Yet another "critique my PC build" thread

Serik

Serik

CAGiversary!
Computer hardware has passed me by since I last built a rig some 3.5 years ago. My goal with this PC is straightforward:

Play new games at solid, not uber, settings with minimal performance lost. No need for a system that "owns" Crysis at 1920x1200 resolution with full settings. But I do have a shiny new 24'' WS monitor and I'd like to run at full resolution if possible.

Here's some stuff I pulled from NewEgg

Mobo: ASUS P5B LGA P965 Express ATX $100

Never really had much of a clue about mobos; is there something cheaper that would do the job just as well? Asus' products have served me well for years.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale $240
 I'm embarrassingly out of the loop when it comes to dual and quad core processors.

Graphics: EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512 MB 256-bit $240

RAM: 4GB of Corsair value. My understanding is that 32-bit Windows can only utilize 3GB, but with RAM so cheap it's not like it's wasted money. My friend tells me to go for the cheapest stuff possible because I don't overclock or squeeze my rig for performance. ~$80

 HD: Western Digital 500GB (x2) $200

 I like to keep my OS + files + media on one HD and my games on another. I'm just weird like that.

Power Supply: Any suggestions for this or a comparable setup?

This current build would cost me $1000 when it's all said and done. Methinks I can still build a powerful PC for less (that's why I'm asking CAG).

Thanks in advance
 
Power supply must be 650w or more ...

I shouldn't say must ... but it's better not to skimp on a PSU, it could seriously damage hardware if you do though.

As for ram ... I wouldn't go with value ram if you plan on running games and such. Get something with heatspreaders at the least.

The processor ... well just seems amazing to me. Cheap for a 3.0 (though was cheaper before) and is just crazy all together. I might have to purchase one as well now haha
 
I'm putting a PC together as well. So far only have ordered a case and power supply for it.

Newegg has the Antec P182 on sale for $60 with $50 mail-in rebate and $30 off code. Great deal!

For a power supply I ordered a Corsair 550W Vx Series for $64 after rebate at Buy.com. Also a good deal.

I'm going for a nice, quiet build as well as something with some power behind it. Probably put a Q6600 CPU with ASUS motherboard and 8800GT video card in it. Still thinking about the video card though. 550W should be ok for this-I read others with the same config where it's fine, plus I won't have an extreme amount of drives in it.
 
I still say a 650w PSU or more is a must. Especially if you plan on running under high settings and stressing it out. Never do you want your PSU to be under full load or getting close to it, it could seriously damage components. Not only that but the processor your getting, very very easy to overclock, your not going to want to push the PSU if you do end up deciding to do so. Not to mention you won't have to worry about any rails or anything being to weak. The only thing on your computer that you never want to skimp on is a PSU.

You can get this one ... it's really nice http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002 for 100$ ... just spend 30$ more to risk no damage to your system for a nice brand name PSU. Not to mention extremely quiet. I've had experience with thermaltake as well and they're pretty good.

Just to show some good cheap RAM with heatspreaders.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227124
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139
The first one would cost you 40$ after rebates for 4gigs.
Second one 80$ after rebates for 4 gigs

Both I would consider alot better then value select, due to the fact that it will spread the heat and pull it away from the RAM.

As for the motherboard, you're really bottlenecking that processor you picked out. Your processor runs at a FSB of 1333 MHz while the motherboard only runs at 1066 MHz. You probably want to find something compatiable with all you have that has a FSB of 1333 ... no need to make your computer slower then it could be.

All in all, the three deadly sins of computers, in my own opinion, is lack of power, heat, and one everyone should hate, the product not running to it's potential. take these out of the picture and you have yourself a nice machine :D I would recomend OCZ, that's why I linked them for you, they usually have nice rebates as well. Yet you obviously don't have to go with it as well. I'd just make sure the reviews are 4 stars at the least when you buy the products.

Sorry if this was long :D
 
www.hardforum.com has a lot of great reviews of power supplies. Some say it is the most important part of your new pc, as a bad supply will wreck everything else.
Check this thread for a power supply calculator, shows you exactly what you will need. Better to err on the side of caution and get a supply a little more powerful than recommended, just to be sure:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1045259



I like your build, great CPU, graphics card. Corsair makes good stuff, and your friend is right on about not needing anything fancy if you are not overclocking.

2 Hard drives = a good idea.
 
What OS are you running on this setup? While researching the HP Blackbird ( I plan on buying one ) I read that with Vista (32 bit) anything more than 2GB in memory is wasted.
 
32 bit OS will only run 3gb of memory, but you don't really need that much at the moment for any game. Most games hardly use more then 1gb(including Crysis)
 
[quote name='InuFaye']32 bit OS will only run 3gb of memory, but you don't really need that much at the moment for any game. Most games hardly use more then 1gb(including Crysis)[/quote]

While this is true, I have noticed a significant improvement in my 32bit vista desktop pc when I upgraded the ram from 1gb to 2gb. With ram prices so cheap nowadays, you might as well get 3gb.
 
Thats because you are running vista, and you are probably running all of the aero features then you need at least 2gb because vista is a memory hog.
 
[quote name='Serik']

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale $240
I'm embarrassingly out of the loop when it comes to dual and quad core processors.

Graphics: EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512 MB 256-bit $240
[/quote]
Might want to shop around on these parts. I bought the 8400 wolfdale a few weeks ago for $209 shipped (think it was from mwave). The EVGA was on sale at newegg for $229 a week or so ago (that is when I bought it). Right now the cheapest deal going is a:
MSI Geforce 8800GT (G92) 512MB 256bit GDDR3 PCI-Express 2.0 HDCP & SLI Ready Video Card Retail NX8800GT-T2D512E = $192 shipped after a couple rebates.
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA9654050&nav=2&cmp=AFC-CJ_CBIT&cmp=AFC-CJ_CBIT
I'm not going to say it is the best deal possible because Im not that familiar with MSI. Just a heads up that you should look around and you could save a decent chunk of change from your budget. Good luck on the build. I bought the P180 rev1.1 back when it was on sale at frys (basically the same as the P182 except its not the gun metal black color). It took a little time to wire, but I love the airflow and the quiet sound. GL!
 
[quote name='guyver2077']is this pc up and running? what are your vista ratings? i want to build a machine thats 5.9 across the board[/QUOTE]

Mine is 4.7. My Processor, an e6420, is what brings it down. I don't puch much stock in their appraisal of things, however. My EVGA 7800 OCGT is a 5.9 on their scale.
 
video card is easy to get 5.9 (i think my 7900gs achieved this as well)

cpu and hard disk is prob the hardest (highest i was able to get my OLD cpu was to 5.3)

microsoft should look into updating their rating system though
 
[quote name='guyver2077']video card is easy to get 5.9 (i think my 7900gs achieved this as well)

cpu and hard disk is prob the hardest (highest i was able to get my OLD cpu was to 5.3)

microsoft should look into updating their rating system though[/QUOTE]

My q6600 gets 5.9 at stock speeds if that gives you an idea of the ratings.
 
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