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10-08-2006, 04:39 PM
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#1 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 5
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New Build, New Builder
I want to replace the 5-year old Dell that I am currently using, and I think that it would be fun (and probably cheaper) to build my own box. I have not done this before, so I welcome assistance from more experienced builders.
I have around $1200-1500 to spend on this. I want it to be able to run MMO games such as Everquest 2 and BF2 at mid-to-high quality settings without problems on my side. Also I want to run (eventually) some sophisticated mathematics programs such as Mathematica or Maple, and I would like those to be fairly fast as well. This is what I currently have as a proposed build. I am interested in compatibility issues, but I am also interested in any and all comments or suggestions. Case: Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W newegg.com - $59.99 Question: Will this power source be good enough? If not, what do I need? Motherboard: ASUS P5VDC-MX Socket T (LGA 775) VIA P4M800 PRO Micro ATX Intel Motherboard newegg.com - $54.99 Question: I was a little confused by many of the motherboards out there, so I tried to get one that would work with my choice of CPU. Will this one be good enough, or will an upgrade significantly increase performance? CPU: Intel Pentium D 945 Presler 3.4GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor newegg.com - $160.00 Question: Would a Core Duo 2 1.86 GHz be effectively faster than this? HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JBRTL 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive newegg.com - $89.99 RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) newegg.com - $109.99 (or $219.98 if I get 2) Optical: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive newegg.com - $25.99 Sound Card: SABRENT SBT-SP6C 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card newegg.com - $7.49 Question: Will I notice any real difference in sound quality by upgrading to a more expensive sound card? If so, what would be a good alternative? Video Card: eVGA 256-A8-N295-LX Geforce 6200 LE 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card newegg.com - $47.99 LAN Card: Need advice on this one, what do I need and where do I get it? I will be running DSL internet probably, so I need an ethernet connection. Monitor: Have not decided yet, I welcome suggestions to any favorite souces. I am looking for a 19" (or more) flat screen LCD, but I would rather not spend more than about $400 or $500 on it. Speakers: Again I have not decided and welcome suggestions. OS: Need a good source for Windows XP (Pro preferred) Subtotal: $556.43 So as it stands, I have about $650 - $950 more that I can spend. Thank you for your suggestions and comments. |
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10-08-2006, 04:45 PM
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#2 |
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Ceiling cat is watching!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,283
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Get the core 2 duo. Those pentium D chips are hot, slow, and power-hungry. A few months ago I would say go with AMD, but now, definitely get a core 2 duo at whatever price you want to spend.
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~Matt CCNA |
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10-08-2006, 04:56 PM
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#3 |
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Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
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Consider upgrading to the Antec Sonata II, it's got a more powerful 450W power supply. 350W might be a little light for higher end video cards.
I'd look at an ASUS P5B, over any board with a VIA chipset. Get a Core 2 Duo - definitely. It'll be boatloads faster. Get 2 gigs of RAM if you can. Don't bother with a $7 sound card. The onboard sound on motherboards will probably be better. If you've real high quality speakers, you might get some benefit by upgrading to an X-Fi. But I would try the sound onboard first, you can always throw in a sound card later. First, you'll want to upgrade a PCI-Express video card (the motherboard I mentioned is a PCI-Express motherboard). Secondly, that card isn't anywhere close to a gaming video card. I'd look at an ATi X1900XT - they are one of the best bang for the bucks. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102051 Motherboard has onboard LAN, no need for a seperate card. I can't really help you on monitors or speakers though. You can get XP Home OEM from Newegg for $90 and Pro (if you need the extra features) for $140
__________________
"It is the way of man to make monsters and it is the nature of monsters to destroy their makers." |
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10-08-2006, 04:58 PM
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#4 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York City, New York // Greeniwch, Connecticut
Posts: 847
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With the extra money you have, i would suggest getting 2gb of dual channel ram. Also maybe get a case without a power supply, and then buy a seperate power suppy.
__________________
Desktop: Intel x6800 | ThermalTake Kandalf | OCZ GameXStream 700W| Asus P5W DH Duluxe | ATI 1950XTX | 4GB Corsair XMS2 800mhz | Raptor 150GB (x2) | Seagate 7200.10 320GB | Lite-On Sata DVD+RW Drives (x2) | Creative X-fi Platinum| | 24" Samsung Monitor | Logitech G15 | Logitech G7 | Vista Ultimate x64 | ^^Water Cooling Comming Soon^^ Photos: http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q...rd/My%20Build/ Laptop: Sony S-Series: Intel Pentium M 2.00ghz | ATI 9700 |1GB RAM | 13.1" Screen | Vista Ultimate | MAP YOURSELF: www.frappr.com/pcmech
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10-08-2006, 09:12 PM
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#5 |
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Member (9 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 463
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try looking at seagate's 7200.10 hard drives they are a very good choice
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10-08-2006, 11:26 PM
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#6 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 5
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Based on the suggestions I have recieved here, I have re-formulated my build. Please post if you have any additional suggestions/comments.
Case: XION XION _ Solaris XON-401 Black with Green LED Light Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply newegg.com - $59.99 Motherboard: ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard newegg.com - $139.99 Question: In the Specifications tab of the newegg.com page for this Motherboard, it says under features "Notice: Only DDR2-800 memory supporting JEDEC approved 1.8V operation with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 is supported on Intel Desktop Boards based on Intel 965 Express Chipsets." Does this mean that I must have DDR2-800 RAM to put in? I could not find any of that type at newegg, I could only find up to DDR2-667. CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor newegg.com - $180.00 HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JBRTL 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive newegg.com - $89.99 RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)(x2) newegg.com - $219.98 Optical: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive newegg.com - $25.99 Sound Card: none Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100168L Radeon X1900XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 CrossFire Video Card newegg.com - $259.99 LAN Card: none Monitor: Have not decided yet, I welcome suggestions to any favorite souces. I am looking for a 19" (or more) flat screen LCD, but I would rather not spend more than about $400 or $500 on it. Speakers: Again I have not decided and welcome suggestions. OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack newegg.com - $89.99 Subtotal: $1065.92 |
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10-08-2006, 11:29 PM
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#7 |
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Not so new
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Maryland, United States
Posts: 2,576
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There is plenty of DDR2800 SDRAM at Newegg, have a look here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=147
__________________
“To me there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think -- spend some time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that's a heck of a day.” - Jim Valvano |
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10-09-2006, 02:13 AM
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#8 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 54
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Don't know why you chose that HD, here is a cheaper one with a 16MB cache.
Since it sounds like you want to do some gaming, get a sound card. Even a cheap one is better than none. I bought some nice logitech speakers a while back, and was amazed at what even a cheap soundcard could do...I got a soundblaster live for a few bucks, and it sounded much better than the onboard sound. Also, get a DVD burner...they're only like $5 more, and who knows, maybe you'll burn a couple dvds later on. |
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10-09-2006, 03:47 AM
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#9 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 5
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Thank you everyone who posted. I will probably be ordering my parts tomorrow or this week sometime. I just had one last newbie question that I wanted answered before I spent $290 on RAM.
I want to make sure that the ram I am planning on getting, CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory is compatible with my motherboard, ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel. My only concern is that the motherboard description states that it only supports DDR2-800 RAM 1.8V, but mine is 1.9V. Like I say. maybe a silly question, but I would rather be safe than sorry. |
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10-09-2006, 04:06 AM
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#10 |
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Ceiling cat is watching!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,283
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I still want to know what you see in that harddrive. If you want to spend around $90 get this one. It is very fast and uses the new perpendicular recording. If you don't need that much space, then get a cheaper one as has been suggested. Your proposed motherboard is nice and new, which means it one has one Parallel ATA controller to support a maximum of 2 devices, generally 2 optical drives. There is no reason to buy ATA harddrives for a new build. Also, there is no reason to get a retail harddrive kit unless it is severely on sale. What are you missing by getting the OEM version? A data cable, some screws, and software. The cable comes with your motherboard, the screws come with your case, and you can download the software for free, although you'll probably never even use it. With OEM drives you still get the full warranty, and if you get Seagate drives you get a 5 year warranty instead of the 1 or 3 you get with WD.
Yes, the RAM will work in the motherboard. |
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10-09-2006, 06:24 AM
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#11 |
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Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Doncaster, UK
Posts: 3,563
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You need to choose a better power supply than the one in the XION case, as it's very low quality, and doesn't have the necessary specs for your build (ATX2, Dual 12v Rails). Despite being 450w, it's probably much less capable than the 350w Antec you originally chose! (Antec is a high quality manufacturer)
I'd get a case without a power supply (or get the XION and bin the power supply, if you like the case), and choose a high quality unit separately. I'd get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931 FK
__________________
-FK- "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw, The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, In Flanders fields." - John McCrae, May 1915 |
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10-09-2006, 10:20 AM
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#12 |
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 37,765
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The DDR2-667 you chose will be fine. You don't have to use DDR2-800.
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10-09-2006, 01:30 PM
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#13 |
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Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
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Grab the dual channel kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098 It'll save a couple bucks ($215 vs $220 and only one shipping charge). |
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10-09-2006, 04:10 PM
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#15 |
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Kickin' it
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 7,723
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You can save a few bucks using the ram Blue listed. Otherwise looks fine.
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