Building a computer

audiobliss

Ok, I need some advice. I'm seriously considering building a new desktop and passing mine on to Mom. Price is the theme here. As much under a grand as possible is awesome, though I'm willing to splurge here and there on a few things.

In the past year I've done ZERO gaming on my PC, so that's definitely not a priority, though if I had a computer that would do gaming well, I'd probably play more games. So, gaming capable, but not centered.

I know the Quad Core CPU is waaaay overkill, but it's only $70 more than the dual core E6420 that I was originally going for; I'm pretty sure the added bragging rights are worth the cost. Pretty sure.

So, here's the parts list:

GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
(two of those)

ASUS Black 2MB Cache PATA DVD Burner with LightScribe

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

So that just leaves a case. What would you recommend for a case? And what would you change about the above system? I'm pretty much ignorant when it comes to this stuff, now, it's been so long since I've looked at any of it. A friend built the basic list for me, and I just tweaked it with the RAM, CPU, and HD's.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Systems

You want my honost opinon for a new class PC:


http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/xpsdt?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs


I've bought 250 Dells now in almost 3 years and had to call for support on just 5 of them. Mostly hard drive related. Especially if the box is just going to be a work unit and not a gamming machine and such.

Serendipity

That config looks fine to me. As for the cases, are you looking for a lightweight case or a heavier one? I'd recommend Antec - they make some good cases.

audiobliss

Well, I won't be toting it around, so weight shouldn't be a concern. Just something big enough that it'll be easy to work in, good for air flow, not bad looking, and I don't think I want a flap on the front to block access to my drives. Other than that, I don't know...what should I look for?

Serendipity

Look for a case with a reliable power supply.

Sami

I'd go for 4GB of RAM. You might want to do some research on motherboards, I'd choose something different than that particular chipset myself.

shadowofnight

appadv wrote: »

Look for a case with a reliable power supply.

He already has the power supply on the list With the power supply already purchased, this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 is a great looking ...fairly cheap..very good cooling case by a great manufacturer Antec.

jmwest1970

Nice setup! You might consider a different video card, primarily because of the noise complaints about the fan.

As for the case this case is pretty nice. I don't see a need for the all the lights and windows on a case.

audiobliss

shadowofnight wrote: »

He already has the power supply on the list With the power supply already purchased, this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 is a great looking ...fairly cheap..very good cooling case by a great manufacturer Antec.

Wooooo! That case is waaay too expensive for my blood! This is a budget build, remember!

I've since decided on this case:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

audiobliss

Sami wrote: »

I'd go for 4GB of RAM. You might want to do some research on motherboards, I'd choose something different than that particular chipset myself.

I can't afford 4GB, and I can't imagine I'd ever use it with the text editing, programming, and web surfing I'm going to be doing.

I'll look into motherboards and make as much sense of that mess as I can. I'm really out of the loop. A few buds recommneded (and are running) that board, so that's why I chose it. What's wrong with that chipset, and what's a better choice?

audiobliss

jmwest1970 wrote: »

Nice setup! You might consider a different video card, primarily because of the noise complaints about the fan.

Thanks! I don't think that'll be much of an issue...it'll be tucked away in my desk. Besides, I'm young...I can lose sleep over a loud graphics card fan if I have to, right?

Sami

If you can't afford 4GB, and don't need it, why the Quad? Unless you do video editing, I don't see why you would need a powerful processor.

Why not this combo for $127.98:

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813138038
http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103749

audiobliss

Really, I just like Intel's new Core2 Duo.

Why the quad? As I said in my first post, it's totally overkill, I just like bragging rights! I could very easily scale back to the E6420 and have plenty of power. But the quad core is only $70 more...so it's a tempting splurge...

Serendipity

audiobliss wrote: »

Really, I just like Intel's new Core2 Duo.

Why the quad? As I said in my first post, it's totally overkill, I just like bragging rights! I could very easily scale back to the E6420 and have plenty of power. But the quad core is only $70 more...so it's a tempting splurge...

Go for the quad. It's not that much more than the duo, but worth it IMO.

Sami

appadv wrote: »

Go for the quad. It's not that much more than the duo, but worth it IMO.

Worth it? I disagree, if he's going to surf the web with it it's hardly worth it. For that purpose I'd go with AMD's selection (I have Core 2 Duo myself, but in this case I wouldn't pay the premium). Pick your tools for the job in question.

If you go with Quad then you better get 4GB of RAM, and 8800GTS. As for using the RAM, eventually you'll run into something called Vista...

Seriously, 2GB of PC6400 is only $50-60 while the Quad is $270 plus $100 for mobo. You can get the combo I listed, Athlon 64 X2 4600+ plus mobo for $130. $370 vs. $130 worth it? Not unless you actually put that processor into use and it sounds you won't.

audiobliss

Oh, you're right, it's totally not 'worth it'. I'm not sure if I wanna go AMD or not. I'm pretty set on Intel right now, but I won't just disregard your advice. I'll at least look into it a little.

Yes, I suppose Vista is coming at some point in time. But I'll be holding onto XP Pro tight for as long as I can.

Thanks for the advice!

audiobliss

Oh, does anyone know of any good, informative computer forums?

Serendipity

audiobliss wrote: »

Oh, does anyone know of any good, informative computer forums?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/

ledhed

I'd get a 8600 GFX card for not much more because it supports Direct X 10.

Also, if you get an Intel chip get the P35 chipset instead of the P965

audiobliss

Ok, so I've done absolutely nothing since I started this thread but research these parts and build this computer. (Looks at when he started thread. Looks at time now. :eek: What a loser. ) So, anyhoo, I think I have it down pretty good.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=6289152

I'm sticking with Intel's C2D, but I did scale back to the E6600. I'm still very tempted to get the Q6600 for the measley $50 more, but I haven't yet. Self-restraint has been working for the last 7 minutes, at least.

I'm staying with that MOBO, too, as two friends are running it with their systems OC'd like crazy and have had no problems. Also, as far as I can tell, the differences between the P965 and P35 chipset seem to be very small.

Memory has a rebate, so it's only $60 - sweet! And it's easily OC'd...my friend's running it.

I'm staying with that Gfx card because it's fine for my purposes and I can't splurge on everything.

I threw a universal card reader in there. I couldn't use my camera without that! :eek:

I think I'm happy with those HD's, still. Both SATA 3.0.

I changed out the optical drive for a practically identical one, except it's SATA versus PATA. No IDE!

And I threw a Logitech G5 in there since I'm currently using a small little laptop/travel Belkin mouse.

Total is $864.88!


So, what do you guys think? I think I've covered all my bases with it. Seems to be a pretty good system, I'm thinking. Would appreciate any more thoughts you guys have!

Sami

Switch the memory to PC6400. Both of these are CL4:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220144

ledhed

Do you want a windowed case?

Also, I'm still going to recommend a P35 Mobo - it is the newest chipset and support s the new Petryn cored chips which you may want to upgrade to.

Also, I think it is worth the extra 20$ to get a 8600 GFX card instead.

Just my .02$

EDIT: Definitely switch to DDR2 800 RAM.

KrazyMofo24

I wouldn't go with that video card...its not Direct X 10 newer models are coming out in a couple of months. 8600 if you're buying today.

PolkThug

ledhed wrote: »

Also, I'm still going to recommend a P35 Mobo - it is the newest chipset and support s the new Petryn cored chips which you may want to upgrade to.

+1 AND P965 can't support DDR3 RAM. The P35 is a little more future proof.

2michaud

OMG do NOT go Dell. They're most expensive XPS system does not even have an 8800 video card in it, and it costs 2000 smackaroos. The Arctic 7 Pro is a reallly really good cooler. I have one and it cooled my overheating cpu very well.

jakelm

I read alot of info here. Cases recommended or in the price range from $90-$120.

I just bought a case for $37 from www.geeks.com that includes a 480watt PS.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BLK-CPXMAN-02&cat=CAS&cpc=CASbsc

What is the justification of spending 3 times $37 on a case?

Sami

jakelm wrote: »

What is the justification of spending 3 times $37 on a case?

Not a lot. Some cases claim to have better cooling but I don't see that mattering much unless they have also added extra hardware for that. You can find sturdy cases for much less that do the trick but sometimes the cheap ones are very flimsy.

jakelm

Sami wrote: »

Not a lot. Some cases claim to have better cooling but I don't see that mattering much unless they have also added extra hardware for that. You can find sturdy cases for much less that do the trick but sometimes the cheap ones are very flimsy.

That was my point. Laptops ..yes... by sterdy ones. But if you the kind of person who builds and then places the tower and thenl leaves it alone. The cheaper ones would do just fine.





....unless your just the type who wants to have a $120 computer tower.

billbillw

One of the best investments I ever made was spending about $100 on a nice Antec P-150 case. It was soo much quieter and cooler running, it was like night and day for noise, and I've never had a cooling problem either.

jakelm

billbillw wrote: »

One of the best investments I ever made was spending about $100 on a nice Antec P-150 case. It was soo much quieter and cooler running, it was like night and day for noise, and I've never had a cooling problem either.

To me noise and cooling would be a fan problem not a case problem..

hell you could sit the mother board outside the case and with a well built fan on CPU and PS it would be quiet.

shadowofnight

jakelm wrote: »

I read alot of info here. Cases recommended or in the price range from $90-$120.

I just bought a case for $37 from www.geeks.com that includes a 480watt PS.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BLK-CPXMAN-02&cat=CAS&cpc=CASbsc

What is the justification of spending 3 times $37 on a case?

The power supply in that case is pure junk...kinda like the white van speakers or the 69 dollar " 1,000 watt amp " ....Sure it might work for now ( Maybe ) but I have had to replace so many of those extremely cheap ps .

He is putting a quad core cpu...2 GB of ram and a power hungry Nvidia video card in his system....that takes a quality PS to keep from getting spontaneous reboots..lockups...or outright failure.