all AS5 left in that little "syringe" from when I built my PC 2 years ago. Does this tuff expire or dry out?

4)Will my old sound card and HD work in new mobo?

5)This mobo has no Firewire port. I need this for my DV Cam. Can I buy a firewire card later and install it?

6)How do I prep the old HD for a new system? Just format it then use it in a new rig? or there's more involved?

1.yes
2. yes it should have newer bios installed by now
3. it should be fine
4.yes
5.yes
6. put operating system disk in reformat and install new operating system.(it's not hard)

Thats a good motherboard ,ram and cpu combonation for overclocking. It should yeild you 2.8 to 3.2 easily and push your 8800gts just fine. I think you'll be a happy camper good choice.:thumbsup:

 

[ibex333]

Some more questions if you dont mind.


1)Can I RMA the ram if it dont boot? Do they let ppl RMA things just because people chose the wrong thing?

2)I cant find any firewire cards on egg.. Can you link me to one please? I dont want to waste your time, but I'd really appreciate it.

3)Let's say my AS5 is dried up/expired. Is everything included with the CPU for a mild OC? (Thermal pad, HSF)?
If in the future I want to get a better HSF, is it as easy as wiping off old thermal paste with alcohol, applying the new, and slapping on the new HSF? or there's more involved?

Thank you very much for your help and guidance.

 

[happy medium]

Yes the ram will boot. No modifications needed.

You have P.M.

 

[jpeyton]

Intel E4300 $170
Gigabyte DS3 $130
XClio Stablepower 450W $60
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro $20
eVGA 8800 GTS 320MB $280
2GB Super Talent DDR2 667 $115

$775 plus shipping/tax

There you go, I saved you $225 dollars.