Build for a Friend

[D4n73-13]

I was looking into a new build for a friend who's going into college. Help and suggestions would be very much appreciated.
We were thinking about using a Cooler Master Centurion 5 for the case, but we are open to cheap alternatives.
He's maxed out after $1350, so this is what we came up with:

Seagate 7200; 400 GB- $100


Q6600 2.4 GHz- $280

Asus VW222U 22"- $295

OCZ StealthXStream 600W- $90

GeForce 8600GT 512MB- $150

4GB G.Skill DDR2 800- $140

Abit IP35 Pro- $185

Cooler Master GeminII- $29

Totals:
W/O Shipping: $1319
W/Shipping: $1363

Once again, anything that could help is welcome. Very open to suggestions. Thanks!

 

[troisanh]

corsair vx550 is much better PS and cheaper after rebate.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006757&prodlist=pricegrabber

as for mobo, save 50 bucks going gigabyte.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050
GL with your build.

 

[engiNURD]

Ditch the 8600GT 512MB -- save some cash and go for the 265MB instead ($80AR). If he wants to game on a 22" monitor at native resolution, he should get a better video card, like the 8800GT 256MB when it comes out (~$200). What games does he play, or want to play?

I agree with troisanh, drop the mobo down to something that fits his needs, and go with a different PSU. That OCZ may have over-spec ripple at high loads -- there are better choices, including the VX450 linked to above.

If he doesnt need RAID, he can get the GA-P35-DS3L from mwave for $86. Another good alternative, if he needs RAID and Firewire, is the Abit IP35 vanilla, for $120 - $25MIR, also at mwave.

He could also save some money on the monitor and go for this Chimei instead:
$240 - CHIMEI CMV 221D-NBC Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen ($20MIR)

Get the Q6600 from clubit.com instead of newegg... since clubit guarantees the G0 stepping -- it requires less voltage so it runs cooler (and OC's better, if he plans on OC'ing).

Also, I'd recommend one of these coolers instead, if he plans on OC'ing:
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU HSF (optional $7 Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit; recommended if using w/ quadcore)
$45 - Tuniq Tower 120 CPU HSF
$46 - Thermalright Ultima 90 CPU HS + FBA09A12M - Z ($3)
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme CPU HS + Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E ($15)

Personally, I like the Centurion 532 and 534 better than the C5... I got mine from svc.com for $35 shipped. Check them out, they may be cheaper for you than the egg.

 

[D4n73-13]

He intends to run SLI when it's affordable.

 

[hmz]

I was looking into a new build for a friend who's going into college. Help and suggestions would be very much appreciated.
We were thinking about using a Cooler Master Centurion 5 for the case, but we are open to cheap alternatives.
He's maxed out after $1350, so this is what we came up with:

Seagate 7200; 400 GB- $100


Q6600 2.4 GHz- $280

Asus VW222U 22"- $295

OCZ StealthXStream 600W- $90

GeForce 8600GT 512MB- $150

4GB G.Skill DDR2 800- $140

Abit IP35 Pro- $185

Cooler Master GeminII- $29

Totals:
W/O Shipping: $1319
W/Shipping: $1363

Once again, anything that could help is welcome. Very open to suggestions. Thanks!

Some of the parts are expensive. The good question would be what's the computer for? Games? If its for games, it doesn't look good at all. You need to consider getting 8800GT or something better. If its not for games, get MB for ~$100 and 8600GT 256MB for $100 too. Also, 400GB is not a good deal at all.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

 

[Viper87227]

Steve smells ... that is the best suggestion I can give.

 

[engiNURD]

He intends to run SLI when it's affordable.

SLI won't work with the Abit IP35 Pro. He'll need a new motherboard or some hacked drivers. Also, you don't need SLI for a 22" monitor. Stick with a single card solution instead.

 

[D4n73-13]

Thanks all... 'cept you, Viper.

 

[Dangman]

Go with enginurd's and troisanh advice. If your friend can't wait to build his PC, pick up the ATI HD 3850 video card. It does pretty well at 1600x1050 depending on the game and is significantly faster than the 8600GTS. Though it can't compared to the 8800GT though.