Christmas Build; Any Suggestions For Santa?

[Peter Venkman]

I gave the kids a choice for Christmas this year, a ski trip or build new computers. They chose to build a new computer.

The computer will be for internet gaming, I think they primarily play DoW, WoW, and CS.

I don't have a strict budget. I guess we're looking for a high end'ish system, but I'm not looking to shoot the wad just for bragging rights. More like a good bang for buck that is also a special Christmas gift.

I haven't looked at components for about 5 years so I'm scrambling to reeducate myself, man how things have changed. So, if some of my questions seem stupid it's because they are.

Here are my thoughts so far. My sources have been PCMech, Tom's, SharkyExtreme, and GamePC.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4 GHz.

MB: ASUS P5B Delux/WiFi, Intel P965 Express.
I don't plan on using SLI of Crossfire.
We never have overclocked so it's not a priority, but the kids are getting more sophisticated so they might dabble with learning some OC basics. If that were a priority I would have gone the 975 route.

RAM: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit. Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4.
Seems the 2 basic choices there are Cas Latency 4 or 5. From watching the Corsair Memory Slide Show lower latency is better. I didn't select the higher end Dominator series. Would it be worth the extra cash?

HD: Segate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (PRT) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s.
Two of these in RAID configuration.

Graphics: This ones up for grabs. Of course I'd like the 8800GTX but it would be top dollar when DX10 isn't yet prevalent. I'm partial to NVIDIA. What should I put here? 7900GS, 7900GT, 7950GT?

Box: Cooler Master Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN2-GP Silver Aluminum Full Tower.
This is overkill but I really enjoy a large case with excellent cooling. This is a splurge.

Power: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS 12V

DVD: LG 18X DVD+/- R Super-Multi DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Back IDE Model GSAH22N-BK.
IDE vs E-IDE vs Serial ATA. Is this a big deal with DVD performance? I want a quiet DVD with solid performance.

Monitor: SAMSUNG 204B-BK Black 20.1" 5ms DVI LCD.

That's what I've come up with so far. Any glaring faux pas here?
Any comments appreciated.

Thx

[andper10]

22" monitors will give you more bang for your buck. A few that are about the same price as your pick:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824014131

You can get a nice 19" for around $200. It helps if you set a budget, even if it is a range. Don't forget about a copy of Windows XP; Home would be fine unless you have complex networking ($90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116169 ). You don't really need DDR2 800 unless you are overclocking; I think that DDR2 667 Corsair Value Select (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098 ) would be a good budget minded choice, although I am not familiar with those games. Also, that value ram wont OC much, so if you want to keep that option open, you will probably want to get XMS, although DDR2 667 XMS would be ok for some light OCing. Enjoy your build!

[Mr.Ferrari]

Hiya

Originally Posted by Peter Venkman MB: ASUS P5B Delux/WiFi, Intel P965 Express. I don't plan on using SLI of Crossfire. We never have overclocked so it's not a priority, but the kids are getting more sophisticated so they might dabble with learning some OC basics. If that were a priority I would have gone the 975 route.

Actually, P5B Deluxe w/965p is the most highest overclockers on the market. So your set either way. Very stable too.

Originally Posted by Peter Venkman RAM: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit. Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4. Seems the 2 basic choices there are Cas Latency 4 or 5. From watching the Corsair Memory Slide Show lower latency is better. I didn't select the higher end Dominator series. Would it be worth the extra cash?

Both sticks are the exact same things. For the price that the Cas4 kit is charging you, you can get some really nice overclocking ram. I would personally stick to the Cas5. As with the Cas4 they're just ripping you off.

Originally Posted by Peter Venkman Graphics: This ones up for grabs. Of course I'd like the 8800GTX but it would be top dollar when DX10 isn't yet prevalent. I'm partial to NVIDIA. What should I put here? 7900GS, 7900GT, 7950GT?

Well, just saying, ATI X19XXX series are just about the top dogs right now under the 8800GTX. BUT if you really prefer nvidia, then I would have to say go for the 7950GT.

Box: Cooler Master Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN2-GP Silver Aluminum Full Tower. This is overkill but I really enjoy a large case with excellent cooling. This is a splurge.

If your spending that kinda money I would personally look into Lian Li's. Its a great case, but it is overpriced. And its smaller then it looks. Plus all those fans cause unnecessary turbulence. If you want a big case look into the Stacker 810.

Originally Posted by Peter Venkman Power: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS 12V

That is a great powersupply. But once again, overpriced. A $80 500W'er would easily handle your setup. However if you want to spend for quality I say spend it right in one of these PSU's:
Corsair 520W HX
Silverstone ST56ZF

Originally Posted by Peter Venkman IDE vs E-IDE vs Serial ATA. Is this a big deal with DVD performance? I want a quiet DVD with solid performance.

Not one big enough to justify. Go for Lite-on or Plextor.

Everything else is fine.

[Peter Venkman]

Thx for replies.

Since it's Christmas I may spring for the 8800GXT (OUCH!)

[flanzig1]

For the PSU, go with the Corsair that Mr. F linked. The Silverstone isn't an ATX 2.0 PSU.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Just because its a single rail? Most high end powersupplies on the market are single railed. Theres a reason for that too. Nowadays single railed psu's are coming back. And I would always prefer them over dual railed powersupplies. Just powersupplies which are under powered on a single 12v rail are not something I would suggest. I myself always prefer a single railed powersupply.

The Corsair is also technically a single rail..

[Peter Venkman]

Ok, did some more research and changed a few things.



SILVERSTONE TJ09-S Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811163074
Large plain jane aluminum box. Power sits in the bottom. MB tray and PCI slots slide out the back. This looks good to me.

ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131028

XFX PVT80GTHF9 GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150204
I don't know anything about XFX. Any input?

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply -
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817703005

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115003

CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4D - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145168

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM. 2 of these.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148140

ViewSonic VX922 Black/Silver 19" 2ms LCD Monitor - Retail . 2 of these.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824116375

LG 18X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model GSAH22N-BK - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827136103

A few other things like mouse, KB, OS, etc.

Appreciate any input.

Thx

[Mr.Ferrari]

Evga is always my preferance. XFX isnt that bad either.

I would get some of this instead..
Corsair XMS
The dominators are overpriced, and dont really overclocking any better then the normal XMS. Up to you though..

I would also get a retail lite-on burner..

[Peter Venkman]

Thx for the quick reply.

Very helpful.

I think this is going to be a fun build.

[newbuilder14]

Very expensive, but nice case. Thought about an Antec P180?

[Peter Venkman]

Just sent in the order.

It was expensive, but will make a nice Christmas gift for some great sons.

thx

[newbuilder14]

They are going to love it. You chose some very high quality components.

[786ARS]

lol - that looks almost identical to the rig i am planning of making sometime next year, with the only changes being a different screen, , slightly smaller hd, diff psu, diff case and vs ram as opposed to XMS.