Updated PC specs. Advice Welcome!!

[Yellowhello]

These are the updated plans for a PC build.


MB: Newegg.com - ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

Mem.: Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

GPU: Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N550 -T2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

PSU: Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE OP650 ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 V RoHS, FCC, CE - Retail

HDD: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Case: Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail


In previous threads, you guys suggested a case with 120mm fans. This case includes 120mm fans. Any suggestions on the build have to make the build $900 with tax. Thanks!!!!

[Capper]

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 Allendale 2.0GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Video Card: GIGABYTE GV-NX86T256D GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

PSU: FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX700-GLN 700W Power Supply

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB Hard Drive

Case: LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Optical: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R with LightScribe Technology



$886.30 including shipping gets you a very nice system

[Yellowhello]

By the way Capper, all the links were through the Newegg/HL link.

thanks for the advice.

[Capper]

No problem..

Basically cut a few corners...the motherboard is a little more than you need, and to be honest a little overpriced in my opinion, the processor is a step up, and a better overclocker, the PSU is the one I've been using for almost a year....damn good PSU......the video card is DX10 compatible, and comes with Supreme Commander, making it a better value, and the memory is a 2GB kit....I happen to like G.Skill, even if their marketing dept is a bunch of asshats

[Yellowhello]

Are you sure that passivly cooled graphics card wil stay cool??

How's this P965 mobo look:

Newegg.com - DFI INFINITY P965-S LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

i have heard the dfi is the mother of all overclocking. what do you think?

[Capper]

I won't recommend DFI products until they get their act together

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Capper

I won't recommend DFI products until they get their act together

That is real reassuring!!!!

[Computer-Ed]

Looking at the sepcs for the system Capper posted you could get by with a lighter PSU and same some money. The specs listed under worse case scenario will push about 350 watts. Drop to a 500 watt and you will have plenty of power.

On the HD change from the SE to the SE16 for $5 and get the 16 meg cache. Finally be sure that you get the DVD-RW drive in the SATA model. The cost is identical and it gets you off of the standard IDE.

The only real concern however in this setup for performance is the video. There are a good number of X1950Pro cards in the saem price range that will give much better performance. You will lose DX10 direct support but that is not as big a deal as everyone makes it right now. By the time DX10 becomes a real issue for video there will be some very nice mainstream cards.

[gvblake22]

Here's what I think....

Intel E6420 Core 2 Duo processor ~$189.00

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 rev 1.3 motherboard (1333Mhz FSB support) ~$99.99

G-Skill 2x1GB DDR2-800 CAS 4 (F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ) ~$132.99
..but only $117.99 after $15 coupon code: EMC503DSKIL (probably expires soon though...)

MSI 8600GTS 256MB ~$179.99

250GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 HDD ~$69.99

COOLER MASTER RC-330-KKN1-GP ~$39.99
...only $29.99 after $10 mail in rebate (expires Sunday, May 7th!)

650W Silverstone Olympia OP650 ~$149.99

Sony 18x SATA DVD burner ~$32.99
_______________________________
Subtotal = 894.93
-$25 in savings from Cooler Master rebate and G-Skill coupon
+~$30 in shipping
_______________________________
TOTAL = $899.93