Mid Range Core 2 build

wsupfoo

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
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I'm new to this and any help is appreciated. I am looking to build a system for gaming (mostly RTS and WoW), productivity (programming with VS.NET), and maybe a media center someday. Does this build make sense? I am looking for anywhere I could have picked a less expensive item with a relatively small change in price or a slightly more expensive item with a big change in performance. I'm also looking to see if I should wait for an expected price drop or product release in the next 4-5 weeks. If you have experience with these parts postitive or negative, feedback is appreciated.

I've included links and current prices for convenience.

EDIT: I am updating as I get better/more appropriate hardware. Thanks everyone.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 - will likely OC as far as I can comfortably with stock air cooling. $359
Motherboard: Abit AB9 Pro $159
Corsair PC-6400 2x1024MB XMS2 $177 (after rebate)
Primary Drive (everything but movies and music): Western Digital 1.5Gbps 74GB 10000RPM 16MB Raptor $157
Movie/Music Store: Western Digital 3.0Gbps 250GB 7200RPM 16MB Caviar RE $81
Backup Drive - Cheap backup drive for nightly backup of 2 primary drives: Western Digital 3.0Gbps 320GB 7200RPM 8MB Caviar SE $105.99
ATI Radeon X1900XTX 512MB $390 (after rebate)
NZXT Lexa - I like the way it looks and has 500W PSU. $169
DVD/CD Reader/Writer: BenQ 16X DW1655 $42

Monitor - likey get a refurbished 20-24" widescreen.

Total, about $1650 (not including monitor)
NOTE: this started out at $2100 - I owe you people $500
 

1N0V471V

Senior member
Mar 13, 2006
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Just so you know, this isn't really considered a "high-end" build... more like a high end midrange build ;)

Anyway, I can't say I'd recommend that PSU. They've been known to blow up and all other kinds of things.
 

wsupfoo

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
7
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Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
Just so you know, this isn't really considered a "high-end" build... more like a high end midrange build ;)

Anyway, I can't say I'd recommend that PSU. They've been known to blow up and all other kinds of things.

PSU/Case I wasn't really too keen on anyway. I'll keep researching that one.

I also fixed the title. :)
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
4,360
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OVERKILL ALARM, OVERKILL ALARM!!!

Sorry, where were we. Oh yes.

You're buying a CPU that's faster than a FX-62 for programing? Cut that back to a 6300 or 6400, WoW doesn't need it.

The RAM is inexcusable, spend half that on some 6400 RAM if you want to, otherwise 5400 would be fine.

The graphics card is a very nice bit of overkill, WoW isn't exactly the most graphics heavy program around (nor the lightest) the same goes for the rest of the RTS world. Think about going for a single 7900GTX or X1900XTX instead.

Ditch that PSU, it's going to be generic crap. For your current build a 430W from a good brand will be good enough.
 

dakotagts

Senior member
Apr 30, 2006
263
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Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
Just so you know, this isn't really considered a "high-end" build... more like a high end midrange build ;)

Anyway, I can't say I'd recommend that PSU. They've been known to blow up and all other kinds of things.


Do you know this from personal experience? or are you just making a 3rd person statement.

The reason I ask, is that I picked up one and from all of the user experience posted about it seemed to tell a different story about the NEW X2. This is not one of their old ones...
 

platbr

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
14
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I'm on the same track for a new Core 2 Duo build, except going on the cheap. Here's the specs I'm looking at (to give the "other" end of the spectrum). I've bought everything but the mem, mobo, and proc. I'd love to hear some comments on where to spend money and what memory and motherboard would be best.

This will be a media center PC serving HDTV and movies to an Xbox 360, as well as a few games (Battlefield 2, etc.) and the obligatory web surfing and word processing. I plan to OC the E6400 a reasonable amount on air.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 (~$242 Monarch)
Motherboard: Gigabyte DS3 (~$140 eWiz) or Abit AB9 Pro (~$150 eWiz)
Memory: OCZ Gold DDR2-800 2x1GB (~$135AR Outpost);
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon X850XT $100.95AR Newegg.
Hard Drive: Hitachi 160gb SATA; $79.99; $39.99AR Outpost.
Optical Drive: Lite-On DVD+-R/RW; $31.99 Newegg.
Case: Antec Super Lanboy; $84.99; $14.99 Frys.
Power Supply: Ultra X-Finity 500W PS; $79.99; $9.99 Radioshack.com

TOTAL: $725
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
4,360
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You're overspending on the CPU, RAM and the PSU is an iffy choice. The GPU isn't bad but it isn't cutting edge either.
 

platbr

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
14
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Originally posted by: Bobthelost
You're overspending on the CPU, RAM and the PSU is an iffy choice. The GPU isn't bad but it isn't cutting edge either.

Thanks. For CPU you suggest E6300 for $210? What about the RAM -- recommend against going 2gb for $135? I'm unsure what to do there... there seem to be so many choices and speed vs. cost, etc. I'm not sure how much I'll need to spend just to get by... and whether it is a waste to go 2x512 instead of 2x1gb. I could certainly save a little on RAM.

As for the PSU -- I hear you. The Ultra products seem to have gotten a bad rap, but the X-Finity seems to be a little better thought of... but I understand the possible compromise.

For GPU it seemed like the X850XT for that price was a nice balance. Most of my gaming is on the Xbox 360, and I didn't want to take the next step to a 7600GT or 7800GT, which basically would have meant another $60-100. It was a somewhat calculated move, although I appreciate your comments on it.
 

dakotagts

Senior member
Apr 30, 2006
263
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I am going to give the Ultra X2 a try at $30, you cant complain if it lasts a year to three i would be happy. The case looks great and i did a little review on it. Have 2 yate loons on the way.
 

platbr

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
14
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Originally posted by: dakotagts
I am going to give the Ultra X2 a try at $30, you cant complain if it lasts a year to three i would be happy. The case looks great and i did a little review on it. Have 2 yate loons on the way.

Can't beat the case for $15! I'm willing to give the power supply a try, I just don't want anything to get toasted. I can live with replacing it in a few years (for $10) if it dies eventually.
 

wsupfoo

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
7
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Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Originally posted by: wsupfoo
DVD/CD reader/writer - Plextor $168

Is there something that makes this better than a $40 BenQ?

after looking into it, no.

I also switched from the 7950 to the X1900XTX.

wow, so far I've knocked off $500 for what looks like almost no noticeable change in performance. you people are great. I still need to pick a better case/PSU
 

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
5,179
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Originally posted by: wsupfoo
Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Originally posted by: wsupfoo
DVD/CD reader/writer - Plextor $168

Is there something that makes this better than a $40 BenQ?

after looking into it, no.

I also switched from the 7950 to the X1900XTX.

wow, so far I've knocked off $500 for what looks like almost no noticeable change in performance. you people are great. I still need to pick a better case/PSU

I like Antec's SLK-3000B for a fairly inexpensive, well-built, no-frills case. 120mm fans front and rear, room for 4 5.25" drives and 7 3.5s. As for Power, I've used Fortron-Source PSUs with the 120mm cooling fans several times with no problems at all.

Nate
 

wsupfoo

Junior Member
Aug 3, 2006
7
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case updated. probably more for style than function, though the reviews I read on NewEgg seem positive.

any thoughts on the hard disks?

really fast 74G for everything except big files
decent big store for movies and music at 250G
cheap 320G (74+350 ~~ 320G) for nightl backup of everything

is this a good strategy? are there better parts for this?
 

dakotagts

Senior member
Apr 30, 2006
263
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I think you will run into the same issues with that. It seems that only the 4 gods of PSU's get recommended and for a good reason. But ultimately you could still do that Ultra case and get a different PSU. You should be able to pickup the Ultra around $69 after rebate, and then spend the $80 on the 430W PSU Forton maybe or seasonic.