~$700 build, what am I missing?

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

Hey, first post. Great resources here! Last time I built a PC I used wayyy inferior sites. I've gone over a lot of part recommendations so hopefully my build just needs some fine tuning.

My computing needs: Gaming, Computation (mostly matlab, python, sql. I have a good grasp of my requirements here, so focus mostly on the gaming)

My build desires: ballpark $700, intel (prefer clockspeed to cores within reason), nvidia(gpGPU), pci x16 2.0, no SLI, ddr2, no OC plans. I will be running xp 64 bit.

Putative build:
Case: $75 : Cool Mast RC-690 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
PSU: $41 : Thermaltake 430W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023
MOBO: $80 : ASRock P43Twins1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157130
CPU: $165 : Core2 E8400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
HDD: $75 : WD6400AAKS : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
RAM: $70 : 2x2 G.Skill black DDR2 800 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209
GPU: $180 : BFG 8800 GTS 512MB : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143119
CPU FAN: $10 : Masscool 80mm : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150083
DVD+/- RW: $24 : LG SATA : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149
Artic S 5 : $6 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Total: $726

What do you think? That's all I'm planning on buying, so if there's anything I've forgotten, let me know. The most recent change was from 8 to 4GB of memory and using the extra 70 in the GPU. I'd say my major remaining concern is with the motherboard, making sure it is compatible with the pieces and of reasonable quality.

Thanks for your thoughts!

x_2fast4u_x · Oct 24, 2008

well the $6 for the thermal silver compund is a MASSIVE waste if ur just gonna put it on that mascool, just throw on some regular thermal geese

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

lol, ok thanks

cruiseoveride · Oct 24, 2008

Buy a case that comes with a PSU for a budget build. Especially if you are going to buy a 430Watt PSU. You are not going to get much overclock out of anything. Be warned.

shortstuff_mt · Oct 24, 2008

You can get an Antec 300 case and Antec 550W PSU in a bundle deal for $81.98.

Take some of the money saved and upgrade the GPU. $180 is a HUGE ripoff for that card. To bad you're set on Nvidia. The 4850 walks circles around the previous generation 8800 GTS for less money.

HIS Hightech H485F512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161235 $164.99 - $30 MIR

The 9800GTX+ is the Nvidia card meant to compete with the 4850.

EVGA 512-P3-N873-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130376 $189.99 - $30 MIR

The 4850 is a much better deal IMO. Don't let bias make your decision for you. Look at the benchmarks for the games you plan on playing and get what performs best regardless of brand.

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

Thanks for the great recommendations shortstuff. I love the antec case and psu, they've got a lot of different psu options but I think I'm going to go with the 430w earthwatts one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006 based on the reviews, same $82 price point.

The main reason I was wanting nvidia is to utilize some cuda tools, but if there's a big enough performance gap I'm open to ATI... I'm going to look at benchmarks and prices some more. Thanks to the antec case my new GPU price point is ~215

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

Hmm so I was dead off on the graphics card, lol. I was looking at the benchmarks for an SLI setup on the 8800 GTS, and even then it's comparable to the 4850 (as you kindly pointed out.)

I'm debating between the 4850 and 4870 right now, I can just remote desktop to work for any cuda work.

shortstuff_mt · Oct 24, 2008

What resolution will you be gaming at? Check out the FPS for the games you will be playing here to make a good decision:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

shortstuff_mt :

1280x1024 or less...I looked at a lot of benchmarks on relevant games and for those lower settings there was almost not difference between 4870 and 4850, definitely not $100 worth. So it looks like 4850 is definitely the way to go for price/performance ratio

shortstuff_mt · Oct 24, 2008

It's looking pretty good.

I don't know about that ASRock motherboard. I would go with Asus or Gigabyte. I've had very good luck with Gigabyte boards lately.

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347&Tpk=ga-ep43-ds3l $86.99

I also don't know if that CPU cooler would even be any better than the stock Intel one.

That G-Skill RAM looks nice. If you consider the MIR, you could save a little with this if you need to.

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $67.99 -$20.00 MIR

Edit: ATI recommends a 450W or higher PSU for the 4850. Check out the bundled deals with the Antec 300. You can get a 550W PSU for the same price as the 430W. The 430W PSU is nice, but you might as well give yourself a little breathing room.

Salain · Oct 24, 2008

Thanks again for the help.

Ok did some more research

PSU - good call, I had some reservations about the lower priced 550W power supply's quality, but they've got a better version as a different combo for an additional $20. I don't mind paying a little extra for reliability http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

MOBO - The other board I had been considering was the asus with the same approx specs (P5QL), but I had overlooked the gigabyte board because the ratings looked lower. On further review, it looks like the gigabyte has far better comments than the asus. Looks like you've made another good recommendation!

CPU cooler - Still not sure on this one. I'm not going to overclock, so will there be any harm in going with stock cooling? My two priorities are ease of fan installation and longevity. I'm currently considering either stock cooling, the masscool at $10, or this rosewill that's $20 when bundled with cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200026

Other case fans - Other people mention that they buy 120mm fans to go in front of the antec 300 case, should I do that?

RAM - hmm that is a nice MIR...I'm going to think about that one over lunch.

shortstuff_mt · Oct 24, 2008

You should be OK using the stock Intel cooler. A lot of noobs seem to have problems installing it, but if you read the instructions and install it out of the case you should be fine. If you can read instructions there isn't any reason it will give you any trouble.

The extra 120mm fans for the front of the 300 will help with HD cooling, but are not absolutely necessary. I would try it without the extra fans to start. You can always add them later if your temps are a little high.

Salain · Oct 25, 2008

shortstuff_mt · Oct 25, 2008

You can add another 4GB of RAM if you want, but it's not necessary. Four sticks of RAM are harder on a motherboard than two. You just need to be aware of this. Sometimes you have to loosen the timings or raise the voltage a little to make everything run stable. You also may need to raise some motherboard voltages.

For example - I originally built my computer about a year and a half ago with 2GB of RAM. I came across a good deal on the same kit, so I bought it. I ran the original 2GB at 4-4-4-10 timings and 2.0v. I had to raise the timings to 5-4-4-12 at 2.1v to get the four sticks to run stable. Your experience may differ, but that's what happened to me.

I don't see where you mention what OS you will be running. You're aware you will need a 64-bit OS to recognize 4GB+ right? I highly suggest 64-bit Vista Home Premium for $100.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

Salain · Oct 25, 2008

Hmmm interesting point on the memory, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't help me much so I'll probably save the money for a new monitor.

I have a copy of win xp 64 that I'll be using.

Going to go ahead and order now

Thanks a ton for your assistance, I'll try to hang around and share the love for awhile.

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