first time build, thoughts?

[fourdegrees11]

This will be used for gaming (nothing to serious), and internet usage. I'm upgrading from a Dell system consisting of:

Intel P4 3.2G
Nvidia Geforce 6800
3 Gig DDR2 533 mhz
Windows XP

This system strugles with NWN2 at moderate settings, but internet usage is fine. I don't have any biases, just like bang-for-buck components but realise sometimes you have to spend more for quality. Here's the system I'm considering for my first build:


Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz
ASUS P5A2-8SB4W 80mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
Intel BOXDP45SG LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
HIS Hightech H487FN1GP Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEBP 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower
HIPER Type M II HPU-5M730 730W Continuous @ 40°C
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM
Scythe DFS123812-2000 120mm Case Fan x2
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30

Cost is about $1030 before tax and shipping from Newegg. I have the flexability of adding another GPU for crossfire with this setup, which I like for a bit of longer term usage. I'm not sure how much longer the LGA 775 socket will be viable if I want to upgrade to a quad core in the future though (will core2 quads continue to advance)?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Hiper makes crap PSUs. Do your self a favor and get a good quality one. A good 600W or better good quality PSu should be all you need.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

DDR2

 

[okstatefan69]

yep, I agree with mpilchfamily, get a good psu, Corsair 520hx, or 620

 

[redlinez33]

ASUS P5A2-8SB4W 80mm Sleeve CPU Cooler why do you need this? Isnt the stock CPU cooler about as good?

Go for a Corsair Power supply


For the price of that CPU, you can get a quad core AMD.. Look up benchmarks, not exactly sure which would perform better in your situations, but the AMD probably is overall better.

 

[Denithor]

e8400 + Asus P5Q Pro combo $275 - $15MIR
Xigmatek S1283 $37 - $10MIR
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066 $41
XFX 4870 1GB $240 - $25MIR
Corsair 650TX $95 - $25MIR
WD6401AALS Caviar Black $80

There's you a much more solid parts list. Use the same case you picked out, plus anything not on my list is at least tolerable.

I wouldn't expect many more real advances in C2Qs in the future, Intel is definitely focused on the i7 series now instead. But that said, the C2D chips are still very, very nice for gaming today (not many games support more than two cores anyway).

If you're serious about a Crossfire rig though, an i7 setup would be much smarter. Linkage.

 

[fourdegrees11]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
DDR2

Is there a reason? I thought faster and more efficient was better.

Originally posted by: redlinez33

For the price of that CPU, you can get a quad core AMD.. Look up benchmarks, not exactly sure which would perform better in your situations, but the AMD probably is overall better.

I was originaly planing to go that route but after looking at the Anandtech artical about the 940 and 920 the C2 Duo came out on top for all the games compared except Crysis for which it was just as good.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...ts/showdoc.aspx?i=3492

Those quad core phenom IIs don't really seem to offer much advantage for gaming

 

[heyheybooboo]

The e8400 would save you $25. No real need for DDR3. Denithor saved you enough money for a second HD 4870 but since we don't know your gaming resolution even the first HD 4870 may be overkill for ""nothing to serious"" gaming.

The Phenom II 720 / Biotar 790gx combo seems to be a sweet spot at $212. An HD 4870 512Mb would save you around $50 and most likely werk just dandy at 16x10 and lower.

Even an HD 4830 around $90 would be a serious upgrade over the GF6800 for a 'nothing serious' gamer ....

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: fourdegrees11

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
DDR2

Is there a reason? I thought faster and more efficient was better.

There isn't enough real world performance gains to justify the cost difference. Unless you want that 1-2%

I just looked at prices: DDR3 1800 2x2gb 149$ ; DDR2 1066 2x2gb 66$

 

[polarbear6]

i suggest u dont go for the e8500
instead go for a p2 710
much better almost same as the e8400 but with a extra core
and overclocks just as good

 

[fourdegrees11]

Alright, after taking everyones advice into consideration here's my final (hopefully) build. I like that the AM2+/AM3 board gives me the option to upgrade to a better P2 quad core in the future.




LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS122-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106287 $22.99

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case -$69.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $79.99

ASUS M4A78-E AM2+/AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131368 $139.99

Open Box: POWERCOLOR AX4870 1GBD5-PPH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $183.75

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $119.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996599 - $133.98 ($66.99 each) X2

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - $147.00

$897.68