Gogo rediculous thread title acronyms!
This post looks to be a little long...
Anyway, you've all done this before. I'm looking to build a desktop to replace my aging Compaq Presario x1000 notebook, which is now about 3.5 years old. I use the notebook mostly for web browsing, basic office type work, and watching DVDs/videos. Before the integrated Radeon Mobility 9000 video chipset w/64MB VRAM became completely decrepit and useless, I did some moderate gaming. For comparison purposes, the last fairly recent games I recall being able to play at even low-moderate settings were HL2 and Guild Wars. The notebook features a blazing fast 1.3Ghz Pentium M, 512 MB DDR (266MHz?) RAM, and the aforementioned Radeon Mobility 9000.
I'm looking to make a pretty serious upgrade. My need for portability has lessened as I am no longer a student and no longer living abroad. I will use this new computer for mostly the same purposes, though I would like to check out some newer games. I'm not so much one for CS:S, BF2, etc, though I like RPGs and would like to play Oblivion and NWN2 (which one of my friends was involved in making...and which I've had sitting here on my desk since release but which I've of course been unable to play on this POS box).
Anyway, on to what I've been thinking about purchasing. I'm looking to spend around $1,500 or maybe a little more for EVERYTHING, including monitor. Don't worry about the OS, I have an unused copy of XP sitting here and will be soon receiving a copy of Vista for my participation in the Vista beta. As to overclocking, I'm thinking I might at some point in the future, but probably won't bother for now.
Most prices from NewEgg.
Case - LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower - $94.99
Looks like a really nice case. Looks great, not cheap or cheesy, and seems like I wouldn't have to upgrade it for many years. I hate that NewEgg keeps raising the price, though.
PSU - SilverStone ST50EF-Plus 500W PS w/ active PFC and 80 Plus Efficiency - $79.05 + possible jonnyguru discount (thanks JG)!
From reading the reviews, this is a SERIOUSLY quality PSU. However, I'm thinking it might be complete overkill for my planned system, especially since I won't be making use of too many drives/multi-GPU solutions/etc. No modular cables either, which would be useful given the limited number of peripherals I plan on installing. Anybody have a HIGH quality 400-500W modular PSU to recommend?
Mobo - ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $150.99
Again, doesn't seem like I can go wrong here from what I've read. Great OC'ing potential if I decide to go down that path. I have no need for SLI. ASUS has a reputation for quality.
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz - $222.00
It appears that the E6400 occupies the current price/stock speed/OC'ing potential sweet spot. I do not plan on buying an aftermarket cooler at this time.
RAM - BUFFALO Firestix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - $242.99
Cheapest DDR2 800 2GB kit based on Micron D9 IC's? Hells yeah!
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $94.99
Everybody seems to be using this HDD these days. The size is fine.
Keyboard/Mouse - Microsoft 65W-00001 Gray 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB RF Wireless Ergonomics Optical Desktop 3000 Mouse Included - Retail - $44.99, 24.99 after current rebate
I like that the keyboard is wireless but not too bizarre looking. I use that mouse at work and it's fine for me.
DVD - SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology - OEM - $32.99
Does this even really matter? Man, I remember when CD-Rs cost like $5 each. Ahhhh, sweet nostalgia.
Ok, now on to the PROBLEM ITEMS (why must this be so difficult...):
Video Card:
I would like to spend around $200, no more than around $250. Taking a look at the current vid card landscape, my two main options appear to be the ATI X1950 XT, and the NVIDIA 7950GT. Looking one of the few X1950 XT reviews I was able to find, it appears that the card generally beats the 7950, though in most circumstances the 7950 is more attractively priced. I do notice that for around the price of an X1950 XT 256 MB card, I could probably pick up a 512MB 7950GT. I don't know how helpful this would be for my purposes.
So, I'm probably looking at one of the following cards:
eVGA 256-P2-N636-AR GeForce 7950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail - $215.99, $200.99 AR.
eVGA 512-P2-N635-AR Geforce 7950GT KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $265.99, $245.99 AR.
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail - $249.99, $219.99 AR.
Unfortunately, I understand the X1950 XT is really loud. I can see this possibly bothering me. Also unfortunately, the HIS X1950 XT card with custom, much quieter cooling solution is out of my price range. Any suggestions?
Display:
This is really giving me trouble. I like the size and the prices of the many 22" widescreen LCDs that seem to be out now. I understand they are all made from crappy TN panels, though, and suffer from varying degrees of blacklight bleed, poor viewing angles, poor colors, etc. Unfortunately, many of the nicer 20-21" LCDs are quite a bit more expensive (e.g NEC 20WMGX2).
Basically, I would be looking at one of the following:
1) The least bad 22" LCD under $350. This would seem to cover the pricing of the vast majority of 22" LCDs.
2) LG L204WT 20" Widescreen Monitor - $319.99
Relatively highly recommended by xtknight in the video forum as a 'multimedia' monitor. High quality TN panel, supposedly. My local Circuit City is crappy, and though they stock this monitor, they do not have it out on display. Helpfully, none of the LCDs actually on display are plugged into a signal source.
3) Samsung 215TW-Black SyncMaster 21in Analog/Digital LCD Monitor (Black) Retail ***Free Shipping*** - $479.95
Almost definitely out of my price range, but I hear it's a pretty nice display. I would consider choosing less expensive other components in order to afford this. If I was going to spend this much on a monitor, however, it'd seem to make almost more sense to bite the bullet and drop six large on a NEC 20WMGX2.
Suggestions are very much appreciated.
Thanks to every one who waded through this long, wordy post! I appreciate any and all commentary. I would say my primary concern with this proposed build is that it's probably overkill for what I'm planning on doing - in all likelihood, browsing the web most of the time. Please keep that in mind when recommending I pick up dual 8800s. Otherwise, I'm certainly open to any suggestions. Let me know what you all think.
This post looks to be a little long...
Anyway, you've all done this before. I'm looking to build a desktop to replace my aging Compaq Presario x1000 notebook, which is now about 3.5 years old. I use the notebook mostly for web browsing, basic office type work, and watching DVDs/videos. Before the integrated Radeon Mobility 9000 video chipset w/64MB VRAM became completely decrepit and useless, I did some moderate gaming. For comparison purposes, the last fairly recent games I recall being able to play at even low-moderate settings were HL2 and Guild Wars. The notebook features a blazing fast 1.3Ghz Pentium M, 512 MB DDR (266MHz?) RAM, and the aforementioned Radeon Mobility 9000.
I'm looking to make a pretty serious upgrade. My need for portability has lessened as I am no longer a student and no longer living abroad. I will use this new computer for mostly the same purposes, though I would like to check out some newer games. I'm not so much one for CS:S, BF2, etc, though I like RPGs and would like to play Oblivion and NWN2 (which one of my friends was involved in making...and which I've had sitting here on my desk since release but which I've of course been unable to play on this POS box).
Anyway, on to what I've been thinking about purchasing. I'm looking to spend around $1,500 or maybe a little more for EVERYTHING, including monitor. Don't worry about the OS, I have an unused copy of XP sitting here and will be soon receiving a copy of Vista for my participation in the Vista beta. As to overclocking, I'm thinking I might at some point in the future, but probably won't bother for now.
Most prices from NewEgg.
Case - LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower - $94.99
Looks like a really nice case. Looks great, not cheap or cheesy, and seems like I wouldn't have to upgrade it for many years. I hate that NewEgg keeps raising the price, though.
PSU - SilverStone ST50EF-Plus 500W PS w/ active PFC and 80 Plus Efficiency - $79.05 + possible jonnyguru discount (thanks JG)!
From reading the reviews, this is a SERIOUSLY quality PSU. However, I'm thinking it might be complete overkill for my planned system, especially since I won't be making use of too many drives/multi-GPU solutions/etc. No modular cables either, which would be useful given the limited number of peripherals I plan on installing. Anybody have a HIGH quality 400-500W modular PSU to recommend?
Mobo - ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $150.99
Again, doesn't seem like I can go wrong here from what I've read. Great OC'ing potential if I decide to go down that path. I have no need for SLI. ASUS has a reputation for quality.
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz - $222.00
It appears that the E6400 occupies the current price/stock speed/OC'ing potential sweet spot. I do not plan on buying an aftermarket cooler at this time.
RAM - BUFFALO Firestix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - $242.99
Cheapest DDR2 800 2GB kit based on Micron D9 IC's? Hells yeah!
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $94.99
Everybody seems to be using this HDD these days. The size is fine.
Keyboard/Mouse - Microsoft 65W-00001 Gray 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB RF Wireless Ergonomics Optical Desktop 3000 Mouse Included - Retail - $44.99, 24.99 after current rebate
I like that the keyboard is wireless but not too bizarre looking. I use that mouse at work and it's fine for me.
DVD - SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology - OEM - $32.99
Does this even really matter? Man, I remember when CD-Rs cost like $5 each. Ahhhh, sweet nostalgia.
Ok, now on to the PROBLEM ITEMS (why must this be so difficult...):
Video Card:
I would like to spend around $200, no more than around $250. Taking a look at the current vid card landscape, my two main options appear to be the ATI X1950 XT, and the NVIDIA 7950GT. Looking one of the few X1950 XT reviews I was able to find, it appears that the card generally beats the 7950, though in most circumstances the 7950 is more attractively priced. I do notice that for around the price of an X1950 XT 256 MB card, I could probably pick up a 512MB 7950GT. I don't know how helpful this would be for my purposes.
So, I'm probably looking at one of the following cards:
eVGA 256-P2-N636-AR GeForce 7950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail - $215.99, $200.99 AR.
eVGA 512-P2-N635-AR Geforce 7950GT KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $265.99, $245.99 AR.
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail - $249.99, $219.99 AR.
Unfortunately, I understand the X1950 XT is really loud. I can see this possibly bothering me. Also unfortunately, the HIS X1950 XT card with custom, much quieter cooling solution is out of my price range. Any suggestions?
Display:
This is really giving me trouble. I like the size and the prices of the many 22" widescreen LCDs that seem to be out now. I understand they are all made from crappy TN panels, though, and suffer from varying degrees of blacklight bleed, poor viewing angles, poor colors, etc. Unfortunately, many of the nicer 20-21" LCDs are quite a bit more expensive (e.g NEC 20WMGX2).
Basically, I would be looking at one of the following:
1) The least bad 22" LCD under $350. This would seem to cover the pricing of the vast majority of 22" LCDs.
2) LG L204WT 20" Widescreen Monitor - $319.99
Relatively highly recommended by xtknight in the video forum as a 'multimedia' monitor. High quality TN panel, supposedly. My local Circuit City is crappy, and though they stock this monitor, they do not have it out on display. Helpfully, none of the LCDs actually on display are plugged into a signal source.
3) Samsung 215TW-Black SyncMaster 21in Analog/Digital LCD Monitor (Black) Retail ***Free Shipping*** - $479.95
Almost definitely out of my price range, but I hear it's a pretty nice display. I would consider choosing less expensive other components in order to afford this. If I was going to spend this much on a monitor, however, it'd seem to make almost more sense to bite the bullet and drop six large on a NEC 20WMGX2.
Suggestions are very much appreciated.
Thanks to every one who waded through this long, wordy post! I appreciate any and all commentary. I would say my primary concern with this proposed build is that it's probably overkill for what I'm planning on doing - in all likelihood, browsing the web most of the time. Please keep that in mind when recommending I pick up dual 8800s. Otherwise, I'm certainly open to any suggestions. Let me know what you all think.
