Time for a Birthday Build!

rowdypixel

rowdypixel

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
327
My birthday is the last day of January, and the computer in my sig is really holding me back. It's time for me to upgrade as a birthday present to myself. I've been creating this list and keeping it updated for the few months, so I'm confident in most of the parts I've chosen, but I would still like to get some feedback. :)

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I'll be using it for everything. Web browsing, light gaming, programming, office work, etc.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$600 before taxes and shipping.

3) Where do you live?
USA

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
I'll be getting everything but the monitor, mouse, and speakers.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I'll be reusing the aforementioned parts.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
19" widescreen running at 1440x900

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I'd like to build it by February

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I don't need anything special here. Just a basic mATX board with at least one PCI-e and PCI slot which can overclock the E5200 to around 3.5-4GHz.



Now for the build(s):

Case: Coolermaster Elite RC-340 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EG31M-S2 LGA 775 Intel G31 mATX - $55.00
Power supply: SILVERSTONE ST400 400W Power Supply - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85.00
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAJS 320GB SATA - $50
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD4830 512MB - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Rosewill RTK-002 - $3.50
- Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$610 before taxes and shipping

My biggest concern here is the mobo. From what I've read, the GA-EG31M-S2 isn't a very good overclocker. I've heard that the Asus P5E-VM HDMI is good, but it's also twice as expensive and out of my budget.

Also, since the E5400 is supposed to come out around January 18th, I plan to wait until then to start ordering parts. I'll most likely substitute the E5400 for the E5200, but if I need money for a different component, I'll save a few bucks then and get a cheaper E5200.
 
The E5200 actually costs around $83 at NewEgg. Is $120 supposed to be the inital price of the E5400?
 
tiraides said:
The E5200 actually costs around $83 at NewEgg. Is $120 supposed to be the inital price of the E5400?
Click to expand...
Whoops, that's the price of the E7300 I initially put in the build. I must have copied the price out of the wrong spreadsheet.
 
You really don't need the wrist strap. They're pretty much useless.

According to your uses it looks like a pretty sharp build. If you're doing more gaming I would suggest going with an HD4850.

Since 800mhz RAM is pretty cheap right now you might want to consider going with 6 or even 8 gigs. It would make for a smoother transition to Windows 7 in the coming year.
 
You really don't need the wrist strap. They're pretty much useless.
Click to expand...
A whole $3.50 saved! ;)

Since 800mhz RAM is pretty cheap right now you might want to consider going with 6 or even 8 gigs. It would make for a smoother transition to Windows 7 in the coming year.
Click to expand...
I've already got 8GB of memory in there. :)
 
I was about to recommend the EA430 for $40 w/ FS, but looks like that deal is dead. :(

I'm not sure how well that G31 board OC's, but the G33 board OC's ok. However, I'd go for the GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L instead.

$5 more gets you the WD3200AAKS 16MB drive, which should be the single platter version, which is super fast.

PC_User said:
$3.50 can go a long way in today's economy.
Click to expand...

depends on the car you drive. :p
 
enginurd said:
I was about to recommend the EA430 for $40 w/ FS, but looks like that deal is dead. :(

I'm not sure how well that G31 board OC's, but the G33 board OC's ok. However, I'd go for the GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L instead.

$5 more gets you the WD3200AAKS 16MB drive, which should be the single platter version, which is super fast.
Click to expand...

Done and done. Here's an updated build:

Case: Coolermaster Elite RC-340 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: SILVERSTONE ST400 400W Power Supply - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD4830 512MB - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$635 before taxes and shipping

According to DailyTech, the E5400 will be the same price as the current E5200, and the E5200 will drop down to $65. I'll probably just spend the extra money for the higher multiplier of the E5400.
 
definatly go with a single 320GB platter drive. Those thing rip through HDtach.

the E5200 you have listed has a 12.5X multiplier, which means for 4.0GHz your northbridge only has to do 320Mhz. Your CPU will top out before that northbridge, so how well your motherboard OC's isnt too relavent.

Just to make sure you're aware of the limitations of an upgrade kit from MS right? You cant move between the 32bit and 64bit OS types.

I'm an AMD fanboy (which is why XFX signing with ATI brought tears to my eyes), but I'm also an EVGA/BFG/XFX fanboy, and as such i have to recomend on of the three brands previously mentioned 9800GT's or 9800GTX's.

Also, theres a new Corsair 400W you might wanna check out. I havnt seen any reviews, and it is a pretty cheap unit, but it might well be better than that 400W Silverstone.
 
Just to make sure you're aware of the limitations of an upgrade kit from MS right? You cant move between the 32bit and 64bit OS types.
Click to expand...
I know. I just want the 64-bit version, and this is the cheapest way for me to get any version of Vista.

I'm an AMD fanboy (which is why XFX signing with ATI brought tears to my eyes), but I'm also an EVGA/BFG/XFX fanboy, and as such i have to recomend on of the three brands previously mentioned 9800GT's or 9800GTX's.[/quote]
I'd rather not spring for the 9800GTX, however the lifetime warranty and dual slot cooler of that 9800GT make it sound like a better deal than the HD4830.

Also, theres a new Corsair 400W you might wanna check out. I havnt seen any reviews, and it is a pretty cheap unit, but it might well be better than that 400W Silverstone.
Click to expand...
I'd rather go with a PSU that has already been reviewed. The ST400 got a silver award from HardOCP. If a good review for the 400CX pops up though, I'd be happy to consider changing.

Ok, new build list:
Case: Coolermaster Elite RC-340 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: SILVERSTONE ST400 400W Power Supply - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800GT - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$635 before taxes and shipping
 
Ok, I just found a problem with the build. Although Provantage says that the RC-340 supports ATX motherboards, Newegg and Cooler Master's website says that it only supports mATX. Is there a good mATX motherboard in the $50-$80 price range? I've read that the P5E-VM HDMI is good, but it's a bit more expensive than I would like.

EDIT: Looks like the Foxconn G33M is just about the only G33 board in that price range. Most reviews say that it's ok. Unless someone else has a better suggestion, I'll probably go with it.
 
For around $10 more, you could pick up the Cooler Master Elite 330 -- and it comes with free shipping. The Gigabtye EP43-DS3L is a better board for overclocking than any sub-$80 Intel-based microATX board that you could find.
 
the RC330 looks nearly identical and supports full ATX, and is only a couple bucks more.
 
Ok then, changing the case gives me this build:

Case: Coolermaster Elite 330 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: SILVERSTONE ST400 400W Power Supply - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800GT - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$650 before taxes and shipping

It's a bit more than I was planning to spend, but I would rather spend the extra money than downgrade any of the components, so it's all good. :)
 
I would make a few adjustments on your build. I would change that Silverstone ST400 for the Antec Trupower Trio 430Watt for $40 w/free shipping I would change it for several reasons:

1. $10 cheaper with free shipping. I think $50 for that ST400 is alot when it was selling for $30 last year.
2. Antec PSU has Active PFC. The Silverstone ST400 does not.
3. Antec Truepower has a higher efficiency of 85% than 70% on the Silverstone PSU.
4. Antec PSU has 5 year parts/labor warranty. The Silvertsone only 1 year parts/labor

Review of Antec Truepower Trio 430

Get the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L motherboard from Buy.com for $85 w/free shipping. It's $80 on NewEgg but, you will have to add shipping cost. So, it might add $9-$10 on shipping. You might as well get it for $85 with the free shipping.

You can also consider the HD 4830 for $112 from Lagoom.com. Shipping cost will be at $9 on FedEx or UPS Ground ship

To bad this SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB for $55 w/free shipping is out of stock at the moment.

DanW said:
Ok then, changing the case gives me this build:

Case: Coolermaster Elite 330 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: SILVERSTONE ST400 400W Power Supply - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800GT - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$650 before taxes and shipping

It's a bit more than I was planning to spend, but I would rather spend the extra money than downgrade any of the components, so it's all good. :)
Click to expand...
 
HardwareGuru said:
I would make a few adjustments on your build. I would change that Silverstone ST400 for the Antec Trupower Trio 430Watt for $40 w/free shipping I would change it for several reasons:

1. $10 cheaper with free shipping. I think $50 for that ST400 is alot when it was selling for $30 last year.
2. Antec PSU has Active PFC. The Silverstone ST400 does not.
3. Antec Truepower has a higher efficiency of 85% than 70% on the Silverstone PSU.
4. Antec PSU has 5 year parts/labor warranty. The Silvertsone only 1 year parts/labor

Review of Antec Truepower Trio 430
Click to expand...
As long as that power supply is still on sale when I order, it sounds like a great deal.

Get the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L motherboard from Buy.com for $85 w/free shipping. It's $80 on NewEgg but, you will have to add shipping cost. So, it might add $9-$10 on shipping. You might as well get it for $85 with the free shipping.
Click to expand...
Since I'm ordering a bunch of other stuff from Newegg, it adds $4 in shipping. In the end it's about the same.

You can also consider the HD 4830 for $112 from Lagoom.com. Shipping cost will be at $9 on FedEx or UPS Ground ship
Click to expand...
The 9800GT only adds $3 shipping with all the other stuff I'm buying from Newegg. I think the extra $4 is worth the dual slot cooler and lifetime warranty.

To bad this SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB for $55 w/free shipping is out of stock at the moment.
Click to expand...
I'll check when I order on the 18th. If it's in stock, I won't complain about a couple hundred more GB. :)

Here's the updated build:
Case: Coolermaster Elite 330 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: Antec True Power Trio TP3-430 430W - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800GT - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$640 before taxes and shipping; ~$670 after shipping.
 
Damn, I doubt the Antec Truepower Trio 430 will be at that price for a month. Let's hope it will still be. As far as the RAM, you should be fine with the Kingstons 4gig. The advantage of the 4gig G.skills is that it has heatspreaders on them, has a lower cas latency timing of 5 and has free shipping included.
 
HardwareGuru said:
Damn, I doubt the Antec Truepower Trio 430 will be at that price for a month. Let's hope it will still be.
Click to expand...
We'll see. I'll be watching the price and updating my spreadsheet accordingly. I'll probably bump this thread the day I plan to purchase stuff, just in case I've missed some good deals. :)

As far as the RAM, you should be fine with the Kingstons 4gig. The advantage of the 4gig G.skills is that it has heatspreaders on them, has a lower cas latency timing of 5 and has free shipping included.
Click to expand...
Ah. From what I've read, a CAS latency of 5 shouldn't perform noticeably better than a CAS lantency of 6 - certainly not enough for an extra $30. :)

Unless anyone else has suggestions, here's the final build:
Case: Coolermaster Elite 330 - $30.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: Antec True Power Trio TP3-430 430W - $50.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $66.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800GT - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$640 before taxes and shipping; ~$670 after taxes and shipping

Thanks for the help, guys!
 
since you plan on overclocking the G.Skills I linked you too would help you overclock the cpu better I believe. As you increase the cpu speed you need to increase the ram as well to keep things balanced.
 
No, my bad. I'd plugged in numbers for a set of DDR2 1000 instead. With the free shipping it ends up being a $10 difference.

Yet again, here is a (maybe) final build:
Case: Coolermaster Elite 330 - $40.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power supply: Antec True Power Trio TP3-430 430W - $40.00
Processer: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Dual Core Processor - $85.00
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA - $55.00
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 - $80.00
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ mounting bracket - $42.00
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
- Yate Loon 80mm Low Speed Fan - $2.50
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800GT - $120.00
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$650 before taxes and shipping; ~$675 after taxes and shipping.
 
Indeed. Come back when you're buying, we (read: HG) can probably find more killer deals for you, just be patient. ;)

Even with OC'ing, any DDR2-800 RAM will be underclocked at a 1:1 ratio since the CPU multiplier is so high. Though I am a G.Skill fanboy, those kingstons are fine even without heatspreaders.
 
I plan to order later today. I've been watching prices over the past couple weeks, and have come up with an even better build than I had before. :)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 330 - $50.00
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L - $80.00
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts EA430 430W Power Supply - $40.00
Processer: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor - $120.00
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG HD501LJ 500GB SATA Hard Drive - $55.00
DVD Drive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S203F - $25.00
Memory: 2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 - $80.00
Cooling: Scythe Mugen 2 CPU Cooler - $40.00
- 2x Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed Fans - $10.00
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD4830 - $95.00 (w/ code EMCABBEAK)
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (Product Red) Upgrade 64-bit - $65.00
Extras: Vibration Dampening Hard Drive Screws - $1.50
---------
Total: ~$660 before taxes and shipping; ~$685 after taxes and shipping.
 
just read through the two pages... looks like a solid build. Wouldn't change a thing.
 
Just ordered the parts. I had to substitute the WD3200AAKS for the SpinPoint HD501LJ since it went OOS just when I got to the order confirmation page. :(

I'll post pics when everything gets here. :D

It's going to be a long wait...
 
DanW said:
Just ordered the parts. I had to substitute the WD3200AAKS for the SpinPoint HD501LJ since it went OOS just when I got to the order confirmation page. :(

I'll post pics when everything gets here. :D

It's going to be a long wait...
Click to expand...
Congrats!!! Still a good choice on the other hard drive.
 
The wonderful man in the brown truck arrived. :D

I've taken some unpacking pictures which will be put in this post as soon as I get the uploaded.

EDIT: Now that they're uploaded (and the forums are back up, here are some unpacking pics. I'll be assembling it later tonight.

Everything in its big brown box:
kMq2LuyK9jkkTEkC2mBluw


Ah! The cooler & fans!
iqRMwe0BoSG0dzkAPA6p2Q


Most of the other parts: mobo, HDD, CPU, etc:
mcCzr6JDpZbeJE3vR5-wyw


Lots of packing peanuts and bubble wrap. This hard drive should be safe:
GMhm3tpPH-bSsr-bZJmu4A


All the stuff (including a wireless card I already had):
xJchUJfYUZX4Apxs8-6SqQ
 
Ok, after about 2.5 hours of putting things together, I've gotten all the parts together, but it won't POST.

There's a red LED (D1601), which indicates overheating. I've checked and double checked my power connector. It's hooked up just fine. The LED turns on as soon as the computer goes on, and I get no video whatsoever.

The fan isn't spinning, so I initially guessed that I had either seated it incorrectly or hadn't hooked up the power correctly. However upon several attempts to reseat and reconnect the power cable, neither of those appear to be the case.

I don't have a 2nd video card handy to test, but it appears that my card is dead. :(

EDIT: I suppose I should be more accurate - as far as I can tell, nothing happens. However, there are no beeps, and I can hear the hard drive spinning up and (if I put the Windows CD in) I can also hear the DVD drive spin up. Now that I've had some sleep and am thinking a bit more clearly, it seems like it's POSTing just fine, I'm just not seeing any video.
 
Are all the power connections hooked up to the motherboard? (i.e. 24 pin, 4/8Pin)
Which fan isn't spinning, the heatsink/cooler? Video card fan?

I would suggest going out to an electronics store such as Best Buy and purchase a power supply tester. I had a problem with my first build where I didn't get any video, but all of the fans spun up. Ended up being a faulty Power supply.

Hope this helps! btw, nice pics. Hope you get your new build working soon! ;)
 
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