1st Time Build-High-End Computer-Need Component Feedback!

[mtlboy]

MTL, OC'ing a C2D chip isn't really that hard if you're inexperienced. You just need to do a bit of researching/reading, and if you can find someone that has the same mobo as you to help you with some settings, you'll be there in no time. To push a high OC will take some time and experience though.

Also, yes ALOT of people just get the 6600 and OC it past a 6800. Heck, my 6300 matches a 6800. And yes, a 6800 will probably OC higher than a 6600, but there's 2 problems with that. 1) the higher-rated a CPU, the less proportionate an OC you will get; 2) the price difference between the 6600 and 6800 when you look at the OC'ing potential makes the 6800 cost difference a foolish investment. If you're gonna spend that much money, it will be easily beaten by a $300 CPU in a year or so. So why bother wasting that much money? You can get a MUCH, MUCH cheaper 6600 and OC it past a 6800 no problem. And the difference between a 3.4 ghz 6600 and a 3.7 ghz 6800 in real life performance is not very much.

So, the question is: Are you willing to spend $600 more for a CPU that will finish encoding a DVD or WinZipping a file 30 seconds faster? Is that 30 seconds or less worth $600 to you??? If it is, then you are one RICH dude. If not, then get the 6600 and OC it 😉

Thanks, you do bring up a lot of good points. I also know that overclocking that 6600 though will eat up a lot of its life. I'm still about 3 weeks from building my system, so I'll definitely read up on everything to make sure I have the best parts. Thanks for the help.

 

[AJAX]

Thanks for all of the advice. I've taken everyone's input and modified my configuration. When all is said and done, the new system would cost $1419 minus shipping. Any thoughts on these components?

DVD-ROM/CD-RW - SOHC-5232K DVD/CD-RW Writer (16x DVD-ROM, 52x/32x/52x CD-RW) Lite-On SOHC-5232K DVD/CD-RW Writer ($24) or CRX320E DVD/CD-RW Writer (16x DVD, 52x/32x/52x CD-RW) Sony CRX320E DVD/CD-RW Writer ($24) IDE
DVD-RW+_Dual Layer - Lite-On LH-18A1P-185 Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer or Sony AW-Q170A-10 Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer ($31) IDE
CPU - E6600 - $315 - 775 T
Graphics Card - Nvidia 8800 GTS - $400 - PCI-Express x16 (2 Slots)
HD - Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 250GB Hard Drive ($64) x2 - Serial ATA or Molex
Memory - Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit ($240) or Kingston 2GB PC6400 DDR2 DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit ($260)
Case - Sunbeam Transformer (4 fans, $80)
Power Supply - Antec TP3650 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails ($99) - 4 SATA, 2 PCI Express
Motherboard - P5N-SLI Motherboard (Core 2 Duo/ Core 2 Extreme/Pentium D/Pentium 4/Celeron, Socket T, nForce 570, ATX, 16GB DDR2, 1066MHz FSB) Asus P5N-SLI Motherboard ($102)

Already, I feel like I have saved valuable time and money with everyone's input. So thanks to everyone who has provided their thoughts.

 

[Newf]

Thanks for all of the advice. I've taken everyone's input and modified my configuration. When all is said and done, the new system would cost $1419 minus shipping. Any thoughts on these components?

DVD-ROM/CD-RW - SOHC-5232K DVD/CD-RW Writer (16x DVD-ROM, 52x/32x/52x CD-RW) Lite-On SOHC-5232K DVD/CD-RW Writer ($24) or CRX320E DVD/CD-RW Writer (16x DVD, 52x/32x/52x CD-RW) Sony CRX320E DVD/CD-RW Writer ($24) IDE
DVD-RW+_Dual Layer - Lite-On LH-18A1P-185 Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer or Sony AW-Q170A-10 Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer ($31) IDE
CPU - E6600 - $315 - 775 T
Graphics Card - Nvidia 8800 GTS - $400 - PCI-Express x16 (2 Slots)
HD - Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 250GB Hard Drive ($64) x2 - Serial ATA or Molex
Memory - Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit ($240) or Kingston 2GB PC6400 DDR2 DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit ($260)
Case - Sunbeam Transformer (4 fans, $80)
Power Supply - Antec TP3650 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails ($99) - 4 SATA, 2 PCI Express
Motherboard - P5N-SLI Motherboard (Core 2 Duo/ Core 2 Extreme/Pentium D/Pentium 4/Celeron, Socket T, nForce 570, ATX, 16GB DDR2, 1066MHz FSB) Asus P5N-SLI Motherboard ($102)

Already, I feel like I have saved valuable time and money with everyone's input. So thanks to everyone who has provided their thoughts.

1) Motherboard: If you must go with an nVidia chipset motherboard, avoid the 5xx series and get a 650i SLI board.
Asus P5N-E LGA775 nF650i SLI 2IDE ATX Conroe $140+0 1/19/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142
Asus P5N-E Review 12/22/06
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2894
I still think that the Gigabyte DS3 is a better choice. SLI is a waste of time and money. The only drawback to the DS3 is the single IDE channel. Get 1 IDE optical drive to boot/read with, and the rest SATA opticals. Even though you can, do not put more than 1 IDE drive on a channel, (slows you down).

2)Hard disk: I would substitute this for the Hitachi if you want a really good 250GB drive:
WD 2500YS 250GB 7200/16MB SATA $80+6 1/06/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136055

3) If you run a search on Newegg for 8800 cards, you will find a number of them priced around $360-365 after rebate. In essence, they are all the same. (I know this is heresy or even flame bait, but it's true...)

 

[AJAX]

Regarding the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Motherboard and only 1 IDE channel...I'm having trouble finding DVD/CD drives that are not IDE for the interface. Does this mean that I'm limited to only one internal DVD/CD drive? Please advise!

 

[Newf]

Regarding the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Motherboard and only 1 IDE channel...I'm having trouble finding DVD/CD drives that are not IDE for the interface. Does this mean that I'm limited to only one internal DVD/CD drive? Please advise!

Lite-on SH-16A7S-06 SATA DVD RW $36+6 1/19/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106046
As of today this sku is out of stock...

SATA opticals are in high demand. Newegg often has them, but each part# only lasts a short time before being sold out. They are easier to find in bulk or OEM form but retail boxed versions are available. When you see one in stock just order it. Having one IDE optical and the rest SATA gives you the best speed, especially when burning from one optical to the other.