How does this sound? And how hard to put it together myself?

[ausbob]

I am finally looking at building my own! Have installed lots of memory, HDs etc before and I have worked with software for years. Just not hardware...so I am looking at this config for mid-level gaming:

Intel D950 3.4Ghz 800Mhz FSB 2*2Mb Cache Dual Core
ASUS P5LD2 MBoard
2Gb DDR2 RAM (2*1Gb)
WD 200Gb SATA II drive (or greater)
Nvidia 7600GT 256Mb graphics
LD DL Burner
Thermaltake Soprano Case with 430W PSU
The usual monitor, kb, speakers etc etc

So how does that sound? Will it be OK for Oblivion? Anything I should replace?

How hard is it to put the MB and CPU in? I can save about $300 doing it myself.

 

[Mex]

Seriously consider bumping up your GPU if you want to play Oblivion:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/7games-gpus_5.html
Also read this: Can your rig run Oblivion?

A 7600GT is useable, but you'll have to sacrifice eye candy to use it. If that doesn't matter, then you're fine.

Here's a guide to assembling a computer - it's not difficult, but it does take some time and organization.
http://sysbuild.corsairmemory.com/report.aspx?id=2

Oh, and have you looked at Conroe?

 

[ausbob]

At 1280 the card runs pretty good....

What/who is Conroe? I am in Australia.

 

[Mex]

At 1280, it's "passable." As I said, if you're willing to lower the resolution and settings, it'll work fine.

Conroe = Intel Core 2 Duo, those newfangled processors on the market. I'm in the US, so I don't know if they've made it to Australia yet. Somehow, I doubt it, due to the supply issues over here. It was just a thought.

 

[o29]

If you're going to use it for gaming, aren't going with Conroe, and have DDR2 anyway, why not go AM2?

Maybe a 64 X2 4600+?

You'd be better off with an e6400 though.

They're all roughly the same price.

 

[9-inch]

I agree with o29: Go with the X2 4600+ or if you still want more bang for your hard earned bucks, then go for the X2 5000.

 

[o29]

Also, if you're willing to spend a little more on a graphics card, the Radeon X1800 XT is a good choice. If you're willing to tone down some eye candy on the more demanding games, though, then the 7600GT will do just fine.

 

[evilr00t]

CPU: I would move down to a D945 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116255) - it's the same speed as the D950, but almost $40 cheaper. You could also move to a D915 ($137, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116253), and clock it up like hell.

With the extra $40, I would stretch and get a Gigabyte 965P-DS3, which is Conroe ready, and a hell of a overclocker to boot.

965P-DS3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

EDIT:
Just found this, Conroe E6300 OEM for $186. Same price as the D945. http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=E6300

eWiz also ships internationally, though it's outrageously expensive. Newegg doesn't. In either case, prices just for reference, try looking for a local source if possible.

 

[9-inch]

CPU: I would move down to a D945 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116255) - it's the same speed as the D950, but almost $40 cheaper. You could also move to a D915 ($137, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116253), and clock it up like hell.

With the extra $40, I would stretch and get a Gigabyte 965P-DS3, which is Conroe ready, and a hell of a overclocker to boot.

965P-DS3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

EDIT:
Just found this, Conroe E6300 OEM for $186. Same price as the D945. http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=E6300

eWiz also ships internationally, though it's outrageously expensive. Newegg doesn't. In either case, prices just for reference, try looking for a local source if possible.

That setup would get owned even by an Athlon X2 3800.

Do you hate this guy so much to recommend him an PD-945??

 

[evilr00t]

STFU AMDroid.

I'd recommend a D945 over a D950 any day.
EDIT:
Simply because of price, same speed and less money.

 

[turkishdrummer]

looks good to me.

 

[Heyyou27]

Do NOT get a Pentium D; if you can't get a Core 2 Duo, go for an AMD counterpart such as the X2 3800, 4200, or 4600.

 

[ausbob]

Isn't what I am buying a dual core machine???

What diff is the Core 2 Duo?

 

[o29]

Completely reworked architecture.

There's a big difference.

Read the Conroe sticky on this forums for some more info.

 

[ausbob]

OK what about this then?

Intel ATX E6400 CORE 2 DUO /2.13GHz/2MB CACHE/1066FSB/LGA775
Asus P5B 775, CORE2EE, P965, 1066FSB, PCIEI6, AUDIO, GbLAN, ATX


Good match?

Or give me a MB for an Athlon system?

 

[ausbob]

Any thoughts. Does that intel combo sound good?

What type of memory does that board take?

 

[ausbob]

Or would the original MB speciifed - P5LD2-VM work ok?

It is a jungle out there. Was much easier 4 years ago when I purchased my last PC.

Cheers

 

[o29]

Well, if you're willing to spend $250 on a motherboard, then yes, the Asus P5B 775 is good. Also check out

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131028

 

[Grimmy]

Shouldn't limit yourself to NewEgg, unless its delivery problems of some sort.

You can get that same board at eTech for $221 vs 239.39 (ZZF) vs 259.99 (NewEgg).

But I guess support would be the other thing.

 

[DaveUK]

Oblivion will stomp on a 7600GT, buy an X1900XT.

 

[ausbob]

I am ignoring the video card at the moment.

Just trying to sort out the MB and CPU combo and then AMD vs Intel etc.

The rest is almost easy.

So is the extra $$$ on the P5B vs P5LD2-VM worth it?

I am still confused over Dual Core vs Core Duo as well.

 

[Mex]

Dual Core - A CPU with two cores on one die.
Core (2) Duo - A new line of dual core CPUs from Intel.

Now, even the lowest end Core 2 Duos blow the doors off of the highest end Pentium D, the D965EE. If you ever want to upgrade to the Core 2 Duo, buy the P5B, because the P5LD2-VM doesn't say that it supports C2D. If you don't plan on upgrading the CPU, then the P5LD2-VM is fine.

 

[Grimmy]

I am still confused over Dual Core vs Core Duo as well.

Their design is different, and run at different Quad pump bus speed. One difference:

D950 800Mhz FSB
E6xxx 1066 FSB

Also, between those 2, the 950 will draw more wattage, compared to a C2D.

And for the L2 cache, the 2 or 4 MB cache is accessible to both cores on the C2D, to where the PD is not, if I remember correctly.

That the easiest I can explain.

 

[joset]

I am finally looking at building my own! Have installed lots of memory, HDs etc before and I have worked with software for years. Just not hardware...so I am looking at this config for mid-level gaming:

Intel D950 3.4Ghz 800Mhz FSB 2*2Mb Cache Dual Core
ASUS P5LD2 MBoard
2Gb DDR2 RAM (2*1Gb)
WD 200Gb SATA II drive (or greater)
Nvidia 7600GT 256Mb graphics
LD DL Burner
Thermaltake Soprano Case with 430W PSU
The usual monitor, kb, speakers etc etc

So how does that sound? Will it be OK for Oblivion? Anything I should replace?

How hard is it to put the MB and CPU in? I can save about $300 doing it myself.

a. Like others have said, try to avoid Pentiums (even dual-core); they've got some overclocking potential... at the expense of 'lots of heat!';

b. If you can, go with the ASUS P5B (not the Deluxe version); it's about 160 Euros (should be much less than US$200, anyway);

c. The E6300 is a good bet for mid-level gaming... as long as you invest on a good GPU (go as far as you can, ATi or nVidia);

d. Two HDDs, if possible (you don't want to stress your system's), even if it means going with lower capacity;

e. Brand DDR2 and a very good PSU (it'll suit you later...); check what brand & specs on the one which comes with your [good] case (430W might be just bare for a demanding GPU...);

As a side note, I'd also advise an UPS (> 600VA); they're cheap and you never know enough...


Cheers!

 

[jorbor36]

Buy a conroe, dont buy a pen d