My friend needs help building a new PC

[shoby187]

Hey guys,

My friend wants to build the PC below. He is getting everything from Newegg. It doesn't look too bad to me although I wonder if he should go for a faster CPU is he is spending all of this money. Will it do alright playing things like Crysis?

Here is the link to his wishlist on newegg:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=8148111&WishListTitle=Derek's



Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail
Model #:BX80571E7200
Item #:N82E16819115052
Return Policyrocessors (CPUs) Return Policy
In Stock

$119.99 -$2.00 Save
1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04 - OEM
Model #:iHAS120-04
Item #:N82E16827106263
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$23.99
7 ASUS P5QL PRO LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS P5QL PRO LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #5QL PRO
Item #:N82E16813131329
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock

$94.99
7 Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply

Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply - Retail
Model #:EA650
Item #:N82E16817371015
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock

$99.99 -$30.00 Instant
7 Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3500320AS
Item #:N82E16822148288
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock

$79.99
21 Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N6/1G

Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N6/1G - Retail
Model #:KVR800D2N6/1G
Item #:N82E16820134634
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
Out Of Stock
Auto notify Auto-Notify

$19.69
7 BFG Tech BFGE98512GTXPOCE GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

BFG Tech BFGE98512GTXPOCE GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:BFGE98512GTXPOCE
Item #:N82E16814143149
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock

$199.99 -$5.00 Save
7 Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:Three Hundred
Item #:N82E16811129042
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$69.95 -$10.00 Instant

Thanks in advance for the help guys!

 

[knotknut]

The build looks good.

Three things you should consider.
1. More Ram. At least 4GB total DDR2 800
2. Better HSF like XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 and Retention bracket
2. E8400 if you can fit in another 40.00 over the E7200

 

[DANiMALxMD]

So is he building 7 of these, what is up with this wishlist? Im not sure whats going on here. Im assuming money is not an issue. Right now kinda sucks for building comps, cause of new cpu's,sockets,mobos, ddr3 etc on the horizon. I would go quad core to be somewhat future proof. DDR2 is so cheap, go atleast 2gb, or 4gb(with 64-bit OS). For better gaming performance, go for a raptor HDD in a raid array. I'd go with a better Motherboard as well. Again, i am not sure what is going on with all these parts. Tell him he needs to get an Operating System. Unless he already has one. Like knotknut said, go with an aftermarket cooler. As overclocking will be needed to play crisis.

 

[Shadow703793]

1. Swap the PSU to a PC Power & Cooling 610 or a Corsair 650TX. They are both the same price as the Antec PSU and imo, a bit better quality.

2. Don't get 1GB RAM DIMMs. Get 2*2GB DDR2 800 RAM.

3. Drop the 9800GTX+ and get a ATI 4850.

4. Consider getting a P45-DS3R so you can CrossFire later, providing that you get a 4850.

5. Consider getting 2*640GB WD AAKS drives in RAID.

6. For OCing, get a XIMATEK S1283 (+ bolt in kit).

Every thing else, (CPU, HDD, DVD) looks good.

 

[snakeeyesx11]

Hey Everyone,

First off thank you for the help and advice, it is all appreciated.

Shoby posted this for me. My goal is to get as much bang possible for my "buck" for a personal "budget" gaming rig. I'd like to try to keep things somewhere in the range of $700-$800ish as that is all I can afford to spend currently. I was under the belief that with this config the most RAM I could put in was 3 gigs but if I had the slots I would go with 4. Also for the record I am only building x1 PC for myself.

Towards the odd quantities with NewEgg, I have gone it and reset them but they have not fixed themselves ( I tried doing this before Shoby posted the up rig) so that is why the numbers are incorrect. Once again, I am only building 1 PC.

My overall goal is to build something that will work now and keep me free to play/run most things and that as time goes along I can upgrade if/when wanted/needed. I would really love to go Quad/DD3 but because of timing and a lack of $$$ I will probably end up with DD2 and a dual core.

Any and all advice/suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks once again,

-Derek

 

[Shadow703793]

My recommendations:

If really on a budget and willing to OC:
P35-DS3L (good OCing) $85
E2180/E2160 (OC easily to 3-3.25Ghz; upgrade later to E8x00 or better) $60-70
ATI 4850 $175-220
XIGMATEK S1283 (+ bolt in kit) $40
2*2GB DD2 800 $80
Corsair 650TX ($80 after MIR, good quality) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair%2b650TX

Total cost for above parts: $~450

That leaves ~$50 for HDD and DVD RW,etc. on a $500 budget. Since you have a higher budget you can get a better CPU, more RAM,etc.

With the extra money:

Get a E7200/E8400 or if doing video editing,etc get a Q6600/Q9450.

WD 640GB AKKS HDD

If you want to CrossFire get a P45-DS3R or even better a X48-DS4 or a ASUS Rampage Formula (the DDR2 version).

 

[snakeeyesx11]

So right now I have this picked out... What do you guys think I should change out or modify? Do I need a better motherboard? Also can this system handle 4 gigs of RAM? Why would it be worth going with an ATI card vs. Nivida? Is there anything minor I can do to shave $50 bucks or so off the build? [shipping and tax hurt =( ]

With all rebates, it comes out to $825 minus tax & shipping.

Thanks again for all the help,

-Derek

Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $60

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $80

BFG Tech BFGE98512GTXPOCE GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $200

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail $90

x4 Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N6/1G - Retail $80

ASUS P5QL PRO LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $95

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail $170

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $27

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04 - OEM $25

 

[Shadow703793]

The Antec 300, 7200.11 HDD, Corsair PSU, E8400, S1283 (remember to get the bolt in kit for this), DVD RW, and the P5QL looks good.

Again I recommend you get a 4850 and 2*2GB DDR2 800 RAM.

 

[snakeeyesx11]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=8977606&WishListTitle=Derek's

There's a new list for some of the things I've changed around (Hard drive, added in the 4850.)

A few questions... How many bolts do I need for the S1283? Also What's the main difference between x4 1GB DDR2 800 RAM and 2*2GB DDR2 800 RAM as you have recommended? Can this build use 4 GB total ram? Also, I am fairly Motherboard ignorant, is the Mobo I have selected up to par for the system I will be running? And last, what is the main benefit of adding in the S1283, does it just keep things that much cooler and running efficiently?

Thanks again for taking the time to help =)

-Derek

 

[snakeeyesx11]

It will not let me edit my message so...

*Edit* Would http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 fit into my system and work along with being a better decision? (x2 2GB DDR2 800)

 

[Shadow703793]

1. It doesn't really matter if its 4*1GB or 2*2GB you will still get 4GB. BUT, 2*2GB is easier to run since it usually doesn't need very high voltages. For 4*1GB DDR2 800 you usually need about 2.2-2.3v in my experience and running 2*2GB allows for more RAM later on. The 2*2GB Mushkin RAM is good and you won't need to mess with the RAM voltages. Also to use ALL 4GB you need a 64bit OS.

2. The XIGMATEK S1283 bolt in kit comes with every thing you need. Just make sure it fits in the Antec 300 though. It's a pretty big cooler. It is one of the best coolers on the market for the price. It's ranked #2 on Frostytech. It's mainly for OCing but it keeps the CPU cooler than the stock even when not OCed.

3. The ASUS P5QL is a good P43 motherboard although I prefer P45/X48 that motherboard should do you well.

 

[snakeeyesx11]

Shadow thanks for all the help. It has been much appreciated.

This is my final build http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10314108&WishListTitle=Derek's

Only question and this is open to all is... Do I need a different case? The videocard is going to be big along with the cooling etc, is it all going to fit in my case? Also if not what case for a similar price should I go for?

Thanks once again to everyone,

-Derek

 

[Shadow703793]

The case looks fine every thing else looks good. Good luck with the build!

Quick question: Who's actually building it, as in physically assembling it you or shoby187?

 

[snakeeyesx11]

Hey Shadow,

Shoby will be assembling it. I used to build computer like 7-10ish years ago and am super rusty. I want someone who is currently in the know to do it =) I will post when it is complete and running. For the record I will be running XP on it.

Thanks again for the help Shadow,

-Derek

 

[Shadow703793]

Good luck.

Forgot to mention: If looking for quiet fans look at Yate Loon and Scyth fans .