Work Machine

[telegramsam]

Ok, after exhaustive research, a whole bunch of whining about my slow, crappy old computer, I've been green-lighted to build my own workstation.

Remember that this is work machine, mainly for running office applications. But I want speed, Vista compatability, space for RAM upgrade and enough processor to not leave me crying in a year.

So here's what I've come up with:

Intel C2D E6300 1.86Ghz CPU
Intel D846GZISSL Mobo
512MB Patriot Signature DDR2 667 (Latency 5) Ram (single stick)
Samsung Spinpoint P--160GB SATA 3.0 7200RPM HDD
LG GCE-8527B CD Burner-IDE
M$ XP Home-OEM

Link to the Case & PSU: (420W PSU)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811144076

And I'll pick up the peripherals and some Artic Silver too.

I had to skimp on the MOBO a little to keep from going over $100 over my budget that I was allowed--I'm already in trouble, but I WANT the Conroe. I WANT it. Bad.

I went on Intel's site and checked for RAM compatability. I know that the MOBO supports 1066FSB, umm, umm, what else?

[Cricket]

I wouldn't trust the power supply in that Apevia case to run your new system...it's a L&C power supply and it's basically rubbish.

I wouldn't get a Samsung hard drive either. I'd stick to Seagate or Western Digital. Samsung drives don't have the best reliability record.

Is that the Intel D946GZISSL motherboard? With only two memory slots will that be enough for your future needs?

Cricket

[telegramsam]

Ok, can you suggest another power supply for me?

It's not smart to get a power supply/case combo is it?

And yes, that should have been a 9 in that part number, sorry.

I think 2- 1GB sticks should cover me as far as that low end Conroe will...?

[newbuilder14]

i cant find that motherboard nor do i believe it supports the c2d

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by telegramsam Ok, can you suggest another power supply for me?

I think this 400 watt Sparkle Power PSU will power your system easily.

Originally Posted by telegramsam It's not smart to get a power supply/case combo is it?

Many cases come with cheap low quality power supplies. Only a few cases come with good quality power supplies. The Apevia case comes with a low quality power supply.

Originally Posted by telegramsam I think 2- 1GB sticks should cover me as far as that low end Conroe will...?

For a work machine I think 1GB should be enough memory unless you're working with really large files.

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 i cant find that motherboard nor do i believe it supports the c2d

It's this Intel motherboard and it does support the C2D.

Cricket

[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 i cant find that motherboard nor do i believe it supports the c2d

I screwed up the part number, shoulda been a 9 in there--here's a link:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813121046

Intel and Newegg both say it supports 1066FSB and the C2D...

[telegramsam]

Hey thanks for the tips Cricket...

I'll get that PSU and pick out another case that isn't quite so COOL

Aside from that I'm not stabbing myself in the eye?

[Cricket]

Everything else looks okay...I'm not familiar with how well Patriot RAM works in Intel motherboards but I think you'll be okay.

Still feel you should look at another hard drive brand. Samsung hard drives have a poor reputation for reliability.

I would also look at the DVD burner instead of a CD burner just for more versatility.

Cricket

[telegramsam]

OH yeah--forgot to mention that. I'm gonna switch to a Seagate or WD. Is one known to be any better than the other?

The patriot RAM was listed on Intel's website as having been tested and certified. I almost ate it on that one--until I saw reviews for the board that warned about getting the right RAM. Looks like it's a latency issue, so I grabbed RAM (exact part number) that was on Intel's list.

Yeah, I was thinking about that DVD vs CD Burner. Maybe I'll get a little less case and a DVD burner. I'm in charge of backing everything up here at work, so a DVD burner would probably be a better idea.

Thanks again for the guidance. I really appreciate it!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by telegramsam OH yeah--forgot to mention that. I'm gonna switch to a Seagate or WD. Is one known to be any better than the other?

I've been using Seagate HDDs for the past several years and haven't been disappointed yet. And the 5 year warranty is a plus.

Cricket

[telegramsam]

I am pleased to report that I built the machine (my first attempt at a build) we talked about here today and booted, installed windows and all the drivers ON THE FIRST TRY!!

This, of course, is all thanks to the guides and advice from this forum.

One panic moment--it wouldn't turn on the first time, but I quickly realized that the harness for the on/off switch had popped loose from the MOBO. The ONLY snag I hit throughout the build.

Thanks everyone!!!

[dogdude16]

sweet, post back how the C2D is , im going to get one in my new build

[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by dogdude16 sweet, post back how the C2D is , im going to get one in my new build

It burns my eyes, it's so fast!!
I see Intel's boot screen just long enough to read the Intel logo. When I installed AVG and Adaware, It took the regular time for the download, but it all installed SO fast. I kept wondering if it really installed or not.

You will NOT be disappointed with the C2D. The one I used, by the way, was the bottom of the C2D line. I can only imaging what an Extreme Edition or even the mid grade one would do.

I've never used AMD's FX-50's and 60's or the X2's, so I can't give you a comparison. But I can tell you that the C2D, at least as far as I've used it (Installing XP, MS Office and all the other software you need to secure windows) has been excellent.

[dogdude16]

thats just what i wanted to hear cant wait