First Budget Build Help?

[Bonajokin]

Review my build please post any thoughts suggestions currently my budget is around 450$ Nothing over 500$. I would appreciate if you would be kind to answer my questions also Hard Drive wise i will be using my old IDE one until i get a SATA 3.0gbs on later on and i'm thinking i might need a power connector. Ram wise i am still on XP and will not be moving to Vista until i get 3gigs atleast over the next few months. I also will be using CD drives that i already have and will be putting my old X-FI soundcard in it.

What i am planning to put in it :

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz

ASUS P5K EPU LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Linkworld 313-11(3131-11) Black / Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Links:
Processor---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052

Motherboard---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131277

Video Card---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150247

Memory----> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231143

Case----> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164081

Questions:

Can this motherboard run SLI since it has two PCI-E slots?

Does it matter that my processors FSB is only 1066 and the stock BIOS FSB on the board is 1333?

Will i have to change out my PSU if i wanted to go with a card such as the 8800 which requires a 6 pin connector or do they make a converter for that too? (Pretty sure i will have to if i go sli thats if i can go that route)

 

[evongugg]

Make that memory 2GB:

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161229

The P5K has two PCI Express x16 slots, the blue one is routed to the northbridge’s 16 lanes and is at full speed all the time, the second slot coloured black runs off the southbridge at x4 speeds. While this isn’t the most ideal configuration for a balanced Crossfire setup, it works and if you want to run say two X1950s in Crossfire it’s perfect.

 

[evongugg]

I can recommend this case:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Does it matter that my processors FSB is only 1066 and the stock BIOS FSB on the board is 1333?

You can always run a lower speed without any problems.

 

[WR2]

No problem with the E7200 CPU and the motherboard.
Your P35 motherboard isn't SLI capable. It's a Crossfire (ATI) motherboard. For just $10 more I'd recommend the Biostar TForce TP45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138123

Not in love with your video card choice at all.
And you picked just 1 stick of DDR2 RAM and not the more usual 2GB kit of 2 sticks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

 

[evongugg]

I recommend you get a good power supply separately. It is the heart of your system and can take with it your entire investment:

Top Tier PSU:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460

Silent PSUs
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html

 

[evongugg]

Will i have to change out my PSU if i wanted to go with a card such as the 8800 which requires a 6 pin connector or do they make a converter for that too? (Pretty sure i will have to if i go sli thats if i can go that route)

Molex connectors should be included with the video card.

 

[Bonajokin]

No problem with the E7200 CPU and the motherboard.
Your P35 motherboard isn't SLI capable. It's a Crossfire (ATI) motherboard. For just $10 more I'd recommend the Biostar TForce TP45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138123

Not in love with your video card choice at all.
And you picked just 1 stick of DDR2 RAM and not the more usual 2GB kit of 2 sticks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

So this biostar motherboard supports SLI or is this just Crossfire too?

Make that memory 2GB:

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Took your advice and went with those sticks.

 

[mexpedip]

all the intel chipsets P45, X38, X48 etc support crossfire. If you want SLI you need a board with an nvidia chipset.

 

[WR2]

Considering your $500 overall budget something along these lines will give you the a good balance of performance and upgrade-ability:

C2D E2220 Allendale 2.4GHz $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116070
BIOSTAR TForce TP45 $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138123
HIS Radeon HD 3870 $125 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218
WINTEC AMPX 2GB $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161229
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 550 $60 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171025
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 case $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

The motherboard and PSU will allow you to setup 2x HD 3750 in Crossfire mode.
The E2200 2.4Ghz should be able to overclock near 3.0Ghz with the stock Intel heatsink & fan.

 

[WR2]

For Nvidia SLI option use the above but subsitute:
MSI P7N nForce 750i SLI MB $130 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130159
EVGA 8800 GT $140 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130359

You just need to be aware that many people are having issues with the 750/780 motherboards. Do your research carefully.

 

[WR2]

Just a bit over your budget ($512 after rebates) - a E7200 and single 8800GTS (G92) option:

C2D E7200 Wolfdale 2.53Ghz $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
BIOSTAR TForce TP43 $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138122
MSI 8800GTS (G92) $177 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325
WINTEC AMPX 2GB $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161229
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 case $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
Antec EA430 430W PSU $30 (after $30 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

As always check the tax (if any) and shipping charges plus hardware cost before rebates to make sure the total cost is comfortable.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Also, on the video card look at the superclocked version 8800gs, looks like a decent card, and I think newegg has an XFX version overclocked pretty high from the factory for like 90 bucks after the rebate. That's also giving you call of duty 4 if I'm not mistaken. Ought to kill that 8600 your looking at.

 

[flyin15sec]

How about this combo:

Go with an expensive PSU now. PSU prices do not change much, however CPU/Mobo/RAM/Video card prices do change alot. So it makes more sense to buy a real good PSU now, and get bottom feeder items for the rest.

PCP&C: 750 $149 : $119.99 /w rebate FREE Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

Motherboard EVGA 650i + E1200 $109.99 : $79.99 /w rebate
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3827864&CatId=1599

Cheapest HD4850 Video card: $199-$179

OCZ memory $43.99: $18.99 /w rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139

El Cheapo Case: $25 You'll find some at Newegg.

Grand Total: $527, you factor in Rebates and it is under $500.

 

[Bonajokin]

So if i went with an 8800 what dimensions do i need to fit that thing in there case wise? Or can someone point me to an el cheap preferably 30-39 bucks that it can fit in if possible?

 

[WR2]

Case choices $29-$38 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007%204025%201295819209&bop=And&Order=PRICE&CompareItemList=N82E16811233039%2CN82E16811233038%2CN82E16811233040%2CN82E16811233033%2CN82E16811233041%2CN82E16811233034%2CN82E16811233035%2CN82E16811233042

 

[flyin15sec]

So if i went with an 8800 what dimensions do i need to fit that thing in there case wise? Or can someone point me to an el cheap preferably 30-39 bucks that it can fit in if possible?

8800GT(S) can fit in just about any Mid tower ATX case. Just don't mount a drive near it.

If you're willing to spend an extra $30 or so. Check out this :
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0283272 only $47.99

Antec 300 case, well reviewed and would suffice more than a cheap no name brand. You won't have to replace this case at all.

EDIT***Plenty of reviews here: http://www.antec.com/us/info_reviewRst.php?Language=English&ProductFamily=Gamer+Cases&Region=%25&Submit=Submit#

 

[Bonajokin]

So even though the memory standard is 1066 on the Biostar mb it can still support the 800 standard ram with no problems? And it'll be just a little bit slower?

 

[WR2]

So even though the memory standard is 1066 on the Biostar mb it can still support the 800 standard ram with no problems? And it'll be just a little bit slower?

No problems at all!
Just a smidge slower and a very slight overclock on the CPU from 2.53 to 2.66Ghz. for example, would make up the difference in performance.

 

[Bonajokin]

Does that goes aswell for 667 standard too?

 

[WR2]

Pretty much.... the results will look something like this:

From XbitLabs Choosing the Right Memory for Core 2 Duo Platform - Part 1 http://xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/core2duo-memory-guide.html

 

[Bonajokin]

Ok WR2 i took your build advice and i'm getting everything except i changed to core 2 duo to a 2.4ghz and using the same MoBo and Ram. I changed the 8800 out to a 9600GT which i hear runs about neck and neck with the 8800GT and is cheaper than it and they are slower than the GTS but good enough for me, and same case and powersupply thanks for everyones help!

 

[WR2]

Go ahead and do a final shopping list and let everyone take a look at it. Right now Im not sure anyone can figure out what's on it.

 

[Bonajokin]

Final Decision:

BIOSTAR TForce TP43 $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138122

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161229

XFX GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150304

Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115032

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 case $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Antec EA430 430W PSU $30 (after $30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

Subtotal: $494.94
Grand Total: $524.15
After Rebates: $484.15

 

[Bonajokin]

But now the question is...... is vista worth going to for DX10 with the system im getting or should i stick to XP?