$600-700 build - Driving me crazy

[bigslickak]

Ok, I just found out that my work reimburses you up to $500 for a new computer or computer upgrades every two years. Pretty sweet deal huh? I last build my own system 4 years ago, it's an Athlon XP 2200+, ECS mobo (K7S5A), GeForce Ti4200, 1GB ram, 60GB hard disk, it other words time for an upgrade. On top of that, I haven't exactly been keeping up with the tech news to know what is hot either.

I am not an avid PC gamer, though I may dabble a bit with BF2 and would like to be able to play fairly recent games on at least mid-range settings. Otherwise, I am a heavy internet user and I also do some software development. I already have a decent LCD monitor, so I don't have to worry about spending cash on that. So, the question is, what kind of system would do the trick and give me the best performance at this price range?

What I came up with is the following (the prices are all NewEgg prices):
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail $184

Mobo
ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $105

Video
Foxconn FV-N76TM2D2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $145 - $35 mail in rebate

Hard Drive
SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD160HJ 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $60

What do you think? I am not sure on the hard drive, I thought I saw a review here that recommends that drive. This gets me to around $500 (including rebates), but I haven't added in memory, case, DVDRW yet. Any suggestions? I know it's about $100 for 1GB for DDR2 667? I also need to get a DVD burner ($40) an ok case ($40) and PS (450W?) ($50) as well. I think when all is said and done I could be looking at $700 if I go this route. I would like to be closer to $600, but I think the price/performance curve is just a tad higher. Thanks for any input!

 

[intelconvert6079]

If you are not overclocking, get 1 GB of DDR2 533 MHz RAM. It matches up perfectly with the FSB of the Core 2 Duo processors and should be slightly cheaper.

If you want to get down to $600, a Pentium D processor will do you fine, or go to an AMD setup with something around a 4000+. Step down a little on the video card. You do not need that much card for a mainly business PC. Step down to a $70 or so video card.

 

[bigslickak]

I've resigned myself to figure on spending $700-800 on this build. So be it. It will only be $200-300 out of pocket for me anyways.

I actually may want to overclock a little bit. I've updated the build to reflect this. I don't mind getting the 7600GT card, it will only be $110 or so after rebate.

Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$47.99
Mobo
ASUS P5N-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$144.99
Video
XFX PVT73GUGD3 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
$149.99-$30 mail in rebate
PS
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail
$53.99
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail
$191 (price is up 8 bucks today, hopefully will drop as predicted next week)
RAM
G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model F2-5300PHU1-1GBNT - Retail
$97.99
HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3120811AS 120GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$54.99
DVD Burner
NEC 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE / ATAPI Model 7170A-0B - OEM
$29.99

The total New Egg price before tax (I'm in CA) and shipping is $770.93. I think if I get a couple of the components elsewhere, and that the E6300 price falls next week as predicted, I can get it down another $50 maybe.

 

[apt403]

Build looks pretty good, the HDD is a little small though.

 

[bigslickak]

If I do decide to overclock, should the 667 MHz RAM suffice? I would like to at least dabble with it.

Is the 7600GT really too much video card for me? Like I said, I want to be able to play recent games with modest settings. I have had people say I should even move up to the 7900GS.

 

[AMDThunder]

667 Ram is good for a modest OC. 333 FSB will get you to 2.33, and keep the ram in a 1:1 ratio.

IMO, it'd be worth the extra $50 or so for the 7900GS. I believe you can get them for around $150 after rebates.

 

[ReverendGadgetBoy]

i would recommend moving to 800 ram. itll serve you better and allow you to OC a little higher.

i might upgrade that psu a little. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128002
thatun is real good.

if you dont want sli, and it appears you dont, then you might be able to find a cheaper mobo. just look around.

also youll want more hdd space. look at the western digital 250s or 320s.

 

[NamelessMC]

The only reason I got a 7600GT is because of a 65$ rebate.

If you're sticking to the 140-150 range, ATI cards really do dominate that area.

The X1800GTO is comparable, but over-clocks much better and I think you could up the ante to a X1950 Pro or 1900XT for only a little more.

 

[enforcerfx]

i would recommend moving to 800 ram. itll serve you better and allow you to OC a little higher.

i might upgrade that psu a little. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128002
thatun is real good.

if you dont want sli, and it appears you dont, then you might be able to find a cheaper mobo. just look around.

also youll want more hdd space. look at the western digital 250s or 320s.

Dont upgrade the PSU. The one you selected is a great choice. Not as fancy as the Hiper, but your saving 35 bucks+ in the process.

 

[NamelessMC]

There's an X850XT on Ebay brand new in box from a reputable seller for 130 + 10 shipping.

The X850XT pretty much smokes the 7600GT in all tests/benchmarks, and it can over-clock to boot.

 

[bigslickak]

Yeah, after reading up on the pros and cons of SLI, it seems two mid-range cards (which I planned to upgrade to in the future) is not very desirable. It is easier and more economical to just upgrade to a better card period.

Any suggestions on a non-SLI motherboard with an at least an ok overclocking capability for around $100-$120?

Thanks for the feedback on everything. I know it isn't the most exciting thing to help a guy who isn't going to build the ultimate rig. I am probably going to pull the trigger on all this next week, thanks for the help.

 

[AMDThunder]

Gigabyte 965P-S3

 

[snake_pliskin]

BIOSTAR P996PT Great board and
I also recommend the 7900GS much better card for not much more unless you already have the 7600GT

 

[bigslickak]

The Biostar board intriqued me and I think I am going to get it. Also, I added a better and bigger HD, and 800MHz RAM. Here is final list I think that I will be ordering tonight.


Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$47.99
Mobo
BIOSTAR TForce965PT LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$104.99
Video
XFX PVT73GUGD3 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
$149.99-$30 mail in rebate
PS
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail
$53.99
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail
$195
RAM
G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Standard System Memory Model F2-6400CL5S-1GBNQ - Retail
$114.99
HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$74.99
DVD Burner
NEC 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE / ATAPI Model 7170A-0B - OEM
$29.99

Sub Total = $769.93
Tax = $55.82 (i wish i lived in nevada or arizona to avoid the tax, but still get the good ship times)
Shipping = $31.83 (next day shipping since I live only 30 miles from NewEgg)
Total = $857.58

 

[NamelessMC]

Why are you getting the Nvidia 7600 GT?

The 1900GT is $154 and basically destroys the 7600GT in every benchmark.

The 7900GS even is $175 and dominates too.

There's so many much better cards for only so much more, it's pointless and rather foolish to get a 7600GT. Even if you're an Nvidia fan it's not a good idea.

Literally the ONLY reason to get a 7600GT was because of the 65$ rebate. That's it. Once the rebate was over, the 1900GT was the best card in the price range.

 

[zjohnr]

RAM
G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Standard System Memory Model F2-6400CL5S-1GBNQ - Retail
$114.99

I notice that you went with only a single stick of 1GB DDR2-800. You can get a non-trivial performance gain by going with a matched pair of 2x 512MB which will allow your motherboard to use dual channel mode.

-john

 

[bigslickak]

The 1900GT at $154 vs. the 7600GT at $149.99-$30 rebate = $119. It's a tough choice. I guess I can rationalize that the mail-in rebate will take who knows how many weeks to get and it would be a hassle. I would get the 1900GT for sure if there was no rebate. Crap, I think I am going to change it.

Regarding the dual-channel mode for the RAM, I plan on getting another 1 GB stick probably within a couple months, so that's why I'm just getting one.

 

[spet3r]

been following this thread... love your choices bigslickak, I swear those are parts I would have picked.

 

[AMDThunder]

Change your HDD to this one for $5 more. Gives you the 16MB cache instead of 8.

And if you can squeeze in another $4, I think the Gigabyte 965P S3 is only $108.99 right now. Not that the Biostar is a bad choice, IMO the Giga is better quality.

 

[bigslickak]

Thanks for pointing that out AMDThunder, I tried to see if I could change my order this morning, but it was already too late. For $5 I would have definitely got that one. So be it, cache is not that big of an issue.

As for the debate over the Gigabyte 965P S3 vs. the Biostar Tforce965PT, I was actually going to go with the Gigabyte, but I read about some BIOS issues when overclocking and also some finickyness with RAM, though they didn't seem to be major problems. What sold me was this review among others. It is really, really close between those two.

 

[itsthehombre]

I'm about to order the parts for my first build and since this build has everything I've considered purchasing I've decided to copy it. Hope you don't mind Bigslickak. However I'd like to get a slightly better video card. Would the X1950Pro or the 7900GS work better with this system? When picking that card which manufacturer do people recommend?

Also, is it a poor decision to copy a build from one of these threads rather than doing the research myself? I've probably spent about twenty hours researching this project already but I still haven't made any decisions beyond getting at e6300 and a 7900GS which I'm still clearly debating. I'm really itching to order something that with parts that will work together and perform well, carefully build it, and then load up the CS:Source. My requirements are basically the same (I want to use the computer for gaming and maybe OC in the future) but will my lack of further research come back to haunt me when I put together the build? Finally, will I need a floppy drive to load on any system software? Thanks.

 

[bigslickak]

I don't think it's a bad idea to copy necessarily. You're not even really copying it 100% as you've stated the video card will be different. There are so many of these threads that there is a configuration that is bound to be close to your preferences.

I actually already have the parts sitting at my house, they arrived today after ordering Monday night (the perk of living close to Newegg). I am going to try to assemble it tonight, though I may not have time. Either way I am going to let everyone know how it goes.

And, by the way, if you copy the hard drive, don't forget to spend the $5 extra bucks on the 16MB cache version that I screwed up on.

 

[Syntonic]

If you have the extra cash for the X1950Pro, it will offer better performance at stock speeds. The 7900gs is slightly cheaper on average I think (or a bit cheaper after rebate) and the performance follows suit at stock speeds with the 7900gs trailing behind. There are plenty of reviews that you'll see that follow along this line. I'm relatively unfamiliar with the biostar so I won't comment on mobo choice but there is the s3, ab9, and p5b to consider as well (all 3 have their issues but when you are paying budget price, it's to be expected.)

I would suggest to shop around and not buy everything at newegg since sometimes you can find better deals elsewhere with comparable service (just check BBB and other places.) For example, ClubIT had the 6300 for 188 shipped (rounded up) with GuildWar Factions or AutoAssault. That's a fairly nice price seeing as tigerdirect has the OEM version of the e4300 for 180 w/out shipping. Granted, it should fall in price soon and Tigerdirect normally doesn't have the bottom level prices... but at least I don't feel as much of a gimp because I couldn't wait. Or so I tell myself.

That's pretty much it unless you start overclocking the 7900gs. Most of the 7900gs can reach fairly decent oc's without additional cooling (provided you have decent airflow in the case.) For a slightly cheaper card, it'll start performing against the more expensive ones. Remember that overclocking isn't always the best solution and neither is the overclockability set in stone. What may work for someone else may not work for you but if you need to penny pinch a bit, then the 7900gs is a very good choice with potential for very high returns (or perhaps just high returns depending) for your money.

http://xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/x1950pro-gf7900gs.html

Man, maybe I should just start copying and pasting information from posts.

 

[haywood]

I have two of the Samsung 160 hard drives, fast and quiet.

 

[itsthehombre]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to go with:

XFX PVT71PUDP3 GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 EXTREME Video Card - Retail for $159.99 (after the $30 MIR).

Ordering everything today with the hard drive change.