New Gaming System $600

[absorb]

My current system isn't really working for new games(30fps max in Source) so I'm going to build a new system and I'm looking for some people to double check what I came up with.

I probably would be playing mostly halflife and source engine games on it now but I want it to be able to run games like supreme commander, quakewars, and stalker at least decently.

This isn't exactly urgent so if waiting another month or so would get me a lot more bang for the buck I would be up for that.

Conroe E6300 / $180

GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard / $115

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) System Memory / $110
I might buy another 1gb stick later.

XTASY RADEON X800 GT 256 MB PCI-E / $70

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive / $45

Ultra ULT31846 X-Finity 500 Watt Power Supply (Blue) Retail / $60

Rosewill R604-P BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case / $30


Total: $610(Mostly at newegg, will shop around when I actually buy)
Note: I know its missing a disk-drive.

Thanks.

 

[Dave101]

Just asked a similar question yesterday, was directed to here http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/PSU-101-ftopict198276.html for the PSU question.

If you can stretch would suggest a 975x mobo for the o/c potential.

Will let you know if get any other info.

D

 

[WR2]

Conroe E6300 / $180
What would be a good fan for overclocking this?

GIGABYTE GA-945P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard / $90

A good HSF for any C2D would be the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro @ $30. Its effective and quiet, easy to install and comes with thermal compound already applied.
That 945P-S3 will only be a modest overclocker, nothing like the 965-S3. As the prices are $26 apart it makes more sense to get the GA-965P-S3 and use the stock HSF to overclock.
The 965-S3 is supposed to be able to take a C2Quad upgrade but the 945 motherboards will not.

 

[UC7]

I might throw a bit more into the hard drive. The 80Gb seems a tad small. It might not seem so at first, but you will feel it after installing several of your favorite games + wanting to add some music and pics. The new trend is to download video for entertainment (yes legally); you would obviously need more room for this.

The price per gig of hard drives is not all that high when comparing. A 250Gb version of what you are looking to get is near $80. 45/80= 56 cents per gig while 80/250= 32 cents.

Just a thought.

 

[Mondoman]

However, the Freezer 7 Pro doesn't blow air down onto the MB in ALL directions, thus failing the 2nd part of the Intel thermal spec, and probably requiring additional fan(s) for the MB. Since you're on a major budget, do as WR2 suggested and use the stock hsf w/better MB.
Here's a PS suggestion, decent power for $25 after rebate, free shipping:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373060

 

[BigguN]

Where did you find xp pro for $67? Student discount?

 

[quantumsheep]

My current system isn't really working for new games(30fps max in Source) so I'm going to build a new system and I'm looking for some people to double check what I came up with.

I probably would be playing mostly halflife and source engine games on it now but I want it to be able to run games like supreme commander, quakewars, and stalker at least decently.

This isn't exactly urgent so if waiting another month or so would get me a lot more bang for the buck I would be up for that.

Conroe E6300 / $180
What would be a good fan for overclocking this?

GIGABYTE GA-945P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard / $90

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) System Memory / $110
I might buy another 1gb stick later.

XTASY RADEON X800 GT 256 MB PCI-E / $70

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive / $45

RAIDMAX Sagitta ATX-921WBP Black/Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450watt PRESCOTT/ SATA Ready Power Supply / $73
Seemed like the best deal I could find, I don't really care how the case look if there is something better though. Also, unsure if PSU has enough Watts.

XP PRO / $67

Total: $635(Mostly at newegg, will shop around when I actually buy)
Note: I know its missing a disk-drive.

Thanks.

STAY AWAY FROM THAT GRAPHICS CARD!!!!!!!!!!!

Please spend a little more and get something half-decent such as a 7600GT, you'll regret not spending the extra!

 

[CyberianK]

However, the Freezer 7 Pro doesn't blow air down onto the MB in ALL directions, thus failing the 2nd part of the Intel thermal spec, and probably requiring additional fan(s) for the MB. Since you're on a major budget, do as WR2 suggested and use the stock hsf w/better MB.
Here's a PS suggestion, decent power for $25 after rebate, free shipping:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373060

If I got a 120mm PSU Fan and a 80mm case fan (all out on back of case) directly next to the CPU area will it be ok to use the Freezer Pro? I thought of buying it cause my shop got the unboxed C2-6300 for 10 Euros less and the Arctic for 16, so I get it for 6 (7-8 $)

Anyways check my thread: thought of AMD but now going Core2


to OP: I would get the second RAM Dimm as quick as possible for going Dual CHannel... but anyway it is not that bad as it would be with slower RAM as it still good good bandwith single

 

[absorb]

Alright I'm going with the mobo you suggest and the powersupply. The Windows XP Pro price was incorrect, so I just took it out.

Is the 7600GTO really worth double the money? The reason I was going for the x800 is because it is much better than my current card(9200) and I think I might upgrade to a dx10 card later since I don't really want to throw a lot of money into a nicer GPU then have it be useless for vista games.

 

[purdueguy]

If you are going to spend the money to get an E6300, I'd save up another $150 dollars to not compromise your system in getting a cheaper video card or motherboard.

PSU/Case: Stay away from RaidMax. I hear nothing but bad news on the PSU. The one to currently buy is the Antec Sonata II. It's $80 after MIR and a hell of a lot better than that RaidMax. Watts is important but secondary. Check out the sticky: PSU 101 under the power supply section.

Mobo: I'd upgrade to the GA-965P-S3. It's 32 bucks more but worth it.

Video Card: BFG 7600GT - $120. Way better than the X800GT. MIR expires in 4 days.

Optical Drive: NEC 3550A - around $35.

With the optical drive this will push the system to $757. But it would be worth it.

As far as fan is concerned. The Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 is only 22 bucks at Monarchcomputer. It may not meet Intel's spec by blowing down, but it's had very good reviews. I recommend it.