Interesting Build Help

[TStahlness]

Hey everyone,

Just joined the AnAndTech Forums due to unhelpful folks at other sites. I know this is going to seem like an unusual request, but I require some help. I have about $1200-$1300 to blow on a new computer. Seeing as my last build is about 5 years old now I want a significant upgrade.

I have been eyeing the nice new 8800GTX (and yes I do have a sleek 30" Dell Ultrasharp to take advantage of it) ever since it came out. Idealy I would like the build to revolve around it.

As for the cpu I was thinking probably an E6300 or E6400 and perhaps a P965 board to go along with it (for cost reasons). Since the cpu and motherboard will be the last to be upgraded I don't want to skimp on those parts.

As for memroy and harddrive space I am perfectly happy starting small (such as 1GB and 1 HDD) and upgrading later.

Case/Power Suppy and the extras are up in the air at the moment (don't need keyboard or mouse).

This is where I get stuck. I don't know how to piece a decent machine together under my budget. ANY help would be appreciated. While the build is intel I would have no problem going AMD to save some money. I also don't need anything that would be an overclockers dream. While I do overclock it is never anything too extreme. Thanks for any help!

EDIT: The PC will be used for multimedia and gaming

 

[thestain]

careful about mixing a slower, cheaper Core 2 with that monster of a video card.. have read there can be some problems.. Consider E6600

 

[TStahlness]

Oh believe me I have, but every time I try with an E6600 I blow the budget by at least a couple hundred. If I had it my way this post wouldn't be needed

 

[Aikouka]

If possible, I recommend trying to save up a bit more if you can. I mean, the 8800GTX is a nice card, why build it around "insufficient" parts. If you really want the lower budget, I could try working something up.

 

[TStahlness]

OK! So I've managed to scrounge up $1500. Is this enough to run Oblivion/FEAR etc. on 1920x1200 with the general parts listed above. If it is, can someone recommend specific parts. Here's a list of thoughts on my part.

Mobo:
Gigabyte DS3/DQ6 $150-$200
EVGA 680i $250

CPU:
E6400 $220

Video:
8800GTX $530

Power:
Hiper HPU-4K580-MS (580W) $85

RAM:
OCZ OCZ2G8002GK (2 GB DDR2-800) - only because its got a mail-in-rebate $203

DVD:
As long as it burns DVDs and has lightscribe I don't care $35

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB $95

As for a case as long as it fits the 8800GTX I don't care (though the Thermaltake Armor is kinda cool) ~$100-125

Total: $1543 (using most expensive prices)

Any suggestions/comments on how to keep this below or a little over $1500? Thanks.

EDIT: Prices Added

 

[mcurphy]

Not sure what the price is on the PSU you have selected, but you can get the Enhance 5150GH at ewiz.com for around 69$. It has great ratings and will power your system no problem.

Also, if you don't need a lot of bells and whistles mobo, ie no Raid, SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, you might consider looking at the Biostart TForce 965. It can do some decent OC'ing. Around $104 at the egg.

Only other thing I would consider changing is bumping the CPU up to a 6600 if you can squeeze it in. The extra 2MB of cache would be nice to have. Or wait for the E6320 and E6420's that have 4MB. But by that time you can probably find a cheaper DX10 card and you'll definitly be within budget.

 

[the Chase]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2903 - go with this CPU and some generic DDR2800 ram and pretty much any popular P695 mobo (select on features such as RAID, firewire,etc.) and OC it past 3Ghz and your good to go with the 8800GTX for cheap. Hope it would save you enough cash to go with a cheap 2 gig ram kit.

 

[TStahlness]

Ya I definately want the E6600 and I'll get it if it fits within the budget.

The Hiper I'm looking at is $85 dollars which isn't bad. The only thing I REALLY need in a PSU is modular cables because I am a neat freak when I build! That is the reason for the hiper.

As for a motherboard I don't need SLI/Crossfire (always a + but definately not required), but firewire is a must for video. I also plan on using raid just not at the moment because all I can afford is a single drive

As for the 4000 series I don't plan to use them due to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of overclocking. While I have gotten decent results in the past I just don't have the time (college student) to mess around with settings to get the system just right. Perhaps in a year I'll tackle a budget OC build when I have more time. I also don't really want to wait for Q2 (though I should with those price drops).

Thanks for the advice.

 

[mcurphy]

Originally posted by: TStahlness
Ya I definately want the E6600 and I'll get it if it fits within the budget.

The Hiper I'm looking at is $85 dollars which isn't bad. The only thing I REALLY need in a PSU is modular cables because I am a neat freak when I build! That is the reason for the hiper.

As for a motherboard I don't need SLI/Crossfire (always a + but definately not required), but firewire is a must for video. I also plan on using raid just not at the moment because all I can afford is a single drive

As for the 4000 series I don't plan to use them due to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of overclocking. While I have gotten decent results in the past I just don't have the time (college student) to mess around with settings to get the system just right. Perhaps in a year I'll tackle a budget OC build when I have more time. I also don't really want to wait for Q2 (though I should with those price drops).

Thanks for the advice.

This is a tough build...hmmmm. lol. You really have everything skimmed down as far as it can go. You could maybe look for a cheaper case, there you could save $50.

And maybe a cheaper mobo. Something around $100-120ish. I'm not sure which boards in that range offer Raid and Firewire though.

The only other option I can think of is watch HotDeals for discounts and rebates on some of your items.

GL with the build. I hope you can pull it off. It would be interesting to see what you come up with!