Help a first time builder..

C

crhscoog

Gawd
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
548
Antec 900
Q6600
SB 7200RPM 500 GB
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit
CPU Cooling Artic Cooler Freezer 7 or Tuniq Tower 120mm
Sony NEC Optiarc DVD-R/CD-R
PSU: Corsair 620HX or Corsair 520HX
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI AP
Crucial Ballistic (2x1GB)
8800 GT (possibly when it comes out-if it lives up to the leaks)
2xAntec LED Blue 120mm Case Fan

I'm trying to lower the total cost of my projected build and was wondering if I could get advise on what to get and what not to get. I plan on OC my processor (Q6600), Ram, and VGA. I won't use SLI, because I don't think I'll be a hardcore gamer. The total would cost around $1150 (newegg) right now without the video card, with the 620HX (not 520HX), and with the Arctic Cooling 7 CPU Cooler. Any other comments that could help out my build by lowering the cost or anything would be appreciated.
 
Ditch the AC F7Pro. Its only slightly better than the Intel stock cooler as far as quadcores go. You'll need at least the Ninja or Tuniq, IMO, and the Ultima90 is actually a better choice -- despite it not saving you any money.

$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)

To help save money, don't get the PSU from newegg. Its cheaper almost everywhere else. Danny might have some links for you.

To help lower the cost, what about the P5K-E do you need? If you just need RAID and Firewire, the Abit IP35 vanilla is on sale for $120 - $25MIR at mwave.com.

Since you're getting a Q6600, you can cut up-front costs by going with some G.Skill 2GBNQ sticks instead of the Ballistix. The ballistix are good if you need their overclock ability, but since you won't need that, the NQ sticks will do. 3.6Ghz is near the max anyhow, of the Q6600 G0, so DDR2-800 is all you need.

Ditch those Antec fans and get some Yate Loon Blue LED 120mm fans instead for half the price.

Get the Q6600 from clubit.com since they guarantee the G0 stepping. It requires less voltage so it runs cooler and can OC better.
 
A few comments

If you want to OC the Q6600 then certainly get the Tuniq Tower over the Artic Freezer (in fact always do this regardless, much better cooling and likely quieter to boot)

About PSU: As long as you stick to only one graphicscard the HX520 should be sufficient, there's a bit of money there anyways...

Is the Quad a need or want thing? If you don't need it you might get the E6750 instead, it will probably let you OC more and cost less...

Fans: If the LED fans are for the back then get two 120mm Yate Loon fans instead, they are cheap and quiet and I don't think you'll miss the light.

Case: I would say that you could find a cheaper case, but I wouldn't want to do this myself so no saving here :D

Go for this memory instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565 it will serve you fine and will only be half the price after MIR, keep in mind that with the Q6600s FSB of 266 and multiplier of 9 the PC2 6400 mmory will still allow you to reach 3,2GHz before you even have to consider if the memory can OC, and 3,2GHz from a Q6600 is a very good OC.

I looks like you have picked out the good stuff and good stuff costs money, I say go for it regardless and enjoy a good system..
 
as nice as it is to be a new-egg loyalist... just like any religion... it doesnt pay to adhere to doctrine without question... New Egg is good, but they know it and do take advantage of the fact... lots of enthusiast stuff has great sales, but 98% of the time is more expensive than elsewhere... I'd give PriceGrabber, PriceWatch, eBay, and the sales forum here and on other sites a good run.

Sign up for the egg's newsletter and just cherry-pick deals like all of us :) ... ordering it all from one site may be convenient, but it wont save you the $$... shop around online and simply use resellerratings.com to figure out if the site you found that killer deal on your LED fans is legit :p ... also, stick your nose into the Hot Deals section of here, fatwallet.com, and a few other enthusiast sites and cash saving sites atleast 3x a day. :) ... you're sure to save a bundle! ... and dont fret about buying used from H forums, plenty of legit dealers there (like myself) :) ... my sales page wont be ready till my canon IS5 arrives this coming week though :)
 
The Red said:
as nice as it is to be a new-egg loyalist... just like any religion... it doesnt pay to adhere to doctrine without question... New Egg is good, but they know it and do take advantage of the fact... lots of enthusiast stuff has great sales, but 98% of the time is more expensive than elsewhere... I'd give PriceGrabber, PriceWatch, eBay, and the sales forum here and on other sites a good run.

Sign up for the egg's newsletter and just cherry-pick deals like all of us :) ... ordering it all from one site may be convenient, but it wont save you the $$... shop around online and simply use resellerratings.com to figure out if the site you found that killer deal on your LED fans is legit :p ... also, stick your nose into the Hot Deals section of here, fatwallet.com, and a few other enthusiast sites and cash saving sites atleast 3x a day. :) ... you're sure to save a bundle! ... and dont fret about buying used from H forums, plenty of legit dealers there (like myself) :) ... my sales page wont be ready till my canon IS5 arrives this coming week though :)
Click to expand...

New eggs prices might be slighty a bit higher than othersites BUUUt there customer service is just mind wild. I have bought 5 builds from neww egg i sold 4 online to get enought money to buy my final system ( took me a painful 3 months >.< ) Shipping got here in three days and not a picece was broken dented or anything. New is the best in my opin.


Ps your buying real vista:confused:
 
brahim said:
New eggs prices might be slighty a bit higher than othersites BUUUt there customer service is just mind wild. I have bought 5 builds from neww egg i sold 4 online to get enought money to buy my final system ( took me a painful 3 months >.< ) Shipping got here in three days and not a picece was broken dented or anything. New is the best in my opin.


Ps your buying real vista:confused:
Click to expand...

If you have bought all 5 builds from the egg... how could you say the egg is the best without sampling other stores? ... dont let the fear from the experience of a guy or two scare you off of a great deal on zzf or geeks... use your brain, use resellerratings.com and shed the doctrine!
 
im just looking for a mobo that can run the things i want and be able to oc decent
 
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