Please look over this upcoming build

[limer]

Hi guys,

I'm building a system for my brother and it's been a long time since my last build. Here's what I'm looking at:

1) The PC will be used for some games such as Counterstrike: Source, Oblivion and the newest Command & Conquer. It will also be used for word processing, spreadsheets and an all around family computer.

2) Budget is $1100. Will not need to purchase an OS as we have another copy already. There is some flexibility here, but not much.

3) I live in the USA and will be buying parts here.

4) I'm not a brand fan-boy so to speak. I simply want the best bang for the buck.

5) Completely new build from scratch.

6) I've read a number of threads here at anandtech and the occasional other hardware review site.

7) Overclocking isn't a concern. The system will be run at the defaults.


Case: Antec Performance One P180B
Mobo: ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB
PSU: Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
Monitor: NEC Display Solutions 90GX2-BK Black-Silver 19"
DVD Burner: LITE-ON 20X LH-20A1S
Speakers: Logitech X-230 32 watts RMS 2.1 Black Speaker System
Card Reader: GWC RU2B61 26-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader
Mouse: Logitech MX518
Keyboard: Logitech 967738-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys USB

Any help appreciated 🙂

Current total at newegg is ~ $1122 without shipping. Yes, I'm already a bit over budget 😛

 

[nick1985]

Im not quite caught up with the current tech yet, but isnt Intel ahead of AMD at this moment?

 

[limer]

^

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: limer

6) I've read a number of threads here at anandtech and the occasional other hardware review site.

They should have pointed you in the Core 2 Duo direction. :laugh:

 

[jawknee530]

yes i would go with a core2 setup with a p35 board myself.

 

[User5]

I would say to try and put together a build that would give you more bang for your buck. For 1100 it dosent seem like you are getting yours being that I just prices out a system for $1200 including a Core 2 Duo E6750 and 8800GTS 320mb vid card and 22" widescreen 2ms samsung lcd.

 

[User5]

heres what i got so far.. you can save a bunch of money right off the bat by ditching that case and going with this one for $40 with free shipping (youl save 15 with that alone) plus that monitor is a rip off and out of stock.

CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 ---------- $50.00 (w/free ship)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811119068

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ---- $95.00 (perfect as long as you dont use RAID/SLI or Firewire)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813128059

VID CARD: EVGA 8800GTS 320MB ---------- $270.00 (ridiculous video card with lifetime warranty and step up program)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16814130082

POWER SUPPLY: OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W PSU ------- $100.00 (i like to invest in quality psus but you can go with a cheaper one)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341001

PROCESSOR: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 , 2.66ghz ---- $205.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115029

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) --- $70.00 (after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820146565

HARD DRIVE: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 250GB --- $70.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16822148262

and newegg has a KILLER deal on this monitor: So far, all from newegg I have priced out a $1200 rig as follows:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16824001096

 

[limer]

Thanks for the info guys. The only reason I'm considering AMD over Intel is (while I believe Intel does have a superior architecture) AMD appears to be a better bang for the buck. I've looked over some of the cpu charts at Tom's hardware. Dollar for dollar, it seems AMD will usually outperform Intel. Is this incorrect?

 

[tshen83]

limer, you should go with User5's suggestion:

CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 ---------- $50.00 (w/free ship)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811119068

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ---- $95.00 (perfect as long as you dont use RAID/SLI or Firewire)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813128059

VID CARD: EVGA 8800GTS 320MB ---------- $270.00 (ridiculous video card with lifetime warranty and step up program)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16814130082

POWER SUPPLY: OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W PSU ------- $100.00 (i like to invest in quality psus but you can go with a cheaper one)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341001

PROCESSOR: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 , 2.66ghz ---- $205.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115029

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) --- $70.00 (after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820146565

HARD DRIVE: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 250GB --- $70.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16822148262

and newegg has a KILLER deal on this monitor: So far, all from newegg I have priced out a $1200 rig as follows:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16824001096


With the possible exception of the CPU, I would have spent another 60 dollars for the Q6600, or maybe if you are geeky, a G0 X3210 Xeon Socket 775 for 230 ...or 25 bux more.

 

[tshen83]

btw, just wanted to add that the X3210 is THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK CPU there is right now ...230 bux for a quad core? 57 bux per core! it would fly. If you got ballz, try to run that sucker at 1333fsb.

 

[jawknee530]

i recommend user5's setup. i plan on purchasing a EVGA 8800GTS 320 next week and stepping up to the 9800 when it's released. i also have a Corsair 520 on the way and can't wait for it to get here.

 

[limer]

User5, thanks for your help, it was invaluable. Used most of the parts you listed and was surprised at how happy I was with the Centurion 5 case.