Budget Build

[Equivalent Exchange]

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

[oasis420]

get a different powersupply, something with dual 12v rails.

also if your friend can wait until the 9th newegg slashed thier priced on Corsair XMS2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145015

[johndapunk FTW]

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

[Equivalent Exchange]

Originally posted by .oasis@Feb 4 2007, 11:39 PM get a different powersupply, something with dual 12v rails. also if your friend can wait until the 9th newegg slashed thier priced on Corsair XMS2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145015 [snapback]3496129[/snapback]

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?

[oasis420]

Originally posted by Equivalent Exchange+Feb 4 2007, 09:53 PM--> <!--QuoteBegin-.oasis @Feb 4 2007, 11:39 PM get a different powersupply, something with dual 12v rails. also if your friend can wait until the 9th newegg slashed thier priced on Corsair XMS2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145015 [snapback]3496129[/snapback] 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? [snapback]3496168[/snapback] [/b]

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

[xlink]

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 E6600@3.6 (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.

[johndapunk FTW]

Yes, it definatly is a server PSU, it has 3 SATA power cords. The only reason I didn\\\'t suggest the ENP is because I thought he would want to order it all from Newegg. Otherwise, I have the ENP and it\\\'s great.

Btw, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813138037 is correct.

[xlink]

Originally posted by johndapunk FTW@Feb 5 2007, 10:13 PM Yes, it definatly is a server PSU, it has 3 SATA power cords. The only reason I didn\\\'t suggest the ENP is because I thought he would want to order it all from Newegg. Otherwise, I have the ENP and it\\\'s great. Btw, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813138037 is correct. [snapback]3497248[/snapback]

just verifying sine you actually have it.

it's fairly quiet, right?

[johndapunk FTW]

Originally posted by xelink+Feb 5 2007, 08:28 PM--> <!--QuoteBegin-johndapunk FTW @Feb 5 2007, 10:13 PM Yes, it definatly is a server PSU, it has 3 SATA power cords. The only reason I didn\\\'t suggest the ENP is because I thought he would want to order it all from Newegg. Otherwise, I have the ENP and it\\\'s great. Btw, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813138037 is correct. [snapback]3497248[/snapback] just verifying sine you actually have it. it's fairly quiet, right? [snapback]3498274[/snapback] [/b]

defiantly.

[Equivalent Exchange]

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?

[xlink]

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.

[.DevastatioN.]

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.

[xlink]

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

[Equivalent Exchange]

Originally posted by .DevastatioN.@Feb 6 2007, 04:52 PM 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. [snapback]3500408[/snapback]

Define "soon?"

[xlink]

fairly soon and noone knows.

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

http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sho...spx?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.