time to upgrade..your thoughts?

[onelikeseabass]

So it's time again to upgrade my system... Any feedback from the [H] community would be greatly appreciated .

Here's a tentative list:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Model #: CAC-T05-UW $44.99

ASUS P5B Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5B Deluxe $184.99

GIGABYTE GV-NX73T256P-RH GeForce 7300GT 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail Model #: GV-NX73T256P-RH $78.99

Thermaltake W0093RU ATX 12V 2.0 Version 500W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: W0093RU $79.99

Intel Pentium 4 541 Prescott 3.2GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80547PG3200EK - Retail Model #: BX80547PG3200EK $97.99

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS2GBKIT533D2 - Retail
Model #: VS2GBKIT533D2 $241.99
(I chose Corsair for obvious reasons, but have seen quite a few people suggesting "G.Skill" RAM. Is that stuff any good, or is it just the latest bargain basement crap?

Keep in mind that this system is meant solely to be a step up to PCI Express and Core 2 Duo *capability*. I would rather wait for prices to drop and upgrade the processor to something beefier later on. Gaming isn't a big deal either as I only play BF2 and anything will be better than the current card (ATI All-in-Wonder 9700 Pro).

Thanks again, and lemme have it!

 

[engiNURD]

It looks like your budget is around $730 not including tax and shipping. Some obvious things that stand out... since this is a budget system, I'd suggest a cheaper motherboard; at most, the DS3. Dump that thermaltake PSU. Get some $200 ram instead of $240. G.Skill is good, and is the current bargain basement I guess. While you are on a low budget, a core2duo and better graphics solution is possible. I'd go for something like this:

$182 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz
$210 - G.SKILL 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
$100 - Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$115 - BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE Geforce 7600GT 256MB ($145 - $30MIR)
$50 - XClio GOODPOWER 500W ATX 500W
$50 - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver w/ Side Window
==========
$705 + tax and shipping (after rebates)

Here's a review comparing the Foxconn against the P5B Deluxe:
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/963/intel_p965_shootout_part_1_asus_msi_and_foxconn/index.html
Though it doesnt have the 8-phase power, it still a better budget choice and can OC well, if you're into that. If you'd rather stick to a more popular choice, get the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 or GA-965P-S3 (The main difference is that the DS3 has solid state capacitors, but both can OC well).

Thermaltake doesnt make great PSUs, and you can check with the PSU forum for more info. The XClio Goodpower 500W is made by Channel Well, who also makes most of Antec's PSUs (It's also on the recommended list @ the psu forum). So, its recommended, has the same power range (500W), plus its cheaper!

Coresair's Value Select isn't any better than the bargain basement stuff. In fact, it usually is bargain basement. Why buy $240 DDR2-533 Value select when theres DDR2-800 for only $210? There's also some DDR2-667 VS for even less @ $200 (link)!!!!

Did you need a HDD or optical drive?

If you could spare about $100 more, you could get an even better graphics solution. But the 7600GT will definately outperform the 7300GT for only ~$40 more -- well worth it if you game at all (which you do).

 

[onelikeseabass]

re: thermaltake PSU.. funny you recommend Antec related products as I heard that Antec was making crap PSU's lately and that Thermaltake was actually the better of the two. Duely noted.

*edit* I checked out the XClio and it doesn't look all that great. Efficiency is listed at >70% for a full load. It's also lacking heavily in the power connector department. I've got two hard drives and two optical drives. If/when I go SLI, I'd have to buy a new PSU because this one won't have enough connectors!

I don't need any optical drives. What's listed is what's need, period.

What's the big difference between Core 2 Duo @ 1.6 and the P4 at 3.2 w/Hyperthreading?
Is it noticeable, justifiable? I think I'd be better off waiting til the high end 2 Duo's come down in price...

On the Foxconn tip, not really feelin ya on that one. The Foxconn is lacking in comparison to the P5B and I really like Asus. Unless those Gigabyte boards give me everything the Asus does (and/or more) I don't see a reason to switch.

Good news on the RAM tho and another good point. I'd like to see someone back you up on that though.

Thanks, and keep em comin'!

 

[jcll2002]

yes its a big difference

 

[onelikeseabass]

wouldn't the jump in speed from my current AMD xp2500+ to the P4 be "amazing"?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't really need to spend almost another $100 as the current selection will readily outperform my current system.

 

[tisb0b]

wouldn't the jump in speed from my current AMD xp2500+ to the P4 be "amazing"?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't really need to spend almost another $100 as the current selection will readily outperform my current system.

yes, but it's still a matter of value the p4's are outperformed by the amd's and the amd's are raped by the C2D's. Imo it is worth it for you to get the c2d as it will last longer than the p4's which are already outdated.

 

[engiNURD]

The Asus and Foxconn perform equally, but they only differ by feature sets. The P4HT vs the C2D aren't equal on any level. You're willing to pay for more features but not performance?

Well now, lets see... Super Pi 1M calculation:
AXP 2500+ @ 1.83Ghz: 76s (CPU @ 100%)
P4HT 3.2Ghz @ 3.2Ghz: 40s (CPU @ 100%)
C2D E6300 @ 1.86Ghz: 30s (CPU @ 50%)

Found another thread on here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1106599

The P4HT chip isn't even worth it's $100 price tag. I'd at least go for the Pentium D 805 over the P4HT 541. Why get a single core CPU when a Dual core is the same price?

Both the D805 and the E6300 can easily be overclocked without breaking a sweat. The E6300 reaches 2.6Ghz with the stock intel cooler and only 1.35v. Core2Duos perform faster (stock AND OC'd), run cooler, consume less power, and can overclock with ease. Is it that much of a difference? we can keep telling you "yes," but if you don't want to believe us, then don't. Go with what you originally wanted. We're just giving our opinions; you don't have to believe us or take our suggestions. The E6300 outperforms a Pentium Extreme Edition 965 3.7Ghz, which costs $990+, for only $180 and only @ 1.86Ghz. You decide if its worth it.

 

[AdamNesvick]

HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

He wants to buy a P4

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA

Dude, you could get an athlon 64 thats faster than that for the same price, A64 3800+'s can be had for $99

C2D is the way to go though, why upgrade to something that is esentially the same generation as your current rig, but with PCI express.

Also, the XClio is a good PSU for the cash, and the channelwell made antecs aren't the ones blowing up. Check out the PSU forum. If you need more connectors, check out the Antec NeoHE (these are also very good)


Also, your new here, don't be an asshat when you ask people for advice, and crap on products and take apart their posts.

 

[init6]

And don't be a prick to people who are just asking questions. Obviously not everyone is as smart and knowledgable as you, Adam.

 

[AdamNesvick]

And don't be a prick to people who are just asking questions. Obviously not everyone is as smart and knowledgable as you, Adam.

wasn't tryin to be a prick, if you are insinuating that I was, theres always the parking lot after school.

I was talking about the OP's 2nd post, someone made some good reccomendations to him, and he tore it apart, I didn't see one question asked in there.

I hate trying to give advice to people who don't listen in the first place. Not to even mention that fact that he could find out details on conroe vs p4 easily out there on the web.

 

[onelikeseabass]

adam,

I posted up a quick wish list thrown together over at newegg to get some feedback and to help figure out what to get. Sure, I could spend more and more time researching every tiny little thing, but I thought this forum's userbase would be able to help. So sorry to try and clarify what I'm looking for and why.

I don't want AMD and I don't want to spend more than $100 on a CPU. The processor I chose is within my budget *and* still works on the mobo which supports C2D.

Drama aside, thanks for all the tips people. I'd like to avoid as much research as possible and just have people that already know this stuff point me in the right direction. If that's not cool, fine by me, plenty other forums out there.

 

[init6]

The problem, SeaBass, especially here, is that there is a very wide range of opinions. One person will tell you your mobo and vidcard suck while it's someone else's favorite combo. To make an informed decision you must do some research on your own.

It really helps a lot to know a good bit about the various chipsets, procs, etc. before you start asking questions here. I haven't run Windows in nearly two years and I haven't built a PC since 2004, but I used to. I'm trying to get myself back up to speed to build myself a new gaming PC (unfortunately I'll have to install Windows for games, but it'll be a dual-boot with Linux).

Just admitting that I'm not an expert myself and that some people here who think they are simply aren't. All in all this is a good bunch of guys and a great forum. Do your research, ask questions and you'll have a winning setup (for you) in the end.

 

[onelikeseabass]

copy that

 

[AdamNesvick]

adam,

I posted up a quick wish list thrown together over at newegg to get some feedback and to help figure out what to get. Sure, I could spend more and more time researching every tiny little thing, but I thought this forum's userbase would be able to help. So sorry to try and clarify what I'm looking for and why.

I don't want AMD and I don't want to spend more than $100 on a CPU. The processor I chose is within my budget *and* still works on the mobo which supports C2D.

Drama aside, thanks for all the tips people. I'd like to avoid as much research as possible and just have people that already know this stuff point me in the right direction. If that's not cool, fine by me, plenty other forums out there.

Fair enough, and sorry if I offended, but the reccomendation of a Pentium D 820 is also a good one if you wanna stay on the cheap. I would at least go dualcore though if possible, trust me, its great to have, I had an athlon XP 2500, and jumped up to an X2 4200 w/ 2GB, and its like night and day. The P4 wouldn't be that big of a difference for you, as it is the same generation of technology essentially.

Here ya go, $99.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213

 

[engiNURD]

I don't want AMD and I don't want to spend more than $100 on a CPU. The processor I chose is within my budget *and* still works on the mobo which supports C2D.

Oh, no worries. I get it, you want more features than the foxconn offers. I just wanted to make sure you knew that its only lacking in features and not performance.

I think the D805 or D820 is worth $100, while the P4HT 3.2Ghz definately is not. Click on the links in my above post for more info. Like someone already said, while we do provide some research for you, ultimately, you'll have to do some yourself. We're just here to help.

While features are important, I rank performance higher on my priority list. Though, this is your list... I was just letting you know there are other options out there that will perform on-par-with and/or better-than the parts you chose. In my experience, its easier to build a system for current use than it is to predict the future. Happy building!

Btw, I have both an AXP 2500+ and a P4HT 3.4Ghz... while the P4 is a better machine, its not THAT much faster than the XP2500+.