Yes, it's another help me out building a computer thread...

[JackieO]

Hey guys - so my wife's computer is finally so outdated that I'm going to get off my lazy ass and upgrade my computer, and give mine to her! Problem is, with work & life I've been out of the computer hardware scene for awhile, and find myself feeling like my dad must have when he got his first beta-max. I generally know what's what, but I want some help building a machine. I'd like to keep the price under $1,500 (but will go higher if there is a good argument to do so), and I do not need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or burner; just the basics (case, psu, cpus, mb, hdd, vid card, sound, you get the idea). Here is what I was *thinking*; please totally rip it apart and call me stupid.

Notes: I do not think I will be overclocking. I prefer stability to that last 2fps. I would like it to remain relatively quiet; I know that this is often difficult given crap runs hot and needs fans, so the less fans required the better. My current rig is an SFF (P4 3ghz, 6800 etc, and it runs super quiet).

CPU
Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz E6400 = $220 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819115004)
(alternately, +90 for e6600)

Motherboard. This has me a little confused. 965 or 975X? I can't even tell the difference except for over $100.
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard = $240
Gigabyte P965 GA-965P-S3 = $115

Honestly, what do I get for $125 here?

Memory
Crucial Technology Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel = $300.

Ideas here? It's pricey at Newegg, so if there is something as good for less cash I am all for it.

Video: Again, sort of up in the air. ATi or nvidia? Back when I payed attention to computers nvidia was pretty much a given, it seems they're about 50/50 now. Here is what I think thinking:

XFX PVT71JYHE9 GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 = $320.

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $160

Case and PSU - I have no idea. Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail = $55?
PSU = Something quiet here is key. I really have no idea what's good + quiet. Budget $100 for it I guess.

Sound/LAN - I assume onboard the MB is still ok.

I think that's it. I came up with $1485 for the "upgraded" config, and ~$1250 for the lesser of the two. Comments, suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[crydee]

You can drop the HDD to the 320 GB version and it goes down to 95$ on Newegg. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

You can save 40 bucks on the ram http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820144028
If you plan on overclocking need some good ram. You should get the Gigabyte board or the Asus P5B-E. If you get the E6600 you should get a 975X board.

I'd pick up a x1950PRO instead of the 7950GT though and when price drops after G80 you could get another .. two x1950PROs aren't that bad of a set up.

Onboard is fine. I like USB headsets though and don't use speakers often not nice with roommates.

If you plan on going multi card the Corsair 520w might appeal to you for future proof. The Antec P180 is a bit bigger ships free at frys.com and is very quiet.

 

[LouPoir]

My inputs - no overeclocking to mild overclocking:

965P chipset - Gigabyte DS3 or S3
Corsair value ram 2x1gb 667
E6600 - Conroe - has 4mb vs 2mb cache compared to the E6400
X1900XT or 7950

Your on your own for the rest.


IMHO


Lou

 

[Slugbait]

Good choices. I believe the Asus board got a Kickass award from MaxPC several months back. I think the chipset would be better for handling DX10 than the 965 (not sure, somebody will certainly correct me if I'm wrong).

Video choice is good bang-for-the-buck. But if you plan to upgrade to Vista in the next year, you might instead consider a 7600GT or 7900GS and save a few bucks toward the DX10 videocard upgrade.

Speaking of which, the DX10 cards might be a little too long for some cases. Me, I'm pining for a Thermaltake Armor. Just think, "Over 10 inches, look out for hard drive cage"

I have a Fortron 450 that I bought several months ago that is really, really, quiet. Anything with a huge 120 single fan and honeycomb rear should be fairly quiet.

Onboard LAN is fine, that's been part of all my configs since an old P2B-LS that I built around years ago. Onboard audio may be a different story...I still prefer my Audigy2 over the onboard chip, but I also have the breakout front plate for it (which is quite handy).

 

[JackieO]

Thanks for the replies guys - lots of info to digest. I'm not too concerned with saving money now for fear of future upgrades, because with 3 computer users in the house there is always somewhere old hardware can go. I'd rather maximize my usability now and worry about upgrading when the time comes.

I will not be overclocking, ya I know, I'm an old fart - I just prefer solid reliabilty/quiet/cool to overclocking (yes, I know you can safely overclock, but I'd just rather not, or have a setup that isn't geared towards it).

Any particular advantages on the ATi VS NVIDIA front? I know most MBs will take an SLI nvid setup, but aren't some "crossifre" compatible and others not?

Good point on the case size - I will definitely keep an eye on that. Does everyone agree a good 450W PSU will do it, or should I go 500W+?

Cheers.

Quick edit re the vid cards; I realize that by going x1950pro i could add another later; but couldnt i do the same with the nvid card?

 

[crydee]

Yes but the X1950PRO is a pretty good price and will probably drop below the 200$ mark after G80. If you plan on doing that, you could get the P5B-E Deluxe with the E6400. Nice gaming setup, I'd get a 450-500Watt power supply then.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Speaking of which, the DX10 cards might be a little too long for some cases.

Is this true?? How do I figure out if the 8800/R600 will fit in my Lian-Li, aside of buying one of course?

 

[dBTelos]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817388003
Masscool 460W w/ PCI-E

http://tinyurl.com/fyax4
Seasonic S12 430W w/ PCI-E

 

[GuitarDaddy]

The same crucial memory that you listed in the OP thats $300 at newegg is $259 at ZipZoomFly

Or you can get the Crucial 10th aniversary ram rated at DDR667 at newegg for $220, it easily overclocks to DDR800 with some reports of people hitting DDR1000

 

[JackieO]

Ah, very good, thanks.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Speaking of which, the DX10 cards might be a little too long for some cases.

Is this true?? How do I figure out if the 8800/R600 will fit in my Lian-Li, aside of buying one of course?

Use a ruler or tape measurer. If the distance from the cage to the bracket is less than 10 inches, you may have a problem. This is assuming, of course, that the rumors of the card length are true...we find out next week.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Enermax Liberty 500W if you want to keep PSU ~$100. Seasonic S12/M12-500 if you need even more quietness.

 

[flexy]

>>>
Motherboard. This has me a little confused. 965 or 975X? I can't even tell the difference except for over $100.
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard = $240
Gigabyte P965 GA-965P-S3 = $115
>>>

i'd be interested in that too.

I plan to get an E6400 or E6600 and attempt massive OC.

So...which board is the better OCer ? And why a 975X for an E6600 ? Any way around Asus ?

Also...is there something worth waiting for in the mobo-sector...assuming i will build in one/two/three months ?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: flexy
>>>
Motherboard. This has me a little confused. 965 or 975X? I can't even tell the difference except for over $100.
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard = $240
Gigabyte P965 GA-965P-S3 = $115
>>>

i'd be interested in that too.

I plan to get an E6400 or E6600 and attempt massive OC.

So...which board is the better OCer ? And why a 975X for an E6600 ? Any way around Asus ?

Also...is there something worth waiting for in the mobo-sector...assuming i will build in one/two/three months ?

The 975x is the older more mature chipset, it has a native PATA controller and seems to overclock the 4mb conroe chips (6600,6700,6800) better, although as the P965 chipset is maturing the overclocking gap has narrowed if not disapeared completely.

The P965 is newer and can reach the highest FSB so far, early on they could clock the Alandale 2mb chips (6300,6400) sky high with FSB's of 500+, as it has matured it also clocks the 4mb chips very well. P965 boards have to have a third party PATA controller like Jmiron to support older drives and opticals