It’s been over 4 years since I built my current system, so I’m way overdue for an update. I’ve been kind of out of touch with the advances over the past few years and have been trying to catch so I could make some informed decisions. Originally I wanted to salvage as much of my current system as possible and only upgrade the essentials to reduce costs, but the more research I do, the more items I end up wanting to replace. The most intense work that I need the system to handle is probably moderate gaming. I don’t have the money or the need to put together a top of line, cutting edge system, but am looking more for a “most bang-for-your-buck” system that hopefully will keep me satisfied for the next several years.
Could anyone please critique what I’m come up with so far and/or recommend items that I’m having difficulty deciding on?
CPU: Intel E2160 - I was originally leaning towards one of the Core 2 Duo’s – anything from a E6320 to E6750, but figured I could save a nice chunk of cash by going with the E2160 and overclocking it to at least a FSB of 1066 and maybe even 1333 to improve the performance. My only concern would be how much of a “real world” effect I would experience from only have 1mb of cache instead the 4mb’s in the higher priced cpu’s.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
Memory: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (already on order - $57 ar)
Graphics Card: This is still an area that I’m not sure about. I’d like to go with an ATI card and am leaning towards an X1950 Pro. If I go this route, the 3 cards that I’m deciding between are these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241050
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161061
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131055
PSU: Not a clue. I know I’ll have to replace my current PC Power & Cooling 350W psu and have been looking at something in the 500W range that puts out over 30A on the +12v rails. I know it’s usually not a good idea to cut corners on a psu, but New Egg has a few the fit my requirements for about $30 after rebate. I’m just not sure if any of them are any good. The brands are Xion, Rosewill and Cooler Master.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182044
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817190011
Monitor: I don’t know if I can squeeze this in too, but if I have any money left over I’d like to add in an LCD monitor, probably something in the 19-22” range.
Any critiques or recommendations would be appreciated. Let me know if you need any additional info.
Could anyone please critique what I’m come up with so far and/or recommend items that I’m having difficulty deciding on?
CPU: Intel E2160 - I was originally leaning towards one of the Core 2 Duo’s – anything from a E6320 to E6750, but figured I could save a nice chunk of cash by going with the E2160 and overclocking it to at least a FSB of 1066 and maybe even 1333 to improve the performance. My only concern would be how much of a “real world” effect I would experience from only have 1mb of cache instead the 4mb’s in the higher priced cpu’s.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
Memory: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (already on order - $57 ar)
Graphics Card: This is still an area that I’m not sure about. I’d like to go with an ATI card and am leaning towards an X1950 Pro. If I go this route, the 3 cards that I’m deciding between are these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241050
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161061
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131055
PSU: Not a clue. I know I’ll have to replace my current PC Power & Cooling 350W psu and have been looking at something in the 500W range that puts out over 30A on the +12v rails. I know it’s usually not a good idea to cut corners on a psu, but New Egg has a few the fit my requirements for about $30 after rebate. I’m just not sure if any of them are any good. The brands are Xion, Rosewill and Cooler Master.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182044
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817190011
Monitor: I don’t know if I can squeeze this in too, but if I have any money left over I’d like to add in an LCD monitor, probably something in the 19-22” range.
Any critiques or recommendations would be appreciated. Let me know if you need any additional info.
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