New PC Build - What do you think?

opulent

Member
Feb 22, 2005
90
0
61
Hey everyone,
I am building a new machine from the ground up and thought I would post what I decided on, and see what my tech buddies think.
1 thing different is I am in Canada and buying everything from Canada vendors that way I don't have to wait for those impossibly long border delays.
Of course if you suggest something much better I can't get here for the same price I may risk that dang border.

Ok here it goes, (Canadian Prices)
$260 CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail 3yr warranty
$157 MotherBoard - ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$160 RAM 4GB - Patriot Signature Line 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL5 240PIN Memory Dual Channel DIMM Kit
$300AR Video Card - EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
$126 Power Supply - SEASONIC S12 550W SLI/CF SSI ATX Power Supply (550HT-F3BLR)
$130 Hard Drive1 - Western Digital Raptor 36Gb - 10000rpm - 16Mb Cache - SATA Hard Drive - WD360ADFD (OEM)
$83 Hard Drive 2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$39 CASE - COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$4 Fan - Yate Loon D12SL-12 120MM Quiet Cooling Fan 1350RPM 47CFM 28DB 3PIN & 4PIN Sleeve Bearing Oem
$6 Fan - Yate Loon D12BL-12 120MM Quiet Cooling Fan 1200RPM 45CFM 24DB 3PIN & 4PIN Ball Bearing Oem
$24 Heat Sink - ARCTIC-COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Intel CPU Cooler - Retail (Intel Approved)
$36 DVD/RW - Samsung SH-S183A Black SATA DVD+-RW 18X6X16 DL 8X INT OEM W/ SW - No Software
$160 OS - Windows Vista Home Prem 64-bit DSP OEM DVD
OR $95 OS - Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2 OEM Version

Total $1425 + $185 tax + $90 shipping = $1700.
Original Budget $1500 (darn tax) lol

I do plan to overclock this a bit, but since I am not very experienced we will see what happens.
I play games 1st, 2nd I work, 3rd watch movies.
My monitor is 21" Dell Ultrascan p1110 - Planning in the next 6 to 8 months upgrading to a 37" LCD min Resolution: 1920 x 1080.
 

xitshsif

Senior member
Dec 6, 2004
245
0
0
Looks alright to me. My only concerns are:

1) Possibly waiting for price drops on the Core 2 Duos, or getting a quad core for the same price
2) Is the raptor really a necessity?
 

Dahak

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2000
3,752
25
91
Nice, im getting something similar once the quad core intel chip comes down in price
 

opulent

Member
Feb 22, 2005
90
0
61
Ya I have been thinking of the price drops on the CPU as well, and also I suspect the Video Cards might have a bit of a drop in a month or two - Complete speculation on my part hehe or is it hope.

But I have wanted to build a system since January, and then there was the april drops now the July drops, and if I wait till then something else will be dropping like the video cards - I am starting to get the feeling I could put it off forever.

Getting impatient - want to play lol

Thanks for the input and listening to me prattle.

Edit. -- As for the Raptor, no it isn't needed, but I have to have it. If you know what I mean. :)
 

Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
6,045
0
0
Be brave, go for Vista. Aren't you bored of XP Home by now? :)

FWIW, I've had no trouble whatsoever with getting drivers on Vista x64.
 

deadseasquirrel

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2001
1,736
0
0
Looks good to me. You could get closer to your budget by dropping to a lower CPU and overclocking. I know you mentioned that you planned to do some slight oc'ing and that you aren't very experienced... but there are a lot of folks here to help you get the most out of your new chip. That and losing the raptor will get you to your budget, I think.

But, if you're completely happy with the amount you're spending, I might even recommend still going to a lower CPU that still overclocks well, losing the raptor, and going for the GTS 640 instead. When you get that Westy, and run at 1920x1080 with AA/AF, the extra horsepower should come in handy.

But, either way, the build looks good. And, I agree with you, you could wait a little longer for the price cuts, but it will seem like you're ALWAYS waiting.
 

theYipster

Member
Nov 16, 2005
137
0
0
Get Vista x64 since you're getting 4 gigs of RAM (which requires a 64-bit version of Windows in order to use it all.) Despite what people have said about the 32-bit versions, Vista x-64 is a more mature, stable, and supported platform than XP-64, which was always an odd (and lonely) duck.

Otherwise looks good.

Mark.
 

KermitM42

Senior member
May 22, 2007
271
0
0
Originally posted by: Roguestar
Be brave, go for Vista. Aren't you bored of XP Home by now? :)

FWIW, I've had no trouble whatsoever with getting drivers on Vista x64.

ditto.
its crazy how loathesome people are over vista.
the only issue i had was that my 2Wire usb wireless reciever didnt have driver support.
*shrug* big whoop
 

opulent

Member
Feb 22, 2005
90
0
61
Thats Great everyone,
Thanks bunches for the input.

I have decided to go with the Vista 64, your right I am a bit bored of XP and will have to deal with vista eventually.

I really wanted to go with 640 video card, but in canada its just to expensive with some minor rebates like $20 or $30 dollars and not often (unlike the states, you guys get some hot deal wow) so will be sticking with the 320.

I am happy with what I am spending even though it is a $200 over original expectations because I have the money now, and with the amount of time I use my computer its more then worth it.

Maybe my next system I won't be so spooked about overclocking and be able to go for the lower CPU, for the peace of mind its worth the extra money.

I will be buying everything tonight.

Thanks gang, your the best.