Show me your junk!

[gigaenvy]

Hi everyone,

I hope this is a reasonable request....

I would like to see your most recent builds that you purchased. What I am looking to do is build my system based on your build (see components below) and to make a decision based on your experience and reason why you selected certain items. My purpose behind this is to build a similar system that is reliable and has minimal fuss.

My new system build will be a mix-use system for gaming, graphics design, web design, and video - in that order. Furthermore, I would like to OC with minimal fuss.

** I will need firewire on the MOBO for my Thermaltake tower that I purchased in 2003. Need to connect my Olympus video camera to dump my daughter's moments and other extracurricular activities to harddisk.

*** No SLi or Crossfire is needed unless you convince me that I wish I had one in 2 years because it will be required for all new games. I only play MMO's if that matters.

Budget = $800


Question #1

My upgrade build is based on the following components (see below) only. Please provide the components you selected and why; only for new system builds that occurred within the last year only please.

1) MOBO (INTEL) w/ firewire to my Thermaltake case (for video camera to PC copying). DDR2 is mandatory with DDR3 capability a close second when/if prices fall.
2) CPU
3) GPU (becoming partial to EVGA)
4) RAM (800 vs. other)
5) Heat sink/fan for CPU


Thanks again. I hope this request finds some interest with those who want to share their testosterone or progesterone and display some boasting rights.

P.S. - I have been leaning toward Gigabyte MOBOs, but am currently using an Asus with zero problems in the last 5 years.

Best Regards,

Tom

 

[Oh Snap]

See my signature, plus:

Asus P5N-32E 680i SLI mobo
Thermalright 120 Extreme
additional WD6400AAKS Caviar 640gb SE16 hard drive
XCLIO Windtunnel case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011
Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W

I do everything you plan on doing except video, and my build works wonderfully for all of them. Using Vista 64bit. My advice, avoid Asus motherboards and go for another manufacturer. I was able to OC my CPU with no voltage increase at 1333fsb, but the board is super picky and I've yet to get a stable OC over that. For newer games, or games like WoW, etc. that are CPU intensive, you're definitely going to want a quad core overclocked. You really do see a huge boost using programs like the CS3 suite with an overclocked quad as well. Cooling is good, and with the massive side fans, a fan on the heatsink, and fans up on my 3 8800GTXs, everything in the case stays nice and cool. What size screen(s) do you have? Resolution plays a huge factor in what kind of video card(s) you'll want to get.

Although for heatsink you may also want to consider:
http://www.crazypc.com/products/ifx14-cpu-cooler-50989.html

Also, I definitely would say go with another power supply if you don't intend on going with Tri-SLI/Quad-SLI. It's a fantastic power supply, but totally excessive if you don't plan on going that route

 

[pcgamer12]

Junk?

 

[Oh Snap]

Well in all fairness everyone posting their computer specs is kind of an online dick waving contest

 

[gigaenvy]

Junk?

What Oh Snap said. There has got to be a better way to be unique in posting threads in the forums. Every topic is the same old thing. "Look at me...I need help with my build" or "Is this a good build?"

Just trying to be unique and make the topic fun for a change without any reciprocating prizes or awards. In all honesty, if I was an expert it would be my honor to show my schnitzel and post my build for no other reason than to help a fellow builder.

 

[dmacfour]

For newer games, or games like WoW, etc. that are CPU intensive, you're definitely going to want a quad core overclocked.

You don't need a quad core to play WoW good; it's 4 years old. I can max out WoW on my laptop. I'd say you should get a 9600 GT because it is dirt cheap for the performance you get, and a decent dual core processor.

 

[shadowduck]

My build: but its over $800:

Intel Core2Quad Q6600 @ 3.0GHz
Asus P5E motherboard (X38 chipset)
2GB G.Skill DDR2-800 RAM (@ 667 3-3-3-10)
512MB ATI Radeon 3870HD video card
500GB hard drive space (250GB SATA internal 250GB USB2 external)
Antec P160 Case
Antec Smartpower 500W PSU
Windows Vista Business

To cut some stuff out- Get a P35 board vs the X38 board I have. Pick up a Sonta III case which includes the PSU.

 

[modode]

Here's what's being delivered to me tomorrow (in terms of the components you need):

MB: ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284
Pricy Mobo, but stability and ease of overclocking make this high-end baby a beast. Has the firewire you wanted. Option to crossfire down the line if you want. Asus boards are excellent quality and highly respected (despite 'oh snap''s comment - I suspect his board problem had to do with the 680i chipset of his board, which is far less stable than the intel chipsets like the p35, or the high end X48 on this board).

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
The Wolfdale 45nm Intel chips are amazing - cool, blindingly fast, and unreal overclockers. I was sucked in by the multiplier on this model. Probably should've ordered the 8400 since it oc's well, is only a tiny bit slower at stock speed, and is 80 bucks cheaper. Go with the 8400 and don't look back.

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
Good DDR2800 is all you need. Get 2X2 gigs. This one does 5-5-5-15 timings at only 1.8v, and many reviewers have oc'd it to 1000. Are you kidding at this price?

GPU: I don't have one coming tomorrow b/c I'm reusing my 8800GTX until the next family of GPU's come out and the prices drop a bit. Get the 8800 GT - it'll give you high end gaming performance at a bargain price (less than 150 after mail in rebate).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121224

CPU heatsink: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
Google the reviews of this baby. You will not get better CPU air cooling at any price, much less for $38. Overclock away!

Enjoy your build!

 

[Gravemind123]

My build is a bit old:

Core2Duo E4400
Asus P5B-Plus
2GB Crucial Ballistix
250GB WD Caviar SE + 320GB SeaGate Barracuda 7200.10
Antec NeoHE 500W
EVGA 7900GS

If you update the graphics card to the current price/performance leader of the 8800GT, the current CPU in that price range would be an E6550 or E4600, buy one larger hard-drive, update the motherboard to a P5K series board instead of P5B, and get a Corsair VX450 for the PSU. You would end up with a budget system like I have.

 

[sweetpants]

For newer games, or games like WoW, etc. that are CPU intensive, you're definitely going to want a quad core overclocked.

You don't need a quad core to play WoW good; it's 4 years old. I can max out WoW on my laptop. I'd say you should get a 9600 GT because it is dirt cheap for the performance you get, and a decent dual core processor.

I'm in agreement here. For a budget, personally, I feel the 9600GT is a decent buy, considering how cheap it is. I threw one into my fiancee's computer and she loves to play CoD4 with it

Though I'm not sure about the price/performance of sticking with an 8800 *shrugs* might want to look into that.

I didn't recall reading it in the OP's post, but do you have the OS, Monitor, Keyboard/Mouse, Speakers covered?

EDIT:
I would throw up my build but a lot of the stuff I had I got with discounts. My video card was 40% off because of where I work. At the time it was a 400 dollar card. On top of that the OS I had was free as well.

 

[stabgotham]

I went with the following parts recently, actually...all I did was upgrade my mobo, RAM, and processor (I already had the PSU, but it's still available and its great!):

MSI K9A2 Platinum 790FX
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition
Corsair HX520W
4GB OCZ SLI-Edition DDR2 800 (2x2GB)

The rest of my parts are in my sig, but they are older.

Let me start by saying that I do everything that you do with my PC...easily

I went with the 790FX board because of the quality of the chipset. Additionally, this board is a very good, very easy overclocker. One of the best things about it is that it can accept the AMD Phenom FX processors when they are released. This board has 1x1394a.

The CPU, I chose due to the low-low price ($87.99 on Newegg) and its ease in overclocking. It comes stock at 2.6GHz, but can be OC'd to 3.2GHz with just an increase to the multiplier. It's that simple. It's a Black Edition processor so the multiplier is unlocked as opposed to other AMD processors. I'm simply getting this one as a fill-in until the Phenom FX is released.

Keeping my CPU cool is my Xigmatek S1283 Rifle CPU Cooler. It's a great cooler and cheap. Never exceeds 1400RPM's and I haven't heard it once. Temps never break 48C.

The PSU from Corsair is top notch. Modular cabling for starters. Additionally, I have read on several websites that the Corsair PSU's are actually capable of outputting more power than they are listed for (i.e. 520w is actually capable of providing 620w).

The RAM was a no-brainer for me. This RAM is a great overclocker. Some people have reached 1000 with this set. Surprisingly, its also one of the cheaper 4GB kits available on Newegg currently. If I didn't get this set, I probably would have gone with a set of Mushkin or G.Skill.

As far as video cards are concerned, I'm holding out for the new NVidia and ATi cards to be released. I think being so close to the release of these new cards, anyone would be wasting their money buying right now. I mean, there is almost no doubt that the cards that are out now will drop in price when the new ones come out in a month. It's already starting some. I've seen 8800GT's (512MB) for as low as $149.99.

I was able to upgrade my CPU, RAM, and mobo for for less than $350.00 and I'm upgrade capable with my selections. I'm pretty jazzed about that.

P.S. Yes, I am an AMD fanboy! Down with the evil-empire!

 

[hamsystem]

See my sig. Mobo doesn't come with firewire, but an add-in card isn't too expensive. Cheap, fast, very cool, very quiet, all for about $650 (minus the monitor of course).

 

[hamsystem]

Whoops, forgot quick reply doesn't display sigs. There ya go.

 

[gigaenvy]

My build: but its over $800:

Intel Core2Quad Q6600 @ 3.0GHz
Asus P5E motherboard (X38 chipset)
2GB G.Skill DDR2-800 RAM (@ 667 3-3-3-10)
512MB ATI Radeon 3870HD video card
500GB hard drive space (250GB SATA internal 250GB USB2 external)
Antec P160 Case
Antec Smartpower 500W PSU
Windows Vista Business

To cut some stuff out- Get a P35 board vs the X38 board I have. Pick up a Sonta III case which includes the PSU.

Nice build, but Asus has lost my interest lately. I remember 5 years ago when I was building my first PC by hand, Asus won my heart and I made a great decision. Today, the situation is different and I do not have the comfy-wumfy's on their latest product line. Furthermore, not sure what I'm going to gain getting an X38 at this time. Some convince me otherwise on Asus.

By the way, how stable is Windows Vista? I'm considering moving my old HDD from my current system to the new system using Windows XP as currently installed. I'm not about to reinstall everything after 5 years - lost the keygens

 

[gigaenvy]

My build is a bit old:

Core2Duo E4400
Asus P5B-Plus
2GB Crucial Ballistix
250GB WD Caviar SE + 320GB SeaGate Barracuda 7200.10
Antec NeoHE 500W
EVGA 7900GS

If you update the graphics card to the current price/performance leader of the 8800GT, the current CPU in that price range would be an E6550 or E4600, buy one larger hard-drive, update the motherboard to a P5K series board instead of P5B, and get a Corsair VX450 for the PSU. You would end up with a budget system like I have.

Your system may be older than I like, but it's still better than what alot of other people have. That is why we try to rightsize our rigs to be future proof. I suppose you can still play alot of the games out there. I remember when I first built my first system and could max out every setting in-game. Over the years I had to begin fiddling with game options. Now I cannot even load a game without it burping and indicating I do not meet the basic system requirements.

Check this out. I purchased a used Xbox 360 and COD4, just to play COD4 because my PC could not. The only requirement I had was to play it using keyboard and mouse. The wired Xbox controller I had to buy is still in its plastic packaging. All I did was cut a hole and pull the wired connector out to hook it up to my xim.

 

[gigaenvy]

Here's what's being delivered to me tomorrow (in terms of the components you need):

MB: ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284
Pricy Mobo, but stability and ease of overclocking make this high-end baby a beast. Has the firewire you wanted. Option to crossfire down the line if you want. Asus boards are excellent quality and highly respected (despite 'oh snap''s comment - I suspect his board problem had to do with the 680i chipset of his board, which is far less stable than the intel chipsets like the p35, or the high end X48 on this board).

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
The Wolfdale 45nm Intel chips are amazing - cool, blindingly fast, and unreal overclockers. I was sucked in by the multiplier on this model. Probably should've ordered the 8400 since it oc's well, is only a tiny bit slower at stock speed, and is 80 bucks cheaper. Go with the 8400 and don't look back.

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
Good DDR2800 is all you need. Get 2X2 gigs. This one does 5-5-5-15 timings at only 1.8v, and many reviewers have oc'd it to 1000. Are you kidding at this price?

GPU: I don't have one coming tomorrow b/c I'm reusing my 8800GTX until the next family of GPU's come out and the prices drop a bit. Get the 8800 GT - it'll give you high end gaming performance at a bargain price (less than 150 after mail in rebate).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121224

CPU heatsink: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
Google the reviews of this baby. You will not get better CPU air cooling at any price, much less for $38. Overclock away!

Enjoy your build!

Excellent reply. Thanks for answering my questions directly. I'll re-consider the Asus over the Gigabyte and continue using their products.

 

[gigaenvy]

I'm in agreement here. For a budget, personally, I feel the 9600GT is a decent buy, considering how cheap it is. I threw one into my fiancee's computer and she loves to play CoD4 with it

Though I'm not sure about the price/performance of sticking with an 8800 *shrugs* might want to look into that.

I didn't recall reading it in the OP's post, but do you have the OS, Monitor, Keyboard/Mouse, Speakers covered?

EDIT:
I would throw up my build but a lot of the stuff I had I got with discounts. My video card was 40% off because of where I work. At the time it was a 400 dollar card. On top of that the OS I had was free as well.

Sweetpants,

The one thing I do not want to skimp out on is the GPU. 8800GTS with 512mb+ OC'd is what I'm after. Monitor is covered (24" Samsung), k/b and mouse already covered, and speakers (nope - headset only).

The only real question Mobo and CPU. I am not the type to be running out buying new components in two years, but rather just buy a whole new rig every 5.

 

[Gravemind123]

Your system may be older than I like, but it's still better than what alot of other people have. That is why we try to rightsize our rigs to be future proof. I suppose you can still play alot of the games out there. I remember when I first built my first system and could max out every setting in-game. Over the years I had to begin fiddling with game options. Now I cannot even load a game without it burping and indicating I do not meet the basic system requirements.

Check this out. I purchased a used Xbox 360 and COD4, just to play COD4 because my PC could not. The only requirement I had was to play it using keyboard and mouse. The wired Xbox controller I had to buy is still in its plastic packaging. All I did was cut a hole and pull the wired connector out to hook it up to my xim.

Mine is still working well, I upgraded in phases with it, I had a P4 Prescott and 1GB of ram before I picked up a P5B-Plus, 2GB of Ballistix and the Core2Duo, but the video card was the first one with that rig. The video card cost me $165 1.5 years ago and still runs all games on medium or better when overclocked, this includes Crysis. I'll probably keep my system the same until they make a decent game that I can't play on it, then I will see what I can do to upgrade.