Critique < $500 Build

M

mitcity22

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Messages
2,415
Case http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811147084
(I'm worried my PSU cables won't be long...not crazy about the look but it is $20)

Mobo Gigabyte P35 DS3L
CPU Allendale E2180
GPU Evga 8600gt
RAM Kingston 2x1gb PC6400
HDD 160gb WD SATA
ROM DVD-RW SATA

PSU http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817194002
(I must have modular cables...and this seemed like the best bang for the buck)


PC will be used for office tasks, surfing, light gaming (low resolutions...on a CRT now), light photo and video editing.

I plan on OC'ing the cpu but no heavily b/c I simply won't need the extra power.

Obviously price is important in this build...I could go around $50 higher if I have to.

Everything on Newegg comes to $492
 
good choice of components. but i would dish out another 100 bucks or so and get the E8400. might as well, it will be worth it in the long run
 
:-\ ...

How about this:

$81 ($0 shipping) - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180 2.0GHz Processor - 800MHz FSB - 1MB L2 - 775-pin Socket 775 - BX80557E2180
$23 ($0) - SMART BUY 1GB PC2-5300 (DDR2-667) DIMM MEMORY ($20MIR)
$23 ($0) - SMART BUY 1GB PC2-5300 (DDR2-667) DIMM MEMORY ($20MIR)
$70 ($6) - GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$210 ($6) - GIGABYTE Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256bit GDDR3 PCI-Express 2.0 HDCP & CrossFire Ready Video Card Retail GV-RX387512H
$65 ($0) - Seagate 320GB Serial ATA/300 16MB Buffer ST303204N1A1AS-RK - Retail Hard Drive Kit
$28 ($0) - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X 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 - OEM
$65 ($0) - Antec Solution Series Mini Tower Case Model NSK4480

-----------------------------------
$565-$40MIR + shipping
-----------------------------------

A little over your budget, but much better than your original build IMO.
 
mitcity22 said:
Case http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811147084
(I'm worried my PSU cables won't be long...not crazy about the look but it is $20)

Mobo Gigabyte P35 DS3L
CPU Allendale E2180
GPU Evga 8600gt
RAM Kingston 2x1gb PC6400
HDD 160gb WD SATA
ROM DVD-RW SATA

PSU http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817194002
(I must have modular cables...and this seemed like the best bang for the buck)


PC will be used for office tasks, surfing, light gaming (low resolutions...on a CRT now), light photo and video editing.

I plan on OC'ing the cpu but no heavily b/c I simply won't need the extra power.

Obviously price is important in this build...I could go around $50 higher if I have to.

Everything on Newegg comes to $492
Click to expand...
Spend $20-30 more and get a Coolermaster Centurion 5.
I can't comment on enermax, but looks to be a good psu.
As for ram, i'm running 4x1GB of this stuff. it rocks!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034 - $74 with rebate. Good choice on cpu. Great overclocker. If you plan to overclock, you'll need an aftermarket cooler. These cpus run hot, especially with the stock cooler.
 
The build looks fine to me. The 8600gt isnt great, but if you're not gaming much and gaming on a CRT, then it should be good enough.

If you want to OC on stock cooling, it'll depend on the stock cooler you get. I keep hearing the E2000 series comes with the smaller coolers, but I'm not sure. Just make sure the load temps don't go above 60°C and don't give it more than 1.5vCore.
 
alright I changed a few things....my budget went up with it but oh well.

Switched cases to Coolermaster Centurion 5

Switched cpu to E8400

Added a Freezer 7 Pro for cooling

Brings everything up to $680....more than I want to spend so I'll have to think on it.
 
You could save money with the Cooler Master Elite 330 instead of the Centurion 5. I wouldn't recommend the C5 because of its 80mm intake fan. The Centurion 532 and 534 are better choices, since they have 120mm intake fans.

Going from the E2180 to the E8400 is a huge jump, and not needed if you only do light photo/video editing, light gaming and mainly office tasks/browsing. Figure out if the uses of this computer truly justify the price premium.
 
All the budget cases I've browsed through so far are overpriced and don't have free shipping. A 330 Elite or centurion will cost at least $55 shipped, despite only costing $20AR shipped few weeks ago...The Antec NSK is the only decent solution that remains...

If he goes for the E8400, he better bring a high frequency memory kit, or otherwise he will be stuck near stock frequencies.
 
I have a Dual-Core E2140 I could sell you for $60 bucks shipped. It was only used for 3 weeks . I planning on upgrading my computer to an e8500 and giving my e6600 to the computer that uses the E2140.

Let me know
 
The E8400 would be way overkill.....so I went back to the E2180 and added the CM 534.
 
ok heres my 2 cents

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103056

ABIT AN52 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520 MCP ATX $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127026

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145175

MSI NX8600GT Twin Turbo GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127306

SeaSonic SS-500ES ATX12V/V2.2, EPS12V/V2.91, 500W, PFC, 80+ $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151040

Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6 $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

Total after mir: $448.93

plenty of $ left for a decent case but anything under $20 wont be worth it.

GL! :D
 
some good suggestions....

Now I'm stuck wondering if I should go the Shuttle route. Space is at a premium and the setup would be much easier....I don't know.

Anyone have any thoughts on Shuttle?
 
Shuttles are awesome and nice little systems, but they can run pretty expensive, especially if you want the P35 or X38 chipsets. With those, you're looking at over $350 just for the barebones.
 
Seems like people either love them or hate them...I'll keep looking around, hope something good pops up on the forums to lock me into a build route.
 
If you OC, Intel is your best route.

If space really is a premium, and you carry your computer around a lot (LAN parties), then go for the shuttle -- just be prepared to pay the price. There were some good deals on a 945GC based shuttle at Fry's, but those tend to have quite a few issues.

A compromise to a full ATX midtower system and a shuttle mini-itx system is the µATX system. Its twice the size of a shuttle and about 25% smaller than a full ATX box. However, again, you'll be paying a premium for the smaller space/footprint.
 
since im bored I will price out an intel build for you to consider,

cpu: Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128017R&Tpk=GIGABYTE+GA-965P-S3

ram: A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $31 after mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

psu: SeaSonic SS-500ES ATX12V/V2.2, EPS12V/V2.91, 500W, PFC, 80+ $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151040

video card: GECUBE GC-HD3850PG3-D3R Radeon HD 3850 256MB $149 after mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241066

hd: Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075


dvd: SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6 $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151153

$475 after mir.
 
I'm thinking I want a mATX case and mobo (reasons are b/c like I said I don't have much space and really for the uses a sff pc would work fine.)

I think I have decided on a case (Antec NKS3480) It comes with a 80% efficient PSU rated at 380w with dual 12v rails @ 16a each. (In the over clockers review they tested it with a 3850 and it was stable so I know I can get away with a 8600gt and possibly a x1950pro...if I can find one cheap.

Now my question is are there any decent s775 mATX mobos that don't cost $130? I would still like to go with Intel but the Gigabyte AM2 mATX board with the 690g chipset is only $79.99 and the [H] gave it a great review. Right now that makes me sway toward AMD for the CPU...

So does anyone have any suggestions?
 
Don't go with AMD unless you really want to. Those Intel Dual Core E1xxx Series overclock incredibly and they are really cheap. I would bet you that any of those Dual Core Series Allendales are even better than my AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ AM2 at stock speeds. I love my AM2. I've had it since the month it came out back in 2006, but if I were building new now, i'd either go with an Intel Dual Core Allendale or one of the new 45nm's that are coming out as we speak. Also, my preference is to use Seagate hdds. I have a Western Digital, but the seagates generally run cooler and they are backed with a better warranty.
 
Yeah as of now i leaning with the Gigabyte 690g mATX board and a 5000+ black to get around 3.0...should be a simple OC I think.

Like I said I would rather go with Intel but I can't really justify the extra $50 it will take to get a decent mATX mobo for Intel...
 
heh, finally nvidia releases that thing.

Anyhow, the MSI G33 board is around $100 and can hold its own against the gigabyte and asus boards.
 
hossdaddy said:
what advantages does those boards have over the one I linked?
Click to expand...

Which and which?

You linked a 630i and a P965-S3. How do they compare against which? The G33 boards? Well, first off, the P965 is old and not as stable as the P35/G33/X38 Bearlake family of chipsets. Also, its full ATX and not microATX. Then the nForce 630i is brand new, so I can't really comment on it, but the G33 boards run cool, OC well, and are great for mATX builds. So, I'll look out for some 630i reviews later.
 
thanks man looks like I'm gettin the MSI board....seems like everything is settled then.
 
Need to order

e2180 $80
2x1gb of Patriot RAM PC6400 (I like the black heat spreaders) $50
MSI G33 mATX mobo $90
250gb Seagate HD $69
XFX 8600gt with black Zalman cooler $109
Samsung Optical Drive SATA $30

Already ordered

Antec NKS3480 with 2 92mm fans $100


The only thing I am missing is a aftermarket HSF...I'm thinking of using the stock cooler for now to see if I can get a stable O/C on this board then upgrade to a better cooler later....I don't want to spend $30 and then not even get the damn thing stable.

I read on a Newegg review (yeah I know) that this board OCs well with 1333mhz FSB CPUs b/c it allows for a 1:1 mem ratio...so I'm not sure if my 800mhz will OC very well.

What do you think?
 
If you keep the RAM and FSB at a 1:1 ratio, you don't even need DDR2 800 RAM to OC:

E1280:
Multi x FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
10 × 200Mhz = 2.0Ghz, DDR2-400 << Stock speeds
10 × 266Mhz = 2.66Ghz, DDR2-533 << Easy OC
10 × 333Mhz = 3.33Ghz, DDR2-667 << Excellent OC

But since DDR2 800 RAM is so cheap and close in price to DDR2 667, might as well go for DDR2 800 in case you upgrade to a better overclocking Wolfdale.

Oh and for the same price as that 250GB drive, you can get a 320GB drive:
Maxtor 300GB SATA Hard Drive (Rebadged Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA Hard Drive) - $65

And for just $20 more, you can get 4GB of RAM:
A-Data 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $70
 
In terms of budget video cards.

How are the 8600GT compare to Radeon X1950Pro 256MB?
 
Thanks for the tips...

1. I will prob go for the 4GB of RAM....I have Vista Ultimate but I don't know if it is the 64bit version so I'll look.

2. I originally planned on getting the x1950pro but I don't know if the supplied 380w PSU will tolerate it under heavy loads. I'll look into it more.
 
Alright...I'm gonna get the HD and 4gb Kit mentioned above (worth the extra $20 for sure)

Now I'm stuck on the GPU....

The 8600gt I planned to get will work for sure.....

The x1950pro (what I'd rather have) might work.....ATI says it draws 75w, the 380w PSU that comes with the Antec case I got has dual 16a rails on the +12v.

So how can I exactly know if that PSU will support 75w when I'm gaming???

Last thing to figure out before the buy button is pushed. Thanks.
 
The 380W Earthwatts can supply 324W on the +12V rail, which is where most of your system will be drawing its power from. I thought the X1950 drew more power than that? Oh wellz. Anyhow, here's an extremely rough estimate...

324W
-75 (vidcard)
-65 (cpu)
-35 (mobo)
-10 (hdd)
-10 (optical)
===========
129W

You've got room to spare for an OC, too. ;)

You could also use a PSU calculator: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
Once you get the wattage, multiply it by 0.075 to get the amperage needed on the combined +12v rails. Running your config (and a 3.2Ghz OC) produced 301W, so around 22A on the +12v rails. So, you're good.
 
alright...one last question.

This comes down to DX9 vs. DX10 I realize the x1950pro will give me better performance but I am curious to try out Vistas aero feature I've heard about but never seen.

Don't I need a DX10 card to use this? I obviously wouldn't be playing games in DX10 mode with a 8600gt.

So of those that use the aero feature is it worth it?
 
mitcity22 said:
alright...one last question.

This comes down to DX9 vs. DX10 I realize the x1950pro will give me better performance but I am curious to try out Vistas aero feature I've heard about but never seen.

Don't I need a DX10 card to use this? I obviously wouldn't be playing games in DX10 mode with a 8600gt.

So of those that use the aero feature is it worth it?
Click to expand...

No you don't need a DX10 card to use Aero.

Haven't used Aero enough to make a comment.
 
mitcity22 said:
...So of those that use the aero feature is it worth it?
Click to expand...

That's a subjective question... a matter of opinion. If you like your windows to be pretty, Aero is a great GUI for windows... IMO. Is it worth getting a discrete vidcard, just to run Aero? IMO, no, lol. But, you're getting a gaming card anyhow, so you'll have no problems.
 
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