Rate my build Sub $550

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M

monsterman

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Nov 12, 2008
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Would like to stay under $550 but everyone goes over that by a few bucks. This system will be used for playing mostly mmo's and will need the capability of lasting 4 years including replacement parts and upgrades. Keep in mind this will be on a 22-24" lcd
For example, this build should last 2 years until I upgrade to a quad core and faster ram and better video card. But the motherboard will need to survive.

Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188037 $135
EVGA nforce 780i sli

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132 $120
Intel E7300 2.66 ghz 3mb l2 cache`

Video- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130416 $185
EVGA 9800 gtx+ (can do tri sli for future upgrade :)
Open to new idea's

Memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 $65
Corsair 4 gb ddr2 800

OS - http://cdsfu.com/index.php?categoryID=87 $65
Windows XP sp2 32 bit

I currently have:
500 gb seagate barracuda 7200 rpm hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288
600 watt OCZ power supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010
I also have a case thats old but will hold off on the upgrade until later.
I also have a crappy dvd player.
I am purchasing a 22-24" lcd monitor with a budget of $250. (open to suggestions, prefer used)

but the hardware comes to $525 with rebates and plenty of room to upgrade.
NOTE: will i need additional cooling for cpu or video card?
 
shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt

Glorious
Apr 1, 2008
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Your build was looking good until "Windows XP sp2 32 bit". A 32-bit OS can't use all 4GB of RAM, especially since you're considering tri SLI. Step up to the plate and get 64-bit Vista, you won't regret it.

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

I personally would avoid a Nvidia chipset motherboard and pick up a nice P45 crossfire motherboard and HD4850 GPU. Nvidia chipsets are pretty flakey and the 4850 outperforms the 9800GTX+ in most benchmarks.

Take a look at this board. It's an awesome overclocker and isn't recertified like the EVGA board.

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-13-128-358-_-Homepage&guid=28e23a828ae049b990b0a9ec48cbc426 $136.99 -$20.00 MIR
 
topper743

topper743

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Dec 6, 2007
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The motherboard and PSU in not a good place to skimp on your system. The e7300 is not going to power a tri-sli system. One 9800gtx+ and one e7300 will make for a nice system. Why not a e8400 instead? Take a look at this article.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-graphics-overclocking,2085.html

Also this one.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/system-builder-marathon,2050.html

Take special notice of the comments about the uber system. Tri sli is not ready for prime time, it just doesn't scale that well. Get the best motherboard you can afford, it's the foundation of your system. Get the best cpu you can afford. Get the best GPU you can afford. The 9800 gtx+ is a good one. It will play all the games you want at the 19x12 res of a 24' monitor at or nearly the higest levels coupled with a good cpu. The builders articles should give you a few recommendations to go on. The e8400 it $165 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=34&name=CPUs-Processors
 
Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
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For MMOs, even a single 4850 is considerably more than is needed, but would be future-resistant. The 9800GTX+ is similar.
As much grief as I've read about nVidia chipset boards, I'd also choose a P45.
 
M

monsterman

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Nov 12, 2008
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New build based on commentary

Motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-13-128-358-_-Homepage&guid=28e23a828ae049b990b0a9ec48cbc426 $137
Gigabyte overclocker 1333 DDR2 ram speeds

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
Intel E8400 - $164

CPU cooler- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134&Tpk=Arctic%20Cooling%20Freezer%207%20Pro $27

Video Card- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770 sapphire 512 mb 4850 $150

Memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 Gamer memory 4gb ddr2 800 $50

OS - http://cdsfu.com/index.php?categoryID=87 $65 WinXP pro sp2
i think there is a way for me to have xp recognize all 4 gb.

This brings the total to ~ $590
overclocking capabilities are high and I will be overclocking. How is this
 
C

chuccck

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Jan 12, 2008
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much better. I was on the fence between the Gigabyte UD3P and the Asus P5Q Pro. Just came down to which Newegg bundles worked for me.

You may want to check this article out though:
Top Heatsinks

might as well get one of the best for $10-$15 more and not have to worry about it.
 
topper743

topper743

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Dec 6, 2007
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That build looks pretty good. How much additional would a hd 4850 or a hd 4870 with 1gb of mem set you off your budget? The additional mem may or may not give improved performance at 19x12 res, probably depends on the specific game. I would go with the 1gb on card mem if it were me. Here is a link to Tom's latest "best vc review":

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Best-Graphics-Card,2033-4.html

Your PSU has two 6 prong pcie power plugs I would think. You need to check that out if you would ever want to Xfire, the 4850 only needs one plug, the 4870 needs 2. Tom's likes the hd4850 they especiality like them in crossfire for performance and value. As jtt stated above the 4850 should work well for you and if in the future you wanted to add another all the better.

One additional thing on the memory, get a set of the 2x2gb that you are looking at and get a name brand on sale. Windows will only register 3.3 or so but it all gets used and get the lowest latency you can numbers like 4-4-4-12. DON'T get 3gb, get either 2x1gb or 2x2gb of DDR2 mem
 
Shadow703793

Shadow703793

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Feb 3, 2007
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Much better than the original one. Just swap out the Freezer Pro to the XIGMATEK S1283 + bolt in kit. Also consider getting a E5200 and OCing that if you are on a tight budget. You can upgrade later when the prices for the current gen drops (due to Core i7)
 
A

Amg

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Aug 17, 2008
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aye unless your feeling lucky ditch the nvidia chipset, they misbhave even wehn you do get them working so a nice solid P45 chipset would be nice and it will be cheaper ;)
 
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