New PC build opinions

[Mikeyflan]

Looking to build a new gaming rig for a buddy and just looking for opinions on on what I picked out. Reason being is that I haven't been keeping up with everything but I think I have a pretty good Idea after updating myself on the new stuff that is out. Budget is $800 Oh and btw I just read the sticky so I think I'm in the right ball park. Really torn between the mobos looking at the asus p5q and the DFI LP DK P35-T2RS. The p5q has the PCI Express 2.0 x16 and is also designed for the newer 45nm processors and no extras I don't need like sli or crossfire. But the dfi well I been with dfi for awhile which is why i'm considering it and it will me well under the $800 budget since I will be using a non- pci express 2.0 video card and the board itself is cheaper. anyway what y'all think.

cpu: E8200
mobo: ASUS P5Q
ram: G.SKILL 2GB pc2 6400
video card: EVGA 8800GT pcix 2.0 x16
hdd: WD 320Gb
opt: samsung SH-S203B
psu: pcp&c PPCS500
case: antec 300
$799.80 shipped and going with the Dfi board I save $10-$15

[Mikeyflan]

Well anybody? :shrug:

[Serra]

I like it. For $800, I think you've got quality components. Some might argue you could downgrade something like the PSU to get a better GFX card or something along those lines... but I wouldn't. You get the satisfaction of knowing everything was a solid choice.

As far as the motherboard decision - the P5Q should OC better. If you're not going to OC, I prefer the layout of the DFI board myself by quite a bit and really all else will be within 1% of being equal one way or another.

[zanzabar]

the dfi DK is much better than the p5q, but the p5q deluxe would be better

so in your budget u could go dfi then get some good memory, like the single sided gskill with power chips

[DukeDaal]

Is he or you planning to overclock it? I don't know if your just going to use the stock cooler or use a good heatsink.

[Mikeyflan]

No OC the user who is getting this rig isn't that much of a tech type. Anyway the psu is only $85 single rail 12V@35A and 80+ cert (wish it was modular) and really the next best thing on video cards would be the gts which an extra $100 on such a small gain just not worth it to me. I'm on the same boat with the mobo just don't know much on the newer p45 chipsets. thanks on your input I'm open to suggestions.

[$SOLID$ Necro]

I have a few suggestions..the most important one being to go with the E8400!

I think you will find it much easier to OC for the 15$ more over the E8200, it's realy the best bang for the buck in that price range. The E8500 is way overpriced for another 160$ and I am pretty sure you will get a higher max stable speed by a few hundred MHZ.

Your looking at another 340MHZ stock and the 9X multi dirt cheap!


Your other option..is the E7200 for 130$, yeah, you give up cache, but retain the 9x multi for easy OC'ing..and the money save there can be put towards a better Vid card, wich will more then make it up in framerates.

Stretching to 450~500FSB (3600-4ghz) on a 8x Multi requires more voltages to your board, so there is more heat and stress to deal with there...on a 9X you can reach the same clock speed (400-450FSB) with less cpu volts in general on the E8400 too, making cooling the cpu a bit easier too.

I have a few other things to mention..will BRB to edit!

OK..I just saw your reply above (No OC) so definately go with the E8400!

ALSO: Check out the combo deals with the E8400 at new egg...you can get a Cosmo's case for like 50$ off, and lots of other sweet deals..there are 2 pages of them (RAM PSU's etc) This may free up some more money for that good GPU! (The P5Q Pro is on that list too)

How about a 9800GTX for 199$ no rebates! (HOCP deal (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1317384))

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3747036&sku=P450-9802SRCCODE=HARDOCPFORM&cm_mmc_o=ZzypR2VCjC-KeCjCdByAFlCjCdByAFl

[Mikeyflan]

depending on which way I go with the motherboard the E8400 would take me over budget. Anyway the more read on the p45 chipsets makes me lean on the dfi board since I haven't seen any real damage on the newer unproven chipsets. On the other hand I haven't seen 45nm processor being used in the reviews but the p35 seem to be proven performers.

EDIT: wow I just noticed my old rig in the sig.. which is still running strong after almost 5 years :)

[$SOLID$ Necro]

That is why I mentioned checking out the combo deals...they can save your from 5-50$ if you find something on that list you like.

[Mikeyflan]

thanks I didn't even see that..

[non]

If u're familiar with DFI, obviously u do:)...i say go for dfi. As for the cpu 8400 will do fine, especially u dont plan to OC. But who knows in the upcoming days with dfi? he might tempted to run at 4G:D

As for the video cards, imho i say any HD4850 is the best bang 4 the buck right now. Performance wise put it at the Ultra/GTX level for only $199 and u still extra benefits from ATI's video quality

[zanzabar]

if u want to save money then u could go e7200, and then that frees up $100 for good ram and a 4850

[adamsleath]

my revised budget build (as i scribble on pieces of paper..)
GB DS3or asusP5Q P45
or DS3P/P5Q-PRO

e7200

4850

WD 640GB

G2400W

:)
now to actually read the thread :hehe:

or the dark p35, its nice moby so long as you dont want pci-e 2.0

monster cards are starting to push the pci-e1.1 limit arent they?
much of a muchness to yr original spec.

[Mikeyflan]

First I heard of the HD4850.. looking into but now I'm off to work.

[Kingcarcas]

my revised budget build (as i scribble on pieces of paper..)
GB DS3or asusP5Q P45
or DS3P/P5Q-PRO

e7200

4850

WD 640GB

G2400W

:)
now to actually read the thread :hehe:

or the dark p35, its nice moby so long as you dont want pci-e 2.0

monster cards are starting to push the pci-e1.1 limit arent they?
much of a muchness to yr original spec.
Pretty much what i was going to say, E7200, DS3L/R, 4850, 320GB is fine, if not 2 for RAID 0:shrug:

[Mikeyflan]

Well thanks guys I was tired of looking up stuff and made the order. I use some of y'all suggestions and I think this setup will do just fine. Most of the equip I got was do to the budget and I got few good combo deals that helped out a lot. I'll have update y'all the build once I get it together oh and btw I only went $5 over the budget which ain't bad considering.

VGA SAPPHIRE 100242L HD4850 512M RT - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$194.99)
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MEM 1Gx2|GSK F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK R - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$59.99)
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CASE ANTEC|THREE HUNDRED BK RT - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$69.95)
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MB ASUS P5Q PRO 775 P45 RT - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$149.99)
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CPU INTEL|C2D E8400 3G 775 45N R - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$189.99)
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HD 250G|WD 7K 16M SATA2 WD2500AAKS - OEM (Qty=1, Price=$59.99)
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PSU CORSAIR|CMPSU-450VX 450W RT - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$69.99)
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DVD BURN SAMSUNG|SH-S203B % - OEM (Qty=1, Price=$26.99)
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[Mikeyflan]

Well it's running like it should and my buddy is happy with it. again thanks for the help.
http://zins184.com/rigs/hpl3rig.jpg