ultra-cheap C2D rig

L

lost eden

Gawd
Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
546
I'm thinking of building an incredibly cheap entry-level C2D rig with plenty of upgrade potential & I've come up with the following list of parts;

c2d_rig.jpg


I realise that I haven't included an optical drive, because to save that extra £15 I'll initially be using a USB drive that I have.

So, does this look like a solid machine to everyone? Anything you would change? And before somebody chimes in & says that the 8400GS is poor for gaming, as long as it is as good as my venerable 5900xt then it'll be fine for me. Oh & the machine is going to be running Linux, so if anybody knows of any huge incompatibilites with any of this hardware, do tell.
 
Should be fine. Nothing glaring, aside from that you'll have to replace the motherboard if you OC at all -- and with a mid range processor like that I'd personally want OCing as an option. I'd spend a bit more there and get something like the Gigabyte DS3L or Abit IP35-E instead. DFI's BloodIron P35 TR2 board is also an option (tends to be less expensive) if you're willing to deal with DFI and their borderline legendary compatibility problems... though how you can screw up an Intel chipset is beyond me.
 
I have absolutely no intention of overclocking whatsoever with this machine, I just want rock solid stability & compatibility. Even a 2.2GHz C2D will be faster than the 1.8GHz C2D in my laptop & that's already overkill for most stuff I do.

Edit: Hm, the IP35-E is actually cheaper than the Intel BOXDP35DPM. The only notable differences I can see is that the Intel has 1x more SATA & 1x more eSATA & that the Intel claims to have RAID - I'm assuming this is just software RAID anwyay, right?
 
Atlast, i have found someone that has to pay the ridiculos uk prices :cool:

Scan UK FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
ring.of.steel said:
Atlast, i have found someone that has to pay the ridiculos uk prices :cool:

Scan UK FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!
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At least I get free shipping! I agree though, it's so not fair how much we compare to those Americans :( Cheaper RAM & switching to the Abit IP-35E brings it down to £305.17 delivered.
 
lost eden said:
At least I get free shipping! I agree though, it's so not fair how much we compare to those Americans :( Cheaper RAM & switching to the Abit IP-35E brings it down to £305.17 delivered.
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I dont even get free shipping, plus citylink are a pain in the arse in sheffield. The americans think a video card for $400 is expensive, the 8800 ultras were $1200 on release here!
 
ring.of.steel said:
I dont even get free shipping, plus citylink are a pain in the arse in sheffield. The americans think a video card for $400 is expensive, the 8800 ultras were $1200 on release here!
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My flat last year was HELL for deliveries. The front door had a combination lock, so couriers couldn't get in to our door or our postbox, so they couldn't deliver to our door or even leave a calling card in the postbox. Then just to add more pain, the 19th century 3ft thick granite walls stopped all cellphones from working so they couldn't even call when they were outside! The number of times I played 'voicemail tag' with couriers was just ridiculous.

I really start to feel the pain of Americans cheaper prices because there are so many American students at the university I attend :(

Edit: new parts list;

c2d_rig_2.jpg
 
Looks good to me. It should be good enough for your needs. Have fun with it!
 
I've brought the price down even further, seeming as a full C2D is probably overkill for my needs (the only reason I picked the 2.2 was because they no longer stocked thee 1.8, but then I found out about the 1.6 half-cache version);

c2d_rig_3.jpg


Order submitted :D I really am amazed at how cheap this has worked out! But because of New Year, estimated delivery isn't till Monday :(
 
Iv got stuff coming on monday also, but iv got a funny feeling citylink isnt delivering then...
 
ring.of.steel said:
Iv got stuff coming on monday also, but iv got a funny feeling citylink isnt delivering then...
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Don't tell me that! Hopefully though, they'll sort it & ship it on Wednesday for delivery on Thursday or Friday. Ever since they switched to the 'Q Delivery' which doesn't let you pick next day, I've always received the goods next day rather than the day I picked!
 
I still don't know why they switched to this new delivery system, I like ordering something before 1630 & knowing that it will arrive the next day. That's what it used to be like with Scan, Overclock were even better when they were around.
 
I ordered Friday 28th and the stupid fools still haven't dispatched it. :(

Delivery on Thursday my ass.
 
It will be deliverd the day after its dispatched dont worry about it.
 
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