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Preparing to build a new PC - comments and suggestions requested

B

BoleyWV

Member
I am ready to replace my aging PC that I built with help from the Anandtech community over 5 years ago. Since I have finally decided to upgrade to a newer system, where else should I start but here in this forum.

Please take a look at the parts I have selected below and let me know if you see any glaring issues or components mismatches. Things like "your video card will not fit in that case" or "your PSU has the wrong kind of connectors" or perhaps "part XXXX is a total dog, run for the hills" are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

Lets get things started with the Q&A requested in the sticky for this forum.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for: General gaming and web browsing. I primarily play RPGs, Strategy games, and the occasional MMO (EQ2 currently). I rarely play high end FPS type games, so bleeding edge graphics are not an issue.

2. What YOUR budget is: I would like to keep things under $1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from: USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference: None - I do like to stick with quality manufacturers, even if it means paying slightly more.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts: I will be recycling my current keyboard, mouse, and 19" LCD (Hyundai L90+)

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads: Yes, similar threads (in particular the excellent "Attention System Builders") are what I based these choices on.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds: I will overclock somewhat, nothing terribly aggressive.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it: Within the next week.

Additional Info: I don't plan to use dual video cards, this is reflected in my motherboard purchase below.




Current plan - dollar figures rounded for sanity

$170 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037

$100 GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128345

$80 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145

$25 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835186134

$80 Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English System Builder Single Pack DVD
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0294708

$90 Cooler Master CM 690 ATX Mid Tower
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0265143

$130 Corsair Memory TX 650 Watt ATX Power Supply (minus $30 MIR)
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0273361

$80 Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA-300 Hard Drive
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0237870

$180 Visiontek Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCIe 2.0 Graphics Card (minus $20 MIR)
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0291846

$25 Samsung LightScribe 22x DVD±RW Burner with Dual/Double Layer Support OEM
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0293535

$31 Shipping ($9 NewEgg + $22 Microcenter)

$991 out the door - $50 in MIR = $941



My comments, concerns and considerations:

A) I have strongly considered dropping the CPU down to a Core 2 Duo E7200, as it reportedly will overclock to speeds similar to the E8400 I have listed above. However the E8400 has a 6MB L2 Cache and higher FSB so perhaps it is worth the extra cash. If not, I can knock $60 off the build price by picking up an E7200 in store at Microcenter.

B) I am slightly concerned about heat issues with the HD4850, so I chose the Visiontek model with a lifetime warranty.

C) I had considered going with the ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 as a motherboard, however I have no plans to use dual cards so I chose the Gigabyte board.

D) My currently LDC display is native at 1280x1064, which is a bit low for the new setup. I do plan to spring for a 22" widescreen monitor in the near future.
 
That all looks great. Downgrade to the E7200 if you want to save the cash; with the AF cooler you can still overclock it to past 3GHz or so.

Good call with the lifetime warranty on the card.

The motherboard you've chosen is a better pick if you're unconcerned about Crossfire. :thumbsup:

Well researched 🙂.
 
You can probably save a little money by getting a smaller PSU and 800MHz RAM if you're looking to shave a few dollars also.
 
The E8400 retail HSF is cool and quiet, fine for running at stock speed. You could use it and put the $25 from the Freezer towards a 4870.

Sure, the 4850 is fine for current games at 16x10 resolution, but in a year or two it will be forcing you to lower the resolution when the 4870 will not.

It won't matter for replaying Baldur's Gate, but it might for eye-candy-rich RPGs like Fallout 3, Oblivion and The Witcher.
 
Looks really nice.

$90 for that steel & plastic Coolermaster seems a bit bit much when $10-20 more will get you a Lian Li.
 
Originally posted by: Roguestar
That all looks great. Downgrade to the E7200 if you want to save the cash; with the AF cooler you can still overclock it to past 3GHz or so.
Click to expand...

I am still kicking around the idea of downgrading to the E7200, especially since I can knock about $60 off the build price by doing this. I wonder how much difference the slightly higher speed of the 8400 combined with higher L2 Cache actually makes. Of course that $60 almost makes of the difference of an upgrade to the HD4870.

Does anyone have a link to actually compare the OC abilities of the E7200 versus the E8400?



Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The E8400 retail HSF is cool and quiet, fine for running at stock speed. You could use it and put the $25 from the Freezer towards a 4870.

Sure, the 4850 is fine for current games at 16x10 resolution, but in a year or two it will be forcing you to lower the resolution when the 4870 will not.

It won't matter for replaying Baldur's Gate, but it might for eye-candy-rich RPGs like Fallout 3, Oblivion and The Witcher.
Click to expand...

The HD4870 is still under consideration. However I am trying to weigh the benefits of spending an extra $100 on the build to potentially make the system more "future resistant". I tend to suspect that in a year or two I can spend that same $100 (maybe $150) and buy a new card that smokes either the 4850 or 4870. I will keep it under consideration though.


Originally posted by: Operandi
Looks really nice.

$90 for that steel & plastic Coolermaster seems a bit bit much when $10-20 more will get you a Lian Li.
Click to expand...

I chose the Coolermaster because it has lots of space, cooling, ventilation. I also like the subdued looks since this case will end up in my family room. I did review some of the Lian Li affordable cases, but most of the reviews I read knocked them for flimsy/sharp bits. I will take a look again and see if anything jumps out at me, if anyone has any specific case recommendations that would be great.
 
Well, Newegg has shaken things up a bit by reducing some prices and tossing out a few combo deals that I could not pass up. Thus far I have ordered

Antec Performance One P180 Silver
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129154
At $69 shipped it was just to good to pass up. IF shipping is factored in, the case was over half off. Great deal on a good low noise case. Thanks to the Anandtech Hot Deals forum.

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005
Newegg dropped the price below MicroCenter's price so I jumped.

Newegg rolled out a CPU/Mobo combo that I could not pass up. $275 for:
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131299
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037
Although the total price is similar to the Mobo and CPU that I was previously considering, I think the ASUS board is a bit nicer.



Any suggestions for 4 Gigs of ram to pair with the ASUS P5Q Pro? I hear it is a bit picky in which ram it takes. Looking at:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122
or
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145
The price difference is only $10 between the two. Would either be more compatible or OC more reliably?



 
They're probably exactly the same chips, to be honest, just that the DDR2-1000 have been tested at DDR2-1000 speeds. If it's only $10 and you're going to overclock, get the faster set.
 
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