Build Critique

Benzino

Benzino

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 3, 2005
Messages
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I'm looking into upgrading my aging Socket 478 system. I have a case, hard drive, dvd-burner, and speakers I plan on using. Below is what I selected from Newegg. This would be for medium gaming (BF2, CS:S, F.E.A.R., H2, UT2004, Far Cry, NFS:MW) I'm not interested in any newer games, maybe UTIII at the most.
I can tell everyone right off the bat I don't need Quad-core and would be hard pressed for Crossfire/SLI. I would be running Windows XP Pro. I would like to keep this around $850 as that's as far as I can stretch my budget.

Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfsdale
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

RAM: 4 GB OCZ Reaper HPC Edition (DDR2 800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 512 MB 256 bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

Power Suppy: Rosewill 550 watt ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182017

Sound Card: HT Omega Striker
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001

A few afterthoughts: Will the PSU be sufficient? Should I get aftermarket cooling for the CPU? Thanks!
 
Aftermarket cooler for overclocking, PSU is enough. Since you're playing "older games" the 4850 and e8400 is way overkill for those named titles. Still running XP.. whatever.
 
Buy that P5Q Pro and E8400 as a combo set to save an additional $30. Link here

Use that $30 saving towards a better quality PSU:
Antec NeoPower 650 650W Modular PSU - $75

If you don't plan on overclocking or don't mind a 3.6Ghz max OC, then get this cheaper G.Skill set instead:
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $50

Though if you plan on overclocking past 3.6Ghz, get this RAM instead:
G.Skill F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 1000 RAM - $65

If you plan on overclocking, then get this HSF:
//Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $32 & Retention Bracket - $7

What speakers do you have? If you're not a audiophile, then ditch the sound card. Onboard sound has improved a lot in the past few years to the point that it's more than sufficient for others.

What size monitor do you have? Oh and UTIII is pretty dead now. Last I heard, not too many were playing that game.
 
(Man, I'm too slow... now I know how enginurd feels.... :p )

Do you have an unused (or a retail) copy of Windows XP available? If not, you may want to consider getting an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium (64-bit). I say this because the 64-bit OS will allow you to fully utilize all 4GB of RAM, and Vista Home Premium can be found for less than Windows XP Pro.
 
Well, I can get Vista Premium 64 Bit via Microsoft Dreamspark for free, so I can go with that. I have some old school Logitech Z-640's and a Dell 19' CRT (I'm a CRT junkie and hard pressed to go LCD). No plans on overclocking, and yes, UTIII wasn't all that amazing that I hoped it would be, I will stick to UT2004.
 
UT > everything 2004 and beyond. 2003 was weird, 2004 just went all crazy shit with the vehicles (man was I fucking confused, bought 2003 then my friend comes and shows off 2004. identical boxes too) .. Anyways, you should consider stuff with less horsepower if you're seriously not considering new games. I know I occasionally slip away from Warcraft 3 and indulge in new titles just to say "been there done that" so.. that's how I justify my 2x4850 as not a complete retarded waste rofl..
 
I would like to get the Orange Box, and that would probably be the newest game I play. Other then that, I just want to be able to have great performance with some of my older stuff.
 
OJ box isn't taxing. a 9600GT, 8800GT, 9800GT or maybe 8800GS/9600GSO will cream all your games.
 
Thanks. I made some adjustments and went with the following:


 
I don't see any "combo deals" being used. Did you place the order already?

And what's with the sound card? The onboard sound on the P5Q Pro is pretty good in its own right.
 
Yes, the combo deal was there, I just cropped it in my screen shot.
 
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