Help with my Build

[awhitley]

Hey folks, here's my proposed build. I consider myself a mid-level tech when it comes to building (haven't built one in over 3 - 4 years). I have budgeted myself at no more than $1,200.oo and am looking for the most bang for my buck.

Case: Nemesis Elite - I do like the look and the integrated Temp Led and reviews aren't bad on the air-flow
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811146007

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131517

Video Card: BFG Tech BFGR7950512GTOCE GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814143071

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Yes, I'm still an AMD fan
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103747

Memory: CORSAIR 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 433 (PC 3500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - will eventually upgrade to 2gbs
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145029

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

Optical: I'll be transferring over my DVD and CD Writer from current pc

O/S: Windows XP pro

Please give me your thoughts - much appreciated

[awhitley]

no help here? come on guys I really could use some advise. I am literally torn between going Intel Duo or Amd - I have an intel based build im working on as well

[Alaron]

Please have some patience, its been less then an hour.

Your AMD build has a socket 939 motherboard and a socket AM2 CPU. If you go with AMD, I'd switch to a 939 CPU. Then you need DDR-400. No need for higher unless you're overclocking.

Given all that, I would go with an Intel Core 2 Duo setup. The C2Ds will outperform anything from AMD right now. Go ahead an post that list. We usually recommend the E6300, Asus P5B and Corsair DDR2-667.

:)

[awhitley]

Alaron,

Sorry if my post seemed inpatient - didnt intend that.

Okay, here's my revised build:

Motherboard: ECS Nforce 570 SLIT-A Socket T (LGA 775) Nvidia nForce 570 SLI ATC
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813135026

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.8 Ghz LGA 775
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115005

PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power 430w
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817171007

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 250Gb 7200 RPM sata 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

Memory: CorsairXMS2 2Gb 240 pin DDR2 675
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145167

Graphic: BFG GeForce 7950Gt 512 PCI Express x16 (I own this already)

Optical: I'll be transferring my current DVD and CDRW to new build (didnt see any incompatibility issues)

O/S: Windows XP Pro

Whatever advise you folks can throw my way is appreciated!

[whubbard]

Looks like a good build.
Don't forget to get a keyboad/mouse monitor.

[flanzig1]

Dump the Cooler Master PSU and get one from Antec or Fortron or these one for the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

[Alaron]

I also suggest skipping the ECS board, they are a very low-end manufacturer with a reputation for poor quality. The Asus P5B is an excellent board for the money. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030

[awhitley]

Thanks for advise guys.

Have a question with my revised build, has to do with a recommended cooling fan.

First, my revised build:

Case; COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

MB: ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

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

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400)

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS

Graphic: BFG Tech BFGR7950512GTOCE GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16

O/S: Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM

PSU: XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply

Here's the Fan I'm looking at: ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink. Also, can I get away with 1gb of Corsair or should I go ahead and fork up the money for 2gbs?

[whubbard]

The Fan is a very good fan. And If I were you I would get the 2GBs.

[Cricket]

Have a question with my revised build, has to do with a recommended cooling fan. Here's the Fan I'm looking at: ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink.If you get the aftermarket HSF make sure you get a OEM processor since you won't need the stock HSF that comes with the retail processor.Also, can I get away with 1gb of Corsair or should I go ahead and fork up the money for 2gbs?If you're a gamer get 2GB of RAM.

:) Cricket