I'm looking to build something similar to Day 2 of the System Builder Marathon. I want this system to last for about 3 or 4 years. I will eventually run Vista on it (probably later this year), but for now I'll be using XP. I have a DVD R/W as well as speakers, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
My main concern is with the Mobo, CPU, graphics combo. This specific mobo is open box - is this worth the savings? The other parts were picked on what seems popular (probably not the best way to pick, but hey that's why I'm writing).
After mail in rebates this works out to just under $1100 which is around about what I'm looking to spend.
that setup looks good the only thing I would question is the motherboard and chipset on it.
I am not familiar with the p965 but the 680i and the p35 are from what I understand the way to go.
I ordered the p5k asus board, gigabyte has a p35 board out as well.
The improved memory controller and other features make it an atractive chipset.
otherwise looks good to me.
there will be price cuts in 6 weeks or so on the chips and you may want to wait to see what other cpu you can get in your budget, and more motherboards may be out by then offering better price points for the p35 also.
Switch the psu to a Corsair 520HX. More power, better quality, and it's cheaper after the MIR.
Lumper is right about the mobo, if you wait a couple weeks you'll be able to get a Gigabyte DS3R for ~$180. Here's a review.
I say away from open box items myself. They've been returned by the original owner for whatever reason, and the reason most people return products is that there's something wrong. Granted, since it's still up for sale it's probably fine, but still, you never know. Plus, it's pretty much just a used OEM now. No I/O plate, no box, no manual, and no cables.
To me, the open box is worth about half the retail price. Or a ridiculously low price + shipping at ebay.
Even then, you need to be knowledgeable to make use of open box items.
However, I think most retailers do guarantee against dead on arrivals.
Get the new ones. Still the "new" one could still be used. There's no taping on the anti-static bag anymore. Especially mobo. They're made in China. There are large fingerprints on the I/O connectors. The back is like it was melted due to overclocking. At least that's my experience with ASUS boards. None of the "new" ones I got was DOA though.
Must change the psu out unless you don't want it to last.
Ok, so I change the power supply to the Corsair 520HX, but I'm still not sure about the mobo. I don't know if I really need an SLI enabled board, I was looking to spend about $130 on the mobo (flexible either way) - if that happens to be an SLI board, then that's fine.
Simply put, P965 overclocks cpu & ram at a ratio. Ergo, it needs quality ram to o/c well. 6x0i overclocks cpu or ram independently. It can o/c either or both unlinked or linked. It doesn't need expensive ram to o/c the cpu well.
The ram you picked out is not guaranteed Micron D9 IC - best of overclocking. It may be Elpida chips that overclock better than the Promos which is on almost everything.
If you don't o/c, this doesn't concern you.
In case you o/c, you can get this for cheap & it's Micron D9:
Ok, so say I am interested in overclocking. Would it make more sense to choose a 6x0i board and stick with the cheaper RAM, or spring for the more expensive RAM and use a P965?
Ram is dirt cheap, you can get a D9-based 2gb kit for $110. I mean, you can get DDR2-1066 for $160! In late December I payed $270 for my Super Talent DDR2-800. Now it's less then half that.
Well I was looking to spend $120-150 on the mobo and about $100 or so on the RAM. I guess I could just get a cheaper case and throw a little more money on the board - right now the case I have picked out is $130. Is SLI something that can really extend the longevity of my rig? For example two years from now, is tossing in a second 8800GTS (assumed to be cheap then) dramatically going to improve things?
I agree with apt403, but I bought my valueram before the crazy price drops. I ain't getting anymore other than the PC2-9000 or faster one at a discount. They'll get cheap when DDR3 rolls out.
No, SLI won't prolong the life of a pc. It's a just a way to run 2 cards at the same time & double the performance in most cases. Just like crossfire. I never said anything about life, just overclockability. I'm after that. To be exact, cheap overclockability.
Isn't this more expensive than the case I already have picked out? Not that I am dead set of the P180 but the P182 wouldn't really help me in terms of my budget.
