New Build

[chadley]

Please look at my build to see if there are better options to go with. I am going to be using this to casually play games, surf web, listen to music, create home movies/music. My 5+ year old computer just died today and I am looking to spend no more than $800. I am wanting this to be future proof for at least 3+ years as well.


GPU
EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
OR
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

HDD
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

DVD
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

Heatsink
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Case
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Mother Board
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Thanks

 

[jpdykes]

Hi Chadley,

Looks like a solid build. I would be heading in the direction of the 4850 over the old 9800+.

Equally see if you can find a 45nm processor at a sensible price (Q9xxx series) as the are slightly better overclockers if you fancy that kind of thing. Otherwise the Q6600 is an old favourite.

If you aren't planning on overclocking you don't really need the cooler, and changing over to one at a later date is not very difficult.

Jeremy

 

[chadley]

Thanks for the advice.

I didn't realize the 45nm CPU were better at overclocking. The little research I did made it look like the Q6600 was the best way to go when overclocking. If I did go with Q9000 series is there one that is better at overclocking than another?

Also with the 4850 GPU is there one brand/model that stands out above the rest?

 

[jpdykes]

45nm tends to run a little more efficiently, as to which overclocks the best I'm not sure.
For pure gaming you could also look at the E8400/E8500, currently developers aren't making the best use of quads and often the dual cores are ahead for gaming. Check the THG cpu charts for helpful info.

See if anyone is making a 4850 with a double slot cooler, the ATi cards run hot (60C plus). If you can find a cooler that blows out of the case that would be good.
In terms of brand there is never much in it, try Sapphire otherwise whoever is giving the best value for performance.

Jeremy

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018 $184.99 Free Shipping*
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - OEM

 

[xthekidx]

The Q9xxx series are not necessarily better overclockers. They are built on the 45nm process so they are cooler than the Q6600, but if you have good cooling then you can get past the heat issue. The Q6600 actually has more potential to overclock because of its higher mulitplier.

you get no benefit from faster ram on the P45 chipset, so just get some fast DDR2-800 like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219&Tpk=g%20skill%20hk

Better cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=s1283v

The Sonata is a nice case/psu combo, but if you are going to go for a high OC then you probably want a little better circulation in you case. Try somthing like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.178069

 

[MykC]

Also consider the Q8200 gives the same performance as a Q6600 and its cheaper.

Between Nvidia cards and ATI cards, I believe ATI cards will generally produce a lower FPS with AA turned off but a higher FPS with it on compared to Nvidia. Its comes down to what you prefer.

Case/PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817611007 Tuniq 650W PSU $90 - $40MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 CM 690 case $80

Check how much the case you do end up picking is going to cost to ship. It might be worth it to settle for something you can find locally.

 

[MykC]

If you can consider an AMD build, would recommend the following motherboard/RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.182239 AMD Phenon II 940BE with Gigabyte 790X motherboard $310
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 LG DVD Burner $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 WD 640GB AALS $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 2x2GB Corsair DDR2 800 $50 - $25MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 Artic MX-2 Thermal Compound $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 Xigma Dark Knight $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40678&PropertyCodeValue=683%3A20729 1GB 4870 $200 - $30MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817611007 Tuniq 650W PSU $90 - $40MIR

$800 - 95MIR. This doesn't include a case, but Antec 300 or CM RC-690s are my chocies.

I've always felt that money saved spent on RAM generally has lower return than money spent a higher level CPU or GPU. That is why I selected the Corsair.

 

[Outlander_04]

for gaming ditch the q6600 for an e8400

 

[chadley]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Take a look at this new build (generated from your comments) and give me your comments.


GPU
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

HDD
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

DVD
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152

Heatsink
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=s1283v

Case
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129024

Mother Board
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128359

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

RAM
G.SKILL HK 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219&Tpk=g%20skill%20hk

 

[xthekidx]

Looks good to me.