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 Thread : First Budget Build Help?
 
Profile: stranger
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Review my build please post any thoughts suggestions currently my budget is around 450$ Nothing over 500$. I would appreciate if you would be kind to answer my questions also :) Hard Drive wise i will be using my old IDE one until i get a SATA 3.0gbs on later on and i'm thinking i might need a power connector. Ram wise i am still on XP and will not be moving to Vista until i get 3gigs atleast over the next few months. I also will be using CD drives that i already have and will be putting my old X-FI soundcard in it.

What i am planning to put in it :

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz

ASUS P5K EPU LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Linkworld 313-11(3131-11) Black / Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Links:
Processor---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

Motherboard---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131277

Video Card---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150247

Memory----> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231143

Case----> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811164081

Questions:

Can this motherboard run SLI since it has two PCI-E slots?

Does it matter that my processors FSB is only 1066 and the stock BIOS FSB on the board is 1333?

Will i have to change out my PSU if i wanted to go with a card such as the 8800 which requires a 6 pin connector or do they make a converter for that too? (Pretty sure i will have to if i go sli thats if i can go that route)

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Profile: Ancient Poster
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Make that memory 2GB:

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820161229

The P5K has two PCI Express x16 slots, the blue one is routed to the northbridge’s 16 lanes and is at full speed all the time, the second slot coloured black runs off the southbridge at x4 speeds. While this isn’t the most ideal configuration for a balanced Crossfire setup, it works and if you want to run say two X1950s in Crossfire it’s perfect.


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Scruze my English!
Profile: Ancient Poster
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I can recommend this case:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068

Quote :

Does it matter that my processors FSB is only 1066 and the stock BIOS FSB on the board is 1333?



You can always run a lower speed without any problems.


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Scruze my English!
WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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No problem with the E7200 CPU and the motherboard.
Your P35 motherboard isn't SLI capable. It's a Crossfire (ATI) motherboard. For just $10 more I'd recommend the Biostar TForce TP45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138123

Not in love with your video card choice at all.
And you picked just 1 stick of DDR2 RAM and not the more usual 2GB kit of 2 sticks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211066

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by WR2 on 06-25-2008 at 03:48:43 PM
Profile: Ancient Poster
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I recommend you get a good power supply separately. It is the heart of your system and can take with it your entire investment:

Top Tier PSU:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiere [...] ngs?t=anon

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] p?t=108088

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460

Silent PSUs
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html


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Scruze my English!
Profile: Ancient Poster
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Quote :

Will i have to change out my PSU if i wanted to go with a card such as the 8800 which requires a 6 pin connector or do they make a converter for that too? (Pretty sure i will have to if i go sli thats if i can go that route)



Molex connectors should be included with the video card.



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Profile: stranger
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WR2 wrote :

No problem with the E7200 CPU and the motherboard.
Your P35 motherboard isn't SLI capable. It's a Crossfire (ATI) motherboard. For just $10 more I'd recommend the Biostar TForce TP45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138123

Not in love with your video card choice at all.
And you picked just 1 stick of DDR2 RAM and not the more usual 2GB kit of 2 sticks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211066



So this biostar motherboard supports SLI or is this just Crossfire too?

Quote :

Make that memory 2GB:

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail



Took your advice and went with those sticks.

Profile: journeyman
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all the intel chipsets P45, X38, X48 etc support crossfire. If you want SLI you need a board with an nvidia chipset.

WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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Considering your $500 overall budget something along these lines will give you the a good balance of performance and upgrade-ability:

C2D E2220 Allendale 2.4GHz $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116070
BIOSTAR TForce TP45 $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138123
HIS Radeon HD 3870 $125 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161218
WINTEC AMPX 2GB $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820161229
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 550 $60 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171025
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 case $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068

The motherboard and PSU will allow you to setup 2x HD 3750 in Crossfire mode.
The E2200 2.4Ghz should be able to overclock near 3.0Ghz with the stock Intel heatsink & fan.


Message edited by WR2 on 06-25-2008 at 04:29:28 PM
WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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For Nvidia SLI option use the above but subsitute:
MSI P7N nForce 750i SLI MB $130 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130159
EVGA 8800 GT $140 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130359

You just need to be aware that many people are having issues with the 750/780 motherboards. Do your research carefully.


Message edited by WR2 on 06-25-2008 at 04:48:25 PM
WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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Just a bit over your budget ($512 after rebates) - a E7200 and single 8800GTS (G92) option:

C2D E7200 Wolfdale 2.53Ghz $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052
BIOSTAR TForce TP43 $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138122
MSI 8800GTS (G92) $177 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127325
WINTEC AMPX 2GB $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820161229
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 case $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068
Antec EA430 430W PSU $30 (after $30 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371006

As always check the tax (if any) and shipping charges plus hardware cost before rebates to make sure the total cost is comfortable.


Profile: nimble knuckle
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Also, on the video card look at the superclocked version 8800gs, looks like a decent card, and I think newegg has an XFX version overclocked pretty high from the factory for like 90 bucks after the rebate. That's also giving you call of duty 4 if I'm not mistaken. Ought to kill that 8600 your looking at.

Profile: member
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How about this combo:

Go with an expensive PSU now. PSU prices do not change much, however CPU/Mobo/RAM/Video card prices do change alot. So it makes more sense to buy a real good PSU now, and get bottom feeder items for the rest.

PCP&C: 750 $149 : $119.99 /w rebate FREE Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703009

Motherboard EVGA 650i + E1200 $109.99 : $79.99 /w rebate
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1599

Cheapest HD4850 Video card: $199-$179

OCZ memory $43.99: $18.99 /w rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227139

El Cheapo Case: $25 You'll find some at Newegg.

Grand Total: $527, you factor in Rebates and it is under $500.

Profile: stranger
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So if i went with an 8800 what dimensions do i need to fit that thing in there case wise? Or can someone point me to an el cheap preferably 30-39 bucks that it can fit in if possible?

WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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Profile: member
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Bonajokin wrote :

So if i went with an 8800 what dimensions do i need to fit that thing in there case wise? Or can someone point me to an el cheap preferably 30-39 bucks that it can fit in if possible?



8800GT(S) can fit in just about any Mid tower ATX case. Just don't mount a drive near it.

If you're willing to spend an extra $30 or so. Check out this :
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0283272 only $47.99

Antec 300 case, well reviewed and would suffice more than a cheap no name brand. You won't have to replace this case at all.

EDIT***Plenty of reviews here: http://www.antec.com/us/info_revie [...] it=Submit#


Message edited by flyin15sec on 06-26-2008 at 03:48:18 AM
Profile: stranger
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So even though the memory standard is 1066 on the Biostar mb it can still support the 800 standard ram with no problems? And it'll be just a little bit slower?

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Bonajokin on 06-26-2008 at 03:08:10 PM
WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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Bonajokin wrote :

So even though the memory standard is 1066 on the Biostar mb it can still support the 800 standard ram with no problems? And it'll be just a little bit slower?

No problems at all!
Just a smidge slower and a very slight overclock on the CPU from 2.53 to 2.66Ghz. for example, would make up the difference in performance.


Message edited by WR2 on 06-26-2008 at 03:12:20 PM
Profile: stranger
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Does that goes aswell for 667 standard too?

WR2
Profile: Faithful Poster
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