New Quad-Core build...

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spinn

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2001
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After recently giving up my AMD Athlon 64 to my dad, I need a new desktop for the home. My main use will be video decoding/encoding, dvd burning, photoshopping, and web surfing. I'm thinking I can put a budget Quad-core together for around $400 (incl CPU)...possible? I'm located in the SF Bay Area and will probably be sourcing locally, or from Newegg. I want to do an Intel build this time, and have my sights on a Q9300 from Microcenter for $180. I also have a Radeon X1300XT 256MB PCI-E card that I used in the previous computer, as well as a SATA DVD burner.

I don't envision OC'ing to the extreme, but wouldn't mind to some degree if it'll help with the encoding processes. I have built old Pentium systems in the past, so I know my way around the innards of a box. I plan on using Win XP Pro SP3 for the build and waiting to see what Windows 7 will offer. I also plan to add a mix of SATA and EIDE (3-4) hard drives that I have lying around, so a mid-tower case with some internal hard drive slots is my goal.

What motherboards should I consider for this economy build? - been looking at Gigabytes recently
Which type/brand of RAM? DDR2 800 to DDR2 1200?
What size/brand of PSU for my needs? 400W to 600W?

Is the graphics card that I have sufficient for my needs?

Am I missing anything else? Any recommendations? Thanks!
 
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Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
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Originally posted by: spinn
I need a new desktop for the home. My main use will be video decoding/encoding, dvd burning, photoshopping, and web surfing.
I'm thinking I can put a budget Quad-core together for around $400 (incl CPU)...possible?

I don't envision OC'ing to the extreme, but wouldn't mind to some degree if it'll help with the encoding processes.

What motherboards should I consider for this economy build? - been looking at Gigabytes recently
Which type/brand of RAM? DDR2 800 to DDR2 1200?
What size/brand of PSU for my needs? 400W to 600W?

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
A Core i7 combos sounds like just the ticket for your encoding needs, but your budget really won't allow for an i7 CPU/MB/Memory setup.
You're stuck with C2Q components. :roll:

 
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razor2025

Diamond Member
May 24, 2002
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How much parts is $400 need to cover? Assuming you'll need CPU/RAM/Mobo/PSU

Q9300 for $180 would be sweet, but you'll need to cover the rest of the requirements with measily $220. With that in mind...

2x2GB Corsair DDR2-800 would be about $40, $25 if you catch them on sale at Fry's
Any 400-600 watt power supply on sale for $50-60 after rebates. Plenty of choices there. Check Hot Deals.
Gigabyte EP45-UD3R for $110.

That's right within $400.
 
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spinn

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2001
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Need to add case too...

Any particular reason that Gigabyte MB versus one of the lesser models?
 
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TidusZ

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2007
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Because it overclocks much better, is generally higher quality, has good northbridge and power cooling, and will go past 500 fsb with simple voltage tweaks in bios, of which there are many many options on that board.
 
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Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
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Originally posted by: razor2025
Q9300 for $180 would be sweet, but you'll need to cover the rest of the requirements with measily $220.
Click to expand...
Yes, a Q9300 for $180 would be sweet...
Where can he buy one for $180 shipped?



 
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ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
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Fry's has Antec nsk6580 + earthwatts 430w for $40 right now. You could also try to find/wait for a cpu+mb deal from Fry's such as the $230 q9550 + ecs mb a month or so ago. Otherwise,
$40 case + psu
$180 cpu
$100 mb
$30 after rebate 4gb ram
$50 for something like a 4650 or
$20 3450 + $20 for a dvd burner if you need that as well
 
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Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
Originally posted by: razor2025
Q9300 for $180 would be sweet, but you'll need to cover the rest of the requirements with measily $220.
Click to expand...
Yes, a Q9300 for $180 would be sweet...
Where can he buy one for $180 shipped?

Originally posted by: ther00kie16
You could also try to find/wait for a cpu+mb deal from Fry's such as the $230 q9550 + ecs mb a month or so ago. Otherwise,

$180 cpu
Click to expand...
So it's Fry's has the Q9300 processors for $180?

 
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spinn

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2001
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Yes, Microcenter is reliable...at least here in CA. They have 45 in-stock at my location.

Q9550 + ECS MB sounded like a deal. Was that the board that was mismatched with the CPU?

Fry's currently has:
Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC 6400 ram - $25 AR
Diamond Radeon 3650 512MB w/HDMI - $30 AR

I'll have to check out that Antec Case/Earthwatts PSU deal...is 430W on the low side for the setup I'm putting together?

So it's sounding like it's doable...meeting the $400 (before tax) goal. Thanks for the help so far!
 
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ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
1,573
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Originally posted by: Blain
Are you guys really buying from Micro Center? :roll: Seems like a dodgy place to be sending over $180.


"ADD to CART" is disabled, so at the moment they are OOS.
If they would have listed the Q9300 at $75, the OP would have more budget for other parts. :laugh:
Do I hear $43?
Click to expand...

What's wrong with Microcenter? Fry's lifetime rating is only slightly better.
And are you saying you wouldn't buy from best buy?

The q9300 is in-store only so that's why you can't add to cart.
Over a year ago, I built a $300 AMD dual core system and prices have dropped so $400 for a quad core is doable.
If OP is willing to compromise on mb/gpu, then a G4x/3x could free up a little more money.
 
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spinn

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2001
1,157
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O, I'm willing to compromise on the MB/GPU...thus I wondered whether the Gigabyte MB suggested is more than what I really need. And will a Radeon 3650 provide much more improvement (for video encoding) over my present Radeon X1300XT?

ther00kie16, did you see that Antec deal in-store? i didn't see it in their newspaper ads here in the Bay Area.
 
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ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
1,573
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Originally posted by: spinn
O, I'm willing to compromise on the MB/GPU...thus I wondered whether the Gigabyte MB suggested is more than what I really need. And will a Radeon 3650 provide much more improvement (for video encoding) over my present Radeon X1300XT?

ther00kie16, did you see that Antec deal in-store? i didn't see it in their newspaper ads here in the Bay Area.
Click to expand...

It's online here. Since they've added free shipping, it's only $40 and no need to go pick it up.

For video encoding [correct me if I'm wrong], not much has been done in terms of off-loading to the vide card so all you'd need in the form of a video card is something that will play HD assuming you are working with HD videos.
So I would say a G45 ($95 on newegg) or maybe a G31 for $50 + a 3450 for $20.
If you want to overclock a lot, then try $80-$100 p43/p45 or p35 (finally coming down in price) for ~$70.
Just curious, have you considered Phenom II? It'll be about the same price and performance as a c2q but a lot more overclockable, even on stock hsf.
 
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