Budget Build

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vtx_

Gawd
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Jan 30, 2005
Messages
792
Ok so after some input from you guys this is what I got so far

Intel e2140
Gigabyte DS3L
2x1gb G.Skill DDR2 800
X850XT PE to hold me over for a while (All I really play is CS anyway, and the occasional HL:2 based game)
Samsung DVD burner
Coolermaster 690
OCZ Powerstream 600w

I still am looking for a psu and a hd. The psu I will probably buy off the boards. I might also pick up a 36gb raptor for my OS and programs.
Any input on these two subjects would be aprpeciated. For the PSU I don't really want to spend over $75, and less is better.
 
Where are those prices from?
What size monitor do you have?
What's your budget?
What's included in that budget? (tax/shipping/windows/speakers/keyboard/etc)
 
Prices are from newegg

I am not sure on a psu yet, would like something modular but they seem a little out of the budget. So a good quality 400+ watt psu will probably be my choice

I already have monitor, keyboard, mouse, and WinXP home which i will stick with for now
 
You forgot to answer Enginurd's last 3 questions thoroughly. Answer those or we can't help you.
 
the budget is somewhere around $600 which includes shipping, probably wont be paying tax since i never have from an online retailer (live in MA)

I have a 17" crt that I really like for gaming, I might get a 22"-24" lcd in the future
 
vtx_ said:
As for the video card there is an EVGA 8600GT for 89.99 after rebate... would i still be better off with the x1950gt?
Click to expand...

Either card will work fine on that monitor, IMO. Though, the 1950 would be better if you get a larger monitor.
 
Just one thing... is there any other options for a good overclocking board for the e4500 that is less expensive. Don't really care about raid (which the Gigabyte doesnt have anyway)

Just want something:
stable
that overclocks well
can achieve a fsb that will result in 3-3.2ghz on the e4500
supports 4x1gb of DDR2 800 (if i decide to expand)should be able to

OR

I have been looking at the e2160 which seem to overclock very well. I could save about $40 by purchasing that instead
 
^^^

I dunno if it is just me, but the E2160+3850 seems like a better choice. The E2160 overclocks the same as an E4XXX and the peformance penalty of the lower cache is negigible.
An alternative would be dropping the mobo to one with an older chipset. My 945P-S3 oc's to 290FSB, so with an E4500: 11X290=3200MHz, which should be near its max. I DID face lots of issues before reaching this frequency, but my point is that a board with an older chipset (or open box) will still do fine.
 
I think that I will go with the e2160

Now I just need to find a card on the forums... don't see it sensible to buy new if I am looking for an older card since they seem overpriced a lot of the time.

Might even just get something like a 6600GT to hold me over until prices come down when the new generation of cards come out
 
Actually thats a pretty good price for the x1950XT 512MB considering that it was the second highest ranking card in terms of performance of ATI's Radeon R500 series. And buying it used will only save you about $10 to $15 after looking through the For Sale Forum.

Going with the E2160 is a good choice. As for motherboards, you could shave some money by going with the older 945 chipset. But if you plan on upgrading the CPU within a year and want to be able to OC easily, then I recommend sticking with the DS3L. Especially if you go with the E2160.

The next gen of cards have already come out already. The new ATI 3800 cards and the revised 8800s are technically next gen. And prices have already dropped. That x1950XT was $180 less than a month ago. Now it's $120. Thats a pretty decent price drop.
 
Well, the X1950XT had to drop in price, since the HD3850 is only $180, and can sometimes be found for $160. Honestly, I'd find $50 somewhere and pickup the 3850, lol.
 
Check my edited post for what I have purchased so far. I would appreciate feedback on what I mention in the post.

I will post pics here when I get it all up and running.
 
Just picked up an OCZ Powerstream 600 watt used for the same price so I went with that.

Now I just need to wait for everything to get here this week. Also need to pick up a hard drive. Maybe there will be some good sales tomorrow morning
 
vtx_ said:
Just picked up an OCZ Powerstream 600 watt used for the same price so I went with that.
Click to expand...

If that powerstream is based on the FSP Epsilon (and I think it is), then don't max out that PSU's load, since there's ripple at high loads on those units. Ripple kills your parts over time. ;)
 
Just got the build together.. Check out this thread for overclocking and bench results

HERE
 
enginurd said:
If that powerstream is based on the FSP Epsilon (and I think it is), then don't max out that PSU's load, since there's ripple at high loads on those units. Ripple kills your parts over time. ;)
Click to expand...

It won't be anywhere near maxed out, I like it for the adjustable rails and good rating on 12v rail.
 
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