Choice of Barebone Kit

[alex_gm]

I'm planning to put together a new computer. I've found a barebone kit that has done some preliminary work for me.

Please comment on the choice of the processor, motherboard, case, and power supply. The price fits my budget, so more expensive kits aren't welcomed.

Thank you!



LINK

 

[asusman]

Totally wrong.

If budget is tight E6600 is not right.
Get a E4300 and overclock.

The motherboard sucks. Integrated video and bad chipset.
You want full size atx and P965 chipset.

No name power supply.

Barebone generally are junk imo.

 

[alex_gm]

What motherboard do you suggest?

I've been recommended the 6300 instead of the 6600, but never the 4300. What is your reasoning behind this?

Do you suggest buying my own case and starting myself without looking for a good barebone?

 

[asusman]

E4300 is cheaper and OC's better. There is no performance difference.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128017

Pick the case and psu you want.

I good name with 2 120 mm fans.

OCZ, FSP, Enermax etc for the psu.

 

[Mondoman]

E4300 is cheaper and OC's better. There is no performance difference....

Of course there is a performance difference, as the e4300 has a stock 800MHz FSB, and the e6300 has a stock 1066MHz FSB. However, Intel has done a pretty good job of minimizing the impact of a slower FSB. Indeed, since the e4300 has a slower FSB, when both it and the e6300 are OC'd to the same core frequency, slower/cheaper RAM can be used and still match the FSB speed.
So, the e6300 is better for no/low OCing, while the e4300 is arguably better for major OCing.

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

E4300 is cheaper and OC's better. There is no performance difference.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128017

Pick the case and psu you want.

I good name with 2 120 mm fans.

OCZ, FSP, Enermax etc for the psu.

Overclocks better is debatable. You'll need higher vcores to hit the higher speeds and unless you are going for a suicidal OC then the E6300 has more headroom =\.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811208021 is a good case deal right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103941 is a stellar power supply deal right now too.

 

[alcattle]

We all agree the 6xxx series is better then the 4xxx series, but you look have to look at budget and amount of overclocking the OP needs. $50 less for a 3.0GHZ with 667Mhz RAM is a sweet middle ground

 

[Mondoman]

You have to be careful with Tiger barebones -- they often slip in cheapo items. Here's a cheaper arguably better equivalent:

Case: Antec NSK 4400 $40 AR, free shipping (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4814040)
PS in this isn't appropriate for system, so save it/give it away.

CPU: e6300 $183, free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80858)

CPU cooler: good quality Intel cooler included free in above "Boxed Retail" CPU.

PS: Antec NeoHE 550w $70 AR, free shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103941)
It's VERY important to have a powerful, solid PS these days. This will handle just about anything you throw at it (even high-end video cards).

MB: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus $200 including shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131153)
High-end quad-core ready w/bell & whistles.

TOTAL to this point: $500 Equivalent to Tiger Bundle for $300 less!


RAM: OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 CL4 $140 AR, free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85253)
This RAM will allow OCing the CPU 25% without having to OC the RAM.

GRAND TOTAL: $640
Just add your favorite video card.

 

[Mondoman]

...the 6xxx series is better then the 4xxx series,... $50 less for a 3.0GHZ with 667Mhz RAM is a sweet middle ground

I guess I'm not following you here - the e4300 is only $14 cheaper than the e6300.

 

[dragonsprayer]

i am not normally on this site to sell stuff, but i have alot of extra parts here including ultra tall tower and mid, with windows and with out, both silverstone and ultra psu's.

if want a great deal on barebones use the contact section - google warpedsystems - one word

 

[aposatsk]

I can't believe it turned out to be under a 1000$. Thank you very much!

I do have to ask though, does anyone have any different suggestions other than those below given by Mondoman?

Also, I'm considering getting a FireGL v3300 video card for working with my CAD assemblies. Is this a good choice and is it compatible with this motherboard?

Secondly, how come you recommend 667 ram isntead of 800?

Lastly, are you confident that the 6300 is a better choice than the 6600 if I do not plan to overclock (at least heavily)?

Thank you.

You have to be careful with Tiger barebones -- they often slip in cheapo items. Here's a cheaper arguably better equivalent:

Case: Antec NSK 4400 $40 AR, free shipping (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4814040)
PS in this isn't appropriate for system, so save it/give it away.

CPU: e6300 $183, free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80858)

CPU cooler: good quality Intel cooler included free in above "Boxed Retail" CPU.

PS: Antec NeoHE 550w $70 AR, free shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103941)
It's VERY important to have a powerful, solid PS these days. This will handle just about anything you throw at it (even high-end video cards).

MB: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus $200 including shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131153)
High-end quad-core ready w/bell & whistles.

TOTAL to this point: $500 Equivalent to Tiger Bundle for $300 less!


RAM: OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 CL4 $140 AR, free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85253)
This RAM will allow OCing the CPU 25% without having to OC the RAM.

GRAND TOTAL: $640
Just add your favorite video card.

 

[alcattle]

take that difference and then the difference of 800Mhz and 667 mhz and you come close to $50, although the CPU prices are closer than they used to be (~$25)

 

[aposatsk]

Anyone else? I would appreciate any more suggestions and recommendations to make my investment a good one.

 

[Mondoman]

...a FireGL v3300 video card for working with my CAD assemblies. Is this a good choice and is it compatible with this motherboard?

It should be compatible if it's a PCI Express card, or a PCI card. No idea on its suitability, as I don't really know what "working with my CAD assemblies" involves.

...Secondly, how come you recommend 667 ram isntead of 800?

DDR2-533 has enough throughput for the current C2D CPUs. DDR2-667 allows for OCing a current C2D 25% or for upgrading to a 1333MHz FSB future C2D. Price difference is minimal.

...Lastly, are you confident that the 6300 is a better choice than the 6600 if I do not plan to overclock (at least heavily)?

You'll need to decide if the $130 premium for the 6600 is worth it. A 25% OC of the e6300 should roughly equal the performance of a stock e6600.

 

[aposatsk]

...a FireGL v3300 video card for working with my CAD assemblies. Is this a good choice and is it compatible with this motherboard?

It should be compatible if it's a PCI Express card, or a PCI card. No idea on its suitability, as I don't really know what "working with my CAD assemblies" involves.

...Secondly, how come you recommend 667 ram isntead of 800?

DDR2-533 has enough throughput for the current C2D CPUs. DDR2-667 allows for OCing a current C2D 25% or for upgrading to a 1333MHz FSB future C2D. Price difference is minimal.

...Lastly, are you confident that the 6300 is a better choice than the 6600 if I do not plan to overclock (at least heavily)?

You'll need to decide if the $130 premium for the 6600 is worth it. A 25% OC of the e6300 should roughly equal the performance of a stock e6600.

1. So I suppose 667 it is. But how come you've ruled out the 800? (Sorry, I'm probably missing the point).

2. What does a 25% OC involve? Must I get extra cooling hardware and is my warranty gone? (I'm not if I already asked this question on this forum). If the warranty is gone and the lifetime of my processor will be longer, I rather spend the 130$.