Final parts check

[Katreat]

OK, it’s finally time to order, been reading a lot and posting a little so think most of this will work together.

I will be using monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers from my current computer. I also already have a un-used retail copy of XP so don’t need a new OS. My budget is around $1200 but would go higher if necessary. I could go as high as $1500 if it really improved the system but don’t really want to spend that much. I am looking for a computer that is fast enough to play current games at near top settings and that will likely play future games well. Computer will also be used for internet browsing, photo editing, and general office time work.

Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability through the majority of chassis 1.0mm cold rolled steel around the 4 x HDD area ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129017

ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131180

EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $286.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130038

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139001

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $222.90
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115003

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail $113.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145590

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148140

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail $37.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106057

Total = 1163.84

From reading I know the 800 memory is a bit of overkill since I don’t plan on over-clocking, but with the current rebate it did not seem a bad idea.

I will be using on-board sound to start and up-grade that later if I want better.

I will be using XP now (already have) and probably upgrading to Vista when and if I get a 10X game someday.

Well, that is the list, is there anything you would change? Anything I have forgotten? Or just anything that you think might make it a better system?

Also, I asked this question in the case forum, but does anyone who have worked with the corsair PSU know if the cables are long enough for the p180b case?

Oh, is the C2D 6600 price also dropping on July 22 or just the quad cores?

Thanks in advance for any help

Kat

PS is the P5K the replacement for the P5B? I see both being recommended but I went with the K just because it is newer but if anyone knows of any bugs with it please speak up.

[marine63]

um i got e6600 for my computer list and one of the members said it will drop

[moxing2]

Ya, if you can wait until July 22nd, Intel processors are going to drop in price substantially

[Katreat]

OK, guess I will wait tell the 22nd. I changed memory after noticing that I had chosen the wrong one above, hope I have the right one now.

Kat

[andper10]

Buy.com has a better deal on the Corsair 520 Watt PSU right now: http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-520w...203270716.html . It gets even better if you sign up for a google checkout account. I just recently bought mine from there (upgrade) and they seem like a good company. Mine shipped from Illinois. Beware of Mail In Rebates. They void the newegg warranty so if you send the MIR for your ram and then it dies you are in trouble. I am not sure if the manufacturer will take it back with a missing UPC but you should check before doing the MIR. An 8800GTX would really improve your preformance, but I am sure that an 8800GTS would do fine. Enjoy your build.

[Katreat]

I am not sure if you are correct on voiding the newegg warrenty. I had a external HD enclosure, which I had already sent in the rebate on go bad the second week. I returned it and newegg sent me a replacement. I cant say it was in a new box because it went to my son at college, but they did replace it with one that worked.

Thx for info on the Corsair, I had already noticed some better prices on some items from the internet but for the time being I was just linking everything to newegg for easy. When it comes time to order I will need to check how much saving is available but from past experience I do have a preference for newegg because they have always treated me so fair. But if there is a big difference on certain items like the PSU I will give it a good look.

If you have one, how long are the cables? I am still trying to get an idea if it will work with a P180 case or I if I should be lookiing at Antec PSUs which I know have longish cables.

Kat

[andper10]

Maybe it was different in the past or they just let that case slide, but from here: http://www.newegg.com/Info/ReturnPolicy.aspx#11
"Mail In Rebate Policy:
Products missing UPC codes or serial numbers from the box are NOT returnable.
Products offering mail-in rebates are not returnable to Newegg.com once the rebates have been filed. Be sure that the product is functional and that you intend to keep the product before sending in for your rebate. Products missing UPC codes or serial numbers from the box are NOT returnable. Only the product manufacturer can replace any defective item missing the UPC code."

Buy.com seems like a great company. I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again. The length of the cables that I have sitting around that aren't in use are:
Main 24 Pin connector and 4 pin/8 pin "P4" Connector: I would guess about 18" but they are in my case and not stretched out all the way, so I don't know for sure.
PCI-E: 23 inches;
3 Molex Connector Cable: 32 inches w/ connectors at 20", 26", and 32";
2 SATA Power Connector Cable: 27" with connectors at 21" and 27";
2 Molex Connector Cable: 19" with connectors at 13" and 19"
The rest are in use in my PC and all zip tied together so it would be hard to measure them accurately, but the longest run that I have is about 16" total (SATA Power) from the PSU (top) to the Hard Drive (near the bottom) and the PCI-E power goes the same length. From the manufacturer web site the case is: Dimensions: 21.3"(H) x 8.1"(W) x 19.9"(D)

So it looks like everything will reach. If it doesn't, you could always buy some extender(s).

[Katreat]

Well, cant argue with that, I just sent it back and they replaced it, never looked up the policy. But I see what you are getting at, newegg has always been wonderful replacing stuff and saving the problems with having to use the product warrenty. I would hate to lose that wonderfulness.

I have also bought from buy.com and so far the service has been good, although I have to add sales tax with them because they are in california. But I will definately run the numbers before I order and if they come up substantially cheaper I may go that direction.

Thanks for info on wire length, it sounds like it should all work out.

If someone would check the parts for campatability and give me a thumbs up or down I would appreciate it. I already found one mistake and corrected it and would rather not get stuff at the house with wrong timings, etc if I can avoid from the start.

Thanks

Kat

[Jimmy0]

Those parts look absolutely fine to me. I would make the comment about the memory and overclocking, but you have already realised this yourself and after the rebate it is only like $5 or so (didn't check) more than the VS stuff, so its all fine.

[jer888]

You may have chosen the P180 on purpose over the P182, but just in case you didn't know, there is a P182.

[Katreat]

Actually, the case is the item I am most undecided on. I know its personal choice but I am still having trouble deciding. I like silence, I like quality, but at the same time I really hate investing $100+ for an item that just holds stuff. My last computer was built in a $30 case I picked up on e-bay and it worked fine. not all that loud, no hinges, lots of plastic, but it worked so moving up to a $100 was a hard sell. If the 182 comes down in price or I can find it on sale I will definatelly go that direction, just for the improved wiring.

I understand that the 800 memory is probably overkill, but figured at the same price I might as well have it in the box. Who knows, maybe some future upgrade will benefit from it.

I was reading up on the EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Cards and they list three of them.

The difference is the core clock speeds, which are at 500, 576, and 588 Mhz that lead to (effective) memory clock of 1600, 1700, and 1840 MHz.

Each step adds about $30 to the price of the card, is it worth it to spend another $30 to $60 to speed up the memory clock or if you where going to spend more would it be more effective to move up to 640 mb of memory on the card? The 640 mb cards are about $100 more than the basic 320 and they also have 3 clock speeds.

I guess what I am wondering is if you will see more improvement from more memory or higher clock speeds? or should I just stop thinking because they are all faster than I will likely ever need

[andper10]

A case like this would be a little more budget friendly $50 - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119077 - But of course it all comes down to what your personal taste is for cases. As far as quiet, you can get just about any case and put in a Yate Loon 120mm fan or two and have a well cooled very quiet case ( http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-12...2-pr-3009.html ) I personally wouldn't spend over ~$75 for a case but it is your showcase for all of your cool expensive parts. I have a clear acrylic case and I am very happy with it. So I guess try to get a case that you like that isn't too expensive.
EDIT: If you have a Fry's Electronics near you they recently had the Antec 900 Gamer case on sale for $69.99 and if you watch the ads (check local paper or here: http://tapchivitinh.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5 ) it might go on sale for the same price again.

[oddjobguy147]

As for your video card problem, just stick with the standard clock, you won't know much of a difference, and if you wanted to, you could overclock it yourself for the amazing price of FREE*
As for choosing between 320MB and 640MB, I would suggest the latter if your using a bigger monitor e.g. 22" or so. Other than that I see no problems.

[oddjobguy147]

*the free price of overclocking not performed by the manufacturer will void your warranty and if you do not know what you are doing, don't do it. It was simply a joke, the standard clock will be just fine.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by Katreat I guess what I am wondering is if you will see more improvement from more memory or higher clock speeds? or should I just stop thinking because they are all faster than I will likely ever need

It depends on the game and the amount of eyecandy with resolution. I personally stay away from overclocked versions. I'd rather do it myself, and test the stability at the same time. Back with the 7900-series, XFX and other manufacturers who offered overclocked versions faced some amazingly high failure rates that kept coming back.

I would go for the 640mb if I wanted to spend some extra cash. You will always have that extra memory for future games, and you could overclock it however and whenever you wish regardless.

[Katreat]

Thx for the replys. It sounds like you guys recommend the 640 over the 320 so I will try to swing that in my budget. Have another 10 days so I will keep shopping around for a case of my dreams and see what I find.

Kat

[Katreat]

Ok, guess it is too old to edit, but one final question before buying on monday.

My budget will allow 300+ on the processor, is it better just to stick with the 6600 or with the price drop should i upgrade duel-core..... 6700+ or maybe even go quad..... 6600. Let me know what would be the best next step for a basic gaming machine, quad or duel or stick with 6600 for now.

Thx

Kat

[flanzig1]

For gaming rigs, a dual core is plenty, I think only a few games now can dual thread a dual core. As for which one, go for what the budget allows.

[Katreat]

Thanks flan, it looks like I can move all the way up to the E6850 and still stay within my budget so will likely move that direction. If prices come in a bit high on other stuff not on sell I can drop down just a bit.

Kat