New Build, set price and this time I am sticking to it.

[Abraxas]

Ok ok, so this is my third, "How is this build?" thread, and its the last one. $1000 limit, excluding shipping, and here is what I came up with.

ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131022
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$104.99

EVGA 640-P2-N827-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130081
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$439.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99

=$129.99



* AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103773
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
* G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231065
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

-$40.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$385.98

=$325.98

Subtotal: $1,000.95

Yep, an extra $.95 which I won't fuss about too much. With the mail-in-rebates I even break almost even at $1000 again after shipping.

Does anyone have an opinion about GSkill ram? I have only ever used Corsair, and am tempted to get the RAM I had in my previous build thread, which would put me at $1021.96 but after mail-in-rebate I break under $1000 even with shipping(UPS Next Day Saver) at $987.22

Also Build a system based on the E6600 and it came to roughly the same price as the build now, about $1 less, with the corsair ram, but I have a lesser PSU and a Mobo that's gotten mixed reviews. But after mail-in-rebates, I get about $100 back.


EVGA 640-P2-N827-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130081
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$439.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) Blue Storm II 500 ATX 2.2V 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817104034
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$86.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145034
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$131.00

ABIT AB9 Pro LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813127004
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115003
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$222.90

Subtotal: $1020.87

Choices, choices.

 

[bigblack]

I would go with your second config, it is much faster and better. You have selected an inferior PSU (not bad, just inferior to the Corsair) and a mobo that is not one of the best. I would advise you:
a) cut your spending on memory, i don't think that it will make any difference from this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
Original Price: $129.99
You Save: $40.00
$89.99
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

b) Get a better mobo for the same money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Original Price: $134.99
You Save: $5.00
$129.99
c) Get the corsair 520 with the savings!

I think that this will be around 1020 dollars again and you will be much better overall.

Good luck!

 

[FallenSniper]

Go with the second config. Listen to BigBlack here. EXCEPT on the memory that is. Crucial Ballistix @ newegg with the unbeatable price of $70 after MIR for 2gigs of DDR2 800. CAS Lat: 4. It also has the Micron D9 chips in it. It makes me happy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

 

[Abraxas]

Yea, I did a compare on Tom's CPU Chart, and not only does every game bench do better, the e6600 also has a better performance to price ratio.

And even though I am using an AMD now, and its really been going well for 4 years, Intel offers a better chip right now... We will have to see in a few weeks if AMD doesn't bring out something that retakes the crown, but then, it won't be so much better its worth going to. Not for a computer meant to play games at my screen resolution choice(1280xsomething that won't make my eyes spin into my head) and play them great.

After some of the changes, I will come out to $998.11 after mail in rebates, and my UPS Next Day Saver.

Not bad for $1000.

So Final build, and the one I will save up for:

EVGA 640-P2-N827-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130081
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$439.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99
$129.99

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820146565
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

$45.00 Mail-in Rebate
$114.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128050
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant
$134.99
=$129.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115003
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$222.90

Subtotal: $1,037.86
=$998.11 after mail in rebates and the shipping fee.

We shall see what prices will come in the next few weeks while I save up the money. I predict 7-8 weeks until I order parts.

Thanks for the input and the new parts. I think I will enjoy my step into Intel, and the damn wait is going to suck.

 

[nattydreds]

if your playing at that resolution, i would suggest the 320mb 8800gts. there wont really be much difference between the two and you will save alot of $$. good luck.

 

[FallenSniper]

if your playing at that resolution, i would suggest the 320mb 8800gts. there wont really be much difference between the two and you will save alot of $$. good luck.

For DX 9 games, sure. Who knows how much memory DX 10 games will need. Stick with the 640mb, it's the safe route.

And yes, the wait is the worst part of it all

 

[bigblack]

My friend, in 7-8 weeks many things will be different! Get the memory now, when i checked yesterday it was not in offer (G.Skill was) and i suspect you will not find again such a ridiculus price for this ram.
July 22 will bring lower C2D prices. For 220 dollars you could get a Quad core 6600 or the new E6750 or E6850 (i can't remember all the numbering!).

I expect Mobo and PSU prices to remain the same, a lower price for the 8800.
But it is imperative that you order the ram now! It's only uphill for ram from now on i suspect

 

[Abraxas]

Well, we shall see. I will wait it out. You never know, it might come down some and the rebates might come back.

Want to get it all at once without having to store 1 part somewhere. Its a gamble I know, but we will just have to see.

 

[bigblack]

Ok, it's your money! The cpu price will be way lower anyway, so if you stick with the E6600 you will pay the same or less overall amount. Good luck