Okay.. my build.. mostly what do you think

[Xarick]

My budget was $600:

pc6400 ddr2 ram 2x 512

evga 7900gt

Intel p965

E6300

This build comes out to $613 before the EGA rebate and $593 after(shipping included). I am still torn on the mobo. Not sure where to go with that. I need to keep it cheap, but decent. Since I will not be overclocking I thought an intel set would be a good idea. However if you have another suggestion I was looking for help in this thread here : Which motherboard thread

As for the EvGA.. it was between this and a x1950 pro. However, most x1950 pros that are in stock are the same price or more than the evga. The sapphire is $205 at zipzoomfly with newegg no longer even carrying it. So I went with nvidia. Not sure about the whole IQ thing.. been using a 9800pro for about 2 years now.

Went with the cheapest ram due to no desire to overclock. Also went with the two for dual channel even though the performance gain is minimal it still gives me room to go up to 3 gigs in the future and by the time I need 4 gigs I will be swapping the board anyway.

The processor was the easy choice.

I am a bit hesitant to go with a build now due to the dx10 cards coming out. However, I would still need a $200 card and it could be another year before those are around... Not sure I want to not play games for another year.. I have already missed out on some good ones due to performance.

Thoughts?

 

[boomerang]

Go for it. You can wait for this and wait for that and you're still stuck with the same old system. I saw your thread the other day and was going to comment but didn't. I've built several systems around Intel boards and they are fine performing, stable systems. You won't be unhappy with it.

I've got the same vid card on the way.

 

[Xarick]

I appreciate the thoughts. I only get to upgrade every couple of years. I am hoping that I can get a couple out of this build.

 

[bamacre]

I would take the X1950 Pro over the 7900 GT. There is an Asus at ZZF for 200 shipped...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=324623

Unless I am mistaken it is faster than the 7900 GT.

As for memory, if you are not OC'ing, go with this...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-44

Much better brand, and better compatability. And the speed difference wouldn't help you anyway.

 

[Xarick]

Wait I dont understand.. why wouldnt 800 give me some performance over 533?

 

[bamacre]

Actually what I linked to is 667mhz.

Think. The FSB is 1066mhz, and your memory will run in dual channel mode.

The main reason though is Corsair VS is extremely compatible with Intel chipsets. I've been using them in Dells for years (dell uses intel chipsets).

 

[Xarick]

hmm.. I didn't think about that.. so why even buy 667.. might as well save a few bucks and buy 533.

 

[Xarick]

What iritates me about the x1950 is that it is suppose to be a $200 card. Only the asus at ZZF is $200. Everything else is above that. Newegg and chiefvalue have even stopped carrying the sapphire version.. why is this? Some of these are $220 plus even with only 256 ram. So to me that is suspicious. Maybe a good card.. but not at that price... $200 is okay, but only one option at that.

 

[Smartazz]

I've got the same card, a great value at $240 let alone what you're going to get it for.

 

[Xarick]

What is better.. the pqi ram or the corsair value select. .. the pqi says it runs at 1.9v ... is that gonna be a problem for the intel board?

 

[bamacre]

If they are about the same, get the Corsair.

 

[boomerang]

Stick with 1.8V with an Intel board. I can almost guarantee it's not going to have voltage adjustments in the BIOS.

The spec for the P965 is 1.8V as you know.