Advise a few parts.

[Soriasis]

Hello. I'm deciding on building a computer and would like some more experienced advice.

There are 2 computer parts I would mainly like to discuss. As of right now I have no specific parts. I would just like some quick opinion information on todays:

-Intel Duo 2 CPU's
-Motherboard

My budget right now is $1000. I did do a search around the forums but most of the threads are really outdated.

Question #1: I want to know if I should go hardcore CPU and weaker GFX, or hardcore GFX and weaker CPU, or just even out the both.

Question #2. This is where it gets tough for me because there are so many motherboards that I don't know which one is good. Could you guys recommend me a good one to go with the CPU and the GFX that you also recommend?

What I am thinking of right now is getting a
-Intel Core Duo 2 E6600
-Nvidia 7900GTX or Nvidia 8800 GTS ($350)

After looking at Tom's Hardware it seems that the E6600 did really well. Along with the 7900GTX too. The RAM and the other components I can deal with myself since it isn't too big of a deal. Power Supply I know to go to Antec since they are really good with them.

Things I want to accomplish with this new computer:
-Needs to last 2 years (minimum).
-Multitasking (Listening to music while playing a game, internet, MSN, etc w/o any slow down).
-A computer that doesn't bog down after playing a video game for hours.
-Gaming isn't too hardcore, I just want to be able to play things such as Halo 2 for Windows Vista or World of Warcraft at max settings in a giant raid (lots of people).

Thanks a lot

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Soriasis Hello. I'm deciding on building a computer and would like some more experienced advice. There are 2 computer parts I would mainly like to discuss. As of right now I have no specific parts. I would just like some quick opinion information on todays: -Intel Duo 2 CPU's -Motherboard My budget right now is $1000. I did do a search around the forums but most of the threads are really outdated. Question #1: I want to know if I should go hardcore CPU and weaker GFX, or hardcore GFX and weaker CPU, or just even out the both. Question #2. This is where it gets tough for me because there are so many motherboards that I don't know which one is good. Could you guys recommend me a good one to go with the CPU and the GFX that you also recommend? What I am thinking of right now is getting a -Intel Core Duo 2 E6600 -Nvidia 7900GTX After looking at Tom's Hardware it seems that the E6600 did really well. Along with the 7900GTX too. The RAM and the other components I can deal with myself since it isn't too big of a deal. Power Supply I know to go to Antec since they are really good with them. Things I want to accomplish with this new computer: -Needs to last 2 years (minimum). -Multitasking (Listening to music while playing a game, internet, MSN, etc w/o any slow down). -A computer that doesn't bog down after playing a video game for hours. -Gaming isn't too hardcore, I just want to be able to play things such as Halo 2 for Windows Vista or World of Warcraft at max settings in a giant raid (lots of people). Thanks a lot

1. Keep it evend out. If you have a good graphics card and a low processor, it won't be able to process the higher graphics for the higher graphics card, so you'll be with lower graphics becuasue of the CPU. If you get a good CPU and not a good graphics card, the lower graphics card won't be able to run on good graphics.

2. Get an Asus P5B or a P5K motherboard, I have one and i love it an alot of other people recommend them too. If your using vista, I'd probably go with a graphics card in the 8000 series because of the Direct X10.

If you don't want your system to slow down after playing games for a while, then your going to need more memory, 2GB-3GB. Windows 32-Bit will only use a Maximum of 3GB's, so don't put more than that in with 32-Bit.

[Soriasis]

Thanks for the reply.

What do you recommend for the processor if I'm going to get a GFX card in the 8000 series. I'm pretty certain that I am going to get Vista, even after hearing all the crap it gets. I am quite confused about why a BFG 8600GT OC is only $130, and the EVGA 8800 GTS is $350.

8600GT
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...20Technologies

8800GTS
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA

Is there a major difference?

Edit: I actually changed my mind after looking at Tom's Charts and wow, the 7950GT does really well + it is compatible with Vista. I am certain I'm going to get that because it did really well at charts.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=XFX


And as for the mobo, I have heard the PB5 a lot throughout the forums, I'll give it a look.

The RAM, I'll probably end up getting about 2GB from OCZ or Corsair.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Soriasis Thanks for the reply. What do you recommend for the processor if I'm going to get a GFX card in the 8000 series. I'm pretty certain that I am going to get Vista, even after hearing all the crap it gets. I am quite confused about why a BFG 8600GT OC is only $130, and the EVGA 8800 GTS is $350. 8600GT http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...20Technologies 8800GTS http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA Is there a major difference? Edit: I actually changed my mind after looking at Tom's Charts and wow, the 7950GT does really well + it is compatible with Vista. I am certain I'm going to get that because it did really well at charts. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=XFX And as for the mobo, I have heard the PB5 a lot throughout the forums, I'll give it a look. The RAM, I'll probably end up getting about 2GB from OCZ or Corsair.

I have the P5B its nice.
I also have the 8600Gt, yes, there is much difference between the 8600GT and the 8800GTS, 8600 is like a lower version of the high end cards. Although with my core 2 duo e4400 (2.0ghz) and my 3gbs ram, I run Battlefield 2 on all high with AA x8 and get 80-90FPS.

I'd still recommend one of the 8000 series cards because of the direct x10, if you want it to last a minimum of 2 yeras, you want the DX10. As for the processor, do you want AMD or Intel? If you want Intel (I recommend) go with this Core 2 Duo E6600
If you end up going over your budget with that processor, then get the Core 2 Duo E6420

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Soriasis Question #1: I want to know if I should go hardcore CPU and weaker GFX, or hardcore GFX and weaker CPU, or just even out the both.

You always want to select parts that will give you a well balanced system so try to get a CPU that is well matched to the video card.

Originally Posted by Soriasis Question #2. This is where it gets tough for me because there are so many motherboards that I don't know which one is good. Could you guys recommend me a good one to go with the CPU and the GFX that you also recommend?

One of the P5B or P5K variants.

Originally Posted by Soriasis What I am thinking of right now is getting a -Intel Core Duo 2 E6600 -Nvidia 7900GTX or Nvidia 8800 GTS ($350)

For about the same price take a look at the E6750 instead...it's a faster CPU with higher FSB speed.

Can't help you with the video card since I'm not a gamer.

Originally Posted by Soriasis Power Supply I know to go to Antec since they are really good with them.

There are better brands than Antec and you might not have to pay as much. I prefer Fortron Source/Sparkle Power power supplies but there is also Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Corsair and Silverstone.

Originally Posted by Soriasis Things I want to accomplish with this new computer: -Needs to last 2 years (minimum). -Multitasking (Listening to music while playing a game, internet, MSN, etc w/o any slow down).

A dual core processor will handle multitasking well, but if you want to do a lot of things at once you may have to look at the new quad core processors (which cost a lot more).

Originally Posted by Soriasis -A computer that doesn't bog down after playing a video game for hours.

Make sure you pick out a case that has good cooling like the Antec 900.

Originally Posted by Soriasis -Gaming isn't too hardcore, I just want to be able to play things such as Halo 2 for Windows Vista or World of Warcraft at max settings in a giant raid (lots of people).

With a budget of only $1000 you have to be realistic about your expectations...you won't be able to get the most powerful video card on the market so you really can't expect to play games at max settings unless the games are not too demanding on the system. A $1000 system will do most things well, but it won't be a true gaming rig.

Does the $1000 cover just the computer or does it have to include the operating system, monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers too? If it does you'll end up with a less powerful system in the end.

Cricket

[Soriasis]

The cost is only going to cover the computer. Not peripherals.

Now that I look at the 6750, I realize that its a few bucks cheaper then the E6600 which is good, and it also performs better then it during the gaming benchmarks.

There are a lot of P5b's, is there any specific one I should go for?

As for gaming, yes I understand that I shouldn't be too demanding. I just want to be able to play old games at good settings. I'm not really looking forward to some of the new vista games coming out anyway.

The graphics card I will have to decide on my own whether or not I really want to play DX10 games.

Oh and should I bother getting a heatsink/pipe for the CPU? Or would the stock one be good enough.

[flanzig1]

start with the stock CPU heatsink, will save the warranty on the CPU and is plenty good for non-OCing uses.
As for which P5B, look at the different options each has and pick one that meets your needs.

[Soriasis]

Alright this is my finalized build:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.66GHZ 1333FSB 4MB Retail

MOBO: ASUS P5K ATX LGA775 P35 DDR2 2PCI-E16 3PCI 1PCI-E1 SATA2 Sound GBLAN 1394 Motherboard

RAM: Mushkin SP PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit

GFX: EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS 576MHZ 320MB 1.7GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card

CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Gamer Case 900 ATX 9 Drive Bay No PS Top USB2.0 1394 Audio

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200.10 8MB 8.5MS SATA2 NCQ Hard Drive

DRIVE: Samsung SH-S183L Black SATA DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 DL 8X Lightscribe DVD Writer OEM W/ SW

OEM: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 32BIT DVD OEM

SOUND: Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Audio 24BIT Sound Card 7.1 PCI OEM

PSU: Thermaltake Purepower 500W ATX12V V2.0 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan


As you can see, I went better for the Processor, GFX and Case, went good for the MOBO (as you guys have recommended), and went average/decent for the rest of the parts. I'm not really a big fan of burning DVDs or Sound so thats why I didn't spend too much on it. I got the 8800 for a year or two of DirectX 10 Gaming and if I ever have to need to try out Dual Screen.

The total comes up to: $1369 CAN. Which totals up to $1300 US.

What do you guys think?

[maxnik]

most parts look good.
I would look for a Seagate HD with 16Mb buffer, which is pretty standard right now.
Did you look at Corsair memory? It's between $80-90 for 2GB after rebate. Might save you some money. And it's most recommended memory around here.
Also Samsung drives are not the best. Take a look at a retail Lite-On.

[alanebro82]

Is there a reason you are getting a sound card? As far as I know, most MoBo's these days come with very adequate onboard audio. At the very least, I would recommend trying out the onboard sound before you drop that extra cash on a sound card. (Unless you're using it for something special that I'm not aware of... then you can just disregard my comment.)

[Soriasis]

Okay I updated some of my parts after hearing your comments.

Liteon DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL 8X Lightscribe INT IDE Drive Black DVD Writer OEM

Only $45, but like I said, I just want something that play disks. I rarely use my Sony Drive anyway.

Seagate Barracuda 400GB 7200.10 16MB 8.5MS SATA2 3GB/S W/ NCQ Hard Drive 5YR MFR Warranty

This was the lowest priced 16MB buffer I could find. Hopefully it will do well. I don't mind cashing out a few more bucks as long as it won't get outdated before any of my other parts.

Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory

And this for the RAM, it had a $30 Mail in Rebate which brought it to $120, only $8 more then the Mushkin.

As for the soundcard, I'm getting it because I have 5.1 speakers that I want to put to use.

[maxnik]

Try finding SATA DVD burner. IDE is not native on the new motherboards and they have to use third party controllers and drivers. You most likely will not use the Lightscribe thing, so you can swap for a SATA burner without Lightscribe. Plus of course higher data transfer from SATA and narrow cables = better air flow.

[Katreat]

I think the P5K has 7.1 sound on it so the sound card is not really necessary. Most new Mobo have excellent sound built in so as someone else said unless you need a specific sound card for a specific purpose you can save a few bucks and just use on-board sound. Also, sound cards are really easy to add later if you find a need.

The seagate 7200.10 with 16 MB comes in all sizes so you should be able to find it at 250GB for about the same price as your original choice. Unless they are just out of stock and if so I expect they will have more of those within just a few days.

If you can find the Lite-on retail it is usually just a couple dollars more and comes with burning software which saves you from buying it.

Kat