Yet another new system build ...

[lonewulf44]

Following the format ...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
A mid-level non-SLI gaming machine that stays below the high priced newer stuff on the market.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
I have always tried to build a machine to last two years for as close to $600 as possible. Never over $700.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Live in the states and deal almost always with Newegg.com.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
I normally try to go with AMD,nVidia, and Asus Mobos.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Nope, think I'll just have another decent spare comp.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Hmmm, I suppose I have.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Always just run at default speeds.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Plan on buying the componetns this or next week. Buildint upon delivery.


Here's what I've got in the cart now. Totals about $610. Thoughts?

Mobo: ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

Graphics: EVGA 512-P3-N807-AR GeForce 8800GT AKIMBO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX

PS: Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL 600W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Power Supply

Along with a 160gig WD HDD, a Samsung DVDRW, & ATX Case. Just interested in some basic feedback about the core components and any glaring issues. For example, this graphics card has some major width/length on it and I worry a bit about it touching anything it's not supposed to from the overlap of the PCIe slot space. Any information is welcome. Thanks,

~L

 

[Juked07]

Not sure how commited you are to staying with AMD, but I think the consensus right now is that Intel is way ahead..

 

[lonewulf44]

It's been a gap of about 2.5 years since I last built a machine and I really have been shocked to see the trouble AMD is in these days ... Seems just a short time ago they were killing Intel when the Dual cores were first coming out and then ... well what happened?! I'm still pretty set on the X2's for now but I appreciate the nod ... you can say I told you so if I'm back on here with some WTF topics.

 

[DSF]

It's not that an AMD machine is going to encounter problems (for the most part) it's just that Intel has a definite lead in the performance area.

If I were you, on a 700 dollar budget, this is what I'd do:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P43-DS3L ($95)
A nice budget motherboard that will do light overclocking if you ever choose to, and has PCI-e 2.0 for what that's worth.

CPU: Intel E7200 ($120)
Believe it or not, this 2.53 GHz Intel is going to be about as fast, and potentially faster, than the 3GHz AMD. It will also overclock much better if you decide to try, with some people hitting as high as 3.8GHz on air cooling.

Memory: Mushkin 2x2GB DDR2-800 ($63 after rebate)
Nothing flashy, but great for what you're doing, and good timings on 1.8V is a fringe benefit.

Video Card: VisionTek HD 4850 ($170 after rebate)
This will outperform the 8800GT, but at the resolution of your monitor the 8800GT isn't a bad choice if you want to save some money.

PSU: Corsair 450VX ($60 after rebate)
Very good deal on a power supply that has plenty of juice for what you're doing.

By my mental math that adds up to only $508, which leaves you tons of wiggle room under your budget. If you would feel more comfortable with a beefier PSU you could pick up something like the Corsair 520HX or 550VX, and/or you could up the processor to an E8400 for $175, which will spank that AMD processor hands down. You could also consider the fairly speedy WD Caviar 640GB drive which I believe is around $90 on Newegg as a replacement for your older one.

 

[nerp]

Yeah as sad as I am to say it, if you're going with the new route and have $700 to spend, you really should go with Intel for a gaming rig.

If you're looking for a quiet, cold, low power office machine, I'd say build my sys #2 for yourself. But for a gaming rig, Intel is the way to go right now.

 

[geokilla]

If you plan to use AMD, do not pick the M2N-E.

DSF's build is really good. However, I have no comment on the Intel motherboards since I have no idea as well.