• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Good X2 3600 build?

R

RedCt

Weaksauce
Joined
Sep 1, 2006
Messages
64
I need a new rig, but I'm a bit tight on money now. I'd just like to get comments on this newegg build.

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner 41.99
$COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW 49.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 89.99
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 109.99
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 159.99 ($40 MIR)
COOLER MASTER eXtreme RP-500-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 500W 30 ($20MIR)
x2 3600 w/ ECS RS485M-M, combo 127.99
 
I'm scared of cheap PSUs and ECS mainboards, but there is no reason to be scared of any of the other components.

A reasonably high quality PSU will run you $60-70 or thereabouts. There is a nice Enhance for that price.
 
Just remember that you don't need more than 400W for that system. The XClio 450bl is around $45 and should be good for you. It powered the system in my sig which eats a lot more power than yours.
 
just go for the biostar Tforce550 combo its worth it since you will be able to get alot more overclock and is much more stable.
 
I agree with the above about changing up your power supply. Also, I would check out the Biostar Tforce motherboard; supposedly after a few updates it overclocks quite well. Make sure above all else though that when you get this system and overclock it that you post in the stickied 65nm overclocking thread. Oh, and don't forget to write down your OPN before you slap the proc into your motherboard.
 
Ok, thanks for all the suggestions! Here's the (probably) final build:

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner 41.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW 49.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 89.99
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 109.99
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 159.99 ($40 MIR)
XClio GoodPower 500W 51.99
AMD Athlon x2 3600 BIOSTAR TFORCE 550 combo 149.99

Total: 692.94, perfect for my $700 budget.
 
Hmm.. I've never had any problems at all with Coolermaster PSU's. In the budget builds I do, if I use a coolermaster case, I usually keep the stock psu that comes with the case. Never had a problem with them. Especially for basic builds w/ gpu's. Coolermaster isn't a no-name brand.
 
Dark Prodigy said:
Hmm.. I've never had any problems at all with Coolermaster PSU's. In the budget builds I do, if I use a coolermaster case, I usually keep the stock psu that comes with the case. Never had a problem with them. Especially for basic builds w/ gpu's. Coolermaster isn't a no-name brand.
Click to expand...

They may not be the worst, but they most certainly are not the best. The OP is getting a better build thanks to the advice he was given, that's the reason this forum exists.
 
it maybe just me, but after building a number of systems over the years. i came to realize that a good mobo is the key for a pleasant and good experience. a cheap motherboard will make your life miserable.... invest in a better motherboard from a better manufacturer.... it is really the most critical choice for any computer build IMHO... :D Edit: i just saw that you changed to T550, yes that is a better motherboard....

also, for the evga video card, some reviewers on newegg say that this card has a well known reboot/ freeze problem, i just finished building a similar system so i've been doing some research my self ... i paid 10 more for an xfx 7600gt ...i love it ....
 
latief75 said:
it maybe just me, but after building a number of systems over the years. i came to realize that a good mobo is the key for a pleasant and good experience. a cheap motherboard will make your life miserable.... invest in a better motherboard from a better manufacturer.... it is really the most critical choice for any computer build IMHO... :D Edit: i just saw that you changed to T550, yes that is a better motherboard....

also, for the evga video card, some reviewers on newegg say that this card has a well known reboot/ freeze problem, i just finished building a similar system so i've been doing some research my self ... i paid 10 more for an xfx 7600gt ...i love it ....
Click to expand...

Never heard of the reboot/freeze problem myself. I've used eVGA cards in previous builds, and they're still working like they're brand new. I also did a little research on the Biostar... seems like a good board. Someone got 3GHz on air on this exact board.
 
RedCt said:
Never heard of the reboot/freeze problem myself. I've used eVGA cards in previous builds, and they're still working like they're brand new. I also did a little research on the Biostar... seems like a good board. Someone got 3GHz on air on this exact board.
Click to expand...

eVGA cards are just as solid as the next guys, in fact I consistently recommend them over other brands for those looking to overclock because of their lifetime warranty which covers aftermarket HSFs, and overclocking. Hell, they practically cover anything as long as you didn't physically damage the card (i.e. stab it with a screwdriver).

Their RMA procedure (in my experience) is one of the quickest and most efficient I have ever dealt with, and they are always priced very well. No reason not to go eVGA!

As for the Biostar board, it's not the best board out there for overclocking but supposedly after some BIOS updates it does quite well.
 
to defend ECS, they are very stable boards, dont oc well, but are stable and last forever, ive seen 10yr old ECS boards on the 440BX, heck ive got an old Amptron with the 430TX that still works great today and amptron is ECS under a diff name
 
I left ECS after a couple of bad 440LX experiences. My first one died after 6 weeks and the RMA'd one lasted around a year.

FIC was similarly bad.
 
quadnad said:
eVGA cards are just as solid as the next guys, in fact I consistently recommend them over other brands for those looking to overclock because of their lifetime warranty which covers aftermarket HSFs, and overclocking. Hell, they practically cover anything as long as you didn't physically damage the card (i.e. stab it with a screwdriver).

Their RMA procedure (in my experience) is one of the quickest and most efficient I have ever dealt with, and they are always priced very well. No reason not to go eVGA!

As for the Biostar board, it's not the best board out there for overclocking but supposedly after some BIOS updates it does quite well.
Click to expand...

Also, don't forget their upgrade policy.
 
RedCt said:
Also, don't forget their upgrade policy.
Click to expand...

oh yeah, almost forgot about their step up policy which will allow you to (within 90 days I think) step up to another eVGA card as long as you pay the difference. So for example if I purchased a 7-series card and once the 8-series was released wanted to upgrade, all I need to do is pay the difference.

I haven't done this personally, but supposedly it works well enough.
 
Well, the shipment should be on its way soon. It also looks like I should be very happy with my combo. Look at some results from Xtremesystems
 
Rabid Badger said:
They may not be the worst, but they most certainly are not the best. The OP is getting a better build thanks to the advice he was given, that's the reason this forum exists.
Click to expand...


I don't think I need you to remind of the purpose of a forum. Anyone who doesn't know that a forum is simply the exchange of ideas and information within a given domain, probably hasn't learned to read yet.

Anyway, the purpose of my comment was to share information on my experiences that might help the OP. Especially since he's trying to SAVE money, not be nickeled and dimed into spending "just a little more" for somethng marginally better. YOU may think that's "the reason this forum exists", but I don't.
 
That's almost the exact same build I just used for 4 systems because of the combo special. I chose to use the Kingston ValueRAM 667 since it's $130 with no rebate and goes up almost to DDR-800 speeds anyways at 5-5-5-15, but of course your Corsair will go even higher. Also that price point is a little high for a 7600GT IMO now with 8600 series coming out soon -- people are dumping their 7800/7900/19xx cards like crazy.

I just sold my eVGA 7600GT CO for $89 and found 3 7800GT or x1900GT's here on [H] for $100, $105, and $110. The 7600 is a decent card but no where close to the used, but in perfect condition 7800/1900 series cards you can find on almost any given day in the FS section for about the same price and with lifetime warranty as well.
 
lawrence131 said:
That's almost the exact same build I just used for 4 systems because of the combo special. I chose to use the Kingston ValueRAM 667 since it's $130 with no rebate and goes up almost to DDR-800 speeds anyways at 5-5-5-15, but of course your Corsair will go even higher. Also that price point is a little high for a 7600GT IMO now with 8600 series coming out soon -- people are dumping their 7800/7900/19xx cards like crazy.

I just sold my eVGA 7600GT CO for $89 and found 3 7800GT or x1900GT's here on [H] for $100, $105, and $110. The 7600 is a decent card but no where close to the used, but in perfect condition 7800/1900 series cards you can find on almost any given day in the FS section for about the same price and with lifetime warranty as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll shop around a bit and I can return the 7600GT I find a better deal. I'll just use an old 'emergency' 6200TC I have lying around to boot up the new build.
 
just keep the card........Then step up when dx10 budget cards come out. You then get DX10 capability and keep your warranty for a small amount for an upgrade.
 
sonicwind said:
just keep the card........Then step up when dx10 budget cards come out. You then get DX10 capability and keep your warranty for a small amount for an upgrade.
Click to expand...

How long does step up stay in effect after the purchase of the card?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top