New build project

[Slik]

Ok this setup isn't going to be used for games, the most it'll ever do is probobly run Vista so i'm thinking about going with 2GB ram just for the long run, although it does seem overkill, it all comes down to how much more money it would cost.

This is what i've planned so far on the fly:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz LGA775 - $221.90 Text

PSU:
PCP&C Silencer 310 $50
Enhance 5140GH 400W $58
Enhance 5150GH 500W $69
Seasonic S12-380 $70
Enermax Liberty 400 $76

PSU: [X] OCZ GameXStream 700W - $154,99 Text

MB: Gigabyte S3 965P - $112.07 Text

MB: [X] Asus P5B-E P965 - $146.99 Text

HDD: WD SE16 WD2500KS 250GB SATA II 7200RPM - $72.50 Text

RAM - $80-130 ?

GPU:
6600 LE $47.92 with shipping included Text
7600 GS $115.99 without shipping Text
X1650 PRO $109.99 without shipping Text
X1650 PRO $109.99 without shipping Text

Case - $50-$150 ?

The only part i've bought so far is the CPU, which seemed like the best bet for the price/performance.
The PSU seems overkill to me but its at a nice price vs saving maybe $30 for something lower end.
The MB was the best price/performance MB i could find, i'm sure theres some other good alternative though.
No concerns about the HDD seeing as it's good for the price/GB's, also happends to be SATA II.
Haven't really looked at video cards yet, and i guess the case comes down to what the person would like, but if anyone has any suggestions that would be great too.

 

[stogez]

PSU is definitely overkill. 500W is more than enough for what you have there.
2GB is like a requirement to run Vista smoothly 😉
Are you going to be overclocking? You could also look at the Gigabyte S3 which offers very nice performance.

 

[Slik]

Nice! I like the Gigabyte's layout alot better, plus i'll save around $50 :thumbsup:
I don't think i'll be overclocking, seems like it wouldn't be very beneficial seeing as how the person who will be using the computer will mostly just use it for basic things, we'll see. 🙂

 

[Nickel020]

A 300W quality-brand PSu will also do the job, especially since it's not gonna be used for gaming so no power-hungy video card will be installed. With a low-end video card the system should draw 150W max under load.

 

[Slik]

hmm, i think this would be a very nice alternative - Text PCP&C Silencer 310 ATX $50

 

[Roguestar]

PSU is waaaaay too powerful (and expensive compared to how much you're shelling out for the rest of your parts, if you ask me). Play it safe but frugal and get a 400W PSU. You're not overclocking so you only need some valueRAM style DDR2-533; Corsair and Crucial make very reliable value-ram brands.

 

[stogez]

Also, if you're not overclocking and it will just be used for regular computing, you could've bought a much cheaper e4300 or e6300. Either of those can be overclocked to 3ghz+ very easily. But you already have the processor so its too late for that.
S3 is $110 at Newegg. Better to get all your parts from once place unless another place is significantly lower.
Get the Enermax Liberty 400 or the Seasonic S12-380 and you won't be disappointed.
As I said before, 2GB is a minimum for Vista 🙂

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: stogez
you could've bought a much cheaper e4300 or e6300. Either of those can be overclocked to 3ghz+ very easily. But you already have the processor so its too late for that.

Didn't read the post, did you? He said those are what he has come up with so far as ideas. The E4300 is a good suggestion if he's not overclocking or playing games (even if he is gaming unless it's really high end) so he could consider an E4300 and some value DDR2-533 and that still has a little overclocking room should he so wish.

 

[mcurphy]

Originally posted by: Slik
Ok this setup isn't going to be used for games, the most it'll ever do is probobly run Vista so i'm thinking about going with 2GB ram just for the long run, although it does seem overkill, it all comes down to how much more money it would cost.

This is what i've planned so far on the fly:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz LGA775 - $221.90 Good Choice


OCZ GameXStream 700W - $154,99 Bad Choice, if you want to save money here and get a great PSU to run your system, then consider the Enhance 5140GH 400W for $58, or if you want more power to future proof your sytem somewhat, then consider the Enhance 5150GH 500W for $69. I own the 500W version and it is an excellent PSU. It has great ratings and reviews and runs very cool and quiet.

Gigabyte S3 965P - $112.07 Excellent Choice for the money, I have this board with an E6600 and I love it. Another choice to consider in this price range is the Biostar TForce965P, it has had rave reviews.

WD SE16 WD2500KS 250GB SATA II 7200RPM Good choice, WD drives are quiet and run cool

RAM - $80-130 Check newegg for the latest price drops. It will depend on if you plan to OC or not as to what speed and brand will be the best value for you

Video Card $60-80 Personally I would save money on your PSU and put at least $150 into the card, but it really depends how much you game (any at all??) and if you want to run a high res LCD monitor. Also, (and I don't know much about Vista) but isn't it supposed to be a 3D environment? I would think a stronger GPU would help if and when you decide to make the move.

Case - $50-$150 As you said it's really personal choice. I bought the Cooler Master RC330 from new egg for $29 after rebates and I love it.

 

[stogez]

Originally posted by: Slik

The only part i've bought so far is the CPU, which seemed like the best bet for the price/performance.

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Didn't read the post, did you?

Who didn't read the post now? And thanks for repeating what I already said.

 

[Roguestar]

I read "bought" as "thought", and took it in context with the rest of the post. My apologies.

 

[Slik]

Stogez - S3 is $110 at Newegg. Better to get all your parts from once place unless another place is significantly lower.

The S3 i linked is with shipping included in the total, not ordering everything at once anyways. 😛

mcurphy - Video Card $60-80 Personally I would save money on your PSU and put at least $150 into the card, but it really depends how much you game (any at all??) and if you want to run a high res LCD monitor. Also, (and I don't know much about Vista) but isn't it supposed to be a 3D environment? I would think a stronger GPU would help if and when you decide to make the move.

Don't plan on playing any games on it at all, but my 6800 Ultra is rather overkill for Vista as it is, so it shouldn't cost too much for a video card with similar or superior specs, even a 6600 should be fine.
These are some nice options i think, it all depends on how much the person who's paying for the parts wants to pay in the end.
6600 LE $47.92 with shipping included Text
7600 GS $115.99 without shipping Text
X1650 PRO $109.99 without shipping Text
X1650 PRO $109.99 without shipping Text

stogez - Get the Enermax Liberty 400 or the Seasonic S12-380 and you won't be disappointed.

mcurphy - OCZ GameXStream 700W - $154,99 Bad Choice, if you want to save money here and get a great PSU to run your system, then consider the Enhance 5140GH 400W for $58, or if you want more power to future proof your sytem somewhat, then consider the Enhance 5150GH 500W for $69. I own the 500W version and it is an excellent PSU. It has great ratings and reviews and runs very cool and quiet.

Still haven't looked into the PSU's suggested but i will later today, they seem like good alternatives though. :thumbsup:

Enhance 5140GH 400W $58 / Enhance 5150GH 500W $69
Enermax Liberty 400 $76 / Seasonic S12-380 $70

PCP&C Silencer 310 $50 without shipping seems tempting though, will look into this. 🙂
Also depends on which video card he goes with aswell...

stogez - Also, if you're not overclocking and it will just be used for regular computing, you could've bought a much cheaper e4300 or e6300. Either of those can be overclocked to 3ghz+ very easily. But you already have the processor so its too late for that.

Roguestar - The E4300 is a good suggestion if he's not overclocking or playing games (even if he is gaming unless it's really high end) so he could consider an E4300

mcurphy - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz LGA775 - $221.90 Good Choice

The whole reason behind the E6400 is that the only price difference between the E4300 and E6400 is around $45ish while going from E6400 to E6600 is $95ish.
The person is very demanding when it comes to price differences like that between processors, he's concerned that a E4300 isn't fast enough lol.
Trust me i've tried, i spoke with him yesterday and he was still concerned about the E6400, wether it would be fast enough for him...
Its not that big of a difference anywho, a processor is a solid investment these days, they don't increase drasticly in speeds such as video cards.