Help with new computer build?

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LuluTheMonk

Member
Oct 3, 2007
147
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1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming, and some coding

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$800


3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
None, I like to buy whatever is best bang for the buck. I have bought am all.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I have a 19" CRT and 18" LCD I will probably keep for now, Mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc are all transferring. Thinking about keeping my Antec Sonata I

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, read many threads and articles to come to my current system configuration.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Going for relatively quiet computing at default speeds with still relatively good cooling.


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield $280

8800 GT 512 MB $250 (whatever is the best deal at the moment

Corsair XMS2 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 (PC6400) $50

Corsair 520HX $100 (This used to be the 620, but from all accounts, 520 should do fine)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250 GB SATA (Single platter I think) $70

Samsung 18x Dvd+-R 12x DVD-RAM LightScribe SATA $30

Total runs: $780 so far.

Would have been nice, but moving to my wish list:
Antec P182 Black $170

Motherboard: No idea
What I am looking for: Stability
Not really a 'must have' but would be awesome if the integrated sound had an optical out tos link type connector.

Passive cooling options and/or relatively quiet. Only CPU cooler I have looked at in depth is the Thermalright Ultima-90 maybe.

It almost seems like that Dell deal for the XPS 420 might have been an option.
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Your budget is $800 and you're already up to $780 without a motherboard or case, which means you ought to consider cutting costs in a few places.

First, a quad-core processor doesn't provide much benefit to a gaming PC, and probably won't for a couple years. I would strong recommend saving yourself $100-150 and going with a decent dual-core.

The Corsair PSU is a great unit. I'm running my main rig off of one. However, there are quality PSUs available for significantly less money. Coolermaster and Antec both have rebates running on good units at the moment. That's another area where you might save yourself $30 or more. (Or, if you have a Fry's store near you, they have an in-store only special on the 520HX from what I understand.)

As far as motherboards, the IP35-E is a decent choice with a $30 rebate right now at Newegg. (Currently out of stock, but I'm guessing they'll get more in.) Another solid entry-level board would be Gigabyte's GA-P35-DS3L.

Since you're not overclocking, get yourself two sticks of the HP RAM being sold at costcentral. It's $3 per stick after the rebate, with free shipping, and it's good quality stuff. Check the Hot Deals section for details.

With those savings on the CPU, PSU and RAM, you can probably squeeze in the case you want. (Also, you ought to be able to find a P182 cheaper than $170.)
 
L

LuluTheMonk

Member
Oct 3, 2007
147
1
76
What is currently the best bang for the buck dual core CPU?

I do have a local fry's and planned on picking up the 520HX for $70.

The IP35-E seems to be a good board for about $70 that I have seen recommended time and time again.

$3 bucks per stick?! I will def look into that
**edit** its 667 and not 800 ram? with all the rebates floating around for the corsair ram, would I be better off getting the 2 sticks for about 40?
Thanks for the help.
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Originally posted by: LuluTheMonk
What is currently the best bang for the buck dual core CPU?

I do have a local fry's and planned on picking up the 520HX for $70.

The IP35-E seems to be a good board for about $70 that I have seen recommended time and time again.

$3 bucks per stick?! I will def look into that
**edit** its 667 and not 800 ram? with all the rebates floating around for the corsair ram, would I be better off getting the 2 sticks for about 40?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Since you're not overclocking, it'll be fine. It will run synchronized with 333 FSB CPUs, which is what you'd most likely be buying.

At this point, with the Wolfdale release only days away (Jan 20), I would target something like an E8200 or E8400. If you need the computer now, the E6750 is the best bang for the buck. However, the E8200 will be cheaper than the E6750, use less power and accomplish slightly more per clock cycle. (They run at the same clock speed.)
 
batuchka

batuchka

Member
Jan 7, 2008
93
0
0
MSI K9A2-CF = $99
AMD 5000 Black = $95 (Change multiplier to get to 3.
ghz stock voltage)
AF 64 Pro cooler = $20
WD Caviar 250GB HDD = $70
HD 3850 = $165
dvd burner = $27
CM 830 = $99 (newegg)
Earthwatts 500W = $60 ((newegg)
Any value DDR2 800 1 x 2 gb stick = $37
Total = USD672 w/o monitor and OS

The above is cheap but it has a decent upgrade path i.e swap out cpu for B3 stepping phenom, get 1066 ram, better graphics cards, go crossfire, etc are some options with the same motherboard ^^

 
L

LuluTheMonk

Member
Oct 3, 2007
147
1
76
E8400 does look very nice. With overclocking, the Q6600, or whatever its penryn counterpart will be seems to be a pretty good option. However because I think I would rather run a nearly silent computer, a dual core might serve my purposes better and be more economical at the same time.

What kind of coolers should I be looking at? Any good passive cooling for an 8800 and/or a E8400?
 
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