Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > New build. Been 4 years since I looked at hardware

New build. Been 4 years since I looked at hardware

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - New build. Been 4 years since I looked at hardware

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
lightdodger   10-01-2008 at 08:01:32 AM

Well title says it all. I had no idea where to start, what with all the SLI, Crossfire, x-Core and what-have-you. So I asked a few friends and got some tips, then darted to newegg and came up with this:


XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811103010
Mainly for the looks. I doubt the hardware I am getting will require a full size case.

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Replacing GA-P35-DS3L, with dynamic energy saver
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337
I hear Gigabyte is a good brand but motherboards specs are Chinese to me.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017
I missed the whole x-Core train but I assume more = better :D

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136098
I know some hard drives are better but as long as it holds data I'll be good.

SeaSonic M12II SS-500GM 500W ATX12V 2.2 /EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151056
Power worried me, cause I have no idea how much anything draws now-a-days.

EVGA 640-P2-N829-AR GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
EVGA SSC Edition overclocked at 576MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130317
Came highly recommended by many. So I assume that's good.

G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231119
Sorta like hard drives, I know some ram is better but no idea how.

My budget is mutable, but under 900 would be great. Under 800(which I think it sits at now) is better. My main concern is buying something bad, or compatible. But as you may have guessed I am a novice at this.

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
dozer63   10-01-2008 at 08:38:08 AM
- 0 +

Looks good except the 8800gts 640mb video card. Old versions if getting an 8800gts get the 512mb version. Think about an ati 4850 video card. Aslo gskill is good memory but go for ddr2 800.

Reply to dozer63
dozer63   10-01-2008 at 08:49:54 AM
- 0 +

Here something that would be a lot better for a video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130339
Stay away from that 8800gts 640mb at that price

Reply to dozer63
dirtmountain   10-01-2008 at 08:55:08 AM
- 1 +

The P35 are being phased out and replaced by the newer P45s. It's an extra $15, but a move i think is worthwhile to a Gigabyte EP P45 DS3L at $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337
a better choice for graphic card would be a HD4850 at $150. it's faster than the older G80 8800GTS 640MB by a pretty good margin...and actually cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770
if you really want to stay with the Geforce graphic card then get a 8800GTS 512 or a 9800GT + which is actually faster then the 8800GTS 640. (gotta love Nvidias naming scheme)
I'd highly recommend you go with 2x1 GB of DDR2 800 RAM (dual channel is faster) instead of a single stick of 2GB, or even better go with 2x2 GB of RAM of DDR2 800
This RAM if you go with 2x1 GB kit at $36 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146118
or this RAM if you go with 2x2 GB kit $63 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731
Operating system i'd recommend Vista home premium 64 unless you still want/have XP Pro
CD/DVD burner go with SATA


Message edited by dirtmountain on 10-01-2008 at 08:57:47 AM
Reply to dirtmountain
gators1223   10-01-2008 at 09:08:03 AM
- 0 +

i would second the 4850, but my 8800gts 512 is holding up fine so if you find a really cheap one...
and get 4gigs of ram if you are going to use vista

Reply to gators1223
lightdodger   10-01-2008 at 06:18:20 PM
- 0 +

Awesome thanks for all of your help! You guys rock! After going over your suggestions I redid most of the spec with your suggestions and some other deals I found on newegg.

Case + PSU Combo(Xclio + Q6600) $309
PSU (Xclio 500W) $60
Hard drive(320GB Westen Digital) $60
Mobo(EP45) $90
RAM(4GB mushkin) $60
Graphics(4850) $150

Shipped sits just under 850. So once again thanks for all the help. Any other suggestions or comments, please leave them. Still a day or two before I buy it all :D


Reply to lightdodger
gators1223   10-03-2008 at 03:05:30 AM
- 0 +

you should rethink that power supply this would probably be better and is only a little more expensive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371015

Reply to gators1223
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > New build. Been 4 years since I looked at hardware
Go to:

There are 1224 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.559 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them