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Please help with my e6600 build

K

kshue

Junior Member
Hi, this is my first post ? I?m really sorry if anything I'm asking is completely off the mark.

I want to build a system that acts as my home computer for everyday stuff. More importantly, the computer must be able to handle statistical data analysis (using STATA and MATLAB) that requires lots of processing power and large datasets (>1 GB) loaded into memory. It will not be used for gaming. My budget is around $2000.

Therefore, my priorities are nice monitors, processor, memory, and silent cool operation. My video card needs to be able to support two DVI monitors and play a DVD once in a while.

This is my first build, so I'm not sure what to get. I was thinking:

Core 2 Duo e6600 $369
ASUS P5B Deluxe Motherboard $227

Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 SDRAM PC6400 Memory $270
or
CORSAIR CM2x1024-6400C4 1GB ONLY (Set of 2) 2x$138

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KS 500GB Hard Drive (Set of 2 to be used in a RAID 1) $195
Antec P150 Case $140

ViewSonic ThinEdge VP930 19?? LCD Monitors (Set of 2) 2x$300
Lite-On DVD Lightscribe SHM-165H6S Optical Drive $38
Powercolor X1300512MB Radeon X1300 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 $95
total cost $2129

Is everything compatible, especially the memory with the motherboard (the Corsair XMS2 is not listed on the ASUS website)? Is there some other sub $100 video card I should use? And is the 430W power supply and single three speed fan included with the Antec P150 enough for cooling and power if I have no plans to overclock? Thanks!
 
Do you plan to overclock?

That video card is perfect for your needs... except that the fan might be whiny. I'm sure you could take off the stock HSF and install a larger passive one.

The power supply that comes with the P150 should work just fine, although older versions of the included PSU didn't play well with ASUS mobos (and occasionally others).
 
I would get this instead for the RAM, actually, lemme just change your whole system.

e6600 c2d $350
Intel BOXDP965LTCK Motherboard $110
Corsair VS ddr2-667 $170
2x320gb seagate 7200.10 barracudas 16mb cache $200
lian li pc7b +2 $95
enhance 5140gh $57
Samsung SyncMaster 215TW $490
NEC 3550 dvd burner $35
powercolor x1300pro 512mb $95
TOTAL: $1602

Isn't that a little better? Dual monitors won't really help you, widescreen is more usefull IMO. Get value memory if you don't want to oc. Welcome to the forums!😀
 
Check out my build for you, you can use the xtra $500 for another monitor, a better case (lian li v1000b) or something.
 
thanks acegazda. I forgot to mention, I need wireless for this system. Does the asus p5b deluxe make more sense in that situation?
 
wireless as in... high speed internet wireless? You can just get a router and an add on card. That asus is more for the overclocker. Intel boards are rock solid and built for quality over oc ability. Netgear and belkin are both good wireless routers, not the cheaper ones, but d-link and linksys have more problems.
 
Originally posted by: acegazda
I would get this instead for the RAM, actually, lemme just change your whole system.

e6600 c2d $350
Intel BOXDP965LTCK Motherboard $110
Corsair VS ddr2-667 $170
2x320gb seagate 7200.10 barracudas 16mb cache $200
lian li pc7b +2 $95
enhance 5140gh $57
Samsung SyncMaster 215TW $490
NEC 3550 dvd burner $35
powercolor x1300pro 512mb $95
TOTAL: $1602

Isn't that a little better? Dual monitors won't really help you, widescreen is more usefull IMO. Get value memory if you don't want to oc. Welcome to the forums!😀
Click to expand...
Drop down to DDR2-533 memory and keep the WD5000KS drives. 7200.10 drives can be quite loud. Also, the P150 comes with built-in HD suspension while drives are hard-mounted in the PC-7B. Not good for noise, especially when you figure that the PC-7B is aluminum, which is excited more readily than steel.
 
i like acegazda's build more. the case is personal preference mostly so go with antec if you'd like.

i agree with him that a single big monitor is better than 2 smaller ones. also, stay away from the expensive ram...you don't need it. you can spend the extra money saved on acegadza's recommendation on the 2 500gb WD drives you wanted. the rest i would just save for a later build/upgrad
 
true, I like the utilitarian look of lian li's. I think you can get the p150 for ~$115 if that's what you want.
 
Originally posted by: acegazda
I would get this instead for the RAM, actually, lemme just change your whole system.

e6600 c2d $350
Intel BOXDP965LTCK Motherboard $110
Corsair VS ddr2-667 $170
2x320gb seagate 7200.10 barracudas 16mb cache $200
lian li pc7b +2 $95
enhance 5140gh $57
Samsung SyncMaster 215TW $490
NEC 3550 dvd burner $35
powercolor x1300pro 512mb $95
TOTAL: $1602

Isn't that a little better? Dual monitors won't really help you, widescreen is more usefull IMO. Get value memory if you don't want to oc. Welcome to the forums!😀
Click to expand...

That looks very good.

Personally, I would change the PSU to a 330 watt Seasonic S12, the build quality and efficiency will be a bit better and 330 watts is plenty for such a configuration.

I would go with this passively cooled Sapphire x1300. There is absolutely no reason to opt for the "Pro" if you won't be gaming. More importantly active cooling should be avoided whenever possible; fans make noise and just another point of failure.

Add-ons to consider; a pair of 120mm Yate Loon's for the PC-7B and a Zalman CPU HS/F for lower noise.
 
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: acegazda
I would get this instead for the RAM, actually, lemme just change your whole system.

e6600 c2d $350
Intel BOXDP965LTCK Motherboard $110
Corsair VS ddr2-667 $170
2x320gb seagate 7200.10 barracudas 16mb cache $200
lian li pc7b +2 $95
enhance 5140gh $57
Samsung SyncMaster 215TW $490
NEC 3550 dvd burner $35
powercolor x1300pro 512mb $95
TOTAL: $1602

Isn't that a little better? Dual monitors won't really help you, widescreen is more usefull IMO. Get value memory if you don't want to oc. Welcome to the forums!:
Click to expand...
I would go with this passively cooled Sapphire x1300. There is absolutely no reason to opt for the "Pro" if you won't be gaming. More importantly active cooling should be avoided whenever possible; fans make noise and just another point of failure.
Click to expand...
He needs 2 DVI outs.
 
I need a simple wireless card, not a router (I'm sharing an apartment) which is why i was thinking the asus motherboard. What do you guys think of the XFX Geforce 7300GT video card?

link

it has passive cooling with two dvi's.

thanks for all the help.
 
Originally posted by: kshue
I need a simple wireless card, not a router (I'm sharing an apartment) which is why i was thinking the asus motherboard. What do you guys think of the XFX Geforce 7300GT video card?

link

it has passive cooling with two dvi's.

thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...
That'll work too.
 
Hey Kshue-
what about the ds3 DH- also has wireless capability.
What do you guys think about mobo integrated wireless vs. a wireless card? Probably not much difference in function right?
 
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