Budget Build

Discussion in 'Gaming' started by Equivalent Exchange, Feb 4, 2007.

  1. Equivalent Exchange

    Equivalent Exchange Well-Known Member

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    Ok, a buddy of mines computer dating from the '90s has finally had it, and his tablet is no good for gaming. He's on a budget, but he'd like something powerful. He already has a fine monitor, mouse, keyboard, and optical drive.

    I've come up with...

    Case: Cooler Master
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16811119068

    Hard Drive: Seagate PRM 320 Gig
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16822148140

    Graphics Card: EVGA 7600 GT
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814130062

    <s>Power Supply: Cooler Master 430W
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817171007</s>
    Power Supply: ENERMAX Liberty 400W
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817194002

    Ram: Kingston 2x1gig
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820134384

    <s>Mobo: ASUS P5B-E
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813131070</s>
    Mobo: BIOSTAR TForce965PT
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813138037

    CPU: Core 2 Duo E6400
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819115004

    OS: WinXP Home
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16832116056


    Total Price (including instant savings):
    $905.93

    Price with rebates, around $880


    I'd like to specifically draw attention to the motherboard, case, and powersupply, as I'm not all too familiar with choosing them.

    Any suggestions that could drive down the price around 800 would be great. Likewise, if this build is FUBAR'd to the max, I'd love to know ;)
     
  2. oasis420

    oasis420 Senior Member

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  3. johndapunk FTW

    johndapunk FTW Senior Member

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    Drop motherboard down to a Biostar TForce P965T, and get an Enermax Liberty.
     
  4. Equivalent Exchange

    Equivalent Exchange Well-Known Member

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    So they're slashing it after the 9th?

    Because yeah, there isn't any rush here.

    ---

    And thanks Jon, I updated the powersupply, but can't find the mobo.
    Edit: This?
     
  5. oasis420

    oasis420 Senior Member

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    nah its already been dropped, its just when they dropped it they sold out, should be back in stock on the 9th
     
  6. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-E5150G...ea9cc771c8ad72#
    that's the PSU I'd suggest.

    I have an enermax liberty 400w, and it's perfect, no problems and my system is nice and stable.

    the enhance ENP is a bette PSU for the $$$ though. Very comparable quality but higher energy output.

    the onyl reason enhance isn't better known on the retail market is because they mostly make server PSUs.
    http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showth...ht=enhance+deal
    small review, that PSU powers a bit
    "I bought one of these a few moths ago after reading johnny's review of the silverstone clone. mine powers a [email protected] (1.52v)/intel D975Xbx, 2gb Corsair 5400C4@800(2.2v) 250gb WD sata2, 4 x WD 5000YS hdds Raid5 on an Areca 1210 controller, 7800GT, Koolance Exos external H20 rig, 2 x 120mm case fans, 1 x 92mm case fan, misc other small fans."



    Also, I'd advise him to use and abuse EVGA's stepup program, swap to say a 8600GT or an 8600ultra in around 2-3 months.
     
  7. johndapunk FTW

    johndapunk FTW Senior Member

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  8. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    just verifying sine you actually have it.

    it's fairly quiet, right?
     
  9. johndapunk FTW

    johndapunk FTW Senior Member

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    defiantly.
     
  10. Equivalent Exchange

    Equivalent Exchange Well-Known Member

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    OK, thanks guys. Also, the mobo will fit in the case, right? (Had to ask or else it would nag me).

    And whats the potential for overclocking this thing? I don't need an indepth analysis or anything, but on the stock air cooling, how far do you think we could push it?
     
  11. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    on stock cooling, you could probably get the CPU to around 3.0GHz no issues, though I'd highly suggest investing in a decent HSF(~30USD) if there is an intention of OCing.


    Also, another possibility is the e4300
    if virtualization is not a priority and you want an easier OC, no reason not to go for one, it's cheaper(than a 6400) and has a higher multiplier. the price diference could easily be invested into a HSF

    scythe Mine or arctice freezer 7 would be my suggestions. if portability is an issue, go with something from zalman.
     
  12. Blooper008

    Blooper008 Well-Known Member

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    Really nice build mate, finally those 965P boards are getting cheaper. I''d get a AC Freezer, if you go for mobility or a zalman 9500. 9700 is WAY overpriced. If you really want to invest in some high end coolers. Scythe Infinity <> Coolermaster Gimini <> Tuniq Tower. Those are probably the best. I'll probably get a Gemini later, when I want to run at higher frequencies, Im happy for now.

    One thing about the ram. Every ram uses IC's( the black chippys that are on the ram pcb), some are good for overclocking (you'll reach 500mhz ddr cas4 with ease) and some don't. Micron D9 is very populair under overclockers and here, http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/ is a list of what IC's most ram uses.

    Low > High

    D9GCT , D9GMH , D9GKX.

    Anyway, i'd just read it if I were you, because later you will probably want to squeeze more performance out of your rig and then overclocking becomes important.

    Goodluck.

    Also, one thing, intel will release the E6320 and E6420 soon, which contain 4MB of cache instead of the E6300/E6400's 2mb, which causes a big performance difference in most applications.
     
  13. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    devestation, have you seen any benchmarks on the gemini? I've heard it's good but have yet to see any results for it.
     
  14. Equivalent Exchange

    Equivalent Exchange Well-Known Member

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    Define "soon?"
     
  15. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    fairly soon and noone knows.

    and by big, he means ~3% overall in most apps.

    http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=4

    if you have a lower multi CPU and a higher FSB, the impact of l2 cache diminishes.

    the idea of an increased system bus and more l2 cache is reduced bus trafic(also l2 cache is faster than the bus) so both tend to impact performance similarly. again, single digit performance boost for both.
     

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