Yep, another build thread. How does it look?

[barch 88]

If you seen my other thread, I orginally planned to upgrade my PC a little bit, but figured just building a entire one for a little bit more would be the better route. I'm only purchasing the MOBO, CPU, RAM, CASE, and HEATSINK right now. I'm going to be using my current dual Raptor's (74GB), and I will be using my current soundcard (SoundBlaster 9000ZS Platinum). So, I will still need to purchase the PSU and VGA later on. OH, gaming, and other regular uses, is what I will be using this PC for. Some Photoshop and whatnot here and there as well.

Here is the complete build, how does it look guy's? My price limit is $800 as of now, then I will pick up the video card, and PSU soon after. Is this all compatible together, and will this computer last me quite a long time before I need to upgrade? Or is PCI-E going to be outdated and stuff as soon as I get this -- (after Christmas I plan to order up)? My current rig (see signature) is APG, and is pretty much outdated. This PC should be easy to upgrade if I ever need to do so as well correct?

CASE: (COOLER MASTER Centurion 5)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119047

MOBO: (ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe Socket T)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131031

CPU: (Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

RAM: (CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

HEATSINK: (Thermaltake MiniTyp 90 Value Pack)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106082

PSU: (OCZ GameXStream ATX12V 700W)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002

VGA: (eVGA GeForce PCI-E 7950GT 512MB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130066


I have all the other input devices (keyboard, mouse), I also have the monitor. Thanks!!!

[jer888]

I would go with Core 2 Duo right now if I were you...

everything else looks fine though

as far as upgrading in the future...
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35902

yet another reason to go with Core 2 duo

[barch 88]

Originally Posted by jer888 I would go with Core 2 Duo right now if I were you... everything else looks fine though as far as upgrading in the future... http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35902 yet another reason to go with Core 2 duo

What Motherboard/CPU would you reccommend?

[jer888]

For the processor

this one Intel Core 2 Duo E6300

or this one Intel Core 2 Duo E6400

depending on your budget ( those were the two closest to the money you set aside for that other processor you picked)

or...
if you take the money saved from not buying that motherboard and getting the one below

you could even get this one
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600

For the motherboard

this one ASUS P5B

(there are many variations of the P5B, go to newegg and search "P5B" if you don't like this one)

[barch 88]

I can't seem to find a Intel board that supports SLI...I want to go to SLI later down the road.

[jer888]

If your talking about Intel COMPATIBLE boards with Sli then all these do


ASUS P5N32-SLI

ASUS P5NSLI

ASUS P5ND2-SLI

ASUS P5N32-SLI

if you're talking about Intel boards as the Intel brand motherboards then no but there is no reason not to go with a ASUS board

[Mr.Ferrari]

The only Intel/Sli board that I would even think of putting my faith in would be the 680i series.

My suggestion would be the Asus P5N32-E SLi.

FYI, I would only suggest sli if you plan on going with top of the line 8800 series. Crossfire is a great option when their are powerful cards on ati's side. However its up to your personal preferance.

[barch 88]

Alright,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131031

And

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

Would that suit me better?

[jer888]

yes much better

[barch 88]

Awesome, that is what I will be getting then. Here it is, listed out again, final specs and build. I went over it quite a few times, and all looks well, as far as the SLI and compatiblity looks, can you confirm that for me?

Thanks again for the help. I think I will be much happier with the Intel after even reading more!

CASE: (COOLER MASTER Centurion 5)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119047

MOBO: (ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe Socket T)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131031

CPU: (Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

RAM: (CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

HEATSINK: (Thermaltake MiniTyp 90 Value Pack)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106082

PSU: (OCZ GameXStream ATX12V 700W)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002

VGA: (eVGA GeForce PCI-E 7950GT 512MB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130066

[newbuilder14]

Originally Posted by jer888 yes much better

Huh? nForce 4 and Intel is EVEN WORSE than nForce 5xx and Intel. You are just asking for instability. Trust me, drop the idea of SLI unless you have the funds for the 680i chipset. Do you really think you'll need 2 cards? I suggest the Asus P5B.

[chuck4456]

I second that. If you really want SLI, go with Ferrari's recommendation. If you can't handle that, ASUS P5B or ABIT AW9D. Both of those are much more stable. I'd consider other PSU possibilities as well.

[jer888]

by much better i meant it suit him better as he asked. A board with C2D and Sli. The P5B i suggested at first was not Sli. But yeah Barch, you most likley do not need Sli

[barch 88]

Alright, I guess I can go with the new 680i series. Just another $100, I can swing it. From the reviews, the others do not look as stable, and not good overclockers.

[newbuilder14]

Drop the heatsink, too, to save money. At the very least give the Intel one a try. That one won't be that much better.

[Katreat]

Re-think the SLI.

I was convinced SLI was the way to go until the regulars at this site got me to start really thinking about cost and paying attention to video card reviews.

You are investing about $120 up-front to set up your new computer for future SLI. That includes a more expensive MB and a bigger PSU.

Add that to the cost of your 7950 GT ($280) and you have invested $400 in your video.

Now, if you take the time to compare the performance of your future 7950 GT SLI set up with other currently avaliable single video cards you find that both the X1950XTX ($400) and the 8800GTS ($450) are about equal or out-perform two 7950 GT’s in SLI on most benchmarks.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

So you might as well invest that $150 in a better card today and just not worry about buying another 7950 GT in a year or so. Not only is performance comparable, you get to enjoy it today, not sometime down the road!

If you think about it, when you buy that second card you will have $600+ investment in your video. For that kind of money you could have had an 8800GTX and that single card probably doubles the performance of your two 7950 GT’s in SLI!

Another option is to just save that $150 and add it to what you would spend on your second 7950 GT in a year or so and really upgrade to new technology! DirectX10 and other tech changes will likely be showing up as the standard a year or two down the road.

I still like the idea of SLI, but I think its only real advantage is when you can afford the biggest and best card right from the start. As an upgrade path you are just locking yourself into old technology for little or no gain.