Budget Conroe Build

[milnyckyj]

I'm going for a high-value/low cost conroe build without skimping on quality components. Its going to be used for image editing mostly with some gaming here and there. Eventually I'll overclock, but not yet; probably with the stock heatsink.

Intel E6400 - $207
Intel HSF - 0
Asus P5B-E - $150
2 GB Mushkin EM6400 (ddr2-800 5-5-5-12) - $230
XFX PVT73GUGD3 7600GT - $133
2 160GB Seagate Sata drives raid 0 - $40 (comp usa black friday deal)
Samsung DVDRW - $30
Coolermaster Centurion 5 - $45
Coolermaster 400W PSU - $25
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard with mouse - $20
Arctic Silver 5 - $6
Dell E207WFP 20" widescreen LCD - $240

Total with tax and shipping came to about $1140. How 'bout them apples.

I guess you can save some money by getting a vanilla 7600GT/GS, smaller display, different ram, etc. but I'm pretty happy with what I got for that price.

 

[rdhood]

PSUs can be had for free after rebate. I have two 500w supplies bought in the last month

7900GS can be had for under $150. Newegg has one right now for $145 after rebate, and I bought one two weeks ago for $120 after rebate.


Save $25 and boost your gaming by about 50%

 

[skyguy]

Agreed. Get a better PSU, definitely. Assume you'll be overclocking and upgrading your video card at some point in the future, and you'll need a good PSU. Not necessary huge, just good.

Spend an extra $40 and get a better PSU.