New e5200 build with some existing parts

audiofx

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Nov 4, 2007
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Please check my specs for this budget gaming build. Going to be used to WoW, COD5, and possibly FarCry2. I guess I am up in the air on the MB and RAM. Going to try some OCing but planning on using the stock fan at first. I'm ready to purchase and want to make sure everything looks cool.

CASE: Antec Three Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372

CPU: Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

RAM: G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) (4 GB total)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231121

Harddrive: Western Digital 250GB SATA
Already have from another computer

GPU: EVGA 8800GT
Already have from another computer

 

audiofx

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I am going to run stock to see how well my games run and then OC from there if necessary. I am getting the retail CPU so I will get a stock fan included.

Does the PSU look good or should I get something better if I'm going to be OCing in the future?

Also, any better choices for MB? I basically randomly picked the one above. I could not find any threads on the all around best.
 

xthekidx

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Dec 24, 2008
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The 400CX should be alright, but a little more would probably be preferable if you will overclock. The MB you picked is decent, I would probably go with either a step up or a step down from that model though, as you won't really lose anything taking a step down and taking a step up you get a few more features that are nice, as well as better overclocking. This is the step up from that board: GA-EP45-UD3R, the step down would be: GA-EP43-UD3L. I would encourage you to OC, your games will see a benefit from it, but that is up to you.
 

audiofx

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Thanks for the input! I've decided to go with the step up motherboard you suggested as well as new ram and power supply.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145214

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Now I'm wondering if my processor is too low :( . I wanted this build to be around $300 but I'm already at the $415 mark!
 

xthekidx

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Dec 24, 2008
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That ram is overpriced, DDR2 800 is plenty for LGA 775, DDR2 1066 doesn't help speed the system up at all. Go with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

That PSU is excellent.

Just stay with the E5200 and get a decent CPU cooler for it. Overclocking is really very easy, its only when you go for really high levels that it gets difficult. If you were to overclock to like 3.6ghz with the E5200 it would be easy, and there would be a ton of people here willing to help you figure it out as well. At 3.6ghz you would be outperforming the much more expensive Core 2's like the E8500 with a $70 chip.
 

audiofx

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I switched the ram to the GSkill and will order. Thanks for all the help. I'm going to pickup up the CPU cooler too.
 

dmv915

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I'd actually go with the ddr2 1066, if you plan on running a high fsb low muliti oc versus an inferior low fsb high multi oc