Putting this one together for the GF. Hoping everything will fit, play nice, not blow up. That sort of thing.
Case and PSU combo: (Is it a Coolermaster PSU? I don't know how to tell)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 red version FR-T05-URI-GP Black / Red Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with AC connector 430W Power Supply - Retail
Little worried about the 384MB of the 8800 GS. Game interest is mostly TF2 but she likes all kinds of stuff. I also want this to last her a while. Thats why I am looking at the 8800GT. Not much needs to be said about this card. The dual slot cooler looks like a smart upgrade. Anyway, with budget just ahead of performance and future proofing in mind, what do you guys think?
Also, target resolution is going to be 16X10 or 14X9. 19" or 22" LCD.
CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E4600 - Retail
8800GT don't even think twice about it . The PSU will do just fine. You might need another CPU cooler but thats something to concider later. Ram concider G.Skill its little bit more but I belive its a better quality RAM. Good luck.
Look at this case, the Antec NSK4480. It comes with a 380W Antec PSU. For a single GPU, this should hold you for a while.
Also, if you want to overclock, get an aftermarket cooler. You can do low level overclocks with the stock cooler, but stability and reliability are much improved with a little extra money. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is rock solid, and only $37. Easy to install as well.
Get the 8800GT. It uses the newer core (G92) and has a performance increase over the 800GS that is worth the $50. You can pick at other choices (HDD, RAM, etc..) but what you have chosen is good.
I say..
mmmm....can you still afford a better memory? like corsair, crucial, patriot, mushkin or kingston? I don't know 'bout wintech, and G.Skill...
Tips : look for a 4GB bargain, who knows that you'd ended up using 64bit OS. If I were correct, the 4GB DDR2 800 CL5 Mushkins price should be somewhere only a very little bit higher than 2GB DDR2 CL4 Crucial ballistix.
Have you take a look at Seagate 500GB 32MB 7200.11 price near you? I've bought it only about $10 (5 Euro) more expensive than Seagate 250GB 16MB 7200.10 (perhaps it was on clearing sale).
Since you are gonna OC your proc than go for Zalman CNPS9700LED (By me, Q6600 runs at 3GHz with no higher than 49'C with 80% max rpm).
Coolermaster cm690 is far better than centurion 5 series, and it is under $100. Combine it with PSUs from Corsair, Tagan, Enermax, and Antec that are the only good PSUs I have ever knew. Or you can get Antec Sonata III (bundled with 500W PSU).
What are you thinking?! of course! 8800GT is way better than 8800GS!
The rest is good enough, but care to go quad?
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Intel Q6600 @ 3.0GHz + ASUS P5E X38 +
4GB DDR2 1000 CL5 Mushkin + Coolermaster Dominator Xcalade 690 + Corsair VX 450W + HIS HD 3850 512MB Turbo + Seagate 500GB 7200rpm 32MB + Zalman CNPS 9700 LED + Logitec EX110 + ASUS VW198S.
Total: $750 sorry for going over the budget, was trying to make the best bang for buck one. I thought it would be lower. Well I just made this list, hopes it helps.
Message edited by deathsycthehe11 on 05-16-2008 at 08:31:35 AM