Two Build Dilema

[tallman45]

Need to build 2 rigs

1) Business machine (Dual Monitors, Office Apps, Photoshop, etc)

2) Moderate powered gaming rig

Have in hand both Hdd, cases and PSU's (430 Earthwatts and Seasonic 500W S12) plus

1) Gigabyte p35-DS4
2) DFI Infinity P965
3) 4gb Mushkin Dddr2 HP6400
4) EVGA 8800GTS 320gb
5) E8400 proc

missing a proc, VPU and Memory

The thought was to pick up an E4500 at Microcenter for $99 for the gaming rig, along with 2gb DDR2 and use the 8800GTS as the P965 does not support PCI-E 2.0

That leaves system 1 with the P35 and E8400 but no VPU (could go with an 8600GT which is likely more than adequate or get another 8800GTS for $115 AR

Ideas ?

 

[Denithor]

First off, ignore the whole PCIe x16 versus 2.0 (which is just a marketing gimmick).

My suggestions.

1) Business machine
DFI Infinity P965
e2180 (ClubIT for $78) or e4500 from Microcenter
2GB DDR2
Earthwatts 430W
8800GTS 320MB

Unless you are doing heavy photo/video editing on that business machine, go with the slower stuff in it and save the goodies for the gaming system. The e2180 is plenty of power for typical office apps and general use but you can also use the e4500 if you prefer.

2) Gaming machine
Gigabyte P35-DS4
e8400
2GB DDR2
Seasonic 500W
8800GS/9600GT/8800GT

e8400/DS4 is massive overkill for an office machine, use it to much better effect in the gaming system. Add a GPU from those above and you're set. 8800GS ($110AR)/9600GT ($135AR) are priced pretty close together and are similar in performance and both are going to be significantly better than the 8800GTS 320MB. 8800GT is priced somewhat higher (around $160 after MIR) but offers even better performance. If you are gaming at 1600x1200 or below the 8800GS/9600GT will be perfect.

 

[aigomorla]

my recomendation.

call dell for the business machine. There tech support and onsite service is very helpful when you have a system going down thats important.

The gaming machine you build. Business machines just need to work and stay working. If you do get a dell, make sure its from the business section and not consumer section.


If your really insistant on building a business machine, make sure you stress test it for hours and hours so its rock stable. And try to keep the overclocking to a downlow.

 

[tallman45]

Present business machine I built way back when and it still runs 24x7, rock solid just really slow

2.4B with 1gb Rdram (Rambus) even has a 9700Pro 4x80gb Maxtors (cannot beleive not one has failed in 4+ years )