shopping list. would like feedback.

Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
so im upgrading my system from an athlon xp 1700 to this:

  • CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor ($183.00)

    Motherboard - ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard ($183.00)

    PSU - Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply 115/230 V ($35.99)

    Memory - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($199.00)

    Video Card
    - EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card ($109.99)

 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
any suggestions/changes? i am an occasional gamer, but i most will use it for web design and watchin dvd's/playing mp3's. thanks!
 

crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
Lokks like a great system! Is the Corsiar (199.00) with timings of 4-4-4-12? I have a lot of Corsair memory and it is very fast memory, certaily some of best out there.

I use this PC6400 on my C2D system

PC6400 4-4-4-12

My complete system:

e6600 C2D
ASUS P5B-Deluxe
G. Skill PC6400 (3 GB) 2 x 1 GB + 2 x 512 MB on Vista Home Premium 2
Corsiar Turbo flash 1 GB for Vista Readyboost
EVGA 7900 GTO
Dual Boot with XP Pro 74 GB SATA Raptor + 2 x 250 GB WD SATA
Thermaltake Mozart tower
LED Remote Control Panel
ASUS Lightscribe DVD-R
Eleven LED 120 mm fans
Thermaltake 700 watt PSU
Zalman 9500 LED

The G. Skill RAM overclocks great. I certainly would not talk you off Corsair though. Looks great.
 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
Originally posted by: crossrode
Lokks like a great system! Is the Corsiar (199.00) with timings of 4-4-4-12? I have a lot of Corsair memory and it is very fast memory, certaily some of best out there.

I use this PC6400 on my C2D system

PC6400 4-4-4-12

My complete system:

e6600 C2D
ASUS P5B-Deluxe
G. Skill PC6400 (3 GB) 2 x 1 GB + 2 x 512 MB on Vista Home Premium 2
Corsiar Turbo flash 1 GB for Vista Readyboost
EVGA 7900 GTO
Dual Boot with XP Pro 74 GB SATA Raptor + 2 x 250 GB WD SATA
Thermaltake Mozart tower
LED Remote Control Panel
ASUS Lightscribe DVD-R
Eleven LED 120 mm fans
Thermaltake 700 watt PSU
Zalman 9500 LED

The G. Skill RAM overclocks great. I certainly would not talk you off Corsair though. Looks great.

the corsair is 5-5-5-12. whatever that means.

 

crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
the corsair is 5-5-5-12. whatever that means

The first number is 5, that is the CAS LATENCY. The lower the CAS LATENCY the quicker response time your RAM will have generating commands to your CPU. The other 3 timings are the remaining major timing adjustments for your RAM. The PC6400 means 6.4 GB per seconds transfer time. PC 3200 has a 3.2 GB per second transfer rate or half as fast as PC6400 (400 mhz vs. 800 mhz.)

I can tell the difference when I'm using CAS 5 LATENCY as opposed to RAM I have set to my liking in the BIOS. You probably can not.
 

crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
[
do i even need that nice of ram if im barely gaming?

Absolutely not. The Corsiar with the 5-5-5-12 will perform great. I'm spoiled. You should see my wife's computer!
 

olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
You do not need that ram unless you overclock - get more of 'value' staff. And again if you do not overclock keep your PSU ?greener?.
 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
im not overclocking. just want a nice web design/movie watching pc with the occasional game. i dont care if i run at high res or not in games. long as its at least 1280x1024.
 

crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK = $179.00

F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ = $229.00

The second kit are some of the more desirable chips on the market currently. The first kit (179.00) are not equal. Don't buy just because it's G. Skill. The second kit is awesome.

 

olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
Then get everything but CPU and graphics cheaper. Simple 965-based board, decent 533 memory, simple 12-series seasonic 330W PSU.
 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
Originally posted by: crossrode
F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK = $179.00

F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ = $229.00

The second kit are some of the more desirable chips on the market currently. The first kit (179.00) are not equal. Don't buy just because it's G. Skill. The second kit is awesome.

im not throwing $50 more down if i dont need all that power. thanks though :)
 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
Originally posted by: olmer
Then get everything but CPU and graphics cheaper. Simple 965-based board, decent 533 memory, simple 12-series seasonic 330W PSU.

i might downgrade the video card. can u recommend something in the $50-100 range thatll suffice for what i need. i want to keep the cpu/mobo combo just in case. do i still need the 500w PSU?
 

crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
Originally posted by: craniumdesigns
check my 2nd post. web design and dvd/mp3. barely any gaming, but some. like WoW and CS.

what about this ram? its about $20 cheaper. and its 4-4-4-12.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231087



http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2867&p=7

What a pleasant surprise then to find G.Skill DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 memory, with a mid-range price, built with Micron D9 memory chips. In fairness it is not exactly the same chip, since these Micron D9, designated D9GMH, are binned for lower performance than the very best, which are designated D9GKX. Still, we are dealing with the same excellent base memory chip, which have come through different sorts.

This same chip, binned to a lower speed and timings, does manage to reach the same performance level as the best at DDR2-800, but it requires much higher voltage to reach the 3-3-3 timings. However, if you are willing to compromise a bit, you can achieve the rated DDR2-800 at 4-4-4 timings with a very average 1.9V memory voltage. The G.Skill also became one of the few DDR2-800 kits tested at AnandTech that actually reached DDR2-1067. That memory speed required all our board could deliver at 2.35V to 2.4V and the timings still could not match the best D9 we have tested - 5-5-5 with G.Skill compared to 4-3-4 with the best D9-based DIMMs. However, this mid-priced memory acquitted itself very well, delivering more than we expected in our memory test suite.

 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
cool. i'll go with that then. now i just need to figure out if i need the 500W PSU or can i go lower, and i'm looking for an early 7000 series nvidia vid card.
 

olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
Yep, if you like your electricity company that much.

If you want to be able to overclock somewhat and still spend reasonable money ? get best b4b components e.g. Gigabyte GA-965G-DS3, 6300, at least 2 GB of good 667 memory (forget 800); 7600gt is good v4m, but get passively cooled one. Spend more on case, sound, speakers, quiet fans (especially screen if you do not have one). PSU i suggested is enough, if you want a slight overkill ? go for 430w version.
 
Mar 13, 2007
100
0
0
ok. how's this revised list?

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor ($183.00)

Motherboard - ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard ($183.00)

Power Supply - Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply 115/230 V ($35.99)

Memory - PNY 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($136.99)

Video Card - EVGA 128-P2-N411-LX GeForce 7100GS 256MB(128MB On-board) 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card ($49.99)

Total: $588.97
 

olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
Do you mind telling why do you need such an expensive crossfire board if you are planning to run 7100?
 

olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
Then save for your own place by not spending on staff you do not need. End of advice/discussion from me.