First build in the works (looking for suggestions)

[ThePacster]

Seeing as my assignment in class pertaining to this very topic went over so well, I thought it was time the parts I picked out had a once over. My budget is about $1000 to $1200, so the setup I have now seems to fit in nicely, but I have a lingering feeling it could be a little better, but I'm not sure where exactly. Also, this is a gaming rig for those that are wondering. Anywho, here is my build, let me know what you think.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 - Retail ($221)

Motherboard: Asus P5L-MX - Retail ($75.99)

Memory: Corsair 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM x2 - Retail ($139.98)

Hard Drive: Western Digital 250 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB cache - OEM ($74.99)

CD/DVD Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM - OEM ($34.99)

Videocard: EVGA 7600GT 256 MB - Retail ($109.99)

Soundcard: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi 7.1 Audio - Retail ($45.99)

Powersupply: XCLIO Goodpower 500W - Retail ($51.99)

Case: Cool Master Centurion 5 - Retail ($49.99)

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop + PS/2 RF Wireless Mouse - Retail ($29.99)

Monitor: Hanns-G 19" Widescreen LCD ($179.99)

Speakers: Logitech X-530 70 Watts - OEM ($59.99)


Total: $1074

[freakitchen]

My suggestions as follows....

Downgrade the processor to the E6300. If you're not an overclocker, the difference in performance between that and the E6400 is not worth the price difference. The next 'logical' upgrade is the E6600

Go for a motherboard with a P965 chipset - the P5L-MX you picked out is a good board, but more so for basic systems that require on-board video. Suggest the ASUS P5B

Go for the Corsair 2x1GB kit to guarantee dual-channel operation. The speed you picked out is the right one

The video card you picked out is a great choice for a place-holder, and I've got no arguments with anything else. A SATA Optical drive would be a good idea, if you can find a Lite-on.

FK

[glc]

You also need a retail DVD burner to get the needed software. Retail Lite-Ons come with Nero and PowerDVD. Hold off on the sound card till you try the onboard sound.

[ThePacster]

I've been snooping around for parts as you guys suggested, so I'll edit this when I think I've found everything. It didn't occur to me that the Retail DVD burner would include Nero, thanks for that tip.

Also, anyone else care to comment on E6300 vs. 6400 for a non-overclocker?

[flanzig1]

The E6300 and E6400 are basicly the same except for a 10% increase in speed for the E6400. For that 10% increase in speed you are paying about a 5% more per megahertz of speed. In other words: more bang for the buck

[Mr.Ferrari]

Even though the Goodpower's have been replaced with newer models. I still suggest you go with something a little more proven. An Xclio 450BL will handle your setup and its cheaper to boot.

[ThePacster]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 The E6300 and E6400 are basicly the same except for a 10% increase in speed for the E6400. For that 10% increase in speed you are paying about a 5% more per megahertz of speed. In other words: more bang for the buck

Forgive me, but I got lost in the context. Are you saying more bang for the buck in favor of the E6300?

[LeftyAce]

Any reason people aren't pushing the Seagate 7200.10 harddrive? I thought it was great speed for the price...

[ThePacster]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari Even though the Goodpower's have been replaced with newer models. I still suggest you go with something a little more proven. An Xclio 450BL will handle your setup and its cheaper to boot.

I'm a bit concerned about the 450 BL though. Looking at the customer reviews, alot of people were having trouble after the 1 year mark or is that something that's recently been fixed?

[glc]

We do push the Seagate, but there's nothing wrong with the WD.

[moodyblues100]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen My suggestions as follows.... The video card you picked out is a great choice for a place-holder, and I've got no arguments with anything else. FK

I understand the idea of a 'placeholder' video card, but it seems to me $110.00 is a bit steep for a placeholder. DX 10 capable cards are going to come down in price when ATI has a product out, but will the competition be enough to exceed the $110. you already laid out. If the card is truly a place holder I think the money spent should be half of what is listed here, otherwise just spring for the newer card now.

[glc]

The rebate deal they had on a eVGA 7600GT is no longer. The 7600GS is a good option, those are under $100.

[LeftyAce]

Something else to consider when purchasing an eVGA card as a placeholder: their "step up" program. Check out their website for details, but as I understand it, you can trade in your card within 90 days and receive credit towards an upgrade.....so some of the money you spend on the placeholder will go towards the DX10 card.

[ThePacster]

Well, I'm probably crazy, but I'm not all that concerned with DX10 yet, but only because I'm usually playing MMO's (phantasy star universe, city of heroes, silk road, etc.). Since I'm fairly sure that they aren't going to overhaul their systems and make everyone get DirectX 10, I thought the 7600GT would be a good card to have that wasn't too pricey.

[Alaron]

No worries Pacster. Most folks with gaming builds these days want to go for DX10 cards, so we have been using the placeholder argument frequently. But the 7600GT is still a nice bang for the buck card, you'll be happy with it.

[moodyblues100]

Originally Posted by ThePacster Well, I'm probably crazy, but I'm not all that concerned with DX10 yet, I thought the 7600GT would be a good card to have that wasn't too pricey.

With that in mind I think you are right on track. My point was that $110. is a little steep for a temporary card. Your choice should be adequate for quite some time. By the time you're ready to replace that card we'll be on the 3rd generation DX 10 card, there will be more games that take advantage of it, and it will be 1/3 the current cost.

[Mr.Ferrari]

If anything the goodpower's have a much worse reputation then the BL's. If you feel comfortable with them, go for it...

[ThePacster]

Originally Posted by ThePacster Seeing as my assignment in class pertaining to this very topic went over so well, I thought it was time the parts I picked out had a once over. My budget is about $1000 to $1200, so the setup I have now seems to fit in nicely, but I have a lingering feeling it could be a little better, but I'm not sure where exactly. Also, this is a gaming rig for those that are wondering. Anywho, here is my build, let me know what you think. Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 - Retail ($221) Motherboard: Asus P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 - Retail ($119.99) Memory: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) - Retail ($162.99) Hard Drive: Western Digital 250 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB cache - OEM ($74.99) CD/DVD Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write - Retail ($38.99) Videocard: EVGA 7600GT 256 MB - Retail ($109.99) Powersupply: Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W - Retail ($69.01) Case: Cool Master Centurion 5 - Retail ($49.99) Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop + PS/2 RF Wireless Mouse - Retail ($29.99) Monitor: Hanns-G 19" Widescreen LCD ($179.99) Speakers: Logitech X-530 70 Watts - OEM ($59.99) Total: $1116.92

Couldn't seem to find the edit button, but here is a revised list. Only components I'm not totally sure on at this point are the powersupply, the dvd burner, and the processor.

I did a little digging and come up with this powersupply and it seems pretty good, so if anyone has heard of Enhance power supplies before, lemme know what you know~

The DVD burner... well, I don't really know anything about them, but it does come with Nero 7.

As for the processor, its really just a toss up between E6400 and E6300. Freakitchen has me on the fence about that one, hehe.

[newbuilder14]

That power supply is still the same GoodPower and the optical drive is not a retail one. If those two things are changed I'd say the list looks fine.

[freakitchen]

You don't seem to have edited your links, Pacster. The text has changed, but they still link to your original parts choices (see power supply link for an example!)

[ThePacster]

Blargh, I knew I forgot something, but hooray! there was an edit button this time, so I changed the links take another look.

[freakitchen]

You can go for standard Value Select memory if you don't want to overclock - here's the 2GB kit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

Everything else looks good. Enhance make quality power supplies - but you can get something equally as good from Newegg that will mean you only paying for one lot of shipping:

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

FK

[ThePacster]

I'm not planning to overclock, but since there's only a $3 difference between the two, I'll probably stick to the one I picked out. But overall it looks like I finally have a good setup, thanks much everyone. ^_^