New build---request criticism

[jhstuckey]

I've been reading the forums for the last few weeks and I believe I've come up with a system build that will well suit my needs. I've created this post as an invitation for you to provide criticism that hopefully will allow me to improve my current selections.

In conformity with the notice to PC builders post, it is likely that (1) I'll be using this computer for just about everything; watching movies (perhaps HD), web-browsing, and gaming, although it should be noted that I'm not a serious gamer and do not plan on playing the newest and most demanding of games. With respect to a budget (2) I don't wish to spend more than is necessary; I'm assuming that this build will cost between $500 and $1000USD, but I won't be spending dollars, on the contrary, EURO as I'll be buying the parts in Germany (3). I do not have a brand preference (4), nor do I have any parts that I plan to reuse (5) as I'm using an old Apple laptop currently. I don't exactly plan on overclocking (7) although it certainly is a possibility in the future. I plan to buy this system now (8).

Here's my current idea:
Processor --- Intel Core 2 Du E8400
Motherboard --- GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
R.A.M. --- GSKIL DDR2 800 2 x 2GB
Hard Drive --- Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM
Compuer Case --- Antec Three Hundred ? EU 0761345-08300-3
Power Supply Unit --- Corsair CMPSU-550VX 550 Watt
DVD Drive --- Samsung SH-S223Q
LCD Display Monitor --- ???
Graphics Card --- NVidia 9800 GT

As you can see here, the only thing I haven't yet selected is the LCD display; perhaps someone is able to provide some suggestions? I'd prefer quality over size.

Lastly, note that I plan on using Debian Linux.

Thanks

 

[disports]

looks good. ati hd 4850 could also be a choice for your video card. have you checked out the lcd thread sticky in the video cards and graphics sections? it offers suggestions on lcd monitors based on your form of activity (office work, gaming, multimedia, etc.)

 

[jhstuckey]

Thanks for the reply.

I have looked at the ATI HD 4850, but isn't it the case that nVidia has better Linux drivers? If ATI's were on par with nVidias then I might consider the ATI card; but one could argue for the nVidia card still given it's lower price.

 

[disports]

asus p5q pro is also a reasonable motherboard. i wouldn't know about nvidia having better linux drivers. hopefully someone else can answer that for you.

 

[jhstuckey]

Thanks again.

A question I should have asked in the original post is: Does there seem to be anywhere that I'm buying a little more than I need? That is, given that I won't be doing serious gaming, could I cut the cost on this system anywhere without upsetting the price/quality ratio?

Or am I getting a fairly good price/quality ratio from the components I've listed?

 

[disports]

well since you mentioned that you're not a serious gamer and don't need the high end stuff, you could always downgrade some things like the cpu to the e7200 and possibly the graphics card. the ram, motherboard, case, psu, and hard drive seem fine.

 

[ther00kie16]

9800gt is $30 cheaper than 4850 and competes fairly well with it so stick with it or maybe get the $67 9600gt deal from Fry's if you want to save some money on graphics card but you'll be giving up a good chunk of 3D performance.
CPU side... steps e7200 for $50 savings or e5200 for $35 more savings. Both should overclock beyond e8400 stock speed if done right but 2mb cache of e5200 could be a little scant

 

[ther00kie16]

Actually, you could take a look at the Sonata III + PSU + X2 5400 Black Edition deal for $102 after rebate at newegg and sell the processor for more than half of that.

 

[WaterCannon]

As far as I know, NewEgg doesn't ship beyond US so I think that option is kinda out of the game for the OP .
I think I would get the e7200 if I wasn't into gaming that much. Going lower with the graphics card is a bad idea in my opinion as it would severly hinder your ability to play more demanding games if you really wanted to in the future.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: ther00kie16
Actually, you could take a look at the Sonata III + PSU + X2 5400 Black Edition deal for $102 after rebate at newegg and sell the processor for more than half of that.

Read the OP again.


OP: bear in mind that most recommendations in the system builders' post are made for people buying from the US.

With that in mind, you can see that basically the same type of components are what are being recommended but not necessarily all the exact brands.

In RAM, for example, you're basically just looking for the cheapest set of DDR2-800 that run at 1.8v. Over here in the UK it's harder to find G.Skill, and Crucial are cheaper (and have great service in my experience). Basically, if you can find any Crucial, OCZ, Corsair or whatever at DDR2-800 that run at 1.8v and are cheaper then buy those over the G.Skill.

Graphics card: If you're not massively into gaming then get yourself something cheap like the new ATI 4670, which has onboard HD decoding and comes with DVI-HDMI adaptors. It can still run a load of new games at high resolutions despite being quite low priced.

You can easily drop your CPU down to the E7200 or any Core 2 based CPU lower, really, if you're just running multimedia and general apps as well as the odd game here and there.

 

[jhstuckey]

Thanks for the replies.

After some consideration, I've decided to make a few changes to the selections previously listed. The new list (I've included NewEgg prices on some) is as follows:


Processor = Intel Core 2 Du E8400 [$169.99]
Motherboard = ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard [$154.99]
R.A.M. = GSKIL DDR2 800 2 x 2g.b. [$66.99]
Hard Drive = Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM [$76.00]
Compuer Case = Lian Li PC-A10B, OR Lian Li PC-A71 [$239.99, or $259.99]
Power Supply Unit = Corsair CMPSU-550VX 550 Watt, OR Antec Earthwatts 500w
DVD Drive = Samsung SH-S223Q [$30]
Graphics Card = NVidia 9800 GT [$124.99]
Display = Eizo Eizo S1731, OR Eizo S1911SH-GY 

The total would be approx. $900 without the monitor.


I've changed the motherboard to the Asus PK5 delux with WiFi becuase I may need to use WiFi at some point, and also because I like the fact that it is fanless. I'd like some input here in particular, since this motherboard is a good 60$ more expensive than say, a GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX , or a ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45. So is the addition of fanless cooling and on-board WiFi able to justify an additional 60$USD?

And also, is the price/value ratio better for the Intel E8400 as compared to the E7200? [Intel E7200 = $119.99, and intel E8400 = $169.99]

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: jhstuckey
1: Graphics Card = NVidia 9800 GT [$124.99]
2: So is the addition of fanless cooling and on-board WiFi able to justify an additional 60$USD?
3: And also, is the price/value ratio better for the Intel E8400 as compared to the E7200? [Intel E7200 = $119.99, and intel E8400 = $169.99]

1: The ATI 4670 is almost as good and costs $80. You said you're not massively into gaming so I recommend that.
2: I say no. Get yourself a PCI wireless card or USB wireless dongle instead.
3: If you're going to overclock, I reckon the E7200 is a slightly better buy.

 

[Blain]

The fact that cooling is "fanless" doesn't mean that the MB runs so cool that it doesn't need much cooling.
"Fanless" is mainly a sales gimick.

Any type of "fanless" setup ONLY functions properly when the whole case has very good air flow. Unless you're going with an external water cooling outfit, don't pay any premiums for "fanless".

 

[jhstuckey]

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Originally posted by: jhstuckey
1: Graphics Card = NVidia 9800 GT [$124.99]
2: So is the addition of fanless cooling and on-board WiFi able to justify an additional 60$USD?
3: And also, is the price/value ratio better for the Intel E8400 as compared to the E7200? [Intel E7200 = $119.99, and intel E8400 = $169.99]

1: The ATI 4670 is almost as good and costs $80. You said you're not massively into gaming so I recommend that.
2: I say no. Get yourself a PCI wireless card or USB wireless dongle instead.
3: If you're going to overclock, I reckon the E7200 is a slightly better buy.

The reason I want to use an nVidia card is because I'm a Linux user, and as I understand, nVidia's support for Linux is MUCH better then ATIs. Correct?

 

[jhstuckey]

Originally posted by: Blain
The fact that cooling is "fanless" doesn't mean that the MB runs so cool that it doesn't need much cooling.
"Fanless" is mainly a sales gimick.

Any type of "fanless" setup ONLY functions properly when the whole case has very good air flow. Unless you're going with an external water cooling outfit, don't pay any premiums for "fanless".

I should mention here that I'm planning on buying a large Lian Li case, so presumably I'll have good airflow. Would the fanless motherboard be more of an option in this case? And also, wouldn't it be more quiet?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: jhstuckey

Originally posted by: Blain
The fact that cooling is "fanless" doesn't mean that the MB runs so cool that it doesn't need much cooling.
"Fanless" is mainly a sales gimick.

Any type of "fanless" setup ONLY functions properly when the whole case has very good air flow. Unless you're going with an external water cooling outfit, don't pay any premiums for "fanless".

I should mention here that I'm planning on buying a large Lian Li case, so presumably I'll have good airflow. Would the fanless motherboard be more of an option in this case? And also, wouldn't it be more quiet?

Which Lian Li model are you using?

 

[jhstuckey]

I'm thinking of either the Lian Li PC-A10B, or Lian Li PC-A71. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16811112145) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16811112122)

 

[Blain]

The PC-A71 should have the better air flow of the two.