List of Core2Duo components to get!

[Mudokon]

here is a list for you from what i did for research, yes im bored at work 🙂

CPU:

Core 2 Duo e6300: $193 zipzoomfly or newegg
Core 2 Duo e6400: $242 zipzoomfly or newegg
Core 2 Duo e6600: $359 zipzoomfly or newegg

Motherboard (non of these do SLI - dual graphics cards):

Asus P5B $159, this is the motherboard I bought, works great right out the box with Corsair memory, and easy BIOS for OCing, needs a bios update to get rid of one "ucode" error that shows when you put in a Core2Duo, quick fix after updating bios:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247083

Gigabyte GA DS3 $144, good, low price for overclocking:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

Asus P5W $269, it has wifi built in, copper heating, remotely turn on mp3s and turn off pc, on the net ALL the super nerds go for this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

ASROCK 775 motherboard $59.99, i added this one, in case you dont wanna buy NEW ram, this supports DDR and DDR2, so just leaves your options open:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...e=M&Product_Code=110374&AFFIL=FRG&NR=1

Memory:

Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 2GB (2gb is required for Windows Vista) $230, this is the kind I got, its high end, and can handle anything you throw at it, and can use it to overclock
https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85025-5

Corsair Value Select DDR2-533 2GB $171.50, There are lower end memory, cheaper, like DDR2 533 (no Overclocking then) if you want to go cheaper:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-45


Graphics Cards:

Evga 7900GT KO $269, this is the card I got, for the price it gives you the fastest speed, and lifetime warranty which only evga and bfg have:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130033

But you can go cheaper if you dont play games hardcore, with a 7600 PCI-E or 6800 PCI-E:

Evga 7600GS $109:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130020


everything else:

Rosewill or Antec = best cases, Antec or OCZ = best power supply, Zalman or Thermaltake or Scynthe = best heatsink fan for cpu cooling
my monitor i just got, great deal for $187: DELL 1707 ultrasharp
http://www.cmishop.com/store/ShowDetail...No=&nCategorySubID=125&txtSiteTrack=pw


Thats all about everything i learned from reading forums day to day about core 2 duo and what to get with it to make a cool computer that'll last you well into 4+ years stable.

 

[Howard]

Rosewill doesn't make the best cases, and Antec makes the "best" cases only for a niche. Neither Antec or OCZ "make" the best power supplies (neither make any PSUs). You must also include Thermalright in the list of best HSFs.

 

[Skott]

Well, I went with the E6400. Got the P5W DH. I chose the Corsair 6400C4 2GB RAM. And I got the eVGA 7600GT KO video card. It comes in Friday. I chose the P5W DH mobo because it seems to be the best with stability and I like the ASUS heatpipe technology. Its also a good overclocker. The Gigabyte DS3 would have been a good choice too for my E6400 but I wanted the extra features of the ASUS. Most people are using GSkill or Corsair 6400 RAM with the P5W DH. I have never used GSkill although I have heard alot of good things about it. I went with Corsair because I have used their RAM before and feel confident in it. Plus more people are using it than the GSkill. This rig is for my daughter so she's not much of a gamer. Sims2 is her favorite game so I went with something not high end because she doesnt need it. If it were for me I would have probably chosen a eVGA 7950 GX2.

If money is a big concern I would say E6300, DS3 mobo, GSkill RAM, and the video card would depend on gaming preference. If no gaming in mind the 7600GS. if you want to do some light gaming then the 7600GT KO. By light gaming I mean games that arent heavy 3D intensive. If you are into the heavy 3D games (most modern games) then get at the very least a 7900GT.

Just my two coppers about it.


Edit: I also got the Enermax Chakra case, Seasonic S12 600w psu, and the Zalman CNPS 9500 AT HSF. And, yes, I plan to overclock it.