My wife might let me build another PC. . .this time for me!

[raven70]

The last PC I built (see sig) is now the 'family' PC. I want one for just me. 99% will be gaming. I see some really good prices out there on some components, but I am unsure about a few areas in the last 6 months.

I can get an EVGA 7950 GT 512MB PCI-E for $200 at Zipzoomfly
Looking at the Ultra 500 watt PSU and Ultra Wizard Case from Frys. com (all free after rebate)
I'll figure out HD, DVD. . .

Where I am stuck:

1GB vs. 2GB (just gaming)

I know I want a dual core, but Intel or AMD like last one. . .where is the price/performance at these days between AMD and Intel?

What motherboard?

I have overclocked my MSI board in sig about 15% with the built in BIOS features. I would like quieter fans in new system though. . .Either way, I am not into heavy overclocking or expensive cooling options.

Any advice?

Edit: Wasn't looking at SLI, but I could get a couple of 7600GTs from NewEgg for under $75 ea After Rebate. . .Not being an expert, would thouse in SLI be better than a single 7950?

Oh yeah, I do have a budget. I have a hard time paying more than $100-200 for any single component, so no $400 graphics cards, or such. That is my main issue with 2GB of RAM right now as well is the extra $. Thanks.

 

[haywood]

Hmmmm...... no more than $200 for any component.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 about $185
Gigabyte P965-S3 mobo about $120

Great overclocking combo

For gaming you will want 2Gb of RAM = good major brand, Corsair, G Skill, Geil will be about $200. If you won't overclock then PC(5400) will be fine.

7950 GT is a good card, can also look at an X1950 Pro. Both cards are way faster than the 7600 in SLI.

Any PSU that is free after rebate worries me, if it goes so can the rest of the system. See the Power supply forum and look for mpilchfamily's sticky thread. Personally, I just bought a OCZ GameXStream 600w, but that is probably more than you will need.

 

[p8ntslinger676]

If you could tell us your total budget it will be a lot easier for us to help you to the fullest extent so we will be able to configure the best rig for the money

 

[enforcerfx]

7950GT kicks any 2 7600GTS in SLi. What is your solid price range on everything? Core2Duo is the rage these days, so consider that as the starting point for looking at parts. A 7950GT for 200 is a pretty good deal. Wouldn't risk it all on Ultra powersupplies though. Some people have had good results, some have had bad. 2GB of ram is recommended for the average gamer these days, 1GB is bare minimum. As for performance/price on AMD vs. Intel, Intel's stuff is currently the leader. Their base product, the E6300 runs par with the x2 4800-FX60. And the E6300 only runs for about 160-175 with good overclocking backgrounds. The stock HSF for it gets it to about 2.2-2.3ghz from the original 1.86.

Need more info on what path you want (AMD or Intel) and price range.

 

[PCAnalyst]

The last PC I built (see sig) is now the 'family' PC. I want one for just me. 99% will be gaming. I see some really good prices out there on some components, but I am unsure about a few areas in the last 6 months.

I can get an EVGA 7950 GT 512MB PCI-E for $200 at Zipzoomfly
Looking at the Ultra 500 watt PSU and Ultra Wizard Case from Frys. com (all free after rebate)
I'll figure out HD, DVD. . .

Where I am stuck:

1GB vs. 2GB (just gaming)

I know I want a dual core, but Intel or AMD like last one. . .where is the price/performance at these days between AMD and Intel?

What motherboard?

I have overclocked my MSI board in sig about 15% with the built in BIOS features. I would like quieter fans in new system though. . .Either way, I am not into heavy overclocking or expensive cooling options.

Any advice?

Edit: Wasn't looking at SLI, but I could get a couple of 7600GTs from NewEgg for under $75 ea After Rebate. . .Not being an expert, would thouse in SLI be better than a single 7950?

Oh yeah, I do have a budget. I have a hard time paying more than $100-200 for any single component, so no $400 graphics cards, or such. That is my main issue with 2GB of RAM right now as well is the extra $. Thanks.

ASUS P5B-E Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard $150

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor $190

BUFFALO Firestix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual $245

*** Think of it this way... they are packaged as 2 RAM modules in one package so essentially $122.5 each

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C $170

SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP $150

or...

eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16

Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive $150

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $80

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $50

Total $1340 with no individual parts exceeding $200 as you requested

 

[SEALBoy]

I've built two PC's around Ultra 500W PSU's, and they've both worked for me without a hitch. And mine was $20 after rebate, so not a bad deal.

 

[raven70]

Thanks for the great advice. I think I will purchase the 7950GT since it is such a great price right now. The one I am looking at is 256MB. There is a 512MB for about $30-40 more I think after rebate. Does that make much difference?