Which of these builds should I choose?

[LethaLIndustrY]

It's been 3 1/2 years since I bought this junk heap of mine. It's time to catch up with technology. This is my first time building a rig, I use it for gaming, music etc. Should i choose a conroe system or just a simple one? Hmm, lets say my budget is approx 1.5k. I have two builds in my mind:

My Cheaper Build

Case>Sunbeam Trio Silver ATX Casing
Mobo>Asus A8N-E nForce 4 Ultra Socket 939
Processor>AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+ 512KBx2 Socket AM2
Video Card>XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB DDR3 PCIex 1370/470MHz
HDD>Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 NCQ 250GB 16MB SATA II
Hitachi Desktar 7K80 80GB 8MB SATA II
CPU Heatsink>Scythe Mine SCMN-1000 Copper Base CPU Cooler 10cm "Kaze Jyu" Fan
RAM>Corsair Value Select PC3200 400MHz DDR 1GB CL3.0
Power Supply>Antec TruePower II 550W 120mm Fan(is this too much?)

My Alternative

Case>Sunbeam Trio Silver ATX Casing
Mobo>Asus P5B Intel P965 LGA 775
Processor>Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 4MB LGA775 Box
Video Card>XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB DDR3 PCIex 1370/470MHz
HDD>Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 NCQ 250GB 16MB SATA II
Hitachi Desktar 7K80 80GB 8MB SATA II
CPU heatsink>Scythe Mine SCMN-1000 Copper Base CPU Cooler 10cm "Kaze Jyu" Fan
RAM>Corsair Twin2X2048-6400 2x1GB DDR2 800MHz
Power Supply>Antec TruePower II 550W 120mm Fan


Which one should I choose and if possible suggest me better part alternatives

[newbuilder14]

For your alternative, I suggest actually using the Asus P5W DH motherboard. Both of the builds would be great builds, so it all depends on your budget. If your budget can fit it in, I'd go with your alternative.

[AnotherMuggle]

Certainly the alternative system is the more superior of the two.

If you have the cash I'd go for that one :-P

[jayb1234]

The Intel build will be far better than the AMD.

For both, don't get that hitachi hard drive, switch that to Western Digital or Seagate.

For the OS, the OEM version of XP home with SP2 will be fine, unless you need some specific feature of XP Pro or want the Media Center Edition.

Stick with the stock cpu heatsink unit.

That aftermarket one will void the warranty on the processor, and might not be as good as stock anyway.

That Antec will be fine for either build.

You will need at least 1 optical drive.

Look at Liteon, they have some nice dvd burners with Nero and Power DVD.

You are also likely to need a floppy drive at some point during the setup.

For the RAM in either build check the motherboard makers website, the online motherboard manual, or a configurator to be sure it is a compatible part number.

Vid card, EVGA would be a better choice of brands.

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by jayb1234 The Intel build will be far better than the AMD. For both, don't get that hitachi hard drive, switch that to Western Digital or Seagate. For the OS, the OEM version of XP home with SP2 will be fine, unless you need some specific feature of XP Pro or want the Media Center Edition. Stick with the stock cpu heatsink unit. That aftermarket one will void the warranty on the processor, and might not be as good as stock anyway. That Antec will be fine for either build. You will need at least 1 optical drive. Look at Liteon, they have some nice dvd burners with Nero and Power DVD. You are also likely to need a floppy drive at some point during the setup.

All the above are valid statements. However, I don't think I would go with the floppy drive statement...they are used less and less these days and in my view an unecessary added expense.

I'd be supprised to hear that you needed a floppy drive for setup purposes.

[jayb1234]

There are quite a few newer motherboards that need the sata/raid controller drivers installed from a floppy.

[LethaLIndustrY]

Will the Antec TruePower II 550W SPU be sufficient for the conroe system?I don't think ill be OC'ing and will the stock CPU heatsink unit be enough?

Oh yeah i forgot to tell you guys that i already have a floppy drive and an NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - OEM from my friend.

[AnotherMuggle]

That's good

The heatsick will be fine, if you don't use the stock one then you will void the CPU warranty so stick with that one for now.

Not sure what the power requirements are for Conroe although it should be capable of running the CPU and graphics without a problem.

[Mr.Ferrari]

See if you can replace that seagate with a 7200.10

[LethaLIndustrY]

See if you can replace that seagate with a 7200.10

What's the difference between the Seagate 7200.9 and 7200.10?

Btw, I'm still searching for a mean, sexy, quiet and cool casing. Seems like the Sunbeam casing that i picked has a crappy stock PSU.
Could you guys recommend me some casings and do you guys know where to get a cheap 17"-19" LCD monitor?

Thanks

[jaz]

I would go with a NZXT case. They look good and most come with some fans.

www.nzxt.com

[jayb1234]

Newegg has about 400 cases without power supplys.

Go to this page, check no under the power supply section and any others that you want to use to narrow the list down.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by LethaLIndustrY What's the difference between the Seagate 7200.9 and 7200.10? Thanks

Older, Slower, less cache.