First time builder. Did a lot of research… However practical issues may be unclear. Please feel free to aggressively comment.
Previous computer purchased 12/05; Dell XPS 600, Processor, 80547, PENTIUM D SMITHFIELD, Nvidia 7800 GTX, 2G Ram. Computer died; Motherboard failure.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: June 30, 2009
BUDGET RANGE: $1000ish
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT – Heavy gaming & Microsoft Office. The games are/will be;
Strategy games; such as Civilization IV (still my favorite game)
MMO; WAR, WoW, COH, etc…
RPGs; Might and Magic, Diablo 2, Diablo 3.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel, Nvidia, Corsair, Gigabyte
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No games I play do not use SLi
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Current Monitor Dell™ UltraSharp™ 2007FP 20.1-inch Flat Panel LCD 1600x1200 pixels 16 ms high contrast ratio of up to 800:1 1 x VGA cable ¦ 1 x DVI cable ¦ 1 x USB cable
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Quieter operation is better, no crazy lights please.
Operating System
Plan is to use either OEM XP 32 or Vista 64 OS.
Plan to upgrade to Windows 7 after the first Service Pack.
These argue a 32 bit operating system based upon my uses, until Windows 7 SP1. Does this sound correct? Or is Vista 64 the only logical choice before 7?
Your 64-Bit Check List: Potential Issues You Might See
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/64-bit-vista-install,2301.html
Gaming In 64-Bit: Tom's Tests, Microsoft Weighs In
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/64-bit-vista-gaming,2250.html
The build
Motherboard:
Question: Besides SLi etc… is there a performance difference between these boards for my uses? Leaning to UD3L
$99.99 ($94.99 after rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372
$134.99 ($119.99 after rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358
$109.99 ($94.99 after rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359
Memory:
DDR2 800 or 1066 all I need no OC (brand OCZ, Corsair, GSkill?)
2x2 GB 4
Processor:
Intel
$189.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
CPU Fan/cooling:
Question: Size an issue with case options? Which one is quieter? Better option? Most important do I need one or stick with stock Intel (everyone I ask says grab a new one)
Leaning to S1283 Rifle
$36.98 ($31.98 after rebate) ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
$31.49 ($21.49 after rebate)
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
$39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Graphics Card:
Questions: 260 is huge and needs 2 x 6pin PCI-E power plugs 500W min, work with case options? Best non-OC’d 260 (216) option?
$194.99 ($169.99 after rebate)
EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434
Hard Drive
$74.99
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
CD/DVD DRIVE:
$26.99
SAMSUNG SH-S223Q Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
Case
Comment: No idea which will fit Video card and CPU Cooler! Extra Fans?
Least heavy choice best
Need a few options for Combo deals Antec 900 & 300 have combo deals
No preference atm.
$69.99 ($59.99 with rebate)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077
$63.99 (made for extra fans)
GIGABYTE GZ-X8BPDX-400 Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233050
$69.99 ($54.99 after rebate)
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$54.99 ($44.99 after rebate)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106
$99.99
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024
$79.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137– Retail
PSU
Comment: Minimum of a 500 Watt power supply. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 36 Amp Amps.) Two available 6-pin Molex hard drive power dongles (with 260 GTX card)
Question: better option as it appears I need only 550 watts Amps/dongle needed for 260 the issue
$99.99 ($89.99 after rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
Misc.
$6.99
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
Questions:
What am I missing? Cables?
Previous computer purchased 12/05; Dell XPS 600, Processor, 80547, PENTIUM D SMITHFIELD, Nvidia 7800 GTX, 2G Ram. Computer died; Motherboard failure.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: June 30, 2009
BUDGET RANGE: $1000ish
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT – Heavy gaming & Microsoft Office. The games are/will be;
Strategy games; such as Civilization IV (still my favorite game)
MMO; WAR, WoW, COH, etc…
RPGs; Might and Magic, Diablo 2, Diablo 3.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel, Nvidia, Corsair, Gigabyte
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No games I play do not use SLi
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Current Monitor Dell™ UltraSharp™ 2007FP 20.1-inch Flat Panel LCD 1600x1200 pixels 16 ms high contrast ratio of up to 800:1 1 x VGA cable ¦ 1 x DVI cable ¦ 1 x USB cable
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Quieter operation is better, no crazy lights please.
Operating System
Plan is to use either OEM XP 32 or Vista 64 OS.
Plan to upgrade to Windows 7 after the first Service Pack.
These argue a 32 bit operating system based upon my uses, until Windows 7 SP1. Does this sound correct? Or is Vista 64 the only logical choice before 7?
Your 64-Bit Check List: Potential Issues You Might See
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/64-bit-vista-install,2301.html
Gaming In 64-Bit: Tom's Tests, Microsoft Weighs In
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/64-bit-vista-gaming,2250.html
The build
Motherboard:
Question: Besides SLi etc… is there a performance difference between these boards for my uses? Leaning to UD3L
$99.99 ($94.99 after rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372
$134.99 ($119.99 after rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358
$109.99 ($94.99 after rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359
Memory:
DDR2 800 or 1066 all I need no OC (brand OCZ, Corsair, GSkill?)
2x2 GB 4
Processor:
Intel
$189.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
CPU Fan/cooling:
Question: Size an issue with case options? Which one is quieter? Better option? Most important do I need one or stick with stock Intel (everyone I ask says grab a new one)
Leaning to S1283 Rifle
$36.98 ($31.98 after rebate) ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
$31.49 ($21.49 after rebate)
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
$39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Graphics Card:
Questions: 260 is huge and needs 2 x 6pin PCI-E power plugs 500W min, work with case options? Best non-OC’d 260 (216) option?
$194.99 ($169.99 after rebate)
EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434
Hard Drive
$74.99
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
CD/DVD DRIVE:
$26.99
SAMSUNG SH-S223Q Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
Case
Comment: No idea which will fit Video card and CPU Cooler! Extra Fans?
Least heavy choice best
Need a few options for Combo deals Antec 900 & 300 have combo deals
No preference atm.
$69.99 ($59.99 with rebate)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077
$63.99 (made for extra fans)
GIGABYTE GZ-X8BPDX-400 Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233050
$69.99 ($54.99 after rebate)
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$54.99 ($44.99 after rebate)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106
$99.99
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024
$79.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137– Retail
PSU
Comment: Minimum of a 500 Watt power supply. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 36 Amp Amps.) Two available 6-pin Molex hard drive power dongles (with 260 GTX card)
Question: better option as it appears I need only 550 watts Amps/dongle needed for 260 the issue
$99.99 ($89.99 after rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
Misc.
$6.99
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
Questions:
What am I missing? Cables?