$700 Tower help.

[joshtx84]

I built my first and only system about 6 years ago(with some help) and would definitely say I'm a novice. I haven't kept up with computer components very much over the past couple years.

I'm looking at building a budget PC and the only thing I already have is a copy of 32-bit xp. I'm up for possibly changing my OS at a later date.

I do play games but I'm not at all a serious gamer. However, games would be the most intense activity on this PC. I do some multitasking which would include capturing and editing video, web browsing, listening to music, burning cd's and dvd's, and some office work.

I really don't think I will ever want to run a crossfire or SLI graphics setup so consider that for PSU and MB recommendations.

Although I have never OC'd before, I would like to, and think the e8400 would be a good fit for my budget.

I am not stuck on the $700 figure but would like to keep it in that range( +or- $100).

Thank you so much in advance for any help with my new build.

 

[theAnimal]

Case: your choice
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 500W
CPU: E8400
RAM: G-Skill Pi Black 2x2GB DDR2 800
GPU: HD4830
HDD: WD Caviar Black 640GB
DVD: Pioneer 216DBK

 

[techwizard08]

In keeping with the budget theme, the Antec 300 would probably hold the guts in nicely.

+1 to theAnimal for the build.

Perhaps a rifle cooler?

 

[theAnimal]

In keeping with the budget theme, the Antec 300 would probably hold the guts in nicely.

+1 to theAnimal for the build.

Perhaps a rifle cooler?

Definitely the Xigmatech HDT-S1283, don't know how I missed it.

 

[techwizard08]

That's what nit-picky, bickering tech friends are for

 

[theAnimal]

That's what nit-picky, bickering tech friends are for

LOL!

 

[joshtx84]

Thank you very much for the info guys, it is much appreciated. Definitely seems like a good system that would fit my budget and needs. Does anyone else have any input on this build that they are willing to share?

 

[Why_Me]

Thank you very much for the info guys, it is much appreciated. Definitely seems like a good system that would fit my budget and needs. Does anyone else have any input on this build that they are willing to share?

This build down below is in your price range. I would recommend a mild O/C to 3.60ghz just by moving up your FSB (9x400). It's an easy O/C ...takes but a few minutes. Alot of these items also include free shipping wich is a plus. Also that vista64 bit will let you read all 4 gigs of ram wich is a biggy if you plan on doing video editing, etc....The case has decent airflow with a side air duct and 3x120mm fans.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119104 $49.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-SKN2-GP Black / Silver Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150070 $4.99
MASSCOOL FD12025S1L3/4 120mm Case Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010 $74.99 ($44.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Additional $10 off w/ promo code "EMCLNLP34", ends 2/9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359 $119.99 ($104.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $164.99 Free Shipping*
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835101027 $19.99
ASUS V52 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 $39.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127387 $129.99 ($114.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate)
MSI N9800GT 512OC GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $69.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106266 $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

Total: $705.89 +shipping
$645.89 w/mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

 

[joshtx84]

Thanks for the detailed information. It is very helpful. Is there any reason I should go C2Q? I think it would be a similar price but less clock speed. Or maybe if I just OC the e8400 now, I could pick up a really nice C2Q in a year or two when prices come way down?

 

[joshtx84]

I actually found out I have a copy of both 64 and 32 bit xp so which one should I load? Also, any input on the quad question?

 

[Why_Me]

I actually found out I have a copy of both 64 and 32 bit xp so which one should I load? Also, any input on the quad question?

64bit definantly. It reads all 4 gigs of your memory....where as 32bit only reads 3 gigs. As far as quad vs dual core....go with whatever is cheapest atm. That and google some reviews. Gaming wise it's hard to beat the dual cores as far as bang for the buck.

 

[Cannad28]

If your lookin for a nice affordable case.. i like the new zalman GS 1000... not cheap so it wont fall apart.. and not tooo expensive... but.. lian li.. do it

 

[Why_Me]

If your lookin for a nice affordable case.. i like the new zalman GS 1000... not cheap so it wont fall apart.. and not tooo expensive... but.. lian li.. do it

Maybe you didn't read the title of this thread? I'm pretty sure it says something about a $700 build.

 

[Cannad28]

Maybe you didn't read the title of this thread? I'm pretty sure it says something about a $700 build.

""

 

[joshtx84]

Yeah...that case looked interesting, but is definitely more than what I want to spend.

I will be sure to load xp64 then.

Now I'm debating on going with an even cheaper cpu like the e5200 and OC'ing it as much as I can. Then buying a quad and a better graphics card down the road as an upgrade. Decisions, decisions

 

[Why_Me]

Yeah...that case looked interesting, but is definitely more than what I want to spend.

I will be sure to load xp64 then.

Now I'm debating on going with an even cheaper cpu like the e5200 and OC'ing it as much as I can. Then buying a quad and a better graphics card down the road as an upgrade. Decisions, decisions

That E5200 is a heck of a deal. Infact if you just drop the mulitplier on it to 9.5 and move up your FSB to 9.5x333=3.16Ghz. That's a mild overclock yet it lets you run at 1333 FSB and that way your not bottlenecking your vid card, and your not cranking up the cpu so much as to where your going to end up burning it out in a year or even less. No upping the voltage on that overclock either ...which = no added heat.

 

[theAnimal]

That E5200 is a heck of a deal. Infact if you just drop the mulitplier on it to 9.5 and move up your FSB to 9.5x333=3.16Ghz. That's a mild overclock yet it lets you run at 1333 FSB and that way your not bottlenecking your vid card, and your not cranking up the cpu so much as to where your going to end up burning it out in a year or even less. No upping the voltage on that overclock either ...which = no added heat.

The E5X00 do not like high FSB, there's no point in lowering the multi.

You cannot guarantee that no extra voltage will be required, even though it's not likely.

 

[Why_Me]

Even a 12.5x266=3.3Ghz @ 1066

To the OP...that cpu down below is another decent alternative. More cache and higher clock not to mention it has a higher FSB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206 $119.99 Free Shipping*
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

 

[Relyt]

Ultra makes some affordable cases. Not flashy, but the E-Torque and Ultra Grid have a nice, large window. It has nice cable management as well. Only down side is that they only have room for 2 120mm fans, which aren't included. They DO have CPU and GPU vents. Cases are ~$50. You can get a couple of nice fans for ~$15.

 

[techwizard08]

Or at ~80 buy an NZXT which have good cooling and aren't *coughhorriblycough* ugly

 

[joshtx84]

Ultra makes some affordable cases. Not flashy, but the E-Torque and Ultra Grid have a nice, large window. It has nice cable management as well. Only down side is that they only have room for 2 120mm fans, which aren't included. They DO have CPU and GPU vents. Cases are ~$50. You can get a couple of nice fans for ~$15.

For around the same price would those cases be better or worse than the antec 300?

 

[joshtx84]

??

 

[theAnimal]

Stick with the Antec.

 

[Why_Me]

Stick with the Antec.

+1 for the Antec

 

[joshtx84]

Case: your choice
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 500W
CPU: E8400
RAM: G-Skill Pi Black 2x2GB DDR2 800
GPU: HD4830
HDD: WD Caviar Black 640GB
DVD: Pioneer 216DBK
HS: Xigmatech HDT-S1283

I'm assuming this motherboard and rifle cooler combo leave room for that G-Skill Pi memory, but would there be room if I decided at some point to use all 4 dimms to get to 8 GB's?