How does this $1300 build look?

[Dergrin]

I am building a completly new computer that will be used for gaming and graphics work. I am aiming at getting the most bang for the buck and plan on overclocking. I also plan on running Vista Home Premium. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Case: $67 + $18 S/H = $85
Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Motherboard: $139 + $0 S/H = $139
ABIT AB9 QuadGT LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Processor: $186 + $0 S/H = $186
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6420 - Retail

Video card: $269 + $6 S/H = $275
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

Memory: $110 + $5 S/H = $110
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ - Retail

Monitor: $240 + $15 S/H = $255
Acer AL2051W Black/Silver 20" 8ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

DVD burner: $39 + $6 S/H = $45
SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM

Power supply: $85 + $10 S/H = $95
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail

Hard drive: $70 + $0 S/H = $70
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

CPU cooler: $25 + $5 S/H = $30
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

Total Price = $1290 including shipping

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Dergrin
How does this $1300 build look?

It looks like these. :laugh:

 

[TallBill]

What motherboard?

 

[Dergrin]

Motherboard added.

 

[PurdueRy]

with exception to the motherboard which I have no experience with, the rest looks great

 

[Howard]

You can drop the cost a little by going with an E4300. Also, I'd go with this drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827135145

I suggest you wait for a hot deal on a monitor.

 

[Ruger22C]

Go with E6600

 

[Ruger22C]

..or 4300.. but not 6420

 

[trOver]

Originally posted by: Ruger22C
Go with E6600

seconded

 

[Dergrin]

Why go with a E4300 or E6600 vs the E6420? I figured I would spend a little less on the 6420 and add the cooler to overclock to about 3.2GHz.

 

[jpeyton]

Antec Solo ATX Case - $67.29

Corsair 520HX - $84.50

Leadtek 8800 GTS 320MB - $259.99

Samsung 18X DVD+/-RW LightScribe - $31.99

Gigabyte 965P-DS3 - $99.99

PQI 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 667 - $54.99

Seagate 250GB SATA2 - $61.50

Intel Core 2 Duo E2160 - $85

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro - $19.50

ViewSonic 20" Widescreen LCD DVI - $159.99

Total: $924.74 after rebates, plus shipping/tax.

If you're overclocking, this machine will give you 99% of the performance of your configuration for $385.17 less money.

Use the money you save now to upgrade the video card and CPU in a year or two.

 

[Dergrin]

I read that the 1MB cache of the E2160 made a significant decrease in gaming performance. The memory you chose doesnt look like it will overclock very well. I already have the case and corsair picked out at provantage but didnt include that link. Same with arctic on another site. I guess I will update the links with prices.

The reason I chose the monitor I did is because I do not want a TN panel.

 

[thecrecarc]

i would get the e4300 which can go to 3ghz without overcloking ur mem

 

[Dergrin]

So it seems that the general consensus is to drop down to an E4300. I thought that the 6420 was a better deal since it has a bigger cache and higher FSB.

Any other suggestions?

 

[csiako]

go with a 28 dollar celeron now and upgrade to a quad after july 22

also i would go with a p35 mb

 

[Blain]

The difference between the 1.8GHz / 1MB E2160 and the 1.8GHz / 2MB E4300 is about $16.
Is an extra 1MB of L2 worth $16?

 

[bryanW1995]

I am upgrading my rig right now. You can buy some nice patriot 2 x 1 gb for 89.99 here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144

they had crucial ballistix pc 8500 yesterday for 89.99 after rebate but I was he who hesitated, so I lost it!

 

[bryanW1995]

I would buy a p35 board and, if possible, wait until the processor prices drop on july 22. The e6550 will be 133 then, and that is definitely worth $20 more than an e4300! Or, you can splurge an extra 133 and get an e6850 or q6600 for 266. The p35 board can be had for under $100 and will enable you to dump in a penryn when you upgrade. I'm hoping it will enable me to dump in a nehalem in 18 mos, but I haven't heard if that will be possible yet.

edit: of course, the e 2160 is now $81... soon they will be free!

 

[Roguestar]

FYI it's not a "Core 2 Duo E2160" it's a "Pentium E2160".

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I'd invest in an 8800gts 640mb if you are into gaming. I hear the extra memory will get you farther with upcoming gamings

 

[Dergrin]

Is the 8800gts 640mb worth the extra $100?

 

[zig3695]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: Dergrin
How does this $1300 build look?

It looks like these. :laugh:

yup

 

[zig3695]

Originally posted by: Dergrin
Is the 8800gts 640mb worth the extra $100?

hard to say. to be honest though, you might want to go with a budget dx10 card for now and sell it at the end of the year or next year when the REAL dx10 cards that will last much longer then this first generation will. there are dx9 games comming out that give the 8800's a run for its money. i dont think these first gen dx10 nvidia cards are very well optimized...

 

[blank98]

I'd go with e6600 over the one you have listed.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
FYI it's not a "Core 2 Duo E2160" it's a "Pentium E2160".

Semantics aside, it's an Allendale CPU with 1MB L2. In most applications, the performance difference is small to nil.