Am I missing something about this barebone?

[csuich2]

Everything in this barebone kit looks great for what I want, but I'm kinda confused about the processor. A Pentium D EE 965...which costs $200? I thought this processor was a step below C2D and C2Q, so why does it cost more when, according to the processor charts, it is slower? Am I wrong in that notion? Would this be a decent rig to play games on?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4630619&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#productresources

 

[o1die]

Check pricewatch for accurate pricing on older cpus. Tigerdirect is clearing out old inventory. That system may work fine for you. Last year, I found a compaq celeron pc for $199 at Fry's anniversary sale, which only lasts one day in May. I will be checking out the deals again this year. If you are confident in your own building abilities, I would also check out the "for sale" section in this and anandtech. You might pick up some deals and get some newer stuff. Your setup doesn't include a video card, perhaps the most important item for gaming. I would check newegg for 4850 deals; they also had a sapphire 3850 for only $40 after rebate. Fry's has the amd am3 710 with biostar motherboard for $129.99 this week, an outstanding deal.

 

[csuich2]

Yeah, I am still debating on which card I want, and have built computers before, I just didn't know if that processor is worth purchasing at all, or if that system is a waste of money because of the cpu.

 

[Proximon]

The CPU is actually worth maybe 30 bucks.

The NVidia chipset is an older one and not popular because of some issues.

The cheap Ultra PSU is questionable at best.... The only modern Ultra PSUs that are worthwhile are the X3s... but those cost too much.

The case doesn't really look very well cooled, although it seems large enough.

The RAM is OK.

For 400 bucks I can put together a far better parts list:

BFG 550W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702008&Tpk=LS-550

Antec 300 case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=Antec%20300

Gigabyte UD3P MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

E7400 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206&Tpk=E7400

G.Skill PI Black 4GB 800mhz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

I think that's about 400 after rebates. Just downgrade to an E5200 if you like.

 

[daship]

The CPU is junk. I got a nice new Q6600@3.2 complete system with windows and 4g ddr3 ram for sale, if you want pm me for specs price. $200 more then the barebones ur looking at.

 

[megamanx00]

That's because that's the best CPU you can use on some older LGA 775 boards that do not support the C2D. It's an o.k chip, but there is really no point in buying it unless it's the best your current board can do. For the same $200 you can get a decent P45 board, an E5200, and a decent aftermarket cooler that will wipe the floor with that old pentium with both overclocked.