I want to build the equivalent of...

[Zen]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to build an equivalent of this machine:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DXPS600F4&s=dhs

Can I do this for a considerably cheaper price?

I want alot of power in this machine. I'll spend up to around $2500 maximum, but would rather keep it around $2000.

Can someone draw up a part list?

[blue60007]

I'm assuming this is a gaming computer...

Intel 930 - $334
ASUS P5LD2 - $120
SAPPHIRE Radeon X1900XT - $540
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) - $180
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $100
LITE-ON (or NEC) DVD Burner (1 - 2 of them) - $40 - $80
Generic floppy - $8
X-Fi XtremeMusic sound card - $110
XP Home OEM - $90
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-A, 2.0 version, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 500W - Retail - $91

That's about $1550 - that leaves you plenty for that monitor (not sure how much it is from Del). And you'll need a case, I'd say a $100 for a high quality one - you'd have to pick out one that suits your tastes, plus then a speaker set and keyboard/mouse. All these prices are based on newegg.com

Couple things to note - that CPU is pretty new and the board may not be shipping with the proper support with it yet (it should be available for download, but they may not be shipping that board with the proper BIOS version yet, so that has to be looked into). Otherwise you can go with the 830. You might even consider looking at AMD.

I put a faster dual core in there, but dropped back to a single video card and went to the new ATi cards. Personally I think those dual cards you picked out are just a waste of money, a single X1900 or 7800GTX will play any game very well for a while yet.

Also you could bump up to more hard drive space if needed, but make sure you get an SATA drive with a 16mb cache.

Video card info
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/01/24/ati_radeon_x1900_heats_up_with_48_pixel_pipelines/

CPU comparison
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html

Cases
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Category.asp?Category=9

AMD suggestion:
A8N-E - $110
Corsair VS 2x1GB DDR400 184pin - $150
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ - $360
Everything else should be OK

Personally, I'd go for that build if this is going to be a gaming computer.

[jayb1234]

Check that the PSU is right for the motherboard. Most of the new Asus Intel boards have a 2 x 4 auxillary CPU power connector and another 4 pin "EZ Plug".

[blue60007]

Oh, good idea. I checked the picture of the ASUS P5LD2 and didn't see any other power connectors (other than the usual 24 pin and 2x2 pin). Still, that should be something to be double checked - especially with a dual core.

EDIT: This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931) power supply looks like it has a 2 x 4 connector (and a 2x2 attached on the end), so you could get that one to be abesolutely sure.

[danky]

Definately go with the AMD x2 4200+.

[glc]

danky, if you are going to jump into what has so far been an Intel thread with an AMD recommendation, please follow through with complete recommendations for other components. Just jumping in and saying "AMD!" is not the way we do things around here.

- Admin -

[danky]

I will recommend other components once he has decided on a CPU. What if he decides to go with a different AMD/Intel, then he or we would need to find all new components to work together. Instead of doing all that reasearch to realize it wasnt even vital to what he wants, ill give him the choice to decide if the AMD route is what he wants, AND THEN i will supply him with possible motherboards/memory components.

So basically everything is decided upon which CPU he decides to use.

Carry on with your decision Zen.

[glc]

danky - Blue offered a full parts list based around Intel - probably because that's what the Dell that Zen is looking at is. All I'm saying is if you wish to offer an AMD alternative, provide a FULL COMPONENT LIST within the budget.