Yet another "build help" thread....

StabbytheKnife

Junior Member
Jan 2, 2008
4
0
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Hello,
I was recommended to this site because of the maturity and vast amounts of knowledge to be found within. That being said, I'm building a new computer from scratch and I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to give me their opinion:

Used for: Gaming mostly, Programming and Pshop also.
Budget: 900 - 1,100 Would like to stay below 1,000
Location: Parts from USA or Canada
Brand Preference: No real preferences, just looking for low maintenance reliability.
Current Parts: None
Searched other threads: Yes, but probably not enough.
Overclocking? Not planning on it.

Here is what I've got so far:
Mobo: ASUS M3A atx AM2+ AMD 770 DDR2 PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Raid Sound Motherboard
CPU: AMD Phenom 9500 Quad Core 2.2GHz 4mb 95w Socket AM2+
GPU: Galaxy GeForce 8800GT 600Mhz 512mb 1.8GHz DDR3 PCI-E DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out OEM Video Card
Memory: OCZ Platinum XTC PC2-6400 4GB 2x2GB DDR2-800 CL5-4-4-15 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit
HDD: Western Digital SE16 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 16mb Cache 8.9ms NCQ Hard Drive
Power Supply: OCZ Stealthxstream 600w atx12v 20/24PIN Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120mm Fan
DVD+RW Drive: Samsung SH-203B SATA DVD+RW 20x8x16 DL 18x/12x INT DVD Writer W/ Vista SW
Case: Thermaltake SopranoRS 101 Mid Tower ATX Case 4x5.25 2x3.5 5x3.5 INT No PSU Side Window
Total Price: $965.60 before tax and shipping from canada

Alternate
Mobo: ASUS P5K atx LGA775 P35 DDR2 2PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 SATA2 Sound GBLan 1394 Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Dual CoreProcessor LGA775 Conroe 2.66GHz 1333FSB 4mb
Everything else: Same as above
Price Difference: About $10 more

Just looking for suggestions/opinions on whether this will be a viable gaming computer that will last me a year or so before needing upgrades and whether I should just wait till my budget increases and get something better.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!
 

cozumel

Senior member
Nov 29, 2007
337
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Welcome to the forum StabbytheKnife.

I would definitely be going with Intel over the Phenom as Intel chips are performing way ahead of AMD currently and will probably be so for next year. Take a look at the GSkill 2x2GB kits as an aleternative for the OCZa though both should offer stability...
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
81
Intel FTW. Might consider waiting a few weeks and get a Penryn dual core (e8200/e8400) with more cache and lower operating temperatures.

Seconded on the RAM, OCZ DDR2 has a bad reputation for compatibility problems with many motherboards. Look at Kingston, Crucial, Mushkin, or Geil as alternatives.

The rest of the system looks solid. Enjoy your build!
 

MegaVovaN

Diamond Member
May 20, 2005
4,131
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Intel for the win, that's for sure.

I hear ABIT IP-35E are great mobo's, ordered one but it won't arrive for another 5 days. There are few other boards that were recommended to me in my building thread, namely GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L and MSI P35 Neo2-FR.

edit: ASUS P5K is a solid board also from what I understand.
 

StabbytheKnife

Junior Member
Jan 2, 2008
4
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Thanks guys, I'll take the advice on the CPU and look into some other memory kits as well.

By the way, are the prices on the Intel chips going to drop enough to make it worth my wait?

The one I listed above is only costing me $188, if I wait, will I be able to get a better chip for under $200?
 

MegaVovaN

Diamond Member
May 20, 2005
4,131
0
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Originally posted by: StabbytheKnife
Thanks guys, I'll take the advice on the CPU and look into some other memory kits as well.

By the way, are the prices on the Intel chips going to drop enough to make it worth my wait?

The one I listed above is only costing me $188, if I wait, will I be able to get a better chip for under $200?

Nobody knows for sure.
Personally I hate waiting game, it never ends. So if I need something, I buy it TODAY. For example I bought a e6750 and 8800GT even though new CPUs from Intel and video cards from both ATI and nV are "close" to be released.
 

StabbytheKnife

Junior Member
Jan 2, 2008
4
0
0
Yeah, I hear you. You gotta buy something sooner or later or you'll end up with nothing.
Thanks again, I'm sure there are more questions forthcoming, and the answers here are clear and quick.
Great forum guys, and I'm sure a few girls, keep up the good work!