New PC build

G

GN85

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 28, 2007
Messages
252
Ok so I'm building a new gaming PC, and just want to get some opinions from my fellow knowledgeable [H]ers. :)

Mobo: ASUS P5Q3 $149.99

CPU: Core 2 Duo E8400 $159.99

RAM: OCZ Platinum 4GB 1333 Mhz $135.99

Video card: ASUS Radeon HD 4870 1GB $264.99

Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB (x2, RAID-0) $69.99

PSU: Antec NeoPower 650 Blue 650W $89.99

Case: Thermaltake Armor+MX VH8000BWS $129.99

Optical drive: Pioneer DVD... $29.99

You can pretty much say my budget has been reached with those components, I'm just wondering if I made good choices, especially on the motherboard, video card and ram. The PC's mostly going to be used for gaming.
 
You're spending way too much money on some inefficient components. Swap out the RAM and the motherboard: Take advantage of the combo deal between the E8400 and the Asus P5Q Pro. You should also get a 4GB DDR2 RAM kit* as DDR3 RAM offers no performance benefit to Core 2-based systems.

Since it's available, you should switch out your optical drive for the Samsung SH-S223F, which is cheaper and (comparatively) quieter. You should also use a faster hard drive, like the WD6400AAKS. (Seriously. It can compete with the last-gen Raptor X.) I personally don't think that you'll need RAID, but I'll leave it at that.

You should also consider a CPU cooler, especially if you were considering overclocking the E8400. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is a good option (don't forget to pick up the Socket 775 Bolt-thru kit to make things easier for you). If you don't plan on overclocking, you could go for some cheaper DDR2 RAM.

* The RAM that I would normally recommend for overclocking is out of stock at this moment.
 
Thanks for the suggestions tiraides. Tbh I'm not even sure from where I'll order the components. I think I'll get stuff from all over the place, wherever it's cheaper.

For the motherboard, I'm planning on getting one that's DDR3 compatible, so that the PC could be upgraded to faster DDR3 RAM and an i7 processor in the future. Should I get a P5QC? (DDR2/DDR3 compatible)

Not planning on OCing (I know, what a waste :p). The PC's for a friend that doesn't know too much about computers so...

HardwareGuru: the budget is around 1400, and the monitor's just a regular 19" lcd.
 
Hehe i was just messing around thinking what to configure. With that budget, he should include a 24" display.
 
Case - Coolermaster RC-690 for $56.62
http://www.provantage.com/cooler-master-rc-690-kkn1-gp~7COOL023.htm

PSU - Bfg Tech 550W LS-550(40A on the +12V) for $66.49($25 MIR) w/free shipping
http://www.buy.com/prod/bfg-tech-55...-eps12v-power-supply/q/loc/101/207955009.html

Cpu/Mobo (Combo) Intel Core 2 E8400(3.0ghz) CPU + Asus P5Q Pro ($15 MIR) for $245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.138376

RAM - G. Skills DDR2 800 for $45 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Video - XFX Geforce GTX 280 1gig for $382.49
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...6&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=30322&lid=680413

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640gig for $70 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical Drive - Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $25 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

O/S Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64 bit for $80 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Monitor - Samsung 2443BWX 24” for $330
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11297826
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9075993&type=product&id=1218016140286

Printer - Canon PIXMA iP4600 inkjet Photo Color Printer for $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828102317


Total: $1,385.60 before shipping & rebates.
 
GN85 said:
For the motherboard, I'm planning on getting one that's DDR3 compatible, so that the PC could be upgraded to faster DDR3 RAM and an i7 processor in the future. Should I get a P5QC? (DDR2/DDR3 compatible)
Click to expand...

Forget this. It's stupid as an upgrade path. DDR3 is still maturing -- you can get a quality kit of DDR2-1000/1066 for less than the same size kit of comparatively slow (1333Mhz is nothing for DDR3 -- there are 1800+Mhz kits out) DDR3. You'll have to buy a new motherboard for i7, so save money on the RAM now (no performance drop, DDR2 vs. DDR3 on the LGA775 platform) and spend it on faster, cheaper DDR3 when it's actually necessary.
 
silent-circuit said:
Forget this. It's stupid as an upgrade path. DDR3 is still maturing -- you can get a quality kit of DDR2-1000/1066 for less than the same size kit of comparatively slow (1333Mhz is nothing for DDR3 -- there are 1800+Mhz kits out) DDR3. You'll have to buy a new motherboard for i7, so save money on the RAM now (no performance drop, DDR2 vs. DDR3 on the LGA775 platform) and spend it on faster, cheaper DDR3 when it's actually necessary.
Click to expand...

QFT
 
Its not simply a stupid upgrade path, its non-existent. i7 is a whole new CPU "socket," so its not even possible.

If you had an E8400 clocked at 4.5Ghz (9*500), anything faster than DDR2-1000 is useless.
 
enginurd said:
Its not simply a stupid upgrade path, its non-existent. i7 is a whole new CPU "socket," so its not even possible.

If you had an E8400 clocked at 4.5Ghz (9*500), anything faster than DDR2-1000 is useless.
Click to expand...

Yah I noticed, how embarrassing >_<. My excuse is that I've only built AMD systems until now.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26456&vpn=F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ&manufacture=G.SKILL

Is this good RAM?

edit: nvm, looks like the same one as HardwareGuru suggested.
 
GN85 said:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26456&vpn=F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ&manufacture=G.SKILL

Is this good RAM?

edit: nvm, looks like the same one as HardwareGuru suggested.
Click to expand...

I think HG linked the DDR2-800 RAM, while the one you linked is the DDR2-1000 kit. Both kits are good. The DDR2-1000 kit is better for the E8400, since it won't hold back the potential OC.

Your link is to a Canadian site, while the links in your OP are for newegg.com (not .ca). Are you in the US or Canada?
 
Canada. I just posted in $US so that most people can get a better idea of the cost. The CDN dollar is riding on a roller coaster atm.

lol you're right, it's not the same ram. I had mistaken the 8000 for 800Mhz. So if either one is good, and I'm most probably not going to OC (cause it won't be my pc), then which one's more worth it? I'm leaning towards the 1000; either way, since they're both pretty cheap.
 
Nevermind then. Hehe, the $1400 build I listed cannot apply to you now. Need to adjust some settings, GPU and Monitor especially.
 
Printer - Canon PIXMA iP4600 inkjet Photo Color Printer for $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16828102317
Click to expand...

this was so epic. great laugh.

as for the price range, even though canadian dollar is fluctuating, the prices not including the exchange rate are different in canada and some combos that are available in US (newegg fo rexample) aren't available in canada, So it is convenient to post your location, actually I will go so far as to say that next time please fill this out Asking for Build Help?: ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST first, since it helps us help you.

anywho HG is probably getting back to you with a build soon.
 
If you're not OC'ing, go with the cheaper RAM. If the guy may want to OC in the future, and the price difference is negligible, then get the faster RAM.
 
Mobo: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 $156.56

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $206.99

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 $56.70

Video card: ASUS Radeon HD 4870 1GB $332.77

Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB $87.85

Optical drive: Samsung SH-S223F $31.49

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX $152.25

Case: Thermaltake Armor+MX VH8000BWS $163.20

Total without tax: $1190 CDN. With tax: $1340. Budget with taxt: around $1700.

How does that look? Perhaps with the extra cash I can get more ram or a 3870x2 instead? Or maybe a sound card?

etherone to answer some of those questions, it's a basic gaming PC that's going to be used with a small monitor (19"). The PSU/case should last for a long time. No overclocking, crossfire not totally necessary, but is a plus.
 
The HD3870X2 is slower than the HD4870. So don't bother. Unless you're an audiophile or have a very decent sound system, don't bother with a sound card either.

As it is now, your system looks good to me. Get a bigger monitor if you can with the leftover cash.
 
Argg my bad, meant the 4870x2. Guess that'd be overkill on a 19" for today's games?

As for the sound, how good is onboard sound? I've been using an x-fi ever since I got fed up of the crap audio on my nf2 board, so I'm kind of clueless.
 
GN85 said:
Argg my bad, meant the 4870x2. Guess that'd be overkill on a 19" for today's games?

As for the sound, how good is onboard sound? I've been using an x-fi ever since I got fed up of the crap audio on my nf2 board, so I'm kind of clueless.
Click to expand...

Onboard's nearly as good (and less troublesome) than the X-Fi. I sold my X-Fi due to driver hell that Creative initially ignored and finally fixed as of around 2 months ago (supposedly). Switched to Realtek HD Audio onboard... no more issues of any kind.
 
GN85 said:
Argg my bad, meant the 4870x2. Guess that'd be overkill on a 19" for today's games?
Click to expand...

Yup 100% overkill. You'd need at least a 24" monitor to justify a HD4870X2
 
Let's go with this build man for $1400

Case - Coolermaster RC 690 for $95.20
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26048&vpn=RC-690-KKN1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER

PSU - Antec NeoPower 550 for $57.90
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941

Mobo - Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L for $129.49($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

CPU - Intel Core 2 E8400 for $206.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Heatsink - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 $42.80 + Xigmatek ACK-I7751 Crossbow Mounting Kit $13.50
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30012&vpn=HDT-S1283&manufacture=Xigmatek
http://www.ncix.com/products/productdetail2.php?noheader=1&sku=31946

RAM - G. Skills DDR2 1000 for $56.70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

Video - EVGA Geforce GTX 260 for $277.19
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130370

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640gig for $87.85
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical Drive - Samsung SH-S223F for $31.49
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171&Tpk=Samsung SH-S223F

O/S - Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit for $142
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22438&vpn=66I-00788&manufacture=Microsoft

LCD Monitor - Samsung 2253BW 22" for $237.65
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29091&vpn=LS22AQWJFV/XAA&manufacture=Samsung


Boom --> $1,378.76 before shipping and taxes.
 
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