New rig, $400 max, help me out

A

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Feb 8, 2005
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I was thinking about something like this:

CPU: x2 3800+ or 3600+ (AMD side) - $50 OEM
CPU: Pentium 2140/2160 (Intel side) - $80
Motherboard: (something around $75)
Power supply: Xclio Goodpower 500W - $55
DVD Burner: $30
GPU: 8600GT or used 7900GS if possible - $80
Sound: onboard
Case: have one
HDD: have one
Heatsink: have a few
RAM: 2GB DDR2-800 Corsair valueram $30 bought from a friend

So, would you choose the AMD option or the Intel option? What kind of RAM speeds would I need to get the Pentiums to around 3GHz? I've never built/OCed an intel rig before...

Thanks in advance
 
I'd go the Intel route if you can afford it. The C2Ds are faster clock for clock and tend to OC higher.

Assuming an E2140, it's rated at 1.6Ghz at 800Mhz quad pumped FSB.

That makes real FSB 200Mhz at stock. 1600 / 200 = 8. It's an 8x multiplier chip.

8x400= 3200, which is a good solid OC (100% over stock) for that chip.

400 real FSB, you need DDR2-800 for an ideal 1:1 ratio, so you don't need to OC your RAM at all.

If you can wait on a rebate there's a 2GB Patriot kit at Newegg that's rated for 4-4-4-12 at DDR2-800 for $25 AR, but the Valueram is probably ok for the E2xxx chips, since they aren't likely to get much if any past 400Mhz FSB anyway.

The Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G for $86.33 shipped is likely about the best you're going to do, budget-wise on the motherboard.
 
coolxboxgamer said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

best cpu for that for under $100, we overclock upto about e6750/e6800 speeds...

everything else looks good, except I really think saving for an 8800gt would be a good idea.....

especially since they are about $225 now
Click to expand...

The only game to be played is World of Warcraft, with maybe a few other source engine-type games tossed in as well. Nothing majorly taxing GPU-wise.

I'll look at the S3G/e2160 combo and see how it works out budget-wise, thanks...I'm not sure if the e2180 is worth the price difference over its little brother...
 
I recommend going with either the E2140 or E2160 since you really do need to save some cash.

Assuming that you're keeping the FSB and RAM at a 1:1 ratio, here are the RAM speeds you need:
E2160:
Multi x FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 × 200Mhz = 1.8Ghz, DDR2-400 << Stock speeds
9 × 266Mhz = 2.4Ghz, DDR2-533 << Easy OC
9 × 333Mhz = 3.0Ghz, DDR2-667 << Good OC
9 × 400Mhz = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-800 << Excellent OC

So you only need DDR2 667 to hit 3.0Ghz. If you're particularly lucky and the gods of overclocking are smiling on you, you can hit 3.6Ghz with DDR2 800 RAM.

Hit up the For Sale For Trade subforum that we have here. IIRC, I saw a 7900GS there for $80. Though if you go with the 8600GT, you won't be losing much at all in terms of gaming performance.

In shader heavy games (Crysis, Oblivion, Unreal Tournament 3, Flight Simulator X), the 8600GT will perform on par with or better than the 7900GS. Surprising yes but its true. In most older games however, the 7900GS will beat the 8600GT but with much newer games, the 8600GT will win, by a slight margin.

Oh and if you need to save money, go with the Earthwatts 380W PSU. Don't worry 380W is plenty of power for your planned rig:
Antec Earthwatts EA380 380W PSU - $45
 
I think I'll be going with the e2180 for the extra 200MHz...it's only $10 more. I'm hoping to get around 2.8GHz with the stock heatsink, and I can move up to something better if I really want to hit 3.0 and things are getting hot.

Here's the semi-final list:
 
Looks good to me. Have fun with it! Get some pictures up while you're at it!
 
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