Budget build: ($1000)

[Sundog]

Edit:

So I'm getting ready to actually buy this thing and have a newly revised list, let me know what you think.

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

OCZ Gold 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) ($93 - $30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227199

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 ($230 -30 rebate +Witcher game )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM ($180)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215

Q9450 CPU ($300)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0286543

Antec Sonata Case w/ 500 Watt EarthWatts Power Supply ($90)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0257459

This comes to a total of $1147 (minus $60 rebates) including shipping. It's a little bit more than I really want to spend but I think I've got it down pretty well. Just not sure about which windows... was originally thinking I'd throw my xp (32-bit) on it but it's an oem disk already on my current box.



Original post:
[strike]So I don't have a specific budget for this build but I thinking $800 is a good target for the box. (my current PC is an Athlon +2200, and I figure it would cost more to upgrade than to start over, so it's time to retire )

Here's what I've got in mind so far.[/strike]

CPU: E8200 $197
Mother: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L $89.24
Memory: Transcend 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $35 (2, possibly 4 sticks)
Hard Drive: about $70
Video Card: about $150, maybe GeForce 9600GT @ $160
DVD: $30
Case/PSU: I don't really have a clue about these. ($100?)

I figure this configuration puts it about $700 and I have about $100 to play with.

Links:
cpu: http://www.stalliontek.com/product_p/eu80570pj0676m.htm
moBo: http://castle.pricewatch.com/s/search.asp?s=GIGABYTE+GA-P35-DS3L&group1=1&sci=2&c=Motherboards
Mem: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820208344
Video: http://www.pricewatch.com/video_cards/geforce_9600.htm

Thoughts?

 

[boonality]

I just built a budget Q6600 with a 9600GT for $850 on newegg today for a buddy of mine. Your specs seem ok but my quad core for $850 included corsair xms2 ddr2 800 with 4-4-4-12 timings and a 500GB seagate 7200.11 drive. let me list the components.

RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme ATX-612WEBP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail ($93)

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail ($100)

EVGA 512-P3-N862-AR GeForce 9600GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail ($180)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail ($255)

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX - Retail ($130)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($110)

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S OEM BK - OEM ($26)

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail ($7)

Total = $885

 

[Sundog]

Thanks,
I think you're probably right about switching to a quad core. Originally I had looked at the THG for CPUs and saw the e8200 out performing the q6600 but now I realize that for my uses the quad will actually be faster. The e8200 seems to get higher FPS in games while q6600 is a better multitasker (pretty obvious in retrospect).

As for the Memory, does a name brand like Corsair really out perform a lesser name that much? Would it be better to go with Corsair pc 6400 or a similarly priced but lesser brand pc 8500 (I think the mobo supports it)?

 

[boonality]

it's not necessarily the name brand so much as it is the compatibility, voltages, and timings. and you will not have any issues with corsair memory in a gigabyte board.

 

[chuckm]

Power supply, you can get the 450 watt one for $5 less, go for this;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair-VX-550W-Power-Supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

Ram, go with either one of these if you're only doing 2gig total. If you want 4gig, get 2X2 not 4X1;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052308477%201052108080%201052416064%201052508081&CompareItemList=N82E16820146565%2CN82E16820145034&page=2&bop=And

This cooler will do better that the Artic 7 for just a little more $$$;
http://www.jab-tech.com/Xigmatek-HDT-S1283-Heat-pipe-Direct-Touch-Universal-CPU-Cooler-pr-4097.html

Maybe this case;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

 

[boonality]

I like chuckm's case and power supply combo better than my suggestion. it will be nicer and the power supply is much more reliable. I don't think you will need an aftermarket cooler though, and I would definately do 2 x 2GB memory but just make sure to get good memory. I personally prefer corsair because they have proven to me that their memory is top notch.

 

[cappster]

Never trust a power supply that comes with a cheap case. You get what you pay for. I would pony up a few more dollars to get a good PS because if it goes down, it may take a few other components with it. $100 dollars will get you a pretty good PS for your setup.

 

[geofelt]

About the only case/psu combo that I would buy is Antec. Their newer units have good psu's. For about $100, look at the NSK6580 with a 430w earthwats psu. $109.95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129033

A good memory company will honor a lifetime warranty. As to speeds, the C2D processors are not very sensitive to ram speeds. If you are into overclocking, you can go higher with better ram, otherwise, don't bother. Your system will run better with 4gb of average ram, particularly if you do lots of multitasking.

 

[Sundog]

Take 2

CPU: q6600 @ $240
Mother: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L $90
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 $70
Hard Drive: about $70 maybe 320GB SERIAL ATA 7200RPM 16MB CACHE HDD?
Video Card: about $150, maybe GeForce 9600GT @ $160
DVD: $30
Case/PSU: Still looking at these, thanks for the info. (I Like the Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP)

About the PSU, how do I figure out what kind of power the machine needs?

 

[Sundog]

oops was going to post links again (in case someone was interested in the same parts)

CPU: http://www.pricewatch.com/microprocessors/core_2_quad_q6600.htm
MoBo: http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4830813&cmp=OTC-pricewatch
Memory: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006082
Hard Drive: http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=HDIUSDSATA32016
Video Card: (haven't picked a specific card yet)
DVD: ditto
Case/PSU: That Corsair 550w for $65 looks good, is it more power than I need?

Still curious about how to calculate Power supply requirements.

thanks all.

 

[mihirkula]

End of march the 3870 will be avail for $160...its faster than the 9600 ... moreover i remember someone posted a link a while ago which had a 8800GT for $170

 

[Sundog]

As far as the video card, it seems like I could get an overclocked 9600 gt with 512mb for $145 or a 8800gt with 512mb for about $185.

9600gt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127333

8800gt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127329

Is there a big difference between these two?

 

[chuckm]

That power supply will be just fine. Considering the 450 watt is only $5 cheaper the 550 is a very good deal. It is also a very good power supply. Here's the same case with a silver face, just for a different look;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119104

 

[Sundog]

Final Build! (i.e. 1.0)

CPU: q6600 @ $240
Mother: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L $90
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 $70
Hard Drive: 320GB SERIAL ATA 7200RPM 16MB CACHE HDD $70
Video Card: 8800gt @ $185
DVD: $30
Case: Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP (black) $50
PSU: That Corsair 550w for $65

Total cost: $800

How does that all look now?
Am I missing something (besides OS)?

 

[cappster]

Here is a link for the power supply requirements. Just fill in the information and it will get you pretty close to what you need.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

If you are deciding between the 9600gt and the 8800gt, I would go with the 8800gt if your budget allows it. An overclocked 9600gt would probably fill your needs too as it runs right with the 3870. What resolution will you be gaming at? Also, do you plan on doing any multi-video card setups in the future? If so, you want to take that into account when purchasing your power supply. Also, doing multi card setup, you may want to check out the radeon 3870's. You can run crossfire on an intel P35 board. You just need to make sure that you have 2 pci-e slots.

If I were you, for future upgrades, I would get a power supply with at least 600w. Make sure it is 80+ certified which means it can handle a constant load of 80% (480 watts on a 600w PS). If you are just going to run a single card setup and you know thats all you will have, get a 500-550w unit. Something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194003

 

[mihirkula]

Its a good build. Though i recommend the E8400 instead if the q6600. You'll get the E8400 in April for a good price. The q6600 is a quad only for bragging rights. The E6750 is $100 cheaper and faster than the quad in most games n apps. Ppl (fanboys) wil say that in the "future" for "future apps n games" the quad will benefit you... but this "future" is at least 2 yrs frm now. And by then everyone including you for sure will upgrade to another 32nm CPU.

 

[boonality]

Quad Core vs. Dual Core will be debated for a long time still. Fact is that if your favorite application(s) will utilize multiple cores then you are better off with a quad. If you or favorite application(s) do not, then a faster dual is better. It's all personal preference. But I push the quad because not only does my favorite application (Flight Sim X) practically require it, I also run virtual machines and test Exchange Server patches and scripts and what not on workstations, which I will benifit greatly from a quad core.

It's completely up to you. Tom's has a page under the CPU section where you can pick your potental dual core processor in a drop down, then pick your potential quad core in a drop down, then pick from a host of applications, to include games in the final drop down and click go, and it will give you a performance comparison.

 

[boonality]

I do need to add though... none of us have steered you off course. I think everyone has had great input. You have a real strong build for that price range.

The graphics thing, well I would prefer the 9600GT for the price if you aren't going to be gaming constantly, but if you are considering the 8800GT, your money will be better spent on an 8800GTS, as it has the newer G92 architecture and it as a much better cooling setup. The 8800GT and GTS though both are very nice cards for the money, you won't be dissapointed with either.

 

[Sundog]

As per the edit up top:

I'm getting ready to actually buy this thing and have a newly revised list, let me know what you think.

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

OCZ Gold 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) ($93 - $30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227199

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 ($230 -30 rebate +Witcher game )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM ($180)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215

Q9450 CPU ($300)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0286543

Antec Sonata Case w/ 500 Watt EarthWatts Power Supply ($90)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0257459

This comes to a total of $1147 (minus $60 rebates) including shipping. It's a little bit more than I really want to spend but I think I've got it down pretty well. Just not sure about which windows... was originally thinking I'd throw my xp (32-bit) on it but it's an oem disk already on my current box.

 

[geofelt]

Shopping tips for Vista:
1) Do you qualify for an academic license?
If so, you can get Vista at a discounted price.
2) Look for an upgrade version of home premium instead of OEM.
Upgrade is a retail version which gives you support from microsoft, unlike OEM.
For $10, microsoft will send you the 64 bit DVD.
I saw Vista home premium upgrade recently at Costco for $85, amazon for $89.
There is a legitimate two step instalation process to install an upgrade version
in a new machine.
3) Do you really need Ultimate? There are very few features that the home user would want.
Check out the differences on the microsoft Vista web site.
If you get a retail or upgrade version, you will still be able to upgrade to ultimate later.

 

[Sundog]

So I can get an upgrade version of vista AND use my previously used OEM XP disk to get it up and running? Obviously this is the cheapest option but would it be better to just get a full retail version for future installs?

From looking around I've found a full retail Vista Ultimate for about $250
or home premium retail for $180. Is Ultimate worth the extra 70 or so bucks? Beyond some fluff like animated wall paper! , The Microsoft website isn't exactly clear what the differences are...

Second question, (topic really) I am assuming the q9450 will work on the gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, is this correct?

 

[spencercpu1983]

That's a oem processor, so you'll need a heatsink. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is a great value.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article818-page1.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I would look at the Corsair HX620 power supply it has a 5 year warranty, Modular Cabling and it's made by SeaSonic.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article692-page1.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

 

[geofelt]

Th upgrade version of vista is considered a retail version. That gives you microsoft direct support, and allows you to more freeley move it to a new machine(motherboard).

You could use xp and do an upgrade. Alternatively, you install vista from the cd, but do not initially enter the product code, just tell the install which version you bought, and do not activate. After it installs, you have a fully functional vista for 30 days. Step 2 is to insert the cd again, while running vista and then do an upgrade. This time, enter your product code, and activate. After activation. you may delete the initial version of either os which is named windows.old.

I don't think that there is anything worthwhile for the home user in vista-ultimate. Home premium is worth it.
If for some reason, there turns out that ultimate delivers something you want, you can just purchase the upgrade .
I think vista installs everything anyway, but locks off some features.