Sub-$550 build.... advice greatly appreciated!!!

[iMpathetic]

Well, perhaps it would be better to say that nice graphics would be GOOD but I'm not going to spend more than the GTX 260 price range.

I want it to be fast, pretty, and quiet within reason. As long as it doesn't sound like a tornado, that's great.

Would it be a good idea to go for the i7 instead of a Core 2 Quad or similar?

Also, would water cooling be a good idea? I plan to OC (with the help of people I know who know about that stuff, of course :P)

Thanks!

[B.E.E.F.]

Water cooling is a great idea but pricy. Either get a good reliable kit, which you know is not supposed to leak or forget about it.

Core i7 is expensive. If you want a Core i7 system you'll need to be shaving money elsewhere. Cheaper case, no water cooling... etc. A cheaper alternative is PhenomII with DDR2. Performs close to Core i7 but alot cheaper and you can still upgrade.

If I were you, I would get some really good air cooling. The fans make the most difference so pick wisely. Nexus, Noctua, and Yate Loon are the quiet choices.

[iMpathetic]

All right, thanks a lot! I'll look into all those.

What would you suggest as far as cases go? I want it to have lights and a side window, but not look like a toy.... kind of walking a fine line here...

The Antec Twelve Hundred looks very good... nice and big. Even though I don't need a giant case I prefer them.... my last build was in a big ol' Ultra case and I loved it.

I am prepared to drop quite a bit on a case, possibly $250 or so.

[B.E.E.F.]

Errr...

I like solid cases with little bling myself. Its distracting. I like the Antec 300. Solid, nice quality feel and great price. If you want lights you can always put in some fans with LEDs. It would look like the black case you posted before.

Antec 300

[iMpathetic]

Yeah, my friend has one... but it's pretty small...

[B.E.E.F.]

Yeah, my friend has one... but it's pretty small...

For what? It fits an ATX motherboard, 6 hard drives and 3 5.25" drives.

BTW. The system in your sig, whats wrong with it? Why you bothering for another?

[Odyssey96]

Yeah, my friend has one... but it's pretty small...

I'm confused, has your budget/needs changed?

[iMpathetic]

I'm confused, has your budget/needs changed?

Well, I think I'm going to sell my bike. In that case, I would have more money than $550, probably around $1300.

B.E.E.F : I know it's plenty big. I just seem to love giant cases, for some reason. I agree, it's a lovely case, but it's still kinda small on the outside.

The rig in my sig is what I actually sold to pay for my bike... I should edit that out.

It seems like I'm very odd when it comes to this sort of thing.... I must look like a real idiot....

[Tonucci]

It seems like I'm very odd when it comes to this sort of thing.... I must look like a real idiot....

Let me control your properties please, you wont regret !

Good luck on your build man...But i kinda dont get why you plan to change your gtx260 and is planning on getting another nice card ?

Pppl here is more familiar with US prices, so ill let to them....Ill just say that with your new budget you can get a very nice gaming rig

[B.E.E.F.]

B.E.E.F : I know it's plenty big. I just seem to love giant cases, for some reason. I agree, it's a lovely case, but it's still kinda small on the outside.

Yeah, and on the inside.

Antec 900


Antec 1200 (monster size)


Myself, I could care less. I buy a case for the size of the system. Bigger cases tend to be harder to cool or noisier because they have more fans. I like to keep the noise to a minimum. Quiet fans, and as few of them as possible.

The computer case to me has to be solid and well designed. I don't care for bling. That's what I have my backlit keyboard and mouse for.

One more thing:

Stop talking down to yourself! No one here thinks you're an idiot. We're just discussing your build, and we have different opinions.

[iMpathetic]

I was probably going to go for the Twelve Hundred or something like that. I loved my Ultra Aluminus, wish I could get my hands on another one.

I think I may go for a Core i7 with a GTX 260. It comes in at about $1200 which is a pretty good deal!

Another option would be to spend $900 on the computer and $300 or so on a good LCD... is there any merit to that?

Thanks!

[B.E.E.F.]

I was probably going to go for the Twelve Hundred or something like that. I loved my Ultra Aluminus, wish I could get my hands on another one.

I think I may go for a Core i7 with a GTX 260. It comes in at about $1200 which is a pretty good deal!

+fans
+heatsinks
+keyboard
+mouse
+case

= way more than $1300.

core i7 isn't cheap.

forget about the GTX260. You can get an HD4870 1GB that's faster and cheaper!

Another option would be to spend $900 on the computer and $300 or so on a good LCD... is there any merit to that?

Yup. Get yourself a nice LED backlit LCD screen. Great colors and contrast.

[iMpathetic]

+fans
+heatsinks
+keyboard
+mouse
+case

= way more than $1300.

core i7 isn't cheap.

forget about the GTX260. You can get an HD4870 1GB that's faster and cheaper!

The one I configured was $1247 with a case and everything. While I'm a PC noob, I still have a ton of miscellaneous keyboards and mice lying around the house.

I think I'm gonna go C2D or C2Q. Thanks for the tip on the 4870, I'd be throwing money away without these forums!


What about a Q9550? Good CPU?

[Tonucci]

Agree about the 4870 1Gb, but do you still have your gtx260 ?

If yes, I'd keep it.

[iMpathetic]

I never had one. The plan was for me to purchase a new 260 and then my friend would give me his used 4600 and 8600GTS.

[slpdLoad]

Considering the new Mac Pros are on i7 and either Nvidia 120s or 4870s, there should be some nice support coming for a hackintosh.

[iMpathetic]

That's a very good point... with 10.5.7 I'm sure they would have to support it.

YEsterday I got an idea.... what if I were to do a small, quiet computer with my friend's E4600 to replace my dead laptop for under $300... and then do my Q9550 build to keep at my dad's house, where all my tech stuff is?

EDIT: Specs for the wee build:

-- Antec Three Hundred
-- Gigabyte G31 mATX motherboard
-- E4600 CPU
-- Rosewill Stallion 450W PSU
-- G.Skill 2GB stick
-- WD Caviar 250GB HDD
-- G31 integrated gfx

Specs for the large build:

-- Antec Twelve Hundred
-- Corsair 650W PSU
-- GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard
-- Q9550 CPU
-- Xigmatec S1263 cooler
-- OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB memory
-- WD Caviar 500GB HDD
-- Sapphire Radeon 4870 1GB

Thoughts?

[B.E.E.F.]

That's a very good point... with 10.5.7 I'm sure they would have to support it.

YEsterday I got an idea.... what if I were to do a small, quiet computer with my friend's E4600 to replace my dead laptop for under $300... and then do my Q9550 build to keep at my dad's house, where all my tech stuff is?

EDIT: Specs for the wee build:

-- Antec Three Hundred
-- Gigabyte G31 mATX motherboard
-- E4600 CPU
-- Rosewill Stallion 450W PSU
-- G.Skill 2GB stick
-- WD Caviar 250GB HDD
-- G31 integrated gfx

Specs for the large build:

-- Antec Twelve Hundred
-- Corsair 650W PSU
-- GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard
-- Q9550 CPU
-- Xigmatec S1263 cooler
-- OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB memory
-- WD Caviar 500GB HDD
-- Sapphire Radeon 4870 1GB

Thoughts?

Ewww the G31.

A better choice is like:

1. E6600 (you said your friend has one)
2. P43 chipset or P35 or P33, best to worst in that order.
3. 4GB DDR2-800. Cheap kit.
4. 300W 80plus PSU. FSP (fortron based) brand at least.
5. WD3200AAKS. Very fast drive. Cheap too!
6. Cheap videocard. HD43xx or HD34xx series. Even an 8600GT is ok.


Second PC choice:
Looks good. Good choice on the CPU. This is what I'm buying for my rig. Replace the hard drive though. You want the WD6400AAKS. Fast, cheap, fantastic value.

The ximatek cooler is good. Do you want the quietest cooler or do you want bang for buck?

I would also go with the Antec 900. Less fans, quieter PC.

[iMpathetic]

Ewww the G31.

A better choice is like:

1. E6600 (you said your friend has one)
2. P43 chipset or P35 or P33, best to worst in that order.
3. 4GB DDR2-800. Cheap kit.
4. 300W 80plus PSU. FSP (fortron based) brand at least.
5. WD3200AAKS. Very fast drive. Cheap too!
6. Cheap videocard. HD43xx or HD34xx series. Even an 8600GT is ok.


Second PC choice:
Looks good. Good choice on the CPU. This is what I'm buying for my rig. Replace the hard drive though. You want the WD6400AAKS. Fast, cheap, fantastic value.

The ximatek cooler is good. Do you want the quietest cooler or do you want bang for buck?

I would also go with the Antec 900. Less fans, quieter PC.

I know, the G31 isn't a great board, but it's very OS X friendly

Is the CPU I say is an E4600 an E6600? Have I been saying it wrong the whole time?

What total are we looking at for your revised build for the cheap one?

As for the cooler, I was looking for bang for buck. It'd go in a Twelve Hundred anyway, it's not like it has any chance of being quiet. I want to be able to OC as far as I can on air without breaking the bank.

[B.E.E.F.]

I know, the G31 isn't a great board, but it's very OS X friendly

Is the CPU I say is an E4600 an E6600? Have I been saying it wrong the whole time?

What total are we looking at for your revised build for the cheap one?

As for the cooler, I was looking for bang for buck. It'd go in a Twelve Hundred anyway, it's not like it has any chance of being quiet. I want to be able to OC as far as I can on air without breaking the bank.

You said your buddy has another option instead of the E4600. Riiight

I see. So you want a machine that has great value and is decently quiet and overclocks well.

The G31 is not an oveclocker friendly chipset or any good to begin with. What other choices do you have that are also mac compatible?

BTW yes, you can get a PC that runs cool and is very silent and powerful. The system in my signature is barely audible. You can hear a faint hum when its on.

The secret? The best performing CPU heatsink and the quietest fans you can buy. The audible noise comes from my PSU.

[Odyssey96]

That's a very good point... with 10.5.7 I'm sure they would have to support it.

YEsterday I got an idea.... what if I were to do a small, quiet computer with my friend's E4600 to replace my dead laptop for under $300... and then do my Q9550 build to keep at my dad's house, where all my tech stuff is?

EDIT: Specs for the wee build:

-- Antec Three Hundred
-- Gigabyte G31 mATX motherboard
-- E4600 CPU
-- Rosewill Stallion 450W PSU
-- G.Skill 2GB stick
-- WD Caviar 250GB HDD
-- G31 integrated gfx

Specs for the large build:

-- Antec Twelve Hundred
-- Corsair 650W PSU
-- GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard
-- Q9550 CPU
-- Xigmatec S1263 cooler
-- OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB memory
-- WD Caviar 500GB HDD
-- Sapphire Radeon 4870 1GB

Thoughts?

Swap the Antec 1200 with the Cooler Master HAF932. I've used both EXTENSIVELY and prefer the HAF932 in nearly every category.

[iMpathetic]

You said your buddy has another option instead of the E4600. Riiight

I see. So you want a machine that has great value and is decently quiet and overclocks well.

The G31 is not an oveclocker friendly chipset or any good to begin with. What other choices do you have that are also mac compatible?

BTW yes, you can get a PC that runs cool and is very silent and powerful. The system in my signature is barely audible. You can hear a faint hum when its on.

The secret? The best performing CPU heatsink and the quietest fans you can buy. The audible noise comes from my PSU.

I honestly don't care too much about OS X now.... cause the iBook is working again!

I'm sorry, I am not too familiar with the processor's number code things. Would the E6600 be a better option, then?

I found a lot of open-box P43 boards for around $45. Any you'd suggest?

Thanks for all your continued help!

Swap the Antec 1200 with the Cooler Master HAF932. I've used both EXTENSIVELY and prefer the HAF932 in nearly every category.

I'll look into that, thank you!

[iMpathetic]

Hey everyone.

Bump to let y'all know I just ordered the budget build.

-- E4600
-- Antec Three Hundred
-- 300W Rosewill PSU
-- ASROCK G41M-LE 775 motherboard
-- Kingstgon 2GB PC6400
-- WD Caviar 250GB HDD
-- XFX GeForce 9400GT

What do you guys think?

[B.E.E.F.]

Hey everyone.

Bump to let y'all know I just ordered the budget build.

-- E4600
-- Antec Three Hundred
-- 300W Rosewill PSU
-- ASROCK G41M-LE 775 motherboard
-- Kingstgon 2GB PC6400
-- WD Caviar 250GB HDD
-- XFX GeForce 9400GT

What do you guys think?

Should have waited....

Yes the E6600 is much better. You should have gone with at least an FSP for the PSU. Better choice is Silverstone. The G41 is junk. Stick with P43 motherboard if possible. Better choice is an open box P45. The hard drive is not a good choice!!!! The Caviar WD3200AAKS is a much better performer.

$55 on newegg for WD3200AAKS (320GB)
$55 on newegg for the WD2500AAKS (250GB)

Seriously. It's faster AND you get more storage space!!!

The videocard, should have gone ATi. The HD4350 destroys the 9400GT and its only $35 compared to $45 for the nvidia (newegg). Cheaper AND faster!

Proof: http://forums.s3chromezone.com/phpBB...hp?f=36&p=2629

If I were you, I would cancel the order. You can get a better build for less money.


What OS are you running and how much is the memory you're buying?

[iMpathetic]

The OS I'm running is this really cool version of Vista my dad got in Russia.

I am not going to cancel the order. Lives do not hang in the balance. I will not be gaming, just web browsing and typing stuff -- maybe listening to music.

I paid $40 for the HDD. It was OEM, I have some SATA cables laying around.

I will makes sure I do EVERYTHING right for the big build though.

Sorry if I sound rude... I just don't want to wait any longer and REALLY don't want to deal with any more than is needed. I might want to stress the fact that this computer replaces a 1.33GHz (single core, folks) iBook G4 that will not run YouTube and Word at the same time.

EDIT: The memory is $17.