- Nov 14, 2006
- 1,178
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My Dell XPS Gen 3 died last week, so I am thinking about building a pc.
I would use this PC for standard multi-tasking, some video transcoding (using PSP Video 9), and casual gaming on my 20" 1600x1200 Dell LCD.
My Priorities are as such:
1. Reliability (stability)
2. Price (the lower the better)
3. Performance
4. Physical Looks
So I would re-use my dvd-burners and my OEM copy of WinXP (just whine at Microsoft until they give me a activation code
)
What Im thinking of:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
I dont plan on Overclocking (at least at first), for stability and reliability's sake. But if I ever wanted to, this CPU would be ready.
Motherboards: I think a p965 based board would cover my needs appropriately. Remember: no OC.
I was looking at the Gigabyte GA-965, and the ASUS P5B, but there seems to be several variants of each of those boards. I would appreciate it a lot if someone would point out the differences between them, and which is the best.
The one that I picked out so far is:Intel P965 $115
I have heard that intel boards last forever, which sounds good.
RAM: a 2gb kit, doesnt matter whether 667mhz or 800mhz, I just want what is the most reliable (but not at the cost of a drastically increased price.)
Corsair XMS2 2gb 800mhz CL4 $167 after MIR
PQI Turbo 2gb 667mhz - $165
Patriot 2gb 667mhz- $200 after MIR
Patriot 2gb 800mhz CL4- $200 after MIR
OCZ S.O.E. i know, not with asus... $165
Adata 667mhz 2gb
So I dont really know which of these is the most reliable, I am willing to go up to $200 after MIR which includes all that I mentioned.
Western Digital 250gb SE16
I dont need too much storage, Ive got 3 exrternal HDs with a total of 660gb. A Raptor is unfortunately out of my price range.
Case: full ATX, specs dont really matter, as long as its relatively quiet and cool.
Antec Performance P180 Silver $100 after MIR
I really like the Nine-Hundred, I remember seeing it at 105 after MIR once. If it gets back in stock and down to that price again, then it would take the place.
PSU: important choice. Its all about the amps
]OCZ PowerXStream 600watt
This one seems like the best choice, due to its 600watts (more than enough for any future upgrades) its Quad 12volt rail each with 18amps.
It only costs 110 after a 20dollar MIR. The 700watt version is 25 dollars more and has the same amount of amps. It just doesnt seem worth it.
generic media card reader
Sound card... I could either go for the integrated sound or for the:Bluegears B-enspirer DTS OxyHD
Im not a hardcore gamer, so its ok that it only supports up to EAX2.0. And I have heard this card before, and it sounds excellent.
GPU:
Either the EVGA 7900gs KO, or perhaps the !!NEW!! 8800GTS 320mb, that is when it comes down to 200-250.
I already have a good kb and mouse, OS, and monitor so that seems to be all. I also would like the best Security software (I will pay...) An all-in one suite would be the best option. I dont know what is best.
So in summary:
Intel E4300 $175 (goin to 133 soon)
Corsair 2gb XMS2 CL5 ram $165
Antec P180 silver $100
OCZ PowerXStream 600w 4x18a $110
EVGA 7900gs $155
Bluegears benspirer $110
wd se16 250gig $75
Intel P965 ATX $115
media card reader $15 All together it come to $1020 a very appropriate price.
as usual, any and all suggestions would be welcome.
I would use this PC for standard multi-tasking, some video transcoding (using PSP Video 9), and casual gaming on my 20" 1600x1200 Dell LCD.
My Priorities are as such:
1. Reliability (stability)
2. Price (the lower the better)
3. Performance
4. Physical Looks
So I would re-use my dvd-burners and my OEM copy of WinXP (just whine at Microsoft until they give me a activation code
)What Im thinking of:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
I dont plan on Overclocking (at least at first), for stability and reliability's sake. But if I ever wanted to, this CPU would be ready.
Motherboards: I think a p965 based board would cover my needs appropriately. Remember: no OC.
I was looking at the Gigabyte GA-965, and the ASUS P5B, but there seems to be several variants of each of those boards. I would appreciate it a lot if someone would point out the differences between them, and which is the best.
The one that I picked out so far is:Intel P965 $115
I have heard that intel boards last forever, which sounds good.
RAM: a 2gb kit, doesnt matter whether 667mhz or 800mhz, I just want what is the most reliable (but not at the cost of a drastically increased price.)
Corsair XMS2 2gb 800mhz CL4 $167 after MIR
PQI Turbo 2gb 667mhz - $165
Patriot 2gb 667mhz- $200 after MIR
Patriot 2gb 800mhz CL4- $200 after MIR
OCZ S.O.E. i know, not with asus... $165
Adata 667mhz 2gb
So I dont really know which of these is the most reliable, I am willing to go up to $200 after MIR which includes all that I mentioned.
Western Digital 250gb SE16
I dont need too much storage, Ive got 3 exrternal HDs with a total of 660gb. A Raptor is unfortunately out of my price range.
Case: full ATX, specs dont really matter, as long as its relatively quiet and cool.
Antec Performance P180 Silver $100 after MIR
I really like the Nine-Hundred, I remember seeing it at 105 after MIR once. If it gets back in stock and down to that price again, then it would take the place.
PSU: important choice. Its all about the amps
]OCZ PowerXStream 600watt
This one seems like the best choice, due to its 600watts (more than enough for any future upgrades) its Quad 12volt rail each with 18amps.
It only costs 110 after a 20dollar MIR. The 700watt version is 25 dollars more and has the same amount of amps. It just doesnt seem worth it.
generic media card reader
Sound card... I could either go for the integrated sound or for the:Bluegears B-enspirer DTS OxyHD
Im not a hardcore gamer, so its ok that it only supports up to EAX2.0. And I have heard this card before, and it sounds excellent.
GPU:
Either the EVGA 7900gs KO, or perhaps the !!NEW!! 8800GTS 320mb, that is when it comes down to 200-250.
I already have a good kb and mouse, OS, and monitor so that seems to be all. I also would like the best Security software (I will pay...) An all-in one suite would be the best option. I dont know what is best.
So in summary:
Intel E4300 $175 (goin to 133 soon)
Corsair 2gb XMS2 CL5 ram $165
Antec P180 silver $100
OCZ PowerXStream 600w 4x18a $110
EVGA 7900gs $155
Bluegears benspirer $110
wd se16 250gig $75
Intel P965 ATX $115
media card reader $15 All together it come to $1020 a very appropriate price.
as usual, any and all suggestions would be welcome.
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