Time for a new rig, should've done it long ago

ArmchairAthlete

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2002
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I'll try to keep this short and to the point. And first, thanks a ton to anyone who posts hardware since I've been out of the loop.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Software development, gaming, web surfing, servers of various kinds from web to subversion (will be running 24/7 hooked up to UPS)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

Around $1000. Considering that I can reuse some stuff and have a legal copy of Vista Business sitting around, it seems doubtful going much over would have a lot of value vs saving the money for upgrades down the road. I'm looking for bang for the buck, but if you can convince me to spend more I may.

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

US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

Seems like Intel/NVIDIA are on top nowadays. The flipside of when I built my current rig.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

-SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
-ViewSonic 19" monitor
-DVD-RW drive
-copy of Vista Business and linux

This case/PSU is about five years old, is it even possible to reuse? ATX:

Chieftec AX-01BD U2F Case

450W Austin Power Supply Model DR-B450ATX


6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

I've looked around a bit yes.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Sure, let's keep that option open. I've OCed before. Everything for value, though it needs to be stable.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Within a month.



I imagine quad core would be nice what with a game, Vista, and mysql/asp.net/other stuff going in the background to be put on the processors. This is part of why I think I should just sell off the parts in my current box rather than keep it around as a server.



Thanks again!
 

chinaman1472

Senior member
Nov 20, 2007
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Intel Q6600 - pick one up for $200 or less. You could pick up an E8400 for $200-220 and it would still be a beast. Depending on your software development, it *may* get more out of the quad core
Gigabyte P35-DS3L or Abit IP35-E - usually $90 or less w/ rebates
4GB DDR2-800 - Any decent brand w/ heat spreaders
nVidia 8800GT(S) 512MB - Take your pick of any brand. GTs run around $160-190 AR while GTSs are about $200-230 AR
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 - Great CPU cooler for the price at $37 from Newegg
Corsair 520HX - Plenty of power, modular cables; sometimes $100 AR from buy.com

The case is most likely reusable. If you want, you can check out the Antec Sonata III for a good case/PSU combo for around $100-120. Other decent cases are Antec P182 and Cooler Master 590/690.
 

ArmchairAthlete

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2002
3,763
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So just OC a Q6600 and save some cash?

Here's the wishlist, not sure if this URL works:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=6298865">https://secure.newegg.com/N......ail.asp?ID=6298865</a>

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail

EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail


Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664AA804 - Retail

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

Under $800 /w the rebates. Not bad!

Not sure if that RAM is good, the timings are at least.

Thanks chinaman.
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
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Timings make very little difference in the real world, I wouldn't worry very much about getting lower timings. The 4GB Roguestar linked to is a good one.
 

DarkRogue

Golden Member
Dec 25, 2007
1,243
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Originally posted by: ArmchairAthlete
Sounds good DSF and rogue, I'll save a few bucks there.

Any reason not to get this cheaper 8800 /w more memory?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130317

So many cards to choose from in the $200-$250 range.

That's the 8800GTS using the older G80 core architecture. The newer 8800GTS 512MB uses the newer G92 core architecture and uses a smaller manufacturing process. nVidia screwed up their product lines ever since the 8800GT 512, but for the 8800 GTS line, it's GTS 512 > GTS 640 > GTS 320 in order from best to worst.

Also, the GTS 512 has about 10-15% performance gains over the GT 512, IIRC, so keep that in mind if you're worrying about the budget.
 

ArmchairAthlete

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2002
3,763
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Originally posted by: DarkRogue
Originally posted by: ArmchairAthlete
Sounds good DSF and rogue, I'll save a few bucks there.

Any reason not to get this cheaper 8800 /w more memory?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130317

So many cards to choose from in the $200-$250 range.

That's the 8800GTS using the older G80 core architecture. The newer 8800GTS 512MB uses the newer G92 core architecture and uses a smaller manufacturing process. nVidia screwed up their product lines ever since the 8800GT 512, but for the 8800 GTS line, it's GTS 512 > GTS 640 > GTS 320 in order from best to worst.

Also, the GTS 512 has about 10-15% performance gains over the GT 512, IIRC, so keep that in mind if you're worrying about the budget.

Well isn't that confusing, hah! Thanks for clearing that up.

I'm probably gonna pull the trigger on the list above (with the G.Skill memory instead) this weekend unless someone posts other ideas but this looks good. Something like $660 after rebates and $723 before, wow. I really should've done this a year ago since I've been struggling with TF2 and surfing with a lot of tabs open in firefox /w my 1GB/Athlon 2500+. $75 for 4GB RAM, half terabyte HDDs for a hundred bucks... mmmmm. This is gonna be fun!