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View Full Version : New uATX build - Opinions please

encendido5
02-18-2008, 12:04 PM
So I'm finally thinking of taking the plunge to build a new PC. My old Dell 4600 isn't cutting it anymore. Here's what I'm thinking:

Case: Ultra Microfly Case - $90? - Link (http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=13&pPath=439&productID=443)
Motherboard: Asus P5K-VM - $110 - Link (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131187)
CPU: Intel e6750 - $190 - Link (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115029)
PSU: Corsair 520W CMPSU-520HX - $98 - Link (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203270716)
RAM: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB Kit DDR2-800 - $32.50 - Link (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85025-5)
GPU: EVGA 512MB 8800GT - $240 - Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318)
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 - $85 - Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136039)
DVD Drive: LITE-ON Black 20X Retail - $32 - Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057)

Am I missing anything? Total is about $900 after rebates. I wanted to go quad core for video editing but that would add an exta $80. I have an old IDE burner I could use but would that work with the M/B or PSU? How much of a performance difference would it be if I went with a HD3850?

Thanks for any comments.
n25philly
02-18-2008, 02:25 PM
Is that your whole budget? I don't see on OS there. Are you mainly doing video editing? If so a HD3850/3870 would likely be a better choice.
encendido5
02-18-2008, 04:02 PM
Yeah, I probably won't be doing too much gaming, though I will probably want to get COD4 or the next Unreal Tournament when it comes out. I don't have a 360 or PS3 so this would take its place. You're right though I could probably save $50 by going with ATI.

I have a retail version of Windows XP Home I bought for a really old P3 laptop so I'm going to uninstall that and use it on the new build. I have a 22" widescreen LCD as well as a wireless keyboard and mouse I'm going to reuse as well.
cletus
02-18-2008, 07:55 PM
Your old IDE burner will work fine with that MB. It's got a IDE connector by the PCI slots. I believe it will work with that PS too. You can skimp on getting a new DVD drive and just use the old one.
encendido5
02-18-2008, 09:00 PM
Cool, I'll do that for now then since the old drive works just fine.
Richard Longfellow
02-18-2008, 11:52 PM
Just remember XP service pack 1 had a 137 GB hard drive limitation, so hopefully your disk is SP2. I re-learned that lesson the hard way when I upgraded to a 320 GB Seagate drive using XP Pro SP1. :roll:
encendido5
02-19-2008, 01:49 PM
Just remember XP service pack 1 had a 137 GB hard drive limitation, so hopefully your disk is SP2. I re-learned that lesson the hard way when I upgraded to a 320 GB Seagate drive using XP Pro SP1. :roll:

Oh dang... I'll have to check what I have then cuz I bought this one a long time ago. Thanks for the heads up.
encendido5
02-19-2008, 03:54 PM
Just remember XP service pack 1 had a 137 GB hard drive limitation, so hopefully your disk is SP2. I re-learned that lesson the hard way when I upgraded to a 320 GB Seagate drive using XP Pro SP1. :roll:

If I were to use slipstream on the xp I have and combine it with XPSP2, would that work around the 137gb limit?