System Rebuild

[Hshah28]

I’m going to be building an i7 based system in the next 2-3 months and it will be my first build and I’ve decided before I risk screwing up with more expensive parts ill gut and rebuild an old Alienware system that is sitting in my basement. It is 4-5 years old now so probably the only things that can be salvaged are the Case and PSU (It's either 350w or 500w, I don’t really recall anymore). With that in mind I would like some suggestions of Intel based builds. I’m willing to spend around $500 on this. I’d prefer something with over clocking potential. It will mostly just be used for Everquest 2 but the game is a HUGE resource Hog, barely uses the GPU anything, lol 4 years in they are finally having the GPU render shadows.

Thanks in advance.

[glc]

What is the power supply brand and model, and does it have a 24 pin main connector? I assume you do not want to make this one i7? Please list all other components, some may be suitable for reuse.

[Hshah28]

CPU- P4 3.0 GHz Prescott 800Mhz FSB HT enabled
GPU- NVIDIA 6 Series PCIE x16
Ram- 2 Gigs DDR2 8500 533 MHz
MoBo- Intel Board Socket 775, (Only supports up to the P4 3.8 GHz Prescott)
-does not allow for Overclocking
HDD- 80 GB SATA
ODD- Don’t Recall any specifics just a fairly generic DVD burner

PSU does have a 24 Pin connector couldn’t tell you the Brand and Model till I get home.
I know it’s a bit vague but I am at work


Edit: No this wont be the i7 build.
Will post more details about the parts once i get home.

[glc]

Looks like the ram, HDD, and ODD would be reusable. So would the video card if it's strong enough for EQ2. I'd get an Asus P5Q and a E8500. If you wanted a stronger video card, the power supply may or may not be suitable.

[Hshah28]

I see a lot of variations of the Asus P5Q on newegg, which one would you recomend?

[glc]

With today's pricing, the P5Q Pro.

[Hshah28]

Ok so far ive decided on

MoBo: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299

CPU:Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

RAM: OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227139

Any suggestion on a Graphics Card to Replace the Geforce 6600 in there right now?

[Masaki 7-11]

This is a good video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102822

I would pair it with this power supply (getting a new power supply is probably a good idea either way): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

[Hshah28]

What would be a comparable nvidia card in terms of performance?

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Hshah28 What would be a comparable nvidia card in terms of performance?

This would be a comparable nvidia card (9800GT): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130435

[glc]

You are going to add that ram to what you have for a total of 4gb?

[Hshah28]

Ahh coot thanks, ill probably end up going with the 4830 then.
Actually replacing the current 4x 512 sticks so I can have the option to go to 4gb later if I want.

[tomtoon]

you sure you don't want to go 4GB, the corsair 4GB is $19.99 after rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

[Hshah28]

Ive really never been a big fan of mail in rebates myself, plus It will still be running XP 32 bit for now so I would not be able to make full use of the ram.

[glc]

We saved you a lot of money from your original estimate, now go get a 2x2 ram kit. It's almost foolish not to. Like you said, EQ2 needs all the help it can get, and the difference between 2gb and 3.25gb will be very noticeable.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by glc We saved you a lot of money from your original estimate, now go get a 2x2 ram kit. It's almost foolish not to. Like you said, EQ2 needs all the help it can get, and the difference between 2gb and 3.25gb will be very noticeable.

The difference between 2GB and 3.25GB may be noticeable under Vista; however if going with XP you'll be really hard pressed to use up 2GB of ram.

[glc]

Everquest needs all the ram it can get to run smoothly.

[Hshah28]

Well I guess 4 it is, in terms of performance what would fare better 4 x 1gb or 2 x 2gb?

[Alaron]

Go with a 2x2 kit.

[Hshah28]

Decided on G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail , not many 2x 2gb options on the QVL. Other than that can anyone recomend a good CPU Heatsink+Fan?

[glc]

The stock Intel heatsink is fine for stock speeds and some overclocking.

[Hshah28]

Ahh cool, thank yoo for all your help guys, I'll post again once ive gotten the parts.