About to click Submit at NewEgg, but wanted 1 last opinion

[Qisa]

Just trying to build a decent mid-range computer here with maybe a little room for overclocking once I'm sure it's stable.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1066MHz FSB LGA 775 Processor (BX80557E6300) = $193.00

Gigabyte Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard (GA-965P-DS3) = $144.99

MSI Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card (NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD) = $174.99 (+$20 Rebate)

Patriot Signature 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Kit Memory (PSD21G667KH) = $88.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (WD2500KS) = $77.99 (+$10 Rebate)

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 ATX Mid Tower (CAC-T05-UB) = $44.99

Antec SmartPower 2.0 ATX12V 500W Power Supply (SP-500) = $69.99

Subtotal: $794.94

 

[ChrisBond]

Looks good to me. But as for the video card, I like eVGA since they got lifetime warranty and Trade-In thing for a better card in a 90 day period. And there about the same price with Mail In rebate. And I'm surpised no oen told you to get consair ram but I guess if that's ram you want to get then don't let me stop you.

 

[Qisa]

The RAM choice was based on posts I've seen from people that have used this motherboard so far. It's the component I'm most flexible on, though, if someone has a reasonably-priced alternative.

I'd read about the eVGA warrant and forgotten about it. Might have to check into them one more time.

 

[Qisa]

Looks like NewEgg got the eVGA card in so I'm switching to it:

eVGA Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card [256-P2-N554-AX] = $179.99 (+$20 rebate)

 

[INeedCache]

Nothing wrong with that RAM. We've sold a lot of Patriot RAM without a problem. I think it will overclock OK, not great, but OK.

 

[ZOldDude]

Just trying to build a decent mid-range computer here with maybe a little room for overclocking once I'm sure it's stable.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1066MHz FSB LGA 775 Processor (BX80557E6300) = $193.00

Gigabyte Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard (GA-965P-DS3) = $144.99

MSI Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card (NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD) = $174.99 (+$20 Rebate)

Patriot Signature 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Kit Memory (PSD21G667KH) = $88.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (WD2500KS) = $77.99 (+$10 Rebate)

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 ATX Mid Tower (CAC-T05-UB) = $44.99

Antec SmartPower 2.0 ATX12V 500W Power Supply (SP-500) = $69.99

Subtotal: $794.94

Spend the extra $40 an get a better PSU,PC P&C 510. Contact them dirrect and get a better deal than the online shops also (just talk with one of the tecs).

Remove the foam filters from the case and cut away the exit fan gaurd for 70% better airflow on that Coolermaster.

Look around and get two 1GB sticks of ram.

 

[p90m16mp5a4]

I don't see the need for a better PSU. His rig is more than fine with the Antec, the PCP&C would be overkill.

I would say to get a single stick of 1gb DDR, unless you cant find a good deal.
(wtf did ram prices go up so high.. it's sad..)

 

[SuperK86]

Please reconsider your memory options and go for ddr2 800 (PC2 6400)

Memory is a vital portion of your system, and you want to leave room for upgrading in the future. If you're not getting 2gb now, invest in a single 1gb stick, and in the future, purchase another stick later on. DDR2 667 doesn't offer much improvement, you definitely want to begin at 800.

I suggest OCZ. Out of 5 rigs built with DDR OCZ memory, with fast timings, they've overclocked and performed gorgeously. Newegg offers many options as well.
* OCZ Gold 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ2G8001G - Retail

Cas Latency: 5
Features: Gold Layered XTC Heatspreader
Heat Spreader: Yes
Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime
Timing: 5-5-5-12
Voltage: 2.0V


* $113.99

or some tighter timings:


* OCZ Platinum Revision 2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ2P800R21G - Retail

Cas Latency: 4
Features: Platinum Mirrored XTC Heatspreader
Heat Spreader: Yes
Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime
Timing: 4-4-4-15
Voltage: 2.1V


* $112.99

 

[Qisa]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

PSU - I really thought people would be saying I was overdoing it with the PSU considering this isn't an SLI rig. The biggest perk of that PSU, besides the Antec name, is modular cords which I'm pretty fond of.

RAM - To be perfectly honest, I'd seen so many people using paired RAM sticks, I was worried that maybe they had to be installed in pairs, but I was too embarrassed to ask. I don't think I'd have saved much money anyhow and there's 2 more slots on that MB for future expansion. I got the 667 RAM because the 800 seemed to be overpriced in comparison and I saw an article (on Anandtech?) about how well they were able to overclock the 667. I've heard good things about OCZ RAM, but not in combination with this motherboard, at least with early BIOSes. The Patriot got high marks in comparison. I'm never going to try to push the overclocking to the limits anyhow.

I particularly appreciate the tip to increase airflow as I haven't seen a Coolermaster case before. Thanks!

 

[tool_462]

Never be too embarassed to ask a question here! This is one of the forums that (generally) you shouldn't get flamed for even the dumbest question. As long as you are open to answers that is.

The Antec PSU will be just fine for your rig and I have yet to hear of a failed Antec in any of the builds I have done.

I also agree with you that if the price of the 667 RAM is good, get that instead. OCZ can easily OC to 800 with a minor voltage increase, if it is even needed. I have heard good things about Patriot memory, not awesome overclocking stuff, but always heard to be rock solid stable and decent overclocking capabilities.

 

[440bx]

Your system looks pretty good, if I were you I'd consider the following,

1. Purchasing cheaper DDR533 (instead of 667) and
2. Hopefully the difference (and a few more bucks out of pocket) would be enough to get an E6400 instead of an E6300.

While high performance memory benefits AMD processors significantly the same is not true on the Conroe platform. Many benchmarks show this. Here is one which includes reviews of various motherboards along with "budget" memory.

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2822

Last, I would rather get a motherboard based on the i975 than on the 965 but i975 based motherboards are definitely more expensive.

HTH.

 

[Qisa]

More good stuff. Thanks guys!

 

[Crashman]

I also agree with you that if the price of the 667 RAM is good, get that instead. OCZ can easily OC to 800 with a minor voltage increase, if it is even needed.

You're bringing OCZ into this conversation when so many people have complained that it makes their 965 platform unbootable? And some guys are even buying another cheap module just to get their system into BIOS Setup...to manually set values and make the OCZ bootable? What a waste.

I'm hoping that OCZ is the only company with this problem. I can only confirm Corsair at this point, unless Patriot wants to send me something free.

 

[akscottbot]

every thing looks great but 2 things i notice

if you arent ocing than you would do better with ddr2 533. its actually better than 667 at the same timings for Core 2, and cheaper. if you are ocing than 667 is.

Newegg is selling x1800xt for 199.99, only a little more than that 7600, which it will obviously crush and you get HDR+AA

x1800xt