New build after almost 3 years

B

Brando457

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Aug 11, 2003
Messages
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I am looking to build a new computer within the next 2 weeks. I know how to assemble everything and such, but have not purchased new hardware since the A64 3200+ 939 came out. I would appreciate feedback/opinions on my selections.

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775

Motherboard:
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX

Ram:
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 (PC2 8500)

PSU:
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650

GFX:
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI E



I have all the other necessities such as case, fans, monitor, etc.

Thanks!
 
What are you doing with this computer?
What's your budget?
What size is your monitor?

Right off the bat, I'd lose the SLI board unless you game at 19×12 or higher. Under that, stick with a single card solution...and if you're sticking with a single card solution, get a P35 board instead. About the same performance, spend less money, produce less heat, draw fewer amps, and have fewer issues.

Next up, lose the PC2-8500 unless you're expecting to get a nice board and got some serious cooling for the quad. Otherwise, DDR2-800 will be able to take your quad to it's limit.

Finally, unless the old 8800 GTS is a fantastic deal right now and you're not particularly picky about GPU performance, get either a 9600GT, 8800GT, or 8800GTS 512MB. Which one to go with falls down to what you do, the size of your monitor, and your budget.

The power supply may change depending on what GPU you end up going with. Also, does anyone know if this Real Power Pro is OEMed by Enhance? I remember seeing that Cooler Master had different OEMs for different wattages on one of their PSU lines..
 
gwai lo said:
What are you doing with this computer?
What's your budget?
What size is your monitor?

P35 board instead.

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Click to expand...


Computer will be used for school work, browsing internet, media, and gaming such as UT2007, BF2142 etc. Budget if I can get everything for under $700 that'd be nice.

I am getting a pretty good deal on the GFX, RAM, and PSU 25% less than what they'd sell for new.

P35 board = ?
 
Monitor size is 20" Widescreen Dell 2005fpw,

For the GFX, RAM, PSU I am getting it for around $320 for all 3.
 
hm, well Q6600 + Gigabyte EP35-DS3L should come up to about 300 as well, leaving 100 for taxes and shipping. You can also put some of it towards an aftermarket heatsink/fan if you're goign to overclock...

If the DS3L doesn't have the features you want, there are many many other options.
 
So for the pricing etc. you'd agree the combo for $320 is a good deal and the only thing you'd change is the mobo?
 
Well, I think at this point it falls purely down to opinion. I don't really see any glaring issues with the build, unless the PSU isn't OEMed by Enhance like its higher wattage brothers. With the video card and RAM at a discount, it's okay.

Here's an idea though, it does away with your deal though.

8800GT for about 180, Corsair TX 750 for 105, and 2×1GB of DDR2-800 for ≈45.

Total would put you at 630-650, still under budget and allowing room for taxes and shipping, and will offer better performance at the GPU.

Add a few bucks more for a 8800GTS 512MB will put you at or just over 700.
 
gwai lo said:
The power supply may change depending on what GPU you end up going with. Also, does anyone know if this Real Power Pro is OEMed by Enhance? I remember seeing that Cooler Master had different OEMs for different wattages on one of their PSU lines..
Click to expand...

The RS-650 is OEMed by Acbel. Not bad actually. They do make decent units:
http://hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTM2MiwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

So for $320 for the GPU, GFX and RAM, that is a good deal.

However I concur with gwai lo about the mobo. Here are some recommendations:
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L Intel P35 Motherboard - $90
MSI P35 Neo2-FR Intel P35 Motherboard - $110
DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL Intel P35 Motherboard - $110
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R Intel P35 Motherboard - $120
DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS Intel P35 Motherboard - $130
Asus P5K-E Intel P35 Motherboard - $140
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P Intel P35 Motherboard - $150
Asus P5K-E/Wifi-AP Intel P35 Motherboard - $150
Abit IP35 Pro Intel P35 Motherboard - $170
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4 Intel P35 Motherboard - $170
Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 Intel X38 Motherboard - $207

Just to help you out: If you don't need RAID, more than 4 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 5 SATA ports, 2 eSATA ports, slightly better overclocking, and a second PCI-E x16 port, then get the Neo2-Fr. If you want heavy overclocking options and six SATA ports, check out the Blood Iron. If you like the BloodIron but want significantly better overclock stability and options, go for the LanParty. If you want 8 SATA ports, RAID, legacy ports and high overclocks and optional eSATA, than the DS3R is a good choice. If you want the DS3R but need Firewire and a second PCI-E x16 port, then go for the DS3P. If you like the DS3P but need 3 PCI slots instead of the DS3P's 2 PCI slots and like having non-optional eSATA, go for the Asus P5K-E. If you like the P5K-E but need wifi, then go for the P5K-E/Wifi-AP. If you want something that can overclock pretty damn high along with RAID, eSATA ports and firewire connections, than the IP35 Pro. If you like the DS3P but want better cooling for overclocking, then go for the DS4. Do note that the Asus website can be slow sometimes.
 
$320 for that vidcard, ram, and PSU? Not bad, but I'd still go for DDR2-800 and an 8800GT 512MB instead, since its still a much better card than the 8800GTS 640MB.
 
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