YABPT (Yet Another Build Planning Thread)

[JoLLyRoGer]

First some background. I was originally considering an AM2 build but after some research I think I'll be better served by a C2D setup. I'm going for the budget build here but by budget I mean maximum bang for the buck not necessarily the cheapest thing going (although cheap is good). Basically I'm looking for some good midrange performance on the cheap with a livable upgrade path.

So far:
-Memory
I took the plunge on 4GB of Corsair DDR2-675 XMS2-5400 Xtreme (Price was right and I figured I couldn't get hurt any way I decide to go).

-CPU
Either a C2D E4300 or E4400 with a moderate overclock. (Maybe something better if I hold out until July).

-HSF
ThermalRight Ultra120 w/ Noctua NH-12

-MoBo
Currently I'm riding the fence between these two:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
or
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3
Pro's and Con's being better overall memory performance/45nm support on the P35 vs. lower price/more mature chipset on the 965P.

-Video
Undecided. (Not a big gamer and I don't intend to spend gobs of $$$ here, but somewhat decent multiple display support is a MUST)
Recommendations?

-Sound
GIGABYTE On Board is good-nuff

-Storage
WD-Caviar 320GB / 7200 RPM / IDE - Ultra ATA-100 (Holdover from old system)

-Optical Drives
LiteON 16x DVD-RW+/- Dual Layer / IDE (Holdover from old system)

-Case
Recommendations?

-PSU
Recommendations?

Many Thanks,
JR..

 

[jkresh]

If you want to overclock then the memory was something of a mistake, (you can always lower the ratios but ddr2 800 would have made the oc a little easier). In terms of gpu, an 8600 might be a good option (or 2600 if that is out when you buy) as it will give you the capacity for dx10 (though probably won be able to handle much in terms of dx10 games), along with gpu based hd video decoding and itsint particularly expensive. For psu a corsair 520 would be overkill for your system but leave room for upgrades down the line, though if you don't want to spend the money then any major brand 400 watt would be more then enough (since you aren't looking at crazy gpu's power requirement will be fairly low).

As to cases, thats really dependent on what you want, do you want someting small, something with great airflow, something with a lot of expandability, something silent, something cheap... Answer those questions and it will help narrow down case options.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

To jkresh:

Yeah I kinda realized that about the ram after the fact. At the time I bought it I was still planning out an AM2 system and was not considering overclocking (just a faster processor). Even so, I figured I could still squeak something out of the Corsair 667 stuff but, I could be wrong. If that's the case then I'll just deal with it and move on.

Case wise I'd like to split the distance between airflow and quiet. Average expandability, average size, ATX form-factor. I want a decent looking case that isn't over-flashy and won't break the bank (I could care less about windows and back-lighting). I don't mind some fan noise as long as it doesn't fire up like like a shop-vac!

 

[Howard]

E4300
GA-965P-S3
CM Centurion 534
PSU depends on how quiet you want it

 

[Ruger22C]

Unless you are on vista, you don't need 4gB.

 

[Ruger22C]

Stick with nVidia video card for DVC and sharpness options.

 

[MarcVenice]

he allready bought the ram, so it's a moot point. And as far as overclocking goes, he will still be able to crank up his fsb to 350 and his ram should still run 1:1, since almost all ram can do moderate overclocks. That will still yield him a 2400 or a 2660mhz overclock, on a e4300 or a e4400.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: Ruger22C
Unless you are on vista, you don't need 4gB.

I have every intention of running Vista-64, hence the >3GB of ram

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: jkresh
If you want to overclock then the memory was something of a mistake, (you can always lower the ratios but ddr2 800 would have made the oc a little easier).

Not true. He's looking for a mild OC.

At stock speeds an 800mhz FSB C2D only needs 400mhz memory, so even if he doesn't OC the memory, he can get the FSB up from 200 to 333.

He can use the stock HSF, and the memory he has, to get an E4300 up to ~2.4Ghz rather easily.

 

[mrfatboy]

I'm just curious why the GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R is not an option for you. It provides a little future proofing for you in terms of DDR3 and the 45nm chips. the price it just a tiny bit more but i'm sure it will pay off in future proofing.

can you comment?

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

bamacre is spot on with his assessment. In fact he was the one who turned me on to the idea of on OC'd C2D over an Athlon X2. I suppose I could infact use the stock HSF from a retail box processor like bamacre mentions and get off cheaper than going with the ThermalRight setup and still be OK temp wise...

To mrfatboy:
Hmm... Interesting point regarding the P35C. However, I'm already riding the fence as it is between the cheaper 965P-DS3 and the P35-DS3R. $135.00 is about the most I want to spend on a motherboard. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but don't both P35 offerings provide support for 45nm?

The only real advantage I see by going with the P35C is support for DDR3 which, according to my recent research, buys no real significant gains over DDR2 (of course, I may be WAY wrong. It just seems like I remeber reading that somewhere.)

That, coupled with the fact that I've already bought into 4GB of DDR2 plus the higher price of DDR3 makes me wonder if the price premium on the P35C is really worth it in my particular situation.

Keep in mind that my driving focus is maximum performance from a minimal investment. Granted, that statement is relatively subjective, but understand that I'm not trying to build a bleeding-edge gaming rig here either. That said, I'm not totally closed to the idea, but I'm going to need some more reasons beyond DDR3 support to justify the extra cost.

 

[mrfatboy]

yes, besides 45nm support, ddr3 is the only other thing that the GA-P35C-DS3R has over the GA-P35-DS3R (that i know of). I have hear the same things that DDR3 really does not have significant benefit NOW! However, what about the future? If DDR3 kicks in next year it sure would be nice just changing out to DDR3 and not having to buy a new mobo.

I do have a concern that the GA-P35C-DS3R might have a drawback because it can support both DDR2 or 3. However, it's just a guess and I'm still waiting for people to comment.