Intel Core 2 Duo and what else?

[King Kodiak]

Ok, this is my first build ever. I have worked on builds with a couple friends, but this is my very own first build that I will work on by myself. However, I look to have you guys as my backups.

The only thing that I have picked out so far for my build are these two specs:

1. Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

2. APEVIA (ASPIRE) X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (already bought)

My price range is between $1,500- $2,000

Here are the pieces I need advice with, that obviously also all need to be compatible:

Mobo, Power Supply, Memory, HDD, Video card... if there is anything else I am missing let me know.

If I forgot any information let me know. Sorry for the longer post.

[blue60007]

(pricing from Newegg.com)
Motherboard: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe - $270
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) - $300
PSU: FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX600-GLN - $140
Video: X1950XTX - $440 (provided this is a gaming rig)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB - $80 (these go up to 750GB in size if you need more storage)
Optical(s): I'd look at an NEC or LITE-ON DVD burner - $30 each
OS: Win XP Home OEM - $90

That's about $1260 (minus shipping)

[Mr.Ferrari]

Do you plan on crossfire (dual card setup) ?

[12twelve12]

Not to step on any toes or anything but wouldn't the 600w be overkill for his needs? He coud save $50 with the Fortron 500w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934)

[blue60007]

Agreed, but I think that's what MrFerrari is getting at...I don't think the 600W is overkill for a dual X1950XTX set-up...those are some power guzzling monsters.

Here's the PSU requirements:


450-Watt power supply or greater, 30 Amps on 12 volt rail recommended (assumes fully loaded system)
For CrossFire: 550 watt power supply or greater, 38 Amps on 12 volt rail

That one you linked to would be great for a single card, but wouldn't cut it for a dual card set-up. I just went ahead and added the beefier one since he's got the option to do Crossfire.

[12twelve12]

Good point.

[newbuilder14]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Crossfire only gives a huge advantage with dual monitors or highly GPU intensive games. With DX10 coming out eventually I see no point in investing in Crossfire. At least try one at first, I suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102051 , plenty of power and good for the money.

[King Kodiak]

Sorry guys for taking so long to post again. I am not sure what a crossfire set- up is, could someone explain that to me. Also, with compatability issues, would that Asus mobo be ok with the Intel Core 2 Duo? Let's just say for the sake of argument, i wanted an intel board? What would you reccomend? Also, I am sorry i didn't say this before but this is def. a gaming rig. ANybody else have any suggestions for set- ups? Hey Blue, that set- up looks nice, and thanks for the help. Once again, what's the cross- fire setup?

[Alaron]

Crossfire is simply the name for using two ATI video cards together. If you can afford it, it is the fastest gaming setup you can have. However, I would stick with a single card that you can replace later on when something new comes out. One card can still be plenty powerful for high end gaming.

The Asus motherboard that Blue mentioned is an excellent choice for a Core 2 Duo build, it comes highly recommended.

[King Kodiak]

Since I think I am just gonna stick with one video card, what do you guys suggest? Also, the motherboard does look sweet as I looked at a few reviews on newegg.com. However, do you think it will be easy to make sure this board posts? Just wanna make sure I will be able set up everything I am buying. Love the seagate drives... which optical drive do you suggest from Lite-On? Is there anything else I am missing?

[Mr.Ferrari]

I suggest the X1900XT for the videocard.

These are the powersupplys I suggest:
Enhance 500W (http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-E5150GH&c=fr&pid=d826a2141f06c28c9f438f3b90cd838593194ea53604d3ef4dea9cc771c8ad72#) $67
or
FSP Bluestorm 500w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934) $90
If you dont mind not ordering from newegg, the Enhance is definately the better of the two. And is cheaper.

This is the optical I suggest:
Liteon DVDRW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106013)

[chuck4456]

Sapphire X1900XTX.

[jfk]

Get the X1900XT. They are easily clocked to XTX speeds for less money. No brainer.

[King Kodiak]

Ok, so if I list the parts you guys have suggested, it would go something like this:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

Mobo: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB)

Video Card: X1900XT

Case: APEVIA (ASPIRE) X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB

Optical: Liteon DVDRW

I would like to purchase everything from newegg for easy shipping. Last questions I have...(1) Is everything compatible that i have listed? (2) Am I def. making the right choice for my CPU? (3) I will not be overclocking or anything, are my parts good enough for a nice gaming rig? (4) For the Power Supply, I would like something powerful, but not too loud, as quiet as possible really, is the FSP BlueStorm 500w powerful enough for my system? Is there anything better? (5) I have seen some users having problems fitting certain parts in their Aspire case like mine. It says my case is can fit 11 X 12 Mobos on newegg.com, however i read a reviewer who said not to worry that this was wrongly written by newegg and that the specs are actually 12 X 11. However, i have read from other sites the same 11 X 12 specs, should I worry about this, possibly get a mini Mobo? Lastly, I would just like to thank everyone that helped me throughout this thread.

[glc]

If you are only going to use a single video card, save 100 bucks and get an Asus P5B motherboard. Then take that 100 bucks and upgrade to the E6600 processor. Yes, the Blue Storm is plenty powerful for any single card system.

[King Kodiak]

I figure I'll just upgrade the CPU anyway since the E6600 looks better. Ok with that being said, here is my updated list...

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

Mobo: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB)

Video Card: X1900XT

Case: APEVIA (ASPIRE) X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB

Optical: Liteon DVDRW

I forgot about a sound card? Any suggestions? Also, does anybody see that Mobo fitting into my case being a problem?

[Alaron]

Motherboard will fit no problem, both are ATX form.

Don't forget the FSP power supply.

Your motherboard has onboard sound. I would give it a shot before buying a card.

[King Kodiak]

What is the SLI? I am speaking in terms of the FSU power supply, I saw that SLI was not included. I also see a whole bunch of X1900XT models on newegg... which one do i really want. I saw a few cards had HDTV on them... that seems cool, let me know which one you think is for me.

[flanzig1]

SLI is the dual video card technology from nVidea. Does the same sort of thing as Crossfire. And PSU needs are close to the same as Crossfire but look for Sli certified PSUs.

[Mr.Ferrari]

And PSU needs are close to the same as Crossfire but look for Sli certified PSUs.

To add, a single X1900XTX 512mb will roughly take the same amount of as 2 7900GT's. So thats something to keep in mind when going crossfire.

[King Kodiak]

To add, a single X1900XTX 512mb will roughly take the same amount of as 2 7900GT's. So thats something to keep in mind when going crossfire.

So if i get the single X1900XTX 512 mb, is the blue FSU 500w power supply still good? What would you guys suggest for a monitor, I could use one of those too. I am looking for something not to expensive but pretty nice, HD connectivity would be a plus.

[Mr.Ferrari]

The fsp powersupply is awesome. I personally prefer the Enhance but either would do you great.

For the monitor pick something from Viewsonic, Samsung, Acer or LG. In the size/res of your choice.

[12twelve12]

I highly recommend, not that it means anything, the Hyundai L90D+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824179014) ...if your looking for a 19" that is. It uses a Samsung display but costs less than the Samsung branded models. I have it and it has great color, brightness, black tones and zero ghosting.

A lot of people I know are going for 20.1" widescreen displays and are very happy.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116381

[King Kodiak]

Alright guys, I am gonna take a look at all these parts and figure out what my final list is, I'll post it a little later and see what you guys think. Then its off to buying, which may take a little bit as I finish accumulating the funds. Thanks for everyone's help, great forum.

[King Kodiak]

Here is the list finally:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail- 316.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003

ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail- 269.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

SAPPHIRE 100150SR Radeon X1900XTX 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card – Retail- 369.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102672

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail- 306.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-A, 2.0 version, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 500W – Retail- 89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM- 79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148144

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE 16X DVD±R DVD Burner – Retail- 31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106013

Looking at any of these components is there anything that will not run together (any compatability issues?) Will the board recognize the RAM timing of 4-4-4-4-12? Is this the right video card?

[Alaron]

Looks solid to me.

Don't forget a case and Windows XP. :)

[glc]

Wheteher it will take 4-4-4-12 or not won't make any noticeable difference.

[King Kodiak]

Looks solid to me.

Don't forget a case and Windows XP. :)

I've got the case, and yea your right gotta have that XP disc. Guys I would just like to thank everyone who helped me out. I will post a new thread as soon as I start my build. Thanks glc, wasn't sure if i would ahve to do any type of modification because of the RAM being 4-4-4-12.

[blue60007]

I think what glc is getting at is the tighter timings won't make a difference in performance.

The board should support the memory...if I recall, it's on the QVL (qualified vendor list).