Is this a good low midrange build?

TheDL · Dec 27, 2006

This should be for all purpose use and should last me 4-5 years. I'll be playing some games on it but its not necessary for me to play on super high resolution graphics, medium is fine. I already have a monitor and other accessories handled, and a 80 gb harddrive.

NZXT TRINITY BLK Black/Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400 WATT PS2 ATX12V Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811146015 - $79.99

GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128321 - $79.99

eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130062 - $129.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3800CUBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103735 - $130.99

CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024-5400C4 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145539 - $104.00

NEC 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE / ATAPI Model 7170A-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152076 - $29.99

Subtotal: $554.95

I'm guessing total with shipping is probably going to be close to $600ish.

Are there any cheaper and better alternatives I could use? Also, should I just buy a prebuilt comp from some place like ibuypower.com? I can get a build sorta like mine for around the same price + free shipping.

Captante · Dec 27, 2006

I'd make two changes:

(1) If you want to get a case with power supply included, get an Antec because while their psu's arn't the best in the world, they are at least decent quality... god knows who make the generic piece of junk included with this one!

(2) Go with a different DVD burner .. I suggest the 20x LiteOn, because 4 out of 5 of those NEC burners died on me a few months ago & I wouldn't touch that model ever again despite having had good luck with NEC many times in the past.

Otherwise it looks good!

oynaz · Dec 27, 2006

I disagree with Captante on the NEC burner. I have only had good experiences with NEC, so it seems like a good choice.

TheDL · Dec 27, 2006

What's a good cheap Antec case with a good power supply? I've always wanted to get the Sonata Piano Black but that's a tad bit too expensive.

imported_DarkPhantom36 · Dec 27, 2006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...E&Nty=1&Manufactory=1516&SubCategory=7

Just go here and pick out whatever you think looks best that's in you budget and has a PSU that's at least 380W.

firebyyrd · Dec 27, 2006

Originally posted by: oynaz
I disagree with Captante on the NEC burner. I have only had good experiences with NEC, so it seems like a good choice.

I second that.

I have two NEC burners and they work fine.

TheDL · Dec 27, 2006

Would this set of RAM be compatible with my motherboard?
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145440
And the Sonata is reduced to $90 today so I decided to get that.

gizbug · Dec 27, 2006

2 gig ram bud

hurtstotalktoyou · Dec 27, 2006

If you're going to go AM2, I'd choose the Biostar TForce 550, not the Gigabyte board. However, I strongly suggest you try a Core 2 Duo build, not an X2.

And I second the other guy's suggestion to get a different case and PSU.

TheDL · Dec 27, 2006

Cant go with 2 gb's not enough $
I've stated ill probably choose the Sonata II now.
Is there a Core 2 Duo that's as cheap as the x2 3800?

alimoalem · Dec 27, 2006

Originally posted by: TheDL
Cant go with 2 gb's not enough $
I've stated ill probably choose the Sonata II now.
Is there a Core 2 Duo that's as cheap as the x2 3800?

no...the cheapest one is about $60 more

hurtstotalktoyou · Dec 27, 2006

Originally posted by: TheDL
Cant go with 2 gb's not enough $
I've stated ill probably choose the Sonata II now.
Is there a Core 2 Duo that's as cheap as the x2 3800?

No, but you could make sacrifices in other areas. The total for the items in your OP comes to $589.57 with shipping. Let's see what else we can get for that price...

Keeping the same:
NEC 7170A-0B
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX
Changing:
Rosewill R805BS (ATX case w/300W 24-pin PSU)
Wintec 3AMD2800-1G1K-R (1GB DDR2-800 kit)
Gigabyte GA-945P-S3 (this should enable moderate overclocking)
Intel BX80557E6300 (Core 2 Duo from zzf)
NEW TOTAL WITH SHIPPING: $585.29

The PSU in the Rosewill case should hold you over just fine, but you will want to get a better one eventually. Maybe get the Ultra V-series 500W PSU from frys for free after $40 mail-in rebate.

TheDL · Dec 27, 2006

How big of a difference from the cheapest x2 to the core duo? I also don't really plan on overclocking, or if I do, not at all that much.

hurtstotalktoyou · Dec 27, 2006

Originally posted by: TheDL
How big of a difference from the cheapest x2 to the core duo? I also don't really plan on overclocking, or if I do, not at all that much.

Check out these benchmarks. They show how much better the Core 2 Duo can be even at stock. Overclocked, the E6300 blows away anything in its price range, not to mention the cheaper 3800+. Also, it runs cooler and uses less energy, saving you money on your electric bill.

TheDL · Dec 27, 2006

Okay, I decided to add the parts hurts mentioned except keep the Sonata. Its about $30 past my budget but I might be able to stretch it to that, if I got the Rosewill case and $40 PSU since I'd still have to wait weeks or months to get the rebate..
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wi...shListNumber=4625006&WishListTitle=dl2

hurtstotalktoyou · Dec 28, 2006

I think you'll be glad you went with an E6300. If you need to cut back your budget, maybe you could get 512MB to start and then add another 512MB later. Also, remember you can save $4.10 by getting the CPU from zipzoomfly instead of NewEgg.

kalster · Dec 28, 2006

probably not popular here but have you looked at dell outlet, i just bought a dell e521 earlier today with x2 3800+ 1gb ddr2 ram, 250 gb sata hdd, 16x dl dvd-rw , onboard crap video card for 299

TheDL · Dec 28, 2006

Eh do you have a link to something like that? I can't even find anything below $500 in Dell Outlet.

kalster · Dec 28, 2006

you have to keep checking, i was checking for a while this afternoon and found the deal, i think the inventory keeps updating

TheDL · Dec 28, 2006

Well I'm gonna order my newegg list pretty soon, since I need the new comp by next week.

kalster · Dec 28, 2006

seach NOW on dell outlet, there are dual core desktops for 269

TheDL · Dec 28, 2006

Haven't been looking at the right time to see the duals at 300..do these items constantly update?

Roguestar · Dec 28, 2006

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
Gigabyte GA-945P-S3 (this should enable moderate overclocking)

Moderate? Tell that to Mark and Duvie in the CPU forum with five S3 motherboards between them, all running over 3Ghz

.

Is this a good low midrange build?

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