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How is this configuration for under $600?

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$180 Processor - Q9400
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0301968
-------------
$95 Memory - DDR3 6 GB -
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0302096
-------------
$115 Motherboard - Intel DP45SG
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0299680
-------------
$70 WD - 500gb 7200rpm 32mb cache - WD5001AALS
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digi [...] 977&sr=8-1
OR
$80 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0311323
-------------
$30 Coolmax M-500B 500 Watt ATX 12V Power Supply
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0292766
-------------
$55 MSI N95GT-MD512-OC GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] C8Junction
-------------
$40 Cooler Master Elite 332 ATX Mid Tower Case
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0305922
-------------
Total = ~$600

Please suggest me if this looks good or if I need to reconfigure it.. Also, am I getting good deals, or can I get any better prices on any of them?

Thanks!

Add a reply

Why are you getting 6GB of RAM? Are you planning to use a 64-bit OS? Also, consider another motherboard, just not Intel. Maybe the Asus P5NE would be better.

Reply to j29ville

I don't think Intel motherboards overclock . And I don't think that the Q9400 can run tri channel DDR3 RAM. Only the Core i7. Correct me if I'm wrong guys

Reply to AKM880

^ Yes you are right about the Intel mobos and the RAM...

Though that intel board has DDR3, intel CPUs will not take advantage of those DDR3 speed except i7...

And bonstubon, what will you be using the PC for ?

Reply to gkay09

Change the Mobo to this...
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0301083

RAM to this...
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0276536

And invest in a good case and power supply...
It is a 380W PSU but is far better than that Coolmax 500W and is 80+ certified...
Or there is a 430W PSU, which would be about $10 or $15 more and can handle GTS 250 or 4850 easy...
But if the PC is not for gaming, then the 380W is more than suffice and is the best option...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.193754

Reply to gkay09

Wow, I was defintely underestimating this forum; foa, thanks a lot!

@all
ddr3 & q9400 - agreed, but can i get a 6gb + Corei7 + any normal MB under 600?

Also, I am not into overclocking, and i will not use the system for gaming, I run multiple jobs.. and I was initially interested in a larger number of cores and hence, i built everything around the q9400..

@gkay09
combo deal is awesome, thanks bro!

So my new Config:

$100 Antec 300 + Antec EA430 PSU
$80 SAMSUNG HD103UJ 1TB 7200RPM 32MBCache
$55 MSI N95GT-MD512-OC GeForce 9500 GT 512MB

Now, I have less than $400 .. and I need processor+mb+memory, I have two options:

1 - please suggest if i can get a core i7 based system.. or i thinking im asking too much..

2- i go with - Q9400 + INTEL or ASUS + 4GB DDR2 (Titanium XTC Edition)

Thanks again!

Reply to bonstubon

Well yes you can get i7 + Mobo + 6GB under $600...

CPU + RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.192479

Mobo
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R

Total - $553
And has $30 in rebates...

Message edited by gkay09 on 05-26-2009 at 02:40:23 PM

Reply to gkay09

core i7 needs over $600 just for the mobo, CPU and ram.

also Q9400's aren't worth it, save your cash and go with a 940 BE and a motherboard with a 780G chipset then run off of integrated graphics. It will be more powerful CPU wise because the 940 has a higher clock and handles cache better.

Reply to Helloworld_98

^ Well no he doesnt...
Just had posted the options...

Reply to gkay09

- please suggest if i can get a core i7 based system.. or i thinking im asking too much..

Just realized that it's impossible. So, I'll go with

1- Q9400
2- 4 GB DDR2 (How about 6GB, i run jvms, so it might help with heapspace allocations)
3- Motherboard:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0301083
versus
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0299680

Please help me finalize, thanks again.

Reply to bonstubon

@Helloworld_98

Honestly speaking, I ignored amds altogether i think i need to read more while not hastening..

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] enom-q9400
supports what you stated..

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to bonstubon

Well it would increase your budget...
If you are willing to spend then here goes...

CPU + RAM + Mobo - Given
HDD - Same $80 samsung
CASE + PSU - same Antec 300 + Antec 430W
GPU - Same
DVD - $25

Total - $813

But first see if it is worth spending the extra cash on i7 over an Q9400...
Certainly i7 is powerful but has some price premium too...
So choose wisely...

Reply to gkay09

bonstubon wrote :

@Helloworld_98

Honestly speaking, I ignored amds altogether i think i need to read more while not hastening..

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] enom-q9400
supports what you stated..

Even I was about to go with Helloworld's suggestion but many people are stuck with intel and are not willing to try...
The X4 940 is certainly a viable option and as Helloworld pointed out the AMD mobo comes with good onboard graphics, hence you wont need the 9500GT at all...

Reply to gkay09

or if he still wanted the 'quad core' and close to as good graphics he could get the atom 330 ION based zotac motherboard, it would save him a few to spend on extra's.

Reply to Helloworld_98

The atom 330 is dual core and not quads...
And you can expect good performance from them apart from using them for browsing and other general activities...

Message edited by gkay09 on 05-26-2009 at 03:07:03 PM

Reply to gkay09

^ well the atom 330 is a logical quad core because it has hyperthreading.

Reply to Helloworld_98

^But still isn't good enough for CPU intensive task...

Reply to gkay09

^ well he hasn't really said anything about what he's doing other than multitasking.

Reply to Helloworld_98

@gkay09 Yes, I liked the builtin graphics idea!

List of 780g MBs:

ASUS M3A-H/HDMI
BIOSTAR TA780G M2+HP
J&W RS780UVD-AM2+
GIGABYTE GA-MA780GM-S2H rev1.0
ECS A780GM-A
Sapphire 780G
MSI K9A2GM

Performance Comparison: http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Mo [...] ge-13.html

So, finally, I have to decide about:

AMD Phenom II X4 940 +
Any of above MBs +
4/6gb ddr2

versus

Q9400 +
intel DP45SQ OR Asus P5Q SE2 P45 +
4/6gb ddr2

I wish i get some good prices now, combos may be

Reply to bonstubon

^ you forgot you need a gfx card with the P4x based setup's.

out of those 780G motherboards, pick one out of biostar, asus or gigabyte.

Reply to Helloworld_98

Hi again So I decided to go with AMD and following is an almost final config:

--------------
Asus M3A78-T or GA-MA790GP-DS4H (whichever is cheaper, or if i can find some combo; plz guide)

$190 AMD Phenom 2 X4 940
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471

$80 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0311323

$48 OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Titanium 4GB OCZ2T800C44GK
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0276536

$98 antec 300 case & antec 430w psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.193754
-----------------

Please comment, thanks.

Reply to bonstubon

As for the mobo, you an even take a look at the Biostar...They are good mobo and it has 128MB vRAM onboard...And this combo is unbeatable...
It has good reviews too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190736

And get this RAM
AMD CPU take advantage of the 1066MHz speed...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

Reply to gkay09

^ the combo is awesome, but I don't want to take risks with motherboard

Also, I want to be extra cautious regarding overheating. My room's temp is ~70f-75f and I plan to run this machine continuously for weeks.. i just hate shuting down the system.

I'll try to push myself for this combo,.. i'll keep things posted

Reply to bonstubon

Finally,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190736
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.193754
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284

Is this good?!

& surprisingly, it's $500 now!

One last Question - Does Phenom has some genuine overheating problem?
Example: http://forums.amd.com/forum/messag [...] adid=98342

Thanks a lot.

Message edited by bonstubon on 05-28-2009 at 01:17:51 AM

Reply to bonstubon

The older phenoms had lot of problems...But the newer ones have become far better and efficient and the amount of heat that they dissipate is about the same as other CPUs...If you are still concerned about the heat, then add more fans to the case and apply aftermarket thermal grease to the CPU for better results...If still you feel it is hot, then get an aftermarket cooler...

If you are planning for overclcok -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003
else
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185125

Message edited by gkay09 on 05-28-2009 at 06:50:27 AM

Reply to gkay09

Replacing the CPU cooler means adding more to the budget:
http://www.xoxide.com/amdsocketam2.html
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=11

Just read a few stories of x4 940 heating up even without OC, perhaps it still somewhat exists..
http://forums.amd.com/forum/messag [...] did=113566
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1034073872
http://www.computerforum.com/15110 [...] emp-t.html

I am wondering, would it do any good if I switch from midATX to ATX?

Reply to bonstubon

Hmm...in all those stories about the X4 heat problems, the cause of the problem is either the CPU cooler was not placed properly or incorrect application of the thermal paste...
I see no where that the problem is because of the CPU itself...
And you necessarily don't have to buy an aftermarket cooler if you are not gonna overclock...Just take care when you place the heatsink...
This should help you to avoid mistakes...
http://www.jsyte.com/tutorials/replacehsf

Reply to gkay09

Cool understood & thanks a lot..

Just ordered it all, .. I'll keep this post alive in case i mess up anything while building it.

Thanks again!

Reply to bonstubon

Good luck with your build...

Reply to gkay09

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - How is this configuration for under $600?