$800 budget gaming/work computer.. please help!

[deadamc]

I've been posting back and forth about creating a computer system at computerforum.com, but I'd like to see what you guys think of what I have come up with after a lot of discussion and changing of parts...

Prices include both part price and shipping

Intel BOXDP965LTCK Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $136.12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121035

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz / 2MB Cache / 1066MHz FSB / Dual-Core / OEM / Socket 775 / Processor $235.85
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2280517&CatId=2396

pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - RetaiL $149.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820141064

SAPPHIRE 100106-RD Radeon X850XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM $151.63
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102483

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701

HIPRO HP-P500W/TOP-500P5 ATX V2.01 500W Power Supply 115/230 V - OEM $43.61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817174023

I'm also going to pick out some basic cd/dvd drive for about $35

Please let me know what you would do differently or what parts you are concerned about, Thanks!

 

[shadowduck]

I've been posting back and forth about creating a computer system at computerforum.com, but I'd like to see what you guys think of what I have come up with after a lot of discussion and changing of parts...

Prices include both part price and shipping

Intel BOXDP965LTCK Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $136.12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121035

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz / 2MB Cache / 1066MHz FSB / Dual-Core / OEM / Socket 775 / Processor $235.85
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2280517&CatId=2396

pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - RetaiL $149.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820141064

SAPPHIRE 100106-RD Radeon X850XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM $151.63
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102483

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701

HIPRO HP-P500W/TOP-500P5 ATX V2.01 500W Power Supply 115/230 V - OEM $43.61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817174023

I'm also going to pick out some basic cd/dvd drive for about $35

Please let me know what you would do differently or what parts you are concerned about, Thanks!

Do NOT buy from Tiger. They were taking orders and then cancelled a bunch of them (see other posts). Tiger is hell, wait for stock at other merchants.

 

[k-]

Everything else looks good expt that if I were you, I'd go up to 7600gt

 

[deadamc]

Yeah, thats one of the main issues I was having on the other forum.. no one could really agree which video card to go with... I read another thread on here dedicated to x850xt vs. 7600gt and no one could really agree on which one to go with...

I had this one picked out before I switched to the x850xt... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130017

I was kinda leaning towards the 7600gt myself anyways, but more people were recommending the x850xt over at computerforum.com, so I decided to go with it. I'm still not really sure what I want to do.

 

[k-]

just get a 7600gt newer technology and better quality except the 128, 256 bit part but the other ones can cover upfor it.

in the long run, 7600gt is a better choice cuz 8xx series are dead now.

 

[yipsl]

ATI has good image quality, but I would not get a shader 2.0b card like the X850 because it won't support all the features in current games. The best midrange ATI card to get right now is the X1800GTO and the best midrange Nvidia card is the 7600GT.

The X1800GTO goes for around $199 to $208 at Newegg and it does have 256 bit memory. Newegg has a couple of "recertified" 7900GTs for around $202, but I don't know if they're 'open box" or were returned and refurbished or whatever. The regular 7900GTs are around $279.

I like ATI for image quality, performance in Oblivion (I play CRPGs not FPS) and AVIVO. In fact, the only ATI cards I've bought the past five years are All in Wonder multimedia/gaming cards. The only good one nowadays is the AIW X1900 for around $300.

 

[themelonator13]

i might be missing something but you dont have a case or a hsf one the list of parts

Also are you sure that the conroe would be better than a presler 950 for the same price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116240

i havent seen any bench marks comparing the E6300 to the 950 so i dont know

and if it helps i cant say from first hand experience but the thermaltake cases look good also the got good reviews ( www.overclockerscafe.com or www.3dgameman.com )

 

[themelonator13]

sorry bad link its www.overclockercafe.com

 

[deadamc]

Theme, I already have a case - that is why one isnt listed... also, I have researched the cpu and the duo core 2 outperforms the pentium D 945... take a look at this http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-e6300_11.html

 

[Plekto]

It's a good build. The X850XT may not be the newest toy out there, but like the old Ti4000 series, it's a tank and cheap for what you get.

The only real problem is one thing - the power supply is junk. Get an Antec for $20-$30 more. Preferably one with a 120mm fan in it.