Comment on my "Future Resistance"Budget Gameing PC

[MaxRyan]

Hello everybody! I will be greatful if you guys can comments on my first budget gameing PC. The objective for this bulid is to creat a value for money pc for general use like watching movies, minor photo editing and to play upcoming new games in resolution 1280x1024 with 2 or 4x AA+AF. I intend to keep this system for at least 12-16 months until the new Intel Nehalem is out. When the Intel Nehalem is out I will probably replace the motherboard, cpu, ram, graphic card and keep the case, power supply and the rest.

Here is my system:

Intel E2200 (OC to at least 3Ghz) - $114 (£58)
dabs.com - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200 2.2GHz 1M Cache S775 800MH (BX80557E2200)
I don't see why I should pay more for E6XXX, Q6XXX, E8XXX when E2200 is so much cheaper and can easily go upto 3.4Ghz

Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (H.D.T.) 120mm CPU cooler - $46 (£24)
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

MSI P35 Neo2-FR - $124.99 - $130 (£66)
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
was thinking of GA-P35-DS3L but Neo2-FR got better cooling on the chipset

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB(2 x 2GB) PC2 6400 - $150 (£77)
dabs.com - OCZ Technology 2X2GBKIT REAPER 240PIN PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHZ (OCZ2RPR800C44GK)
Don't know much about ram but I think this one is good for value and good in OC?

8800GTS 512MB - $370 (£190)
dabs.com - Dabs Value GeForce 8800GTS 512MB DDR3 PCIE Dual DVI 650/1625 (8800GTS-H5GTCDS)
Is this overkill for my gaming need? Should I save $45 and go down to 8800GT 512MB?

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB - $140 (£72)
dabs.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.1 500GB 7200RPM S300 32MB (ST3500320AS)

PC POWER&COOLING 750W SILENCER - $186 (£95)
dabs.com - OCZ Technology PC POWER&COOLING 750W SILENCER QUAD BLACK PSU (S75QB-UK)
Some say this is overkill for my system, but i was thinking I want to keep my power supply for my next bulid in 12-16 months time when i will be going SLI/Crossfire.

Samsung 20x dvd writer SATA LIGHTSCRIBE - $40 (£20)
dabs.com - Samsung 20x dvd writer SATA BLACK LIGHTSCRIBE (SH-S203N)

Antec P182 - $160 (£80)
dabs.com - Antec P182 Advanced Super Mid Tower - No PSU Black (P182 BLACK)
This case should make my system nice and quiet

Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave - $100 (£50)
dabs.com - Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave (920-000280)
Waaavveeee is gooooooddd

Creative SoundBlaster X-FI XtremeMusic - $104 (£52)
dabs.com - Creative SoundBlaster X-FI XtremeMusic OEM (30SB046000000)
This is my first time buying a sound card, I hope this is a good choice, good value for money and good for gaming/movie

Logitech X-540 Speakers - $110 (£55)
dabs.com - Logitech X-540 Speakers (970223-0120)
Again first time buying 5.1 speakers. Is this a good choice? Z-5500 is just way too expensive for me... :(

Total: $1,690 (£860)

Please comments and tell me if I made a good choice for the components :) Thank you

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by MaxRyan

Intel E2200 (OC to at least 3Ghz) - $114 (£58)
dabs.com - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200 2.2GHz 1M Cache S775 800MH (BX80557E2200)
I don't see why I should pay more for E6XXX, Q6XXX, E8XXX when E2200 is so much cheaper and can easily go upto 3.4Ghz

For the cache and the FSB. Cache changes a lot on Intel CPU's.
A Q prefix means it's a quad-core instead of dual core.
Between a E8400 @ 3Ghz and a E2200 @ 3.2Ghz the E8400 will likely win. ;)

[MaxRyan]

Yes but E8400 cost twice as much and I don't think i will see that much real life performance increase. So I think E2200 OC is more value for money, what you think?

[Parker]

Originally Posted by MaxRyan

Yes but E8400 cost twice as much and I don't think i will see that much performance increase. So I think E2200 OC is more value for money, what you think?

I say get an E2140 and OC it to 3.0Ghz (It's an easy OC).
You won't find hardly any difference with an E2140@3.0Ghz vs. E2200 @3.0Ghz.

[Yellowhello]

That looks pretty good. I personally think that PSU is a bit overkill for that system, a good 600W PSU (like a Corsair) will probably be enough.

The 8800GT is my choice. The only difference between the 8800GT and the G92 8800GTS is a better cooler on the GTS, slightly higher clock speeds, and slightly beefier VREGs, AFAIK.

Over here in the US, Crucial Ballistix RAM is the best bang for the buck right now. I'm not sure about the prices over on that side of the pond, but you should check them out.

[MaxRyan]

E2140 sounds good too but do you think the lower multiplier will make it harder to overclock compare to E2200.

The power supply is abit of a overkill but if there is anything that will last in the system it will be the power supply. P&C 750w cost £30 more then Corsair 620W. So i thought i will rather spend extra £30 now, then buy a new Power supply in one years time when I want to go crossfire/SLI

[MaxRyan]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

Over here in the US, Crucial Ballistix RAM is the best bang for the buck right now. I'm not sure about the prices over on that side of the pond, but you should check them out.

4GB Crucial Ballistix will cost £20 ($40) more then the OCZ one here in UK.......we europen always have to pay more

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by MaxRyan

4GB Crucial Ballistix will cost £20 ($40) more then the OCZ one here in UK.......we europen always have to pay more

Well, the OCZ sticks definitely aren't bad at all... Also have a look at Patriot, I have read that their RAM is very good.

[simple_inhibition]

your build looks pretty good. i would suggest either an E2140 or E2160, as they will have reletively the same headroom compared to the E2200 when it comes to overclocking. to me, the E2160 would be a better deal as it has a higher multiplier and is binned a little higher than the E2140.

are you planning on keeping that 8800GTS when you rebuild? if not, then i would suggest an 8800GT as it has a much better performance to price ratio in my opinion. or even an HD3850 would be a decent card.

PC Power&Cooling is the creme de la creme when it comes to psu's. however do note that you can get the pretty close to the same quality for a bit less with other reputable manufacturers. thats not a bad price for that power supply though.

that motherboard is a solid choice and wont disappoint.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by MaxRyan

E2140 sounds good too but do you think the lower multiplier will make it harder to overclock compare to E2200.

The E2140 can do 3.0Ghz out of the box. But You may be better off with an E2160 because of the x9 multiplier (i'm pretty sure), it'll do 3.0Ghz - 3.3Ghz out of the box. Your choice really, it's only a $5 difference down here.