Hey, guys! This is one of my first builds and I'm looking ofr some feedback. I plan to buy it soon-ish and have a list of parts for two builds. They share all but the RAM, CPU,and MoBo.
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 weeks
BUDGET RANGE: $650-800
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: MMORPG/Moderate Online Gaming, Surfing, School/Work
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, but open to others
PARTS PREFERENCES: Not picky
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, Later
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure
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Common Parts:
DVD: LG Black 22X DVD+R SATA 22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM 27.99
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM 99.99
HD: WD Caviar Black 640GB 74.99
GPU: XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 194.99
PSU: Corsair 650TX 650W PSU 99.49
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AMD PIIX2
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P 129.99
PCU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache 99.99
RAM: G.Skill 4GB DDR3 1600 (2x2GB) 64.99
PIIx2 Total: 792.42 (-15 MIR)
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Q2D
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P 134.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 119.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) 47.99
Q2D Total: 800.42 (-20 MIR)
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I've been researching parts and I've come up with two builds, an Intel with a Q2D and an AMD with the new PIIx2. I heard for months that Intel was the only way to go, so I was looking at the cheaper Q2Ds, but then heard that the PIIx2 gave better performance at a better pricepoint.
Right now I"m leaning toward the AMD because I've heard that the AM3 slot will be around for awhile longer with more chances for upgrades. There also seemed to be more boards that supported DDR3 at better prices. The possibility of 2 bonus cores is also attractive. On the other hand, it seems like there would still be plenty of room for the Core 2 Duo to be upgraded when the C2Qs go down in price and DDR2 will still be around for awhile.
Overall, I'm gunning for a reasonably good rig at a good price that I can upgrade later as needed. I think at some point, when the price comes down, I would want to do Crossfire or SLI to be able to play newer games at higher settings.
My only real dillemma is whether I want to take the newer parts or go down a grade to older ones to cut the price. I didn't really find any combos that were appealing and would make this build cheaper. The best way to cut cost would be to get a $50 case, but I've heard horror stories about ventilation and in the past, I've heard gaming cases suggested. I could also downgrade either mobo to one without a second PCIe 2.0, but then I would have to buy a new board if I ever wanted to Crossfire, which I expect I'll do around Christmas. I could downgrade the graphics card, but if it only costs 30-50 more, it seems smarter to get the 4890 than the 4870. Everything else seems to be relatively inexpensive parts that are highly rated and from quality brands.
I also need a monitor, but I'm leaving that outside of the parts budget, for now. I've been looking at an LG around 20" for $120 at a local shop.
Any advice that you guys could give would be great. Thank you!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 weeks
BUDGET RANGE: $650-800
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: MMORPG/Moderate Online Gaming, Surfing, School/Work
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, but open to others
PARTS PREFERENCES: Not picky
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, Later
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Parts:
DVD: LG Black 22X DVD+R SATA 22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM 27.99
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM 99.99
HD: WD Caviar Black 640GB 74.99
GPU: XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 194.99
PSU: Corsair 650TX 650W PSU 99.49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMD PIIX2
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P 129.99
PCU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache 99.99
RAM: G.Skill 4GB DDR3 1600 (2x2GB) 64.99
PIIx2 Total: 792.42 (-15 MIR)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2D
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P 134.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 119.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) 47.99
Q2D Total: 800.42 (-20 MIR)
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I've been researching parts and I've come up with two builds, an Intel with a Q2D and an AMD with the new PIIx2. I heard for months that Intel was the only way to go, so I was looking at the cheaper Q2Ds, but then heard that the PIIx2 gave better performance at a better pricepoint.
Right now I"m leaning toward the AMD because I've heard that the AM3 slot will be around for awhile longer with more chances for upgrades. There also seemed to be more boards that supported DDR3 at better prices. The possibility of 2 bonus cores is also attractive. On the other hand, it seems like there would still be plenty of room for the Core 2 Duo to be upgraded when the C2Qs go down in price and DDR2 will still be around for awhile.
Overall, I'm gunning for a reasonably good rig at a good price that I can upgrade later as needed. I think at some point, when the price comes down, I would want to do Crossfire or SLI to be able to play newer games at higher settings.
My only real dillemma is whether I want to take the newer parts or go down a grade to older ones to cut the price. I didn't really find any combos that were appealing and would make this build cheaper. The best way to cut cost would be to get a $50 case, but I've heard horror stories about ventilation and in the past, I've heard gaming cases suggested. I could also downgrade either mobo to one without a second PCIe 2.0, but then I would have to buy a new board if I ever wanted to Crossfire, which I expect I'll do around Christmas. I could downgrade the graphics card, but if it only costs 30-50 more, it seems smarter to get the 4890 than the 4870. Everything else seems to be relatively inexpensive parts that are highly rated and from quality brands.
I also need a monitor, but I'm leaving that outside of the parts budget, for now. I've been looking at an LG around 20" for $120 at a local shop.
Any advice that you guys could give would be great. Thank you!
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