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review/critique my build please (first time building a comp)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - review/critique my build please (first time building a comp)

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demented   03-01-2007 at 05:29:02 AM

I plan to use this computer mostly for gaming; looking to spend about $1000. I already bought a monitor (19" LCD) and I live in Hawaii so I'll probably buy the case locally.

I need some experienced people's comments/suggestions, this is my build so far:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor $221.00

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard $122.99

Power supply: SILVERSTONE ST50EF-Plus ATX 12V 2.2 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V $99.99
(had some trouble deciding which PSU to get, anyone have a better suggestion?)

memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $234.00

video card: SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card $219.99

hd: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $74.99

cd/dvd: NEC Black 18X DVD+R Cache E-IDE / ATAPI DVD Burner $30.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound $5.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler $69.99


Total = $1079.84 w/o shipping

Thanks :D

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akhilles   03-01-2007 at 02:29:31 PM
- 0 +

Everything looks great. I'd get x1950pro instead for about $170 us if I were upgrading to DX10 card soon.

Reply to akhilles
yakyb   03-01-2007 at 02:55:01 PM
- 0 +

i would suggest pushing for a 8800gts320 the extra couple of quid will be worth it

Reply to yakyb
skyguy   03-01-2007 at 06:16:57 PM
- 0 +

Some comments:

-Are you overclocking? If so, get the 6300 and save some money. It's still a very FAST chip and will overclock like a champ. If not, then stick with the 6400.

-If you plan on going to DX10 within 6 to 8 months, then get a cheaper vid card.

-Again, if no overclocking then get cheaper RAM. If you are OC'ing, that Corsair is fine.

-Get the Seagate with the 16 meg cache, not the 8 meg.

-Again, if you're not overclocking then the stock CPU heatsink is fine. If you are, DO NOT GET THE Arctic. It is HUGELY, HUGELY overpriced right now. I got it here in Canada for less than $25, and our prices are always higher than the U.S!!! It's only a $25 cooler, it is NOT worth more than that. You can get ANY COOLER for cheaper and will perform better. A Tuniq Tower, Scythe Ninja or Infinity, even a Zalman 9700. Don't pay that much for the Arctic, you're getting hosed. Buy something else.

Those suggestions will get you a better, cheaper system. And then with the money you save from all that, get an 8800GTS 320mb card, it'll spank anything else you pick. Now THAT is a good system ;)

Reply to skyguy
demented   03-02-2007 at 12:14:22 AM
- 0 +

Thanks for your guys input!

akhilles, I do plan on upgrading to DX10 when it does come out, so I will go with the x1950pro for now, thanks for the suggestion. just wondering if that video card can handle games like Oblivion.

Skyguy, I don't think I'll be overclocking as this is my first build and don't want to mess anything up (although i MIGHT change my mind later). Since I wont be overclocking, would you reccomend getting the Corsair 675? Or another brand perhaps?
As for the cooler, I guess I don't need it, thanks for saving me some money 8)


as for the 8800gts, I think ill get a cheaper card for now until DX10 comes out.

Thanks for your guy's inputs again, 8)

Reply to demented
skyguy   03-02-2007 at 01:32:22 AM
- 0 +

The Corsair will do fine.....I think the Egg has it for a good price right now. It will also let you overclock later if you want.

Stock cooler is fine. Again, if you want to overclock later, you can always get an aftermarket one at that point. Save the $$ now instead ;)

1950PRO is a good card, should do just fine until you decide to jump to DX10.

Post back if you have any questions during your build! Good luck!

Reply to skyguy
demented   03-02-2007 at 01:45:07 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

The Corsair will do fine.....I think the Egg has it for a good price right now. It will also let you overclock later if you want.

Stock cooler is fine. Again, if you want to overclock later, you can always get an aftermarket one at that point. Save the $$ now instead ;)

1950PRO is a good card, should do just fine until you decide to jump to DX10.

Post back if you have any questions during your build! Good luck!



Will do! thanks again, I got the total down to $939.93 w/o shipping :D I only wish shipping to Hawaii wasn't so expensive, but I guess that's the price I pay for living here :x

Again, thanks to everyone who replied

Reply to demented
akhilles   03-02-2007 at 03:31:01 AM
- 0 +

Sorry I'm kinda late to reply. Been busy.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/grap [...] &chart=206

Assuming the 19" lcd outputs to 1280x1024, the x1950pro does 15 fps outdoor & 75 fps indoor. You can try lowering the video settings for better outdoor fps. 30 would be the minimal.

Reply to akhilles
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