Trying to build a new rig...on a budget

[Jacob Collstrup]

Heya,

I have at max 1020$ to spend on the new rig...and I have to reuse some old gear. My primary concern is to get a good CPU and a good mobo and 2GB of memory. The Gfx-card is a variable, and so are a new harddrive and new PSU. I'd like to avoid buying a new harddrive and PSU, but I realize that I might have to. So in case I need to get those, I might have to go with a smaller GFX-card. Which is ok with me, since I can prolly upgrade that later, with little to no problems.

My current system harddrive runs on an IDE-cable...those broad and flat ones...usually grey or white.
And I have a 500Watt NorthQ PSU to feed the party.

The rig will be used for various tasks. Mostly gaming though. So lets consider it an 80% gaming and 20% application. I'm kinda divided between two setups:

Rig 1:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
nForce chipset mobo
2GB RAM
Geforce 8800-something (the one with the good standart cooler)

Rig 2:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
Intel P35 chipset mobo
2GB RAM
Geforce 8800-something (the one with the good standart cooler)

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I have very little overview of the hardware market, and therefore I kinda need to know WHAT system would be the best for my budget. Also...I don't overclock...I never consider it. So the CPU will have to rock from the start. Lastly...the rig needs to be future friendly. Its ONLY meant for the games I play today sucha as Oblivion. But it needs to be able to handle what comes in the future. I'd like it to last AT LEAST 3 years, but hopefully 4-5 years.

So I hope someone can help me put together a good rig that lives up to my many and diverse demands.

Jacob Collstrup

 

[Maziar]

well if u want something to stay u long ,then go for Q6600 definitely also if u dont play @ very high resolution , then save some money and go for a P35 board instead of 680i motherboard ,

 

[Jacob Collstrup]

My screen maxes at 1280*1024, I don't know if that is "@ very high resolution"

Now I'd just need to know if I'll need to change the harddrives or PSU or both...

But anyways...thanks for the advice.

Jacob

 

[Onus]

Here's a build. With shipping and government extortion, less rebates, it should be within your budget. A Q6600 barely fits in this budget, and only by selecting the smallest PSU I'd trust. If you're going to overclock, you'll need a beefier PSU and probably a better CPU cooler. I'm assuming you have a case and other external peripherals, but I did include a Retail DVD burner so it would include the software:
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=7640667

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-P35-DS3R
Item #: N82E16813128050
$129.99 $129.99

EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 320-P2-N815-AR
Item #: N82E16814130038
$299.99 $299.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-PN ATX2.2 500Watts Power Supply - Retail
Model #: AX500-PN
Item #: N82E16817104037
$69.99 $69.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80562Q6600
Item #: N82E16819115017
$279.99 $279.99

SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T8UX2GC5 - Retail
Model #: T8UX2GC5
Item #: N82E16820609226
$83.99 $83.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140
$79.99 $79.99

LITE-ON LightScribe Black 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write Black IDE Model LH-20A1H-186 - Retail
Model #: LH-20A1H-186
Item #: N82E16827106045
$37.99 $37.99
Subtotal: $981.93

 

[Jacob Collstrup]

Wow cool!

I do have a very nice optical drive already...so I don't think that would be neccesary.(spelling?)

I'll try and see what kinda money I'll have to pay for that system here in Denmark.

Thanks again, that was REALLY cool!

Jacob

 

[Maziar]

for 1280x1024 _which most users use_ a single card is enough and the config that Jtt recommends is very good , but i am note sure about the PSU he said , i say go for another brand like Corsair , OCZ ,THERMALTAKE , TUNIQ .....

 

[mad-dog]

If you change the motherboard you will have wipe the HDD clean and reload the OS or buy a new HDD to go with the rest of the system.

Folding@Home

 

[Onus]

FSP is on Tier-3 of the PSU list. I've bought some of their smaller ones for simpler systems, and they have performed without problems. Certainly, if the money is available, a [tier-2] Corsair would be great.

At your intended resolution, you could probably drop the video down to a x1950XT (or even a x1950PRO) and still be very happy; this would probably save up to your equivalent of $150.