Current build for under 1k

M

MadJuggla9

2[H]4U
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Oct 9, 2002
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So far I'm looking at ~$750 on the following:
Case: Antec 900
Mobo: Abit IP35-E
CPU: q6600 retail
GPU: 8800gts 320 or similar
RAM: 2x2GB OCZ

OS: Have Vista 32bit, wanting vista 64 bit for obvious 3gb limits and possibly using 6-8gigs
PSU: modular preferably, ~600 watts, all about same price.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004 - Corsair 550VX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817190012 - XION 600. I know its a nobody company, reviews are great and its only modular one. Looks fantastic. Rebate iffy.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001 - OCZ 600 - not modular, looks good though.
I'm sure people can agree leaning towards the OCZ? Other recommendations.

I've given much thought and read over and over. Since I do not need all of the frills most boards had, this board was very affordable and had great reviews for my hardware. I'll be using a 500gig SATA2 16mb for my main and a 400gig WD for my secondary.

Yays or Nays? I'm trying to keep it right under 1k, a few parts are from here on the forums. I'm selling my x2 3800, 2gb DDR400, 500GB and 250GB, Vista 32bit, 256mb 6800GTX.
 
Cases are 90% personal preference. With that said, I hate the Antec 900, lol. But hey, its all about what you like, not me. If you were looking for alternatives, I'd suggest the Cooler Master RC-690.

Don't get the 8800GTS 320MB/640MB. Get the 8800GT(S) 512MB instead. What size monitor will you be gaming on, and what games will you be playing?

Actually, everyone should be leaning towards the Corsair unit. That OCZ PSU is based on the notorious FSP Epsilon unit, which has out of spec ripple on the +12v rail(s) at high loads. While you may never load your PSU enough to invoke such ripple, there are better choices out there (including the Corsair units). Ripple kills your components over time. Also newegg overcharges for good PSUs, so shop around (buy.com, zipzoomfly, clubit, etc). Go with the Corsair.
 
enginurd said:
Cases are 90% personal preference. With that said, I hate the Antec 900, lol. But hey, its all about what you like, not me. If you were looking for alternatives, I'd suggest the Cooler Master RC-690.

Don't get the 8800GTS 320MB/640MB. Get the 8800GT(S) 512MB instead. What size monitor will you be gaming on, and what games will you be playing?

Actually, everyone should be leaning towards the Corsair unit. That OCZ PSU is based on the notorious FSP Epsilon unit, which has out of spec ripple on the +12v rail(s) at high loads. While you may never load your PSU enough to invoke such ripple, there are better choices out there (including the Corsair units). Ripple kills your components over time. Also newegg overcharges for good PSUs, so shop around (buy.com, zipzoomfly, clubit, etc). Go with the Corsair.
Click to expand...

QFT on all counts. Look to the Corsair 520HX or 550VX. Antec's TruePower Trio 650 watt is also an option, though I much prefer the Corsairs. Seasonic PSUs are good as well -- the Corsairs are Seasonic builds. Stay away from the OCZ and Xion, as enginurd said.

Is your copy of Vista OEM or retail? If retail, you already have a license for 64bit, you just have to contact Microsoft and pay the ~$10 for a 64bit DVD.

I'd recommend something other than the Antec 900 if you don't have it already -- it can be rather loud, and the cable management can be a real pain.
 
dont go with the 8800gts 320gb, it's the old version. go with the 9600gt or 8800gt, or 8800gts G92 instead.

you should get the corsair power supplies.

Two other cases comes in mind and they are the coolermaster 690 and antec p182 :D
 
The P180/P180B can usually be found cheaper than the P182, btw. Also, they've been updated with the same cable management features of the P182.

If you have a microcenter near you, the Q6600 is $200 and the CM RC-690 is $20AR.
 
There are modular corsairs.. The 520HX and then a 620HX I believe...
 
tzk said:
There are modular corsairs.. The 520HX and then a 620HX I believe...
Click to expand...

Yes, but they're more expensive than the VX line, and paying a considerable premium for detachable cables doesn't make sense to some of us.
 
1) I was going to get the GTS for $145 and couldn't find a better bang for the buck. I'll be running 2x22" LCDs that I currently have. I'll play games from time to time but I think keeping the GPU as close to 150 as possible is my best bet.

2) I'll definately check out the Corsair 550 then.

3) I have an OEM version from school of Vista Business 32bit.

4) The antec 900 has so much to offer I've began to like the looks from information bias alone. It is nothing short of amazing while being so practical at the same time. It looks a bit goofy, but I see a lot of cases that are great in 1 area and lacking in another. The antec has outstanding intake cooling, exhaust cooling, practicality, PSU placement, strength, etc. I can't seem to find any non-aesthetic arguable flaws. The goofy top is so worth the huge fan :D
 
There are better options than the 900, and cooling for this particular machine really isn't /that/ important -- it's not as if you're running Tri-SLI, or SLI at all for that matter. If you can spare some more cash the Lian Li PC-A17B offers all the cooling performance and placement advantages without the looking goofy. The V1000B Plus II might also be an option, though it's another $30 or so over the PC-A17B.

If you're ok with the looks and the cable management I can only suggest buying a few Yate Loon mid or low speed 120mm fans to replace those TriCools, cause those things are utter /trash/.
 
MadJuggla9 said:
1)
I can't seem to find any non-aesthetic arguable flaws.
Click to expand...

Cable management. The Antec 900 has very very little places to hide or tuck away cables. And cable management is an important part of any PC build since it determines the how good the airflow inside the case will be. That's the one key problem with the Antec 900.

With that said, if you like the case, go for it. Cases are a personal choice thing so if you like the looks of it, go for it.
 
for $145, a 8800gts 320mb is not bad of a deal, but because your running at 1680x1050 im assuming because of 22' monitors, it's better if you bought at least a 512mb video card. if you could squeeze in some more dollars, I would get the 9600gt 512mb for $170
 
Danny Bui said:
Cable management. The Antec 900 has very very little places to hide or tuck away cables. And cable management is an important part of any PC build since it determines the how good the airflow inside the case will be. That's the one key problem with the Antec 900.
Click to expand...

That, and Antec TriCool fans are some of the worst I've ever dealt with.
 
crhscoog said:
for $145, a 8800gts 320mb is not bad of a deal, but because your running at 1680x1050 im assuming because of 22' monitors, it's better if you bought at least a 512mb video card. if you could squeeze in some more dollars, I would get the 9600gt 512mb for $170
Click to expand...

This one? 512mb 9600 BNIB. $170 + shipping. The clocks are a bit higher and the memory is definately persuasive.
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA9630892

Please no more case rivals. I'm sorry I started that. As far as cable management, a correctly organized antec 900 can be one of the cleanest cases around with cables behind the mobo tray and through all of the new standard premade holes.
 
I'd just get rid of the quad, and get an e6550, grab a g92 512mb card, get a cheap MIR coolermaster(RC690 is cheap, but I'm not a fan of the looks myself), and a hx520 or vx550.
 
Yah, the 9600GT would be a much better choice than the old 320MB GTS.

What I don't like about the 900 is the build quality -- it LOOKS strong, but its really just flimsy (I checked it out at compUSA when they were still around), IMO. I guess I'm spoiled by Lian-Li and Silverstone.
 
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