Budget Build

[Thrillparks]

I want to put together a dual core system with the best bang for the buck. I would be using it for internet, dvd burning, and light to mid range gaming (mostly strategy & rpg's or games that aren't on xbox 360). I also want it to be upgradable too. So it won't be completely useless after a year or so. I could deal with on-board video for a while, and then get a decent video card later, since the newest game I have is Rise of Nations, lol. I would like to spend no more than $500-$700. Would be glad to see what you guys can come up with.

I think I'm pretty much stuck on this case.

I have been looking at the Pentium D 915, but am wondering if the C2D 6300 is worth the extra $.

On everything thing else, I would like to hear your suggestions.

[freakitchen]

Definitely spend the extra bucks on the E6300, the C2Ds are great processors. Price one up on Newegg with the ASUS P5L-MX Motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131041

It has on-board video, but also has a PCI-Ex16 video card slot should on-board not cope very well with the games you play.

Add 1GB (2x512) of Corsair VS DDR2-667 RAM, a Seagate 7200.10 hard drive (250GB being the best value for money) and a Lite-on DVD burner (retail if you want software)

The case you picked is a good one, you should put a quality 450w power supply in it, that will cover you should you add a dedicated video card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

Finally, you'll need an operating system. You can pick up Windows XP Home OEM with a Vista upgrade coupon.

FK

[Thrillparks]

PSU

^What do you think of this PSU?


Mobo

Ram

HDD

CPU

DVD R/W

Case

Will I really see $70+ difference between the Pentium D 915 & C2D 6300?
And do I have to buy ram in pairs? Could I just get one 1 gb stick. Since the mobo only has two slots and if I get two 512's now, and want to uprade to 2gb later, then I will have to buy two 1 gb sticks and my 512's would be useless. Right or wrong? Also I want to make sure everything I have listed is compatible. And If I buy the Windows Xp home oem, is the vista upgrade free? Because I see they now have this listed.

I think the case comes with one 120mm fan in the rear, does anyone know if I will be able to add another in the front? One more thing, should I buy some Arctic Silver or will I be ok with the stock thermal goo? Sorry for all the questions. And thanks for your help.

[freakitchen]

That XClio power supply is a quality one, and will be fine for on-board video, and a low-midrange video card in the future.

The build you have looks solid. The C2D processors really are a cut above the Pentium Ds, lightning fast for the money, so I'd say yes - you will notice the difference.

You make a good point about the RAM. Buying pairs of memory enables dual channel mode, which boosts performance, but I agree about the limitation of only having two memory banks. With that in mind, I'm tempted to change my recommendation to the ASUS P5L-VM - it has the four memory banks:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131046

I don't think the coupon will give you a free upgrade to vista, but it should save you money at least. Up to you if you want to go for Vista right now - I would personally wait until it's had a decent amount of usage in 'the field'.

If you buy a retail boxed processor, the heatsink and fan it comes with has Thermal Interface Material pre-installed.

Best to look at the case on Coolermaster's website to see if it will take a front fan. I would guess not from the pictures Newegg provides (no grilles at the front of the case). But the rear exhaust will provide plenty of cooling for that system, and less fans = less noise.

FK

[flanzig1]

The PSU is good.
Yes, you can use one stick of 1gig ram and upgrade later. You will take a performance hit not running ram in Dual Channel(2 matching sticks)
The case you picked has a front and a back fan.
Get the AC5,don't need it now but if/when you upgrade it's good to have.

[Thrillparks]

Ok, so if I bought the second mobo you suggested I could buy 2x 512 now, and 2x 512 later?

I checked CM's site and the case does come with 120 mm rear and 80 mm front fans.

Do you know if that dvd drive comes with Nero 7? I already have Nero 6 and would just buy an oem dvd-rw instead, if it just comes with 6.

And what do you think of that seagate hdd? I saw that the 7200.10 with 16mb cache is only $2 more than the one with 8mb. I'm guessing that's worth it.

All of that puts me at $670.77 w/shipping & tax. I didn't add an os to it because I do have a full version of xp pro and was just considering the vista option. I think I'll just wait awhile for vista.

[freakitchen]

Correct on the RAM

Don't know about the Nero 6/7. To be honest, Nero 6 is perfectly adequate for burning.

The 16MB cache hard drives are worth it. The Seagate drives are TOP quality.

Good luck with the build

FK

[Thrillparks]

Cool. I think that's the setup I'll be going with. Thanks for all the help.

[newbuilder14]

The P5L-VM is a good board, but this one is newer technology and has better onboard video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131043

If you can afford the price difference I'd go for it, otherwise, stick with the P5L-VM.

[Thrillparks]

How big of a performance difference would I see between the ddr2 667 ram and the ddr2 800?

What video card would you recommend for under $150? It doesn't matter to me whether its ATI or nvidia. I just want the best card for the $.

Is a lightscribe burner worth the few extra dollars?

[Jimmy0]

If you don't plan on overclocking then go with the DD2 667 RAM.

I would recommend either the 7600GS or GT.

[TimPoet]

Originally Posted by Thrillparks How big of a performance difference would I see between the ddr2 667 ram and the ddr2 800?

I think you'll be quite pleased with the speed of the 667 RAM, the 800 is more for overclockers.

What video card would you recommend for under $150? It doesn't matter to me whether its ATI or nvidia. I just want the best card for the $.

EVGA 7600 GT

Is a lightscribe burner worth the few extra dollars?

LightScribe is not that hot of an item, it takes a while to burn, like half an hour, and it's only in black and white, but then again, it's rather cheap.

[Thrillparks]

Which one of these is best? I won't be running dual monitors.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130017

[flanzig1]

The first card seems to have a better included software package and with the rebate, better price.

[Thrillparks]

So, are they pretty much the same cards? Also, can anyone tell me if the Core 2 Duo's (retail) come with a case badge/sticker?

[flanzig1]

Pretty sure. I think Intel puts them someplace the the instruction sheet.