New Build: Opinions/Suggestions

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unknownsidhu

Weaksauce
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
66
Hey guys, Im thinking about building a new computer sometime soon, and need some help on the specs. So far this is what Im looking at:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz (1066MHz) 4MB L2 CacheSocket 775 Processor - $369.99

Motherboard:
Asus P5B-E Socket 775 Intel 965 Express + ICH8R Chipset Dual-Channel DDR2 533/667/800 Gigabit Lan Intel High Definition Audio Firewire e-SATA PCI-Express Graphics Slots 6xSATAII Support Core 2 Duo Processor - $184.99

Monitor:
Samsung SyncMaster 940BW Black 19" Widescreen LCD - $249.99

Case:
Thermaltake VC3000BWS Armor Jr. SECC Case Black w/ Window - $114.99

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Raptor Enterprise SATA (WD360GD) 36GB 10,000 RPM 8MB Buffer (OEM) - $109.99

Keyboard/Mouse:
Logitech (967453) Office Pro Black Keyboard PS/2 (OEM) - $13.99
Logitech (931434) RX-300 - $16.99

RAM:
OCZ (OCZ2P8001GK) DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum 1GB - $151.99

KVM Switch:
D-Link DKVM-2KU 2-port KVM Switch 2048 x 1536 w/ USB, Built-in Cables - $46.99

Router:
Linksys WRT300N Wireless-N Broadband Router - $139.99

Power Supply:
Thermaltake TR2 420W Power Supply (W0062RU)- $64.99

Speakers:
Logitech (970123) X-230 2.1 Speaker System - $29.99

Please let me know what you think, as well as any opinions or suggestions. Also, I was thinking about getting a E6400 instead of the 6600, and spend the left over money on another 1gig stick of the OCZ. Would you rather go with the E6600 with 1gig of RAM, or a E6400 with 2gigs of RAM?
*Prices in CAD*

Thanks! ;)
 
I'd go for the E6600 and 2 gigs of RAM, the extra 2megs of cache are worth it, but you should go for at least 2 gigs of RAM nowadays.

Also, those speakers you selected are very crappy, if you listen to music at all on your computer or do any gaming, a Klipsch Promedia 2.1 should be the minimum you are looking at.

Also, the 36 gig Raptor is both a waste of money and far too small a drive for nowadays practical use, in actual computing the Raptor gives very little performance benefit, so unless you really need to shave some seconds off of your boot time, or you need a fast photoshop scratch disk, ditch it and get something a lot bigger in a 7200rpm for the same money.

Finally, unless you are moving them from an older build, make sure you pick up an optical drive and a video card.
 
unknownsidhu said:
Hey guys, Im thinking about building a new computer sometime soon, and need some help on the specs. So far this is what Im looking at:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz (1066MHz) 4MB L2 CacheSocket 775 Processor - $369.99

Motherboard:
Asus P5WD2 Socket 775 Intel 955X Chipset Dual-Core Ready,Dual CH DDR2 800 Support, Universal PCI Express Slot, 8-Ch Audio, GB Lan,SATA Raid 0/1/5/10 - $182.99

Power Supply:
Thermaltake TR2 420W Power Supply (W0062RU)- $64.99
Click to expand...

That mobo isn't compatible with Core2Duo. If you want Asus, go for the P5B-E. If you don't care about the brand, go for the Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H or Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 or -DS3.

Don't get that crappy PSU. Go for the XClio 500W at least. If you want a better one, go for the ocz gamexstream 600w. Check the PSU buyers guide at the Power Supply Subforum.

I'd go with the E6400 and 2GB of ram, but thats because you can OC that E6400 like crazy. Or even the E6300 to save even more money. All Core2Duos can OC well, so you're probably limited by the FSB your board can reach. And the 3 boards I suggest above could all reach pretty high. Go with a g.skill 2gb ddr2-800 kit or the ocz platinum rev2 2gb ddr2-800 kit.
 
Thanks for the reply. I really need some advice on that mobo as well, dont know much about them. Switched to P5B-E though, meant to choose that in the first place.

Speakers - I dont use my PC much for gamming (gotta 360 for that :)), but do listen to alot of music. Im not really looking for anything too good, just something decent - really dont care about watts or anything - just something decent. But I may end up gettting a buddies Z-2300, as hes upgrading to 5.1.
Video Card/Drives - In terms of drives and video card, Ive gotta Pioneer 111 in my current desktop that Im going to move, along with a Lite-On DVD-RW. Im still thinking on the video card however. I dont know which one to get...what would you reccomend? I dont use my PC for gamming, so something expensive isnt what I need. I was thinking about something like a 7900GS or maybe GT - occasional video, mostly surfing, nothing that requires a great video
card.
HD - Ive also been told that the raptors life is not as long compared to drives that run at 7200. But, the reason I chose a 36GB is because I'll only be using this drive for my system stuff, and nothing else. Ill be moving my current 160gig to use in it for docs/music/video/games, and the rest of the junk.

As far as my budget goes, Im looking to spend under 2grand CAD. Id really like to spend around 17-1800, but 2 grand is the absolute max.
 
If you wont be gaming, a simple $40 vidcard would suffice. If you game at all (just not too often), go for a 7600GT. A 7900GT is a high end card, so don't bother with it (or the x1950pro) if you dont play games that much.

As for the mobo, go for one of these: (i know, they're egg links with USD prices, but just search for the part at wherever you'll be buying the parts from)
$100 - Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express (review)
$116 - GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$145 - GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$151 - ASUS P5B-E Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$183 - ASUS P5B Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express

I, personally, don't think raptors are worth the price, but if you can afford one and want one, go for it. Though, a raid0 array would be more cost effective. My Seagate 7200.10 320GB drive gets 65MB/s transfer rate while my 150GB raptor gets 78MB/s.
 
unknownsidhu said:
Thanks for the reply. I really need some advice on that mobo as well, dont know much about them. Switched to P5B-E though, meant to choose that in the first place.

Speakers - I dont use my PC much for gamming (gotta 360 for that :)), but do listen to alot of music. Im not really looking for anything too good, just something decent - really dont care about watts or anything - just something decent. But I may end up gettting a buddies Z-2300, as hes upgrading to 5.1.
Video Card/Drives - In terms of drives and video card, Ive gotta Pioneer 111 in my current desktop that Im going to move, along with a Lite-On DVD-RW. Im still thinking on the video card however. I dont know which one to get...what would you reccomend? I dont use my PC for gamming, so something expensive isnt what I need. I was thinking about something like a 7900GS or maybe GT - occasional video, mostly surfing, nothing that requires a great video
card.
HD - Ive also been told that the raptors life is not as long compared to drives that run at 7200. But, the reason I chose a 36GB is because I'll only be using this drive for my system stuff, and nothing else. Ill be moving my current 160gig to use in it for docs/music/video/games, and the rest of the junk.

As far as my budget goes, Im looking to spend under 2grand CAD. Id really like to spend around 17-1800, but 2 grand is the absolute max.
Click to expand...

Why hello Sidhu, a friend from WF :D

I own the Z2300's they are awesome. Other then that you are in good hands here. I'd only say more of the same so I give you the go ahead :D My raptor is alright, but I dont think I'm going to buy one for my next build. I'd rather have a barracuda for the price performance ratio. Also, the 36gb is rather sluggish compared to its 150 gb brother.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/storage.html?modelx=33&model1=117&model2=138&chart=34
 
Hey there reins!, thanks for the link to that HD comparison. The 150 and 74 raptor do show up to be better, but seriously the only thing Im going to use this drive for is my system stuff, so I think I should be ok with 36GB. I was thinking about getting myself a Caviar, but I figured all that free space would just go to waste. :D Thanks again for the replys guys.
 
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