Mid Range Rig, trying to refine

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timme

Gawd
Joined
Jun 21, 2008
Messages
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Hello,

after reading [H]ardForum as a guest for quite a while, I would like to share details about a new system I plan to order/build in the next two weeks.

The system will be used for gaming at 1440x900.
The part list is rather finished theoretically, although I am still trying to refine some items, since this configuraton blows my budget and I am not sure if some parts (especially GPU) are really needed for my resolution.

Please excuse the Euro pricing and lack of links, I will try to be as accurate as possible.

Case
Antec P182 - 110 euro
(expensive, but only decent case with front door in my opinion)

PSU
Corsair HX520 - 75 euro

CPU
E7200 - 100 euro

CPU Cooling
scythe mugen - 35 euro

Mainboard
Gigabyte P35-DS3L - 60 euro

RAM
4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR800 - 70 euro
(2GB might be an option to save some cash here)

Video
Zotac 8800GT 512MB - 100 euro
got that already

DVD
Samsung SH-S203D - 25 euro

HDD
WD AAKS 320GB - 50 euro
(optional, got a 250GB sata samsung already)

---
around 655 euro total (605 euro without hdd)

I set myself a budget of 550 - 600 euro max, since I am only a casual gamer and dont want to spend too much on it. Plus, earlier builds showed me that the small stuff you don't count in (cables, fans, etc.) can sum up to quite a bit aswell.

Is there any point in this build where I could save something without cutting corners too heavy? 2GB Ram? Video Card? I know a cheaper case would be the best, but I really like the Antec and I look at my PC way too much for having a case I don't like.

Thanks a lot in advance, I hope the prices don't confuse anyone :)
 
Is the P180 any cheaper than the P182? because the only real difference is color.

Yes, a 9600GT would be fine at your resolution.

Is that a SATA DVD drive? If not, switch to one. ;)
 
Thanks for your reply,

yes, that is a SATA DVD :) The model description might be inaccurate, it's basically the cheapest Samsung model.

The P180 costs roughly the same over here, so not really worth it.
Good to know that the 9600GT is an option, though.
 
Oh nice, its the new one that can do 16x +R DL and 12x -R DL. Newegg doesn't have it. :(
 
timme said:
RAM
4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR800 - 70 euro
(2GB might be an option to save some cash here)
Click to expand...

I don't know if you can get G.Skill over there, but it's usually less expensive than Corsair, and works just as well.
 
I got my hands on a 8800GT from the bay for 100 Euro :). Roughly the price of a new 9600GT.

Is it worth paying 20 Euro more for the P43-DS3L? How important is PCIe 2.0?
 
timme said:
I got my hands on a 8800GT from the bay for 100 Euro :). Roughly the price of a new 9600GT.

Is it worth paying 20 Euro more for the P43-DS3L? How important is PCIe 2.0?
Click to expand...

PCI-E 2.0 isn't too important now. By the time video cards actually do need PCI-E 2.0, it'll be time for a new rig anyway and PCI-E 3.0 will be out. However if you tend to keep and nurse your systems for a long time (+4 years IMO), that extra 20 euro will net you an additional 2 SATA ports in addition to PCI-E 2.0 support. Decide for yourself whether or not those two benefits is worth the 20 euro.

The Corsair 450VX is more than enough for your needs. Then again modular cabling does help with the Antec P182.... Also, can you find cheaper 4GB sets of RAM? If you can't, 2GB of RAM is enough for a gaming rig.

If you already have a 250GB SATA drive available, just use that and save 50 euro.
 
I usually try to keep my system for as long as possible (had my last for like 5 years), thats why I initially chose 4GB RAM. The RAM kits (Corsair, G.Skill, A-Data,...) cost pretty much the same, so it doesn't really matter which brand it is.

I would love to have modular PSU cables, since it makes a system so much cleaner. Most of the cables would stay disconnected anyways, since I don't have too much stuff in the system (2 HDDs max.). The Enermax MODU82+ 425w might be an option, it puts out 33A over the 12V rail. This would only save me like 10 Euro though.
 
The final list, as I will probably order in the next days:

Case
Antec P182

PSU
Corsair HX520

CPU
E7200

CPU Cooling
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 + retention bracket

Mainboard
Gigabyte P35-DS3L - 60 euro

RAM
A-DATA Vitesta value DIMM Kit 4096MB PC2-6400U CL5

DVD
Samsung SH-S203D

HDD
Samsung SpinPoint F1 320GB SATA II 16MB (HD322HJ)

I changed the RAM for less expensive A-Data, the CPU cooler to the Xigmatek and the HDD to a Samsung 320GB. Might chose a WD 320GB AAKS aswell, couldn't really figure the differences from the reviews, except that some people found the WD loud.
 
The reason why we're recommending the WD3200AAKS is because the new single-platter models are out, and they perform at near-Raptor speeds. However, the single-platter models are being sold with the older two-platter models, so getting one is a crap shoot.

If you want peace and quiet, stick with the Samsung HDD -- they're generally quieter than other brands. If you want the best possible performance, and you're willing to gamble a bit, try to see if you could get one of the single-platter WD3200AAKS HDDs.
 
tiraides said:
The reason why we're recommending the WD3200AAKS is because the new single-platter models are out, and they perform at near-Raptor speeds. However, the single-platter models are being sold with the older two-platter models, so getting one is a crap shoot.

If you want peace and quiet, stick with the Samsung HDD -- they're generally quieter than other brands. If you want the best possible performance, and you're willing to gamble a bit, try to see if you could get one of the single-platter WD3200AAKS HDDs.
Click to expand...

The 320GB ones aren't quite as fast as their 640GB brethren, but they are indeed an ample replacement for a last-gen Raptor, and the price is right.

I ordered mine from Newegg around March a few days after the Anandtech review came out, and it was a single-platter. Someone else said they received a single-platter one from Newegg months before me. I doubt there are any two-platter models sitting on the shelf at Newegg these days.
 
-=Antimatter=- said:
The 320GB ones aren't quite as fast as their 640GB brethren, but they are indeed an ample replacement for a last-gen Raptor, and the price is right.

I ordered mine from Newegg around March a few days after the Anandtech review came out, and it was a single-platter. Someone else said they received a single-platter one from Newegg months before me. I doubt there are any two-platter models sitting on the shelf at Newegg these days.
Click to expand...

The OP is in Europe, so I don't know whether or not they're selling the single-platter 320GB drives there.
 
I'll stick with the Samsung F1, I had good experiences with Samsungs HDDs. WD aswell (6 year old 80GB WD still running fine :)), but the WDs aren't in stock right now in the shop and the Samsungs are a few euros cheaper.

Thanks for all the helpful input on the build! :D
 
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