Yes, it's another help me out building a computer thread...

J

JackieO

Gawd
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Messages
933
Hey guys - so my wife's computer is finally so outdated that I'm going to get off my lazy ass and upgrade my computer, and give mine to her! :D Problem is, with work & life I've been out of the computer hardware scene for awhile, and find myself feeling like my dad must have when he got his first beta-max. I generally know what's what, but I want some help building a machine. I'd like to keep the price under $1,500 (but will go higher if there is a good argument to do so), and I do not need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or burner; just the basics (case, psu, cpus, mb, hdd, vid card, sound, you get the idea). Here is what I was *thinking*; please totally rip it apart and call me stupid.

Notes: I do not think I will be overclocking. I prefer stability to that last 2fps. I would like it to remain relatively quiet; I know that this is often difficult given crap runs hot and needs fans, so the less fans required the better. My current rig is an SFF (P4 3ghz, 6800 etc, and it runs super quiet).

CPU
Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz E6400 = $220 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004)
(alternately, +90 for e6600)

Motherboard. This has me a little confused. 965 or 975X? I can't even tell the difference except for over $100.
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard = $240
Gigabyte P965 GA-965P-S3 = $115

Honestly, what do I get for $125 here?

Memory
Crucial Technology Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel = $300.

Ideas here? It's pricey at Newegg, so if there is something as good for less cash I am all for it.

Video: Again, sort of up in the air. ATi or nvidia? Back when I payed attention to computers nvidia was pretty much a given, it seems they're about 50/50 now. Here is what I think thinking:

XFX PVT71JYHE9 GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 = $320.

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $160

Case and PSU - I have no idea. Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail = $55?
PSU = Something quiet here is key. I really have no idea what's good + quiet. Budget $100 for it I guess.

Sound/LAN - I assume onboard the MB is still ok.

I think that's it. I came up with $1485 for the "upgraded" config, and ~$1250 for the lesser of the two. Comments, suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Core2Duo's run cooler, consume less power and overclock like crazy. They overclock so easily, its a waste not OC'ing one. Here's some reading material:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2802

Since your budget is $1500, go for the E6600. Where will you get the money to spring for that chip instead? simple... RAM.
$210 - G.SKILL 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ

Here's some ram articles for you:
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2797&p=17
http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2800&p=6
http://www.anandtech.com/default.aspx

Which leads into chipsets... The P965 Express is the newer of the two chipsets. What do you get for $125 more with the Asus P5W DH? the best overclocking motherboard for Core2Duo (oh, and an extra ide controller). Earlier on, it seemed that E6600+ CPUs overclocked better on i975x based boards, while E6400- oc'd better on P965 Express boards. However, I dont think thats still the case. I'd go for a P965 Express board if I were you... one of these:
$150 - GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$116 - GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$170 - MSI 975X Platinum Socket T Intel 975X Motherboard
$185 - ASUS P5B Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express

As for the vidcard, that 7950GT is way overpriced. I'd suggest a cheaper solution until DX10 cards come out. You could get the 7600GT for now, then sell it when 8800GTS/GTX cards are more affordable. Or, the x1950PRO is a great performer for only $200. However, the best deal would be for a 7900GTO for only $250, if you could find one (discontinued, outperforms the 7950GT for less $).

Check out the sticky thread in the PSU forums. They have a good list of recommended PSUs, and also ones to avoid. I'd suggest a 500W for you, like the XClio Goodpower for only $50; but if you want silence, go with seasonic.

Yah, onboard audio is fine. If you find it unbearable, you could always add in a sound card later.

The 320GB 7200.10 seagate is a better value at $95, over the 400gb for $160.
 
I agree with most of what's been said so far. I also think you should go with the E6600. The E6600 seems to be the sweet spot for price/performance, especially if you are not overclocking.

I would also go for the G.Skill ram. I have used this brand many times with good success. G.Skill is very popular on this board.

As for the case, I would suggest an Antec P180. It is about $120, but it's just about the quietest stock case around and very popular with these guys http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/. I also like Antec power supplies, I would get a NeoHe 500. They are not the best out there, but very good and around $80. The NeoHe is also quiet.

I would also go for the 7900gto card. This thing is a steal at $250. This card also has one of the quietest stock fans on a high end card. Also very popular with these guys http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/
Ribs
 
Since the card is discontinued, I think your next best choice is the 7900GT:
$205 - eVGA 256-P2-N584-AR Geforce 7900GT 256MB ($225 - $20)

or the x1950Pro:
$200 - SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB

The x1950Pro was just release and is set against the 7900GS, which is not as good as the 7900GT. So, I'd go with the 7900GT if they don't get any 7900GTO's back in stock. The 8800GTS is due out Nov 7th I believe, so you may want to wait for those cards to be released and see how they affect prices.

I think XClio's and Antec's PSUs are both mostly made by Channel Well (CWT), or so I've been told.
 
OK, updated list. Thoughts?

Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz E6600 = $320

Gigabyte P965 GA-965P-S3 = $115

G.SKILL 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ = $210

eVGA 256-P2-N584-AR Geforce 7900GT = $225

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $95 x 2

Antec Solo = $90

SeaSonic S12-430 ATX12V 430W = $95

Cost = $1245.
 
The SOLO is also a good case for quiet computing. It comes with a HDD suspension system!! Its basically a cheaper version of the P150, I believe. The Centurion is nice, and tool-less; its also nicely priced at $50.
 
I don't mind drilling; I was more concerned with silence - the solo seems to be a popular choice over at silentpc, which is why I put it on my list. I will check out the centurion though.

Word over at silentpc is the 7900gt is loud. I wish I could find a GTO.
 
if you get the centruion, i'd get one of those fans that takes 3 5.25 inch bays, and put a 120 mm fan in there.
 
I would get a evga 7900gs for $186 very close to same performance as a 7900gt but its 40 dollars cheaper. With the evga you can also step up 90 days from now and get a DX10 card.
 
7900gt is loud. If you plan on upgrading when DX10 comes, you might try this card.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814125025
It is silent, but you will need good airflow in your case in order to avoid this card heating up too much or heating up the rest of your components.
You can't go wrong with a P180. It has 3 120mm fans with adjustable speed. You can set the fans to low and be near silent.

If you really are interested in quiet, spend a day and read through the silent pc forums.
Paul
 
nullzero said:
I would get a evga 7900gs for $186 very close to same performance as a 7900gt but its 40 dollars cheaper. With the evga you can also step up 90 days from now and get a DX10 card.
Click to expand...
The XFX 7900gt card is only $14 more after rebate. Whether its worth the $14 is up to you... but if the difference were actually $40, then no, it wouldn't be worth it. The 7900gs evga card is a great choice with the step up program, though, like nullzero mentioned.
 
Gotchya. So it seems like if I want quiet I will need to go for either a GTO, which is impossible to find, or something less than a 7900. Hrm, choices. :)
 
eVGA will still warrant a card who's HSF has been changed (it wont void the warranty like other manufacturers). With that in mind, you can get a 7900GT evga card and change the HSF on it. Check in the vidcard forum for some suggestions as to what to change the hsf to.
 
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