After your suggestions: here is my new build

edbe

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First let me thank all of yous (yeah I'm from Chicago I can say dat) for the awesome feedback.

Graphic Rendering, Music Recording, Gaming machine. Mostly Music (Sonar) and Graphics (DAZ Bryce) games thinking about getting Supreme Commander (which slows down every pc). This was supposed to be a budget system but I figured I'd dump the extra $ for the 8800 vs the 7600 graphic card.


Core 2 Duo 6400
Gigabyte DS3
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS
Antec NeoHE 500
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Seagate 320G

I was going to get a Xion case read a review saying the 8800 didnt fit so..

I havent picked my CD/DVD burner or CPU cooler yet but this is what I have so far and now I'm ready to pull the trigger LOL.

Ed
 

pmr

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That's a nice system. If you want to save money and the case has a nice cooling system, then the intel stock cooler is more than enough to handle 3-3.2Ghz.
At those frequencies the cpu only goes to low 60s at full load when rendering or gaming. Only when you run tests like TAT or CPU Burn the temps will go higher.
 

jeff_2087

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:trophy: Pretty good.

You could save money by getting the e6300 and overclocking it. Or, if you don't want to overclock, you could maybe save a little money by getting DDR2 667 or 533 instead of 800.

Also, I'd ditch the Antec PSU for something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104954

A lot cheaper and it'll power a GTS, and I've heard some bad things about NeoHEs and the DS3. It doesn't give a whole lot of breathing room though, so you may want to get something with a bit more muscle from FSP Group like this (same wattage as the NeHE and still cheaper). Or something from Seasonic/Silverstone, they're both excellent brands.
 

edbe

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I will OC the 6400, possibly not right away and I dont think I want to push it too hard. I need stability when I'm recording music I dont want it to crash and loose work.

Might get this case still not too sure, I want to keep the case cost down under $60, lots of decent choices in that price range. Only thing is I want a quiet system so not sure if this case would be ideal for that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811128029
 

pmr

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I will OC the 6400, possibly not right away and I dont think I want to push it too hard. I need stability when I'm recording music I dont want it to crash and loose work.

Might get this case still not too sure, I want to keep the case cost down under $60, lots of decent choices in that price range. Only thing is I want a quiet system so not sure if this case would be ideal for that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811128029

You might want to put the pc on another room if you work with audio.
The GTS along with the case fans are everything but silent and they will interfere in recordings.

I do that job in my G5, and in summer time, the case is in my bedroom and I manage cables through holes in the wall. It was a well done job :D

I don't know if you are a professional/enthusiast audio producer, but you might re-think the situation.

Edit- and that psu that comes with the case won't handle a GTS... 16A on the +12V rail... you might need 26A.
 

skyguy

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Good point. If he's doing audio recording, then a quiet room is essential. If he's just processing digital audio, then it shouldn't be a problem. That case looks pretty good, but I dunno about the noise.

Finding a pimp case that's fairly quiet, good airflow, and cheap is VERY difficult. If you want something more "professional", take a look at the Coolermaster 534.

Other than that, very good specs on a tighter budget. Well done!
 

edbe

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My audio work is mainly running direct inputs into my Tascam sound card. I doubt I will ever record with a mic in my current room, so there shouldnt be any sound interference in that aspect. I just dont want a loud refrigerator sound when I'm selecting tones and doing rough mixes. I'm a keyboardist and I just record my keyboard tracks at my house and either dump that down to my HD Recorder or to CD to take elsewhere for mixing. Not a pro, but I've been on a couple cds so far.

Here was another case that I was looking at.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16811147001

Didnt think about the 8800's needs for specific power supplies, I will have to look up those suggestions.

ed
 

skyguy

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Do NOT get a case with a PSU included. ouch. Or else ditch the PSU in the garbage when it arrives. But it looks like you want something with a window that's affordable. Here's a few, not the best but fits your budget and looks tastefully windowed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144102

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144151 (80mm fans though, so not ideal but it's still a good case)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208021

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133172
 

skyguy

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Totally agree, but it's hard to find 2 x 120mm in a windowed case for $50-$60 +/- :(

Spending $20 more opens up alot more choices OP.
 

edbe

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My plan was to scrap the stock power supply. I had the Antec NeoHE 500 picked out but as suggested there were other options with the 8800.
 

cattbert

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Not a big deal, but Slickdeals is reporting a small coupon on the hard drive you are looking at if you use paypal:

"Newegg has 320GB Seagate Barracuda Serial ATA hard drive with perpendicular recording technology for $85 - $5 coupon PPALBCUDA= $80. You may need to use PayPal for coupon to work.

They also have a new shipping discount code PAYPAL10 for up to $10 off shipping if you choose Paypal as payment method."