Official XS "What To Buy" Guide 2006 FINALIZED...Complete with C2D

[perkam]

With the help of numerous members here, the Official XS Intel What To Buy Guide has been completed with updated Intel Conroe Retail prices and rig specs for every price range and every performance range.

Check it out :) Link in sig :up:

Perkam

[Rare1]

Sweet! :)

[dragonhunter]

May I ask why do you recommend chipset 965 instead of 975?
I want to buy a Mobo but don't know which one, thanks

[Silver Bullet]

Looks good .. nice guide :)

[perkam]

May I ask why do you recommend chipset 965 instead of 975?
I want to buy a Mobo but don't know which one, thanksAll 965 motherboards support conroe, but not all 975x motherboards support it. Hence my choice.

Also because a lot of the 975x mobos that DO support conroe are not in stock in a lot of places.

Perkam

[TyroPyro]

Looks great! Thanks for all the work.

[Haltech]

Looks good! Can I suggest the BenQ 1650 over the Pioneer dvd burner? Better drive hands down.

[party animal]

Looks good, thanks!

[AndrewZorn]

why P5B over P5W?

but yeah really nice saves a lot of time im sure

[egyteam]

I didn't see any good news on the AB9 Pro. most will prefer DS3, untill they see the AB9 pro hits +400 FSB

[Gun_Strife]

I didn't see any good news on the AB9 Pro. most will prefer DS3, untill they see the AB9 pro hits +400 FSB

im with you there
was woundering about that decision

[JoeBar]

Nice work for the lazy ones... :)
I'm too sceptical of your AB9 Pro suggestion. Also would like to see a 975X m/b (ie. P5WDH) in a system.

[andyisc00l]

Question: aren't the onboard sound cards better then the ones you can buy for the mainstream gamer/power ?? (audigy se & audigy2) yes no?

oh and btw, quad sli drivers out..
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/geforce_7900_7950_gx2_quad_sli_update/page9.asp

2-7950gx2s dance upon a crossfire system, not much more money either :-p

[Torphoto]

cross fire on a 965?

[PcCI2iminal]

Intel Bench Machine needs a P5W :D

[ocZZZ]

nice guide, think there should be more ds3 + team ram recommendations and less abit + gskill though :)

[elec999]

Great guide.
Thanks

[mayakindaguy]

I currently have the TT purepower 500W (http://http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Power/PurePower/w0100/w0100.asp)

Would this suffice? The 12 rail is a bit low in amps 14 & 15.

or should I really shell out for a better PSU?

I'll be running:

6300
DS3
7600gt
2X1gb OCZ DDR2800
2xWD360 raptors
200gb WD IDE drive
2xDVD drives

[perkam]

I currently have the TT purepower 500W (http://http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Power/PurePower/w0100/w0100.asp)

Would this suffice? The 12 rail is a bit low in amps 14 & 15.

or should I really shell out for a better PSU?

I'll be running:

6300
DS3
7600gt
2X1gb OCZ DDR2800
2xWD360 raptors
200gb WD IDE drive
2xDVD drivesIt'll suffice as long as you:

- Aren't taking that 6300 to 4ghz
- Don't plan to go SLI
- Don't plan to add any more raptors

A better PSU can be had for as little as $90 though -> The Silverstone ST50EF.

Perkam

[mayakindaguy]

Hmmmm...tough decision. The TT was $30AR, which is cheap!!! I'm hoping that the PSU won't limit my overclock, and will still be able to run next gen cards (although looking at the specs for G80 and R600 things are looking dim).

If I did choose to shell out an extra $60, would u suggest the Silverstone over the OCZ powerstream 600W if they are priced the same?

[perkam]

Hmmmm...tough decision. The TT was $30AR, which is cheap!!! I'm hoping that the PSU won't limit my overclock, and will still be able to run next gen cards (although looking at the specs for G80 and R600 things are looking dim).

If I did choose to shell out an extra $60, would u suggest the Silverstone over the OCZ powerstream 600W if they are priced the same?The powerstream is obviously more powerful...though i doubt its $90. The only ocz in that range thats 600w is the modstream...which I would recommend the silverstone over.

Perkam