swolfe
11-16-2007, 06:22 AM
Alright, I'm building a new gaming PC on a budget. Not a really tight one, but I'd like to keep it under $1200 (I'm talking just the tower - I'm set on the monitor/peripherals). I'd like your advice. Specifically, on the following items: CPU, Mobo, RAM, PSU, Case.
Here's what I've got so far:
CPU:
Intel E2160 @ 1.8. It's only $80 and overclocks so well. (http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/12/pentium_dual_core/)
The downside is that it still only has a 1 MB L2 cache.
I'm also considering the Intel E6750. It's 2.6GHz (stock) and has a 2MB L2 cache. It's close to $200, though.
Since pretty much everything is socket 775 I'm not too worried about skimping on the proc now since I can replace it with quad core later. I'd like to have 45nm support on my mobo but it's not a deal breaker.
Mobo:
Asus P5K-E Wifi ($150, P35)
DFI Blood Iron (I just kind of like DFI)
Asus P5N-E ($125, 650i)
Asus P5N32-E ($180, 650i)
What will the P5N32-E do that the P5N-E won't?
I think a 650i Northbridge should be alright, I think it'll be better than the P35 for my purposes. Any input on that? I'm somewhat computer knowledgeable but not much compared to a lot of the people here. I read several tests though that showed that 8x/8x SLI was every bit as good as 16x/16x even with dual 8800 GTXs. Oh, and I need a good OCing board since I chose the cheaper processor.
GFX:
PNY, XFX, or BFG 8800GT. Kind of hard to find in-stock, but a steal at $270ish.
RAM:
G-Skill 2x2G DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 for $155 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231148
Patriot 2x2G DDR2-800 4-4-4-15 $183 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220269
I want my ram to be DDR2-800, come in 2x2G (so I can go to 8G later without scrapping the ram), and have (or be able to be made to have) CAS of 4.
HDD:
W-D SATA 7200RPM 500GB 16MB cache. Only $110...might pick up a second/third/fourth down the road for RAID.
Power Supply:
Thermaltake Purepower 500W. $60 on Newegg. 500W might not be enough if I ever go SLI, but that's way down the road. Wish it was modular. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
mushkin 550W Modular PS. $85 on Newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812002
Is the mushkin good quality? The only thing mushkin I've ever used was ram and it was solid.
Optical Drive:
Lite-On 20x LightScribe DVD burner. I doubt I'll ever use LightScribe, but the drive's only $38, not really a bank-breaker.
Case:
I'm thinking of going with an Ultra Aluminus case (black). Pretty reasonable at $70 on Tiger Direct. I really wanted an acrylic case, but all the ones I saw/read about seemed to be of poor quality. I saw Logisys, Xoxide, Sunbeamtech. I also considered a cheaper Lian-Li (I like quality, even if it's not flashy) or an Antec P180B (very...utilitarian, I think). Prices of these cases range from $60 (acrylic) to $240 (one of the three Lian-Lis I liked).
Total price (not including shipping): $930
Here's what I've got so far:
CPU:
Intel E2160 @ 1.8. It's only $80 and overclocks so well. (http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/12/pentium_dual_core/)
The downside is that it still only has a 1 MB L2 cache.
I'm also considering the Intel E6750. It's 2.6GHz (stock) and has a 2MB L2 cache. It's close to $200, though.
Since pretty much everything is socket 775 I'm not too worried about skimping on the proc now since I can replace it with quad core later. I'd like to have 45nm support on my mobo but it's not a deal breaker.
Mobo:
Asus P5K-E Wifi ($150, P35)
DFI Blood Iron (I just kind of like DFI)
Asus P5N-E ($125, 650i)
Asus P5N32-E ($180, 650i)
What will the P5N32-E do that the P5N-E won't?
I think a 650i Northbridge should be alright, I think it'll be better than the P35 for my purposes. Any input on that? I'm somewhat computer knowledgeable but not much compared to a lot of the people here. I read several tests though that showed that 8x/8x SLI was every bit as good as 16x/16x even with dual 8800 GTXs. Oh, and I need a good OCing board since I chose the cheaper processor.
GFX:
PNY, XFX, or BFG 8800GT. Kind of hard to find in-stock, but a steal at $270ish.
RAM:
G-Skill 2x2G DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 for $155 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231148
Patriot 2x2G DDR2-800 4-4-4-15 $183 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220269
I want my ram to be DDR2-800, come in 2x2G (so I can go to 8G later without scrapping the ram), and have (or be able to be made to have) CAS of 4.
HDD:
W-D SATA 7200RPM 500GB 16MB cache. Only $110...might pick up a second/third/fourth down the road for RAID.
Power Supply:
Thermaltake Purepower 500W. $60 on Newegg. 500W might not be enough if I ever go SLI, but that's way down the road. Wish it was modular. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
mushkin 550W Modular PS. $85 on Newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812002
Is the mushkin good quality? The only thing mushkin I've ever used was ram and it was solid.
Optical Drive:
Lite-On 20x LightScribe DVD burner. I doubt I'll ever use LightScribe, but the drive's only $38, not really a bank-breaker.
Case:
I'm thinking of going with an Ultra Aluminus case (black). Pretty reasonable at $70 on Tiger Direct. I really wanted an acrylic case, but all the ones I saw/read about seemed to be of poor quality. I saw Logisys, Xoxide, Sunbeamtech. I also considered a cheaper Lian-Li (I like quality, even if it's not flashy) or an Antec P180B (very...utilitarian, I think). Prices of these cases range from $60 (acrylic) to $240 (one of the three Lian-Lis I liked).
Total price (not including shipping): $930