Critique My Build - Looking For Options

[Silk]

I would appreciate any comments/suggestions. The current cost is $1423. I would like to cut that down by $200 - $300. It's for gaming (AA). I may one day overclock when and if I need to, but that will be a while. Seems to me the 6600 is the best value for C2D. I'm also not sure if I really need to run a raid configuration or just go with one hard drive.



Core 2 Duo E6600 - $309
Asus P5W DH Deluxe - $225
Sapphire Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16- $250
Case Armor VA8003BWS - $140
Memory Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4D 2GB DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Dominator Series Memory - $264
Two Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320Gig- ($95ea) $190
Cd/DVD Drive (1) Media: LG 18X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model GSAH22N-BK - $31
Thermal Compound Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - $6

Thanks in advance for your comments. I've been lurking on and off for a while and I'm always impressed how helpful the people here are.

 

[Crapola]

If you want to cut down, try a E6300/E6400. You can OC and still get great performance. You can also use a different mobo and OC almost as well

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142

You can also go with one HDD..

Now, you will need an aftermarket HSF..., if you plan to OC..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186134

otherwise, everything looks good... Oh, I hope you have a good PS...


8O

 

[drummerdude]

what psu you gonna use?

 

[skyguy]

Downgrade CPU to a 6400.
Downgrade the mobo to a Gigabtye 965P-DS3 (or similar).
Downgrade the memory to DDR2-667.


You should hit your budget no problem and still have a FAST system that you can overclock later should you wish

 

[Guest]

And upgrade.

 

[Silk]

I have an OCZ GameXstream 600w PS, so that should work. Thanks for the tips. Is that memory overkill? Is there a cheaper version that would work nearly as well?

 

[drummerdude]

it really depends on how much you want to oc. this ram is only 209.00 after rebate link

 

[Surferosa]

Nice case though- although if it were me and I was on a budget, I'd be buying a $30/$40 case. Its not as important as what goes inside it.

By moving to the 965 chipset (from the 975X) you can reduce the cost significantly- to gaming, it wont make a huge difference and you have no cooling equipment list (so your limited on how far you can push the board). & that ASUS board is pretty expensive.

 

[69camaroSS]

Go with a P965 Gigabyte board. They still OC really well.

 

[skyguy]

Agreed. Check my sig, 3.0 ghz without breaking a sweat

 

[avarice]

Although I tend to agree that the case is not as important as what is inside - there are some features which can make a difference.

Most important (IMO) is the need for airflow. At least 2 - 120mm fans is what I would go for - more is better. You want one for intake and one for output.

Additionally, having front USB ports is nice - but be sure to get something where they are not at the bottom of the case if you plan to have the case on the floor.

Finally - with a focus on the insides - get a case without a power supply - unless it is a quality name brand such as ANTEC which sell both cases and quality power supplies. You really just want to be sure you have the juice you need without a crappy spare PS that you don't need.

If you need to save money - then I guess the case is the best place - but if you plan on overclocking you may want to consider my suggestions.

Best of luck.


Cheers.