$2000 Build For A Friend

[neoxblu1]

Hello,


I was here a couple of weeks ago, again building a new computer for a friend, except the budget back then was $1000 but now it is $2000. Yea, so he currently has a 2002 Dell which he cannot play any games. He recently got a new video card, but since his computer was old he couldnt get a new one. So he barely plays games on lowest setting. He is in need of a new computer, And since im such a good friend I am going to design it for him.



Processer: $540
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115027
- Will change to Q6600


Memory: $230 (2x $115)
2x CORSAIR Dominator 2GB DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145043
- Not sure about changing


Motherboard: $250
ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA Intel X38 Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131227
- Staying the same


Video Card: $290
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325
- not sure


Case: $90
NZXT HUSH Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146035
- Staying the same


Power Supply: $160
Thermaltake W0106RU 700W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153039



Hard Drive: $170
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136012
- Staying the same


Optical Drive: $40
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
- Staying the same


Total: $1770


Monitor: 20" around $200-$300
Speakers: around $50-$100
Mouse: $50-$100
P.S. 64-bit operating system is already taken care of.

Please Tell Me What You Think.
Thank You.

 

[neoxblu1]

HP W1907, W2007, W2207 are really good I monitors.
-- I have the W2207 its the best monitor I've owned.

 

[Night-Stalker]

If you are getting a 8800 GTS, I think you should get a P5N32-E SLI 680i mobo or a P5NT Deluxe 780i mobo. It leaves space for SLI and if you get P5N32-E SLI, you can have an extra $70 to spend on something else. (like an extra 320GB or a 500GB instead of just one 150GB raptor drive)

 

[jevon]

I'd go for the Q6600 instead for half the price and OC it to 3Ghz (really super easy to do, simple FSB change in BIOS and that's all, no voltage changes or anything on the P35/X38 motheboards).

You don't need DDR2-1066 unless you're water cooling. DDR2-667 is enough to OC the Q6600 to 3Ghz, DDR2-800 will get you to 3.6Ghz but you're definately at the extreme edge of being able to cool it on air. Still, I'd grab some DDR2-800 because it's so cheap now for 4Gb of it since you already have the 64-bit OS. I'd OC the Q6600 to 3Ghz, or 3.2Ghz if you want. Should invest in a Tuniq Tower 120 heatsink to help keep it cool though (~$50 I think).

As Night Stalker said, if you're definately getting the nVidia card consider the nVidia motherboards if you wish to add a second card down the road - which is what the future seems to be, multi GPU systems. However, I really really don't like nVidia motherboards. So, if you want the single nVidia video card and your friend wont be adding a second one ever, just get a P35 motherboard. Something like the GA-P35-DS3L has all the basic stuff and great performance for like $100. The biggest downside to P35 vs X38 is they don't handle Crossfire setups as well due to bottlenecks.

That said, have you considered getting a 3870 (or two, or heck the 3870x2 with the $ saved from the CPU)? Because that will leave the door open for a quick and cost effective upgrade down the road (buying another 3870, 3870x2, etc., during something like a Boxing Week sale for a Crossfire setup). Then you would keep the X38 board. IMO, that's the best thing to do.

Not familiar with that case, but I'm a fan of the Coolermaster 690 for around the same price, it just has more fan options to keep the thing cool.

About the PSU, that one would be overkill for just the system you're posting. Something like the Corsair 520 would be fine. However, if you think your friend might be interested in SLIing or Crossfiring as an upgrade down the road, we'll need to talk more about PSU's

Hard drive, well I wouldn't buy just the one raptor. Would rather just get a 500 or even 1TB drive because IMO the performance difference just isn't worth the $.

About monitors, I actually haven't done much dabbling in the 19" area for a long time. Last time I had looked into them, the Viewsonic VXsomethingsomething was the one to have. Nowadays, I think the 22" Samsung 226bw is pretty much mostly the undisputedthe champ with its 2ms response time (lower time = better for gamers).

I've always liked Logitech speakers, I find great value in them but I'm not really an audiophile either so I may not be the best advice giver here. But they've always worked for myself and friends for surround sound in games, MP3's, and movies.

About the mouse and keyboard, I've built systems for friends for many years now and I've learnt it's just best to make them go into a local computer store and check them out themselves. It's highly personal comfort thing. You don't have to buy from the local store if their prices are wacky but at least you both know they're getting what's good for them. And then he can't use it as an excuse when you're mopping the floor with his ass in games 😉

Hope that helps, cheers

 

[neoxblu1]

Wow, ok thats a lot of info, This is what he told me-

He wants...
Nvidia 8800 series
Intel Core 2 Quad
4GB of Ram (he perfers 1066)
and he really wants the NZXT Hush blk case.


I dont know if he will multi GPU, But he wants there to be the availability to upgrade. He really likes the X38 and Nvidia set up. And the mother board always gives him the ability to change video cards and processer.

 

[jevon]

Yeah sorry about the wall of text, got a little carried away 😵

The X38 and nVidia card will work great together, it's just that you can't run two nVidia cards in SLI on Intel chipsets (X38) so your friend will be limited there for upgrades unless he just swaps out the card for another one. Otherwise, the X38 is essentially the same board as a P35 (again main difference is Crossfire). About the CPU support, yes he could take out the Q6600 at some point and upgrade to say a 45nm in an X38 - but he should be able to do this also with most P35s once the drivers are available.

Sorry to throw so much at you, but another thing he should consider is that Nehalem is going to be here in late 2008 - mid 2009 depending on who you listen to. It's going to require and entirely different motherboard to run on, and I'm sure the Q6600 OC'd is going to last until Nehalems are actually available and affordable. So again, just gotta strongly recommend the P35 to save a good chunk of coin if he isn't interested in Crossfire (ie just one nVidia card).

Can you ask him why exactly he prefers 1066 memory? That would allow him to OC the Q6600 in theory all the way up to 4.8Ghz which is definately impossible. Unless he's a hardcore overclocker with a solid water cooling setup, he won't get near DDR2-800 speeds (which is 3.6Ghz). I mean it's his money, but I think he's potentially spending a lot more than he needs to 😵 I'd recommend he get OCZ/Corsair/Mushkin/Patriot 4Gb DDR2-800 with timings of 4-4-4-12.

God damnit, sorry again for all the text ><

 

[neoxblu1]

No its ok, I don't mind reading if it helps me.

Well I have to go right now but I'll be back tomorrow.

Thank You for the information.

 

[chris312]

Save 300 dollars on the processor by switching to the 6600 and 150 dollars on the memory by switching to ddr-800.

I'd get an Nvidia motherboard that supports SLI and grab a pair of 9600GT's for only 100 dollars more than the GTS...

Buy an additional hard drive because 150GB will not be enough.

Right now I have a ~200 dollar Westinghouse 19" monitor that has been an amazing value and some 50 dollar logitech speakers that sound great.

 

[lunyone]

Hello,
I was here a couple of weeks ago, again building a new computer for a friend, except the budget back then was $1000 but now it is $2000. Yea, so he currently has a 2002 Dell which he cannot play any games. He recently got a new video card, but since his computer was old he couldnt get a new one. So he barely plays games on lowest setting. He is in need of a new computer, And since im such a good friend I am going to design it for him.

Here is what I'd do with $2000 for a gaming system. I'm currently unable to connect to newegg at work so I'm using ZZF instead to just show you what options to consider.

CPU - $250 shipped! Best affordable quad right now. OC to 3 ghz easily, just use aftermarket HSF, like Arctic Freezer 7 Pro or TT 120.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor 2.4GHz, 1066FSB, LGA775, 8MB cache Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80864

Mobo - $125 shipped! Save on the mobo, so you can get a better GPU and other things. X38 is over-hyped if you ask me. For the minor differences between X38 and p35, I'd rather save the $ and put it where you really need it, the GPU!
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R Intel P35 Core 2 Quad Socket 775 1600 MHz ATX Motherboard Retail
The GA-EP35-DS3R is GIGABYTE high performance platform based on the killer combination of the new Intel P35 chipset plus support for the latest multi-core processors up to FSB 1600MHz(O.C.), including the latest 45nm platform.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007760

GPU - $440 shipped!! Hard to beat at this price! Has 1gb DDR3!!!
DIAMOND 3870X2PE31G 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007732
or
GPU - $300 shipped! If you wanted 8800, than this is the one to get. You can trade up to latest within 90 days, by using eVga's "Step Up" program.
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR Geforce 8800 GTS 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007796

BR DVD Burner - $370!! Why not get the latest DVD Player/Burner and have it for quite some time!
LiteOn LH-2B1S 2X Internal Blu-ray Disc Triple Writer Serial ATA Drive Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=175509

PSU - $139 - $25 MIR = $114!!!! Probably one of the best in this price range. Hard to beat w/50A on the 12V rail(s). Can handle alot of GPU power and is modular too, which will help to keep clutter down. Has a 5 yr. warranty also.
Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373110

Case - ~$95 shipped. One of the better cases to get. Antec 900 is another one to consider.
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Mid Tower Case Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006342

Memory - $114 shipped! Having 800mHz DDR2 will allow you to OC to higher levels, so consider that when building.
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 Memory Kit TWIN2X4096-6400C5 Memory Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006082

HD - $98 shipped!! 500 gb's of HD space to start with. This should be a very good starting point for any system. If you want more than buy it. You can always add more HD's later, if you like.
Western Digital Caviar SE 16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101259

CPU HSF - ~$65 for TT120 and ~$15 for Scythe 120mm Fan. This combo will give you the best air cooling around. It's also pretty quiet too.
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme
http://www.buy.com/prod/thermalright-ultra-120-extreme/q/loc/101/205121074.html

Total ~$1725 or ~$1585 w/8800gts GPU! Now you can obviously change anything here, but the $275-415 would be used for a monitor and speakers. I'm not up on monitors or speakers, so you can get that from someone else. I use a headset, so speakers aren't used by me. I like the headset, because I can use the microphone to talk to others while gaming.

 

[systemlord]

The 9800GX2 is do out this month, same as having two 8800GTS 512MB G92 in SLI but on one card and will work with any mobo.

By systemlord at 2008-02-20

By systemlord at 2008-03-04

 

[karnewest]

god dam you guys suck at saving money. They were selling evga 8800 gtx on Newegg for $300 all of last week.

 

[lunyone]

god dam you guys suck at saving money. They were selling evga 8800 gtx on Newegg for $300 all of last week.

What do you mean? He has a $2k budget and were trying to get him the best system for that $. If I was going to build a system around that $2k budget, it would be close to what I recommended. So I don't know where your coming from. I could build a system under $1k, but I wouldn't have as many upgrade paths as the $2k build and I'd have to skimp on some of the parts to get there.

 

[karnewest]

That was meant more for the OP. Your build/price is better but the prices you have are still way too high. I already bought all the parts for a system with dual evga 8800 gtx with better specs than the one you posted for under $2000. I didn't skimp on any parts. The OP has a 2k budget and your going to have him run a 8800 gts. Come on.. he can do better than that. It's all about getting the best parts for as cheap as you can because there is always room for improvement. Like the exact same 8800 gts video card you posted I can get for $100 cheaper right now http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=759154

And all the other parts you posted I could probably get the same or similiar quality ones at better prices. You just have to look around for daily/weekly promotions, coupons, discounts etc.

 

[tank_atlantis]

I think the 22" Samsung 226bw is pretty much mostly the undisputedthe champ with its 2ms response time (lower time = better for gamers).

That 2ms response time is nice, but the max resolution is only 1680 x 1050, do you know of any that have 1920x1200 that are good? I have been looking at the viewsonic VX2835wm, but have been reading mixed reviews about them. I either want to get one large screen and get another one for duel later on, or get two 22 inch monitors for multi tasking now.

For the OP, if your friend considered waiting a couple of weeks for the 45nm quads to come out, he could throw one of them in it Although then you could end up waiting for the next best thing to come out like me and put off an upgrade for about a year.

 

[lunyone]

That was meant more for the OP. Your build/price is better but the prices you have are still way too high. I already bought all the parts for a system with dual evga 8800 gtx with better specs than the one you posted for under $2000. I didn't skimp on any parts. The OP has a 2k budget and your going to have him run a 8800 gts. Come on.. he can do better than that. It's all about getting the best parts for as cheap as you can because there is always room for improvement. Like the exact same 8800 gts video card you posted I can get for $100 cheaper right now http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=759154

And all the other parts you posted I could probably get the same or similiar quality ones at better prices. You just have to look around for daily/weekly promotions, coupons, discounts etc.

So where is your build, if you build today? I'm just showing the OP that if he bought today what he could get. Yes there are deals all of the time, but if you wait too long than you'll run the chance of waiting too long to return some of your parts, if they are delivered bad. I don't recommend this, but it can be done. It's much easier to say there are cheaper parts out there, but if you don't show us the total build "today" than it won't be the best deal tomorrow. All I'm saying is that you can wait forever to get a good deal, but you run the risk of not being able to return a bad part if you exceed the original RMA period.

 

[neoxblu1]

Ok I understand that I can easily save $200 from changing the processer to Q6600, ok I will change it.
Motherboard, I would actually like to keep this motherboard, knowing if his GPU gets out dated he can just get a new one or crossfire.

Which GPU would be best to choose from, over all which is the best, not concerning with price. Nvidia 8800 GT, Nvidia 8800 GTS (G92) or Nvidia 9600 GT?

My friend only wants a Raptor, and he isn't going to need anymore than 100GB.

I dont really know what I should do about the ram, He wants 1066 but you guys are saying 800.

 

[systemlord]

I dont really know what I should do about the ram, He wants 1066 but you guys are saying 800.

DDR2 800 is the the same as DDR2 1066, the 1066 is just overclocked DDR2 800 programed for higher speeds.

 

[Serj]

If this doesn't make his Panties Moist, then, maybe $2000 is too little::

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151154
$31.99


2X Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD5001ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136205
$239.98 ($119.99 each)

BenQ G2400W Black 24" 5ms DVI HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824014158
Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant
$399.99 $389.99


Creative 70SB046A00000 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series - Retail
Item #: N82E16829102005

$135.99


SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817151028

-$40.00 Instant
$169.99 $129.99


Creative Inspire P7800 90 Watts 7.1 Speaker - Retail
Item #: N82E16836116153

-$7.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate $86.99 $79.99


RAZER Diamondback 3G Flame Red 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB 3G infrared Gaming Mouse - Retail
Item #: N82E16826153014

-$10.00 Instant $49.99 $39.99

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813188024

-$10.00 Instant
$259.99 $249.99


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017
$254.99


Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835154001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$25.00 Instant
$64.99 $39.99
_______________________________________________________________________
EVGA 512-P3-N862-AR GeForce 9600GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130328
$179.99

(( EVGA 512-P3-N862-AR GeForce 9600GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Kingston HyperX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G ))
*
EVGA 512-P3-N862-AR GeForce 9600GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130328
*
Kingston HyperX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G - Retail
Item #: N82E16820104001
-$80.00 Instant -$25.00 Combo $379.98 $274.98
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Subtotal: $2,047.86
You can currently get the Q6600 in-store @ Microcenter for about $60 cheaper, and you could maybe trim another $80 off without the Speakers (i havent cared to use speakers since 2003; Sennheisers FTW!) and if you're not picky about CPU utilization & audio quality, you could dump the X-Fi for another $60, then spring for Dual 8800GTS 512s.

 

[mlaporta]

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Computer Speaker System

 

[jevon]

This is what you do about the RAM: bitch slap some sense into him and tell him it's a complete and utter waste of $ for a Q6600 without extreme watercooling. The 1066 is essentially ONLY the speed at which you can try to match with the processor during overclocking, it provides virtually zero performance increase over 800. What makes the memory itself 'faster' are the timings, he should only care about getting timings like 4-4-4-12 (lower is better) with DDR2-800; He'll never even use the full "800" (fsb speed) let alone 1066.

If price isn't an issue I'd say the G92 GTS (512mb). But again with the X38 and price not being an issue, I'd get a 3870x2 so then when he wants to upgrade he has all kinds of options: another 3870x2, a single 3870, or whatever newer cards ATi has out. Say he wants to upgrade in a year or so, just grab a 3870x2 during Black Friday or Boxing Week sales when it's price will be chopped.

 

[rickpcnerd]

this what ill will go for $2000, and screw the q6600. The e8400 beats any quad in games for less money, there no many games that utilize 4 cores, not even on crysis it makes a difference.

XFX MB-N680-ILT9 680i Motherboard $149.99
BFG Technologies GeForce 8800 GTS Video Card 512mb $284.48
BFG Technologies GeForce 8800 GTS Video Card 512mb $284.48
Patriot Viper 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 lat:4-4-4-12 $91.99 (at newegg)
Xion Solaris Black/Silver Midsize Tower$73.27
Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply$151.54
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $225
Creative SB X-FiXtremeGamer Fatal 1ty $110.00
WD Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive $99.00
Soyo DYLM24D6 Black 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor$324.74
Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 Speaker System $155.00
Razer Diamondback 3G Frost Blue Gaming Mouse$46.00
Saitek Eclipse Keyboard$42.97

tax/shipping Grand Total $2,001.72 all from www.pricegrabber.com cheaper than newegg