Budget Computer Build(need your opinions :D)

[tenaciousleydead]

Ok so ive finnaly decided to make a little extra cash for this computer build and just make it decent so it will last for the next 1-2 years. Im also still deciding wether to go Windows XP PRO, or Windows XP 64 and ideads?
Budget: 360.00(dont bother trying to make out with a celeron or sempron)
So far I have this:

cpu Intel Pentium d 805 145.00/ P4 506 105.00
Corsair Value Select 512Mb 35.00
EVGA 256-p2 Geforce 6800XT 99.00(129.00)/Radeon X800 128Mb 82.00
Asus P5VD1-X LGA 775 57.99
CoolerMaster eXtreme Power 33.99(i know i shouldnt skimp)
354.00 Total (with PD805 and X800)

also i figured i would just build a wooden platform as a case lol.
im deciding between some stuf for price reasons.This comp will be on 24/7 folding, and will be used alot for gaming/downloading gigantic files.I would also prefer this system to be very quiet as my comps are right next to me. any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank You, and post all of you ideas!

 

[tenaciousleydead]

nevermind both those graphics cards, i didnt look at the 2nd refurbished page of the X800GTO's here are my other options:

PowerColor X800GTO16256 (do the 16 pipes mean that its a 480 core?) 118.0
Saphire 100129FB(FireBlade Edition) 119.0
HIS Hightech HX80GOQT256-3TOEN 135.0

all of them have gotten great reviews, but i need to find out which one would have the 480 core so i can see if i cant reach x850xt pe speeds
Thank You.

 

[MasterMisha]

Well if its gonna be on 24/7 you should move over to AMD....

AMD CPU's a smaller power envelope and don't creat so much heat.
Also you can probably get more performance out of AMD and save some money since you will be using DDR instead of DDR2.
(Just as good... don't worry about performance)

 

[tenaciousleydead]

the mobo i got only uses ddr, plus any suggestions for AMD? im just trying to stay on my budget and dont want to get a sempron or any other Athlon64 withought a venice core atleast(166.00) so if you can suggest anything that would be helpfull

 

[Gfreeman]

I suggest you dont go 64 bit. Its a hassle because many things arent compatible with it. You should take a look at this case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1418419&CatId=1509.
I have it with a intel penitum 920 and ati 850 xt. so far the power supply has held up. I think its 29.99 after rebate.

 

[GentlemanJK]

AMD Venice based config for you: Newegg.com prices.

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice core Socket 754 - $120
MSI K8N Neo3-F Motherboard - $62
Corsair Value Select 2x256 (Dual Channel) - $43
Refurb X800GTO card of your choosing, based on 480 results - $120
PowMax 702 Matrix w/450W PSU (OK for on the cheap)- $39

Total: $384

A little over your $360, but a damn fine system for under $400. And no wood platform.

Be aware that most of the GTO cards you listed all rate as very loud.

Out,
GJK

 

[linux_0]

Great suggestion

I agree!

That AMD would kick butt @ that price!

 

[tenaciousleydead]

hmm thats pretty good, does the powmax make good powersupplys?

 

[GentlemanJK]

Not the best, but it should hold up for the 1-2 years you are projecting. I have a "server" in a PowMax Case running 24/7 for the last year with no issues.

GJK