Please review system setup before I place it on order.

[nisallik]

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM $23.99


Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $47.99


Open Box: MSI K9A2 CF-F AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard $79.99



SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 $184.99


G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $34.99


Rosewill R5601-BK 0.8mm SECC Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
+
Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL 600W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Power Supply - Retail COMBO $109.98


AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W
+
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) COMBO $104.98


Total = 586.91


Trying to make a decent PC that is real cheap as well since I will need to buy two of them (one for me and my wife).
Building this computer to play some upcoming games in something higher than low and with crossfire support, I should be able to throw in another 3870 when I need that extra push.

Heh, I know that I should generally stay away from any open box merchandise (The motherboard), but it's the best reviewed motherboard on Newegg and I'm trying to cut corners as much as possible and hope for the best that they aren't flops.

I will, however, listen to what some more pc savvy people have to say and change things that would be more viable to what I need.

I don't wish to OC either seeing that the system I am building is subpar... and I would hate to break it (since I'm not experienced at it). =p

 

[oushi]

I would spend the extra $10 to get the retail version of the mobo. I know you want to shave off some of the cost, but that open box is likely to cause more trouble than it's worth. Open box items could be missing cables or the rear i/o panel which would be a pain in the ass to replace... and who knows what the board has been through before getting into your hands.

I would be wary of getting the Rosewill case/psu combo. Rosewill isn't exactly the most trusted name when it comes to buying computer components. You don't want to get a bad psu and end up frying your new system. For low budget systems, I usually recommend the Antec Sonata III case/psu combo. However, I highly doubt either psu would suffice if you decided to Crossfire a second 3870 in the future.

 

[roadrunner197069]

The motherboard wont come with CD, Cables, I/O shield! Just a plain old board. And you are way to high for no more performance then you will get.

Rosewill power supplies are junk. look up the tier list and pick a tier 2 or better if you plan on xfire in the future.

This is what I would do.


ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5K
Item #: N82E16813131180

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$126.99 $126.99

MSI RX3870-T2D512E OC Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: RX3870-T2D512E OC
Item #: N82E16814127315

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$184.99 $184.99

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: OCZ700GXSSLI
Item #: N82E16817341002

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$149.99 -$25.00 Instant $124.99

Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E2160
Item #: N82E16819116036

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

In Stock
$69.99 $69.99

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

Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$78.99 -$25.00 Instant $107.98

Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD1600YS
Item #: N82E16822136062

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$59.99 $59.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-33 - Retail
Model #: LH-20A1P-33
Item #: N82E16827106249

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$21.99 $21.99
Subtotal: $696.92 - $105 in mail in rebates= $591 and you need to choose a case I hate picking cases for others. With case its approximately $60-70 higher then you build and "HELLA FASTER" if you overclock the e2160 to 3.0-3.2 which can be done real easy. You could probably get a cheaper power supply and a cheaper motherboard, I just like to get a little more then I need on the PSU and I love Asus boards. There are chaper boards but this was the P35 chipset which makes overclocking easier.

How ever you decide Intel will blow AMD out of the water no matter what as long as you use a e2140 or higher CPU.

You will also need a OS if you dont have one.

Will your wife be highend gaming as well or will she just use hers for average things? If she dont game I have the perfect solution for you, and would allow you to build your computer better.

 

[chuckm]

Better case and power suuply;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

 

[nisallik]

Ok, I read over what all of you had to say and I made some changes. Also, yes, the wife is as much as a gamer as I am... so we want both of them he same. =p

My original intentions was to get a crossfire compatible motherboard and to buy another 3870 for both of us when we had the spare cash -- But what I have read up on, it seems I should just go intel/nvidia...

These are the changes I made.


COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $49.99



OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail $99.99



GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail $89.99



Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail $69.99


MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 $209.99


The total is now $661.91.

I went ahead and grabbed a tier 2 PSU. I grabbed a lesser OCZ GameXstream and read that is was also a Tier 2 PSU. (That mail-in rebate is nice, but I need two! =\) I switched the motherboard to a cheaper one, it had a lot of comments about this same processor I was recommended being OC easily to 3ghz with just stock cooling.

I was hoping to stay with the cheap RAM, unless there is some problems with Gskill.

I just went ahead and grabbed a 8800GT that a lot of people in the Nvidia forums here recommended.

Any changes needed? I will not be able to order this until a week or two out, so I know I am missing out on a lot of good rebates that I have seen (Which expire tomorrow). =\

 

[Shadow703793]

^ Looks good . If OCing checkout:P35-DS3L OCing Guide I recommend you get a good CPU cooler if going for a 3Ghz OC. I take a look at Xigmatek HDT-S1283(~$35-40), it is rated #1 at Frostytech.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

Just so you get an idea of the performance gained from OCing:

 

[oushi]

Your newest list looks good. The G.skill ram should be good... I just placed an order for it yesterday just incase the price goes back up at the turn of the month.

One thing about the PSU though. From what you've listed, you can save some money by going for a lower psu. I just bought the Corsair 550VX for my future system, which is very similar to yours in power consumption. Even without the rebate, you'll save yourself ~$25 per psu. At the price of that OCZ, a better choice would be to get the better quality PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W for only $1 more after considering shipping.

However, if you're on a really strict budget I would still go with the Antec Sonata III. Even without rebates, it still has a great price with the free shipping. It's uncommon for cases to have free shipping and can cost $15+ easily (which the Centurion you picked has). Case selection is very subjective, though, so it all really comes down to what you want.

 

[roadrunner197069]

I would stick with ATI personally. But if you do go Nvidia, I would get one from EVGA so I could trade it in for a better card in 90 days and only pay the difference.

You probably already know this but your board doesnt support dual graphics cards like you mentioned you wanted in the first setup.

 

[chuckm]

What oushi said, if your going seperate case and power supply, get this PSU. Not sure if you can get the rebate on 2 and the Google Checkout is for $10, you won't get $20 off with 2 of them.

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html