What do you think of this setup?

[nitrous9200]

I'm planning to build a new computer for my friend, and I've got the following parts picked out:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Case
GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Mobo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Processor
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Memory
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB HDD
SONY 18X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 Video Card
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W Power Supply
and finally Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium.
for a total of $956.51. (not including $25 rebate on 8800GTS)

He plans to run FPS Creator X10, obviously requiring DX10 video card and Vista. Will it perform well? Does the PSU provide enough power? etc...I'm trying to keep it under a grand if possible. Comments please! Thanks

 

[darksidedragon]

Get an Intel C2D if you can. They're damn good. Also, I'd go with an eVGA 8800GTS. Do you really need a SLi mainboard? The Gigabyte DS3 is a highly recommended board.
Always get branded RAM - much better quality. If you don't intend to overclock, get some DDR2 533 RAM (if you go with Intel). If you're comfortable with a bit of overclocking, get the E4300 processor and some DDR2-800 RAM. You should get RAM by Corsair, G.Skill or Crucial. Also, definately get 2GB of RAM.
Finally, make sure you get a name PSU. The PSU is one area where you really can't afford to go cheap. Get something by: Hiper, Fortran, Seasonic, Silverstone, Zalman, Thermaltake (high-end only), Enermax, Antec.

 

[nitrous9200]

I was thinking of the Core 2 but it was quickly getting too expensive. From looking at the THG charts, it seemed like the 5000 performs just as well as an E6400 which would already push me over my limit. I also like the leadtek 8800gts because it comes 40mhz overclocked (which i could put back to stock) and also comes with a bunch of games/software. It's also one of the cheapest with rebate. I've changed the RAM to 2GB like the other posters have asked, I think G.Skill is a good brand. I like the board not for the SLI capability, but because I know it's a reliable brand (my brother has a Gigabyte motherboard) and also has a bunch of extra features like FireWire at a low price.

Another couple of points, my friend doesn't want the computer to be overclocked and it doesn't have to be exactly top-of-the-line. BTW do you mean Fortran as FSP Group (Fortron Source)? That's what I've got, in case there is a little confusion. It says fortron source on the newegg page, so I was just wondering.

 

[baddad]

If your going to be running Vista not only would I recommend 2G OF RAM I'd say get 4G.

 

[nitrous9200]

Thanks, I priced in 2gb of g.skill ddr2 800 and i'm still under a grand.

 

[billdcat4]

Thanks, I priced in 2gb of g.skill ddr2 800 and i'm still under a grand.

If you arent gonna OC get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046

90 for 2gb, 180 for 4gig.

If you are running vista, i would get 4gigs.

find out how many amps your sys needs and how many that PSU can deliver. find out the wattage at the extreme power calculator and divide by 12.

remember find the MAX amperage of the PSU not the total. make sure to give yourself enough headroom
*EDIT*

is this the PSU? : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104037

That PSU has 30 max amps.. not enough for your sys. Sorry

If you want cheepness get an Antec TP 550w, i saw it for 75 on the egg a while ago, but the deal is gone

 

[nitrous9200]

If you arent gonna OC get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046

90 for 2gb, 180 for 4gig.

If you are running vista, i would get 4gigs.

If you want cheepness get an Antec TP 550w, i saw it for 75 on the egg a while ago, but the deal is gone

actually the PSU you posted was similar, and had more amps. I guess I'll look for something more powerful. I don't plan on doing any heavy OC, but I've heard AM2 procs work best with DDR2 800, do you think I should manually set the RAM to 800 instead of 667?

Just wanted to thank all of you guys again for your help, I appreciate it a ton.

 

[darksidedragon]

Toms hardware doesn't list the E4300 yet, so you might want to look at that. They overclock very easily on the stock cooler, so you could make up the performance difference to the 5000+ whilst saving some money. You may not need DDR2 800 RAM with the E4300 unless you plan to overclock heavily. I'm personally planning on getting DDR2 667 RAM and overclocking the E4300 to match that. You could then use the money saved to get a 640MB 8800GTS, perhaps?

 

[nitrous9200]

I actually don't think he's going to be gaming on any high resolutions, would the 640mb be necessary?

I've got vista RC2 running on my 2 year old athlon 3200+ w/1gb of ram and it's fine, i think 2gb will be enough. i'm almost maxed out.

as for the psu, i need some suggestions. is this ok? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189006
or this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159055

 

[nitrous9200]

bump, sorry it's so soon but the parts need to be ordered today or tomorrow. any suggestions?

 

[billdcat4]

If you arent gonna OC get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046

90 for 2gb, 180 for 4gig.

If you are running vista, i would get 4gigs.

If you want cheepness get an Antec TP 550w, i saw it for 75 on the egg a while ago, but the deal is gone

actually the PSU you posted was similar, and had more amps. I guess I'll look for something more powerful. I don't plan on doing any heavy OC, but I've heard AM2 procs work best with DDR2 800, do you think I should manually set the RAM to 800 instead of 667?

Just wanted to thank all of you guys again for your help, I appreciate it a ton.

Leave the ram @ 667, it wont make much of a difference. I dont think that ram will run @800.

As I said, if you want the cheapest PSU that will run your sys, look for the Antec TP550. If you want some serious power go for the Corsair HX520 for $115. Its got 40a and will do your system well.

 

[darksidedragon]

The 640MB 8800GTS isn't necessary. I was just saying, as it'd be nice if you can fit into your budget. If not, it's no biggie. On the PSU front, the Antec is good. I've mainly been looking at modular PSU, so I could recommend either of the Corsair HX PSUs, the Hiper Type-R 580W or the Zalman ZM-600W (which I'm currently using and plan to power my next rig with)

 

[nitrous9200]

Per billdcat4's advice, I switched to the Antec True Power Trio 550W power supply. (i think this is what you mean) It fits into my budget great. Any other tips, or should I tell my friend to order?

 

[billdcat4]

Per billdcat4's advice, I switched to the Antec True Power Trio 550W power supply. (i think this is what you mean) It fits into my budget great. Any other tips, or should I tell my friend to order?

Try to find it for cheaper than $100

75 is a good price

use pricegrabber.com


$hiiiit: http://shop4.outpost.com/%7Be7g+zTdytRspDAsYvM87iQ**.node2%7D/product/4991681;jsessionid=e7g+zTdytRspDAsYvM87iQ**.node2?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
65 w/ free shipping

yay

 

[nitrous9200]

Bill:
I couldnt find it on Price Grabber.
At ZipZoomFly it was $99 as well.
Mwave has it for $92.
eWiz has it for $89.61
The lowest I can get on pricewatch is $96.37

another thing, if I were doing this build for myself I would gladly shop around, however, newegg has all the stuff I need and I don't want to complicate the situation. If I can get a major bargain, I'll do it, otherwise I'll stay with what I've got.

 

[billdcat4]

Bill:
I couldnt find it on Price Grabber.
At ZipZoomFly it was $99 as well.
Mwave has it for $92.
eWiz has it for $89.61
The lowest I can get on pricewatch is $96.37

another thing, if I were doing this build for myself I would gladly shop around, however, newegg has all the stuff I need and I don't want to complicate the situation. If I can get a major bargain, I'll do it, otherwise I'll stay with what I've got.

http://shop4.outpost.com/%7Be7g+zTdytRspDAsYvM87iQ**.node2%7D/product/4991681;jsessionid=e7g+zTdytRspDAsYvM87iQ**.node2?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

read above, read above )

 

[nitrous9200]

oh boy, now i don't know what to do...i really want to save the $30 bucks, but I don't want to have to order from multiple places...besides that, do you think the rest of the system components are good to go? like i said, i don't want to complicate things.

 

[billdcat4]

oh boy, now i don't know what to do...i really want to save the $30 bucks, but I don't want to have to order from multiple places...besides that, do you think the rest of the system components are good to go?

trust me frys is cool
i just got my free zonealarm from them today

free shipping so you are saving more than $35

waht are your final specs?

 

[nitrous9200]

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Case
GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Mobo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Processor
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Memory
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB HDD
SONY 18X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 Video Card
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W Power Supply
and finally Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium.

 

[billdcat4]

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Case
GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Mobo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Processor
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Memory
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB HDD
SONY 18X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 Video Card
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W Power Supply
and finally Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium.

i would get the centurion 534, because it has two 120mm fans.... also make sure that the vid card can fit... its huge and many cases wont allow it.
Just get the 534 its the same price

mobo i know nothing about
cpu, looks ok... I would get the 3600 and OC though, but its up to you
hd is ok, i would get the 250gb se16, powering my sys and a friends fine now

dvd is ok
gpu is powerful but pricey, but its up to you
psu is okay
os is not up to me

and the ram is all smiles (get 4gigs)

 

[nitrous9200]

Edit: as a matter of fact they are they same length. I think I'll make that change.
I would also get the 250GB 16 mb cache, but he doesn't need that much storage space. I'll see if he wants it.
I would get 4 gigs but I'll break my $1000 barrier. Maybe a future upgrade is in sight.
I'll be sure to spill any more news that comes my way about this build.

 

[nitrous9200]

If anybody else has anything to say about my proposed build, go ahead, otherwise it will be ordered shortly.

 

[nitrous9200]

go with the 5200+ with more L2 cache you will see a difference from the 5000+, and stick with the 320mb GTS if your under 1600 x 1200. If you are at that res or higher like mine then you'll need the 640mb version. Good Luck!

I will try and include the 5200 if you think it will make a difference. He hasn't got a monitor picked out AFAIK but i imagine it won't be extremely high resolution.