New Build using new stuff and some old

[doctord75]

Hi all,

My 4 year old Intel 2.4b system is finally too slow for me.. LOL. I'm looking to build a new system using some of the items from my old system some of which are rather new (500W Thermaltake PSU, case, SATA HD, 16x DVDRW) and replace the rest.

I'm trying to stay close to a $700 budget and the following components get me pretty close.

I was thinking of going with the following:
1. Intel e2160 CPU (to overclock)
2. GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R
3. XFX 8800GTS 320MB (580mhz)
4. OCZ 2 x 1GB DDR2 1066/8500 DualChannel Kit (OCZ2N1066SR2GK)

1. I plan on overclocking the e2160 (highly overclockable) to at least 1066 FSB maybe more if I can squeeze it out of the system which I don't think will be an issue. Does that sound like a good idea or should I go for a newer chip? It might put me over my budget, but that might be ok.

2. Is there much of a difference between the revision 1.x and 2 of the GA-P35C-DS3R? I noticed the difference in number of USB ports comparing the specs on Gigabyte's site, but I haven't compared the physical layout.

3. Any comments on the vid card? I'm budgeting right around $300 of the $700 for the card and that seems to be pretty good. It's a DX10 card so when more games come out for it, I'll be ready. I thought about a 7950 but some of the models are not much cheaper than the 8800.

4. I'm thinking the 1066 memory because that's what I want to run the FSB at anyway so in theory I won't be overclocking the ram unless I go over 1066. Or should I go with 800 ram that is known to overclock well?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Maziar]

Get P35 DS3R isntead of P35C , Because , firstly it wont OC as good as P35 DS3R , secondly its DDR3 option is limited to 4GB , which wont become useful

for VGA , definitely get the 8800GTS 320

 

[aevm]

Another vote for GA-P35-DS3R and 8800 GTS.

You could get the E2160, DDR2-1066 and a good CPU cooler and see how far you can overclock. Another option for about the same money is to get an E6550 and DDR2-800 and use the stock cooler for a mild overclock.
No idea which would be faster - too many variables here to try a guess.

If you don't have a cooler yet, the Scythe Ninja is one of the best and it's on sale right now at newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185038

 

[badders]

Dave,
You don't need that RAM:
see here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/245615-13-build-choices

 

[lunyone]

If you can swing the $10 or so for the e2180, than do it. It is a little easier to OC higher and probably worth the little more money. I'm voting on the 8800gts 320mb or if your building next month, I would wait and see what we have then.