Tom's Hardware: Topic Building a new pc ($800-$1000)
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MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131295
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037
GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102747
PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148262
DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135172
Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021
Thermal compound http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186020
CPU cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134
Total 812 w/o mail in rebates 782 w/ MIR.
Anyone know any better parts that cost a similar amount? Don't want to exceed 1000 if I can help it.
Should i just get the c2d 8500? Is it worth it to get a sound card, does it really make that much difference?
This is only $800 right now, and so I'll probably go with the c2d 8500 and a CF support MB. But what case and PSU should I get in that situation?
Here's my build that has an X48 mobo so you can CF later. It's better than P45. The mobo's bios doesn't detect USB keyboards the first time so I included a PS2 keyboard. After rebates, it's all under $1000. http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] er=8291612
I'd prefer a faster dual core than a slower quad. Unless suggested otherwise, with support of course not just "get a quad."
Well it'll be better in the long run. Soon applications will start taking advantage of all the cores, especially with Intel's prices on Nehalem. The E8400 costs the same as the Q6600, you can just swap them out if you're still not convinced. It won't affect the rest of the build.
Alright, what about the power supply, case, and mobo? Here's another config for $950. https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] D=11914467
(changed the cpu to 8500 and the mobo to a CF support)
if your really concerned about 3-4 fps in gaming id say you dont need a soundcard...the sound diffference IS legible, going from onboard sound to a audigy zs is imo a big difference. or if you plan on using midi.
but in gaming it offloads the onboard cpu audio work to your pci sound card for extra fps.
I dont follow any rules I just throw everything in the case.
Reply to colonelblake
Alright, how much would this Audigy zs run me?
onboard is good enough
Before I head off for the night, need some comparable PSU, case, and MB. Also, does anyone know of a similar CPU cooler for around the same price. Preferably not one that is gigantic. How about ram? (2x 2gb ddr2 preferably)
Message edited by mark $ on 07-22-2008 at 07:46:09 AM
you havent really said what you plan on doing with this computer yet.
I dont follow any rules I just throw everything in the case.
Reply to colonelblake
Some gaming and some entertainment, not hardcore or else I'd be getting a high clocked quad with 4850x2 or waiting for the 4870x2. Just want a decent gaming rig that can be upgraded in the future easily enough.
Probably OC it a bit, around 3.6ghz or so.
Message edited by mark $ on 07-22-2008 at 08:25:20 AM
A nice PSU I just found out about is the Corsair 650W one. $90 after rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
this one is 80. Is it a good psu or should I stick with the 750 for more longevity and OC?
It's good but if you want to upgrade and OC a lot you probably should go with a 750W. If you want, you can spend $30 more for the PC Power and Cooling Silencer Quad but I think that 750W Corsair is fine. They both have single rails, so that's a plus. I just wish they made a good single rail PSU with modular cabling.
Yeah, modular is nice and keeps everything nice and neat. Is this the PSU? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341011
If so it's a good $40 more while they have more of less the same amperage.
Yeah, a lot of people like it more for stability in OC'ing. I guess there are things that don't show up on the specs but I think the Corsair will be fine.
Alright, good to know about the PSU.
Here's the system atm. (it's a little bit more than I was hoping to spend, but I'll just wait another week to get some more money)
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] D=11914467
See anything that could be changed?
Message edited by mark $ on 07-22-2008 at 09:37:50 PM
Well you have an 8800GT and a 4850. I'd stick with the 4850. The Asus 4850 is cheaper after rebate.
You have 5 things of thermal paste. Just making sure you didn't do it accidentally.
You have 2 processors, and you might consider the E8500 I think it's only a little bit more.
Your DVD drive doesn't burn. Here's a good burner with lightscribe i found: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136147
For the price of your mobo, you can get this X48: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336 You just have to wait 'til it's in stock.
Nice choice on the RAM.
You can lower the price by getting rid of that 8800 GT and second CPU. If you want to order now and not wait for the X48-DS4 to be back in stock you'll be fine. Also make sure the cooler fits in the case.
I don't see any 8800 and only have the one Arctic MX-2 cooling compound. (is the wishlist called "intel"?) Thanks for the heads up on the DVD drive. Should i switch to that Gigabyte board? I like gigabye. Seem to have cheap products for decent quality.
In the gigabyte reviews someone mentioned they have the same case and with this mb the PSU cords have to lay across the GPU. Is this an issue or merely aesthetically unappealing?
Message edited by mark $ on 07-22-2008 at 09:56:44 PM
It must ahve been a bug, I see your normal wishlist now. Yeah, I'd switch to the Gigabyte. It's an upgrade to X48 from X38 for the same price.
Alright thanks donuts. So the only other problem would be making sure it'll all fight correctly? How exactly would I figure this out without ordering it and finding out the hard way?
You're welcome. Well with a dual core, I read the cooler covers up one of the ram slots, but that doesn't matter becasue you can use the other three, and you only need two. I just googled it, and the cooler does in fact fit in the antec 900. Everything else shouldn't be any trouble.
Oh here's the Asus 4850. It's the cheapest after rebate at $158.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121253
Saved me a couple bucks 
I keep getting bugs with your wishlist, are you going with the Q6600 or the E8400?
I'm thinking the E8400 for now, unless you really think the Q6600 would be a more longevity proof cpu.
It's up to you and what you plan to do. The E8400 is better for gaming because of the higher clock. It's also a lower price. The Q6600 will probably be better for multitasking and when applications start taking advantage of quad cores, you'll have one. They're both good choices. If you want to save money on the case, check out this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137
It has e-sata and an external 3.5" drive bay in case you want to add a floppy or memory card reader. Plus, it's only $80. The 900 is a great case too, though, with excellent cooling.
Edit: nvm, the 900 has a 5.25 to 3.5 converter too, so it's really e-sata and $40 less vs better cooling and that same price. Although potentially, the cooler master might have better cooling. It has room for 6 or 7 120mm fans, not exactly sure, and one 80mm fan.
Message edited by thepowerofdonuts on 07-22-2008 at 10:30:49 PM
I was actually just looking at that case right before you posted. Hehe. I just may go with the Q6600 because quads have been around for a good while now and we'll probably be seeing them being put to use more in a short while.
Case: I think the Cooler master is a great case, with good space and cooling. The only thing I like about the 900 more than it is the looks (I'm a sucker). While the cooler master has the PSU up top, which is really strange about the 900...
I'm hoping applications will start taking advantage of quads soon. Intel is pushing them, pricing their first line of Nehalem (Bloomingfield or something) really competitively. They'll have a $2XX 2.66, $5XX 2.93, and a $999 3.2 or something. For launch prices these are really low. These are the prices of the current CPU's, which have already had price drops.
Wow that's very cheap. What impact do you think they'll have on the Q6600? Perhaps I should wait untill they come out and get a 4870 instead with a better cheaper quad cpu?
Well they won't be out 'til later this year. I'm guessing November, but I have no reason to think that. It's just a wild guess. It depends on how soon you want to build this. The Nehalem won't be supported by current mobo's, so you'll have to get a new X58 mobo too. I'm not sure if those X58's will support DDR2. I know they'll have better support for DDR3. It might cost more even if the CPU is the same price.
But won't they push the kent/york fields down in price since they'll have better ones for the same price? Or do you think they'll just raise the MB price and make up for it there?
Well the price difference will only be like $50 if I wait till then, and it's a couple months away... I'll probably just stick with the Q6600 and order it in a couple weeks and get my bank account ready for a large drop.
I don't know. Hopefully they do drop the prices. That'll be an even bigger push. Not only would they have new technology at the prices current ones are, but they'll have slightly older technology that's affordable for a lot more people.
Alright, so you think I'm set to order when that parts in or should I look for a different case maybe?
Nah, the Antec 900 is fine if you like it. I just like the Cooler Master for the price and room.
Oh forgot to ask, how much of an oc can I expect from the q6600 with this?
I don't know, google Antec 900 and Q6600 and S1283 and see what people are getting.
Kk, a quick look through gave me a 3.0-3.4 ghz range with stable temps without changing the voltage.
Quick question, do you think the Q9450 would be worth the price increase?
Depends what you're doing. I think I read it's a lot better for video encoding and editing but I'm not sure.
Alright, I think I'll pass on the 9450 then.
If you're gonna overclock, I think the Q6700 is worth it. It has a higher multiplier so it'll be easier to OC.
Alright, good to know. I'll probably go with the Antec 900 simply because since I'm already spending this much on it I might as well get a nice looking case with some LED.
Actually, what do you think of this case?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133132
Message edited by mark $ on 07-23-2008 at 07:49:34 AM
It's okay. If I was choosing between that and the Antec, I'd probably go with the Antec, if only fo r the looks. I just think it's better designed.
Which one's better designed? The cooler master with an upper PSU slot and cord management?
Message edited by mark $ on 07-23-2008 at 08:08:05 AM
No, I think the Antec is in my opinion. I think bottom mounted PSU's are a good idea. If you have one that exhaust through the back, top is better, but if not, and a lot of them don't now, having larger fans on the top instead of the back, it's a good idea to have them mounted at the bottom. Especially in that Antec, with the giant exhaust fan at the top. I'm pretty sure the Antec has some kind of cable management system. Plus, it just looks better, and the cooling is great, even though it's quiet.
Alright, thanks for all the help donuts. You've been an immense help, I'll send you a message when I order it.
Sure, no problem. I'm glad I could help you.
I'm sorry to bother you again, but wondering how much better the Q6700 is with OCing. Can I expect a much better speed/temp ratio worth the $100 more?
What I mean is that for the same price difference I can get an HD 4870 graphics card.
Message edited by mark $ on 07-23-2008 at 10:02:37 AM
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