Author Topic: Help me build a pc (Read 7429 times)

fR33STyleR · « **on:** January 09, 2007, 07:19:39 AM »

Im planning on upgrading my pc, its been about 5 years since I built the one I have so I'm a bit confused as to what components to buy. CPU benchmarks are driving me crazy. I'm setting a budget of about $600 - $700, keep in mind I won't need a new hard disk, monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.

My current set up is:
Athlon XP 2000 @ 1.8 GHz
512 MB PC2100 RAM
Geforce FX 5900 XT
120 GB Maxtor 7200 RPM HDD
Some Dual Layer DVD writer

Can you give me some recommendations for the following:

CPU - I'm thinking Core 2 Duo E6300 ($190 @ newegg) or Athlon 64 X2 3800 ($135 & newegg). I've seen some benchmarks of single core cpu's being better than dual core for games? Can anyone shed some light here.

GPU - I'm an Nvidia fan so I've pretty much made up my mind to go with a Geforce 7900GT ($200 @ newegg) unless anyone has a better recommendation.

Memory - I want to get 1 GB of whatever type I need (I'm figuring about $100 for this?)

Motherboard - I have no Idea except that I would like it to be SLI capable. I've had some bad experiences overclocking, so I probably won't be doing that.

PSU - No Idea, open for suggestions

Case - I'll probably just buy this locally to save shipping. I'm all burned out on modding and making it look cool.

Any recommendations?

fR33STyleR · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2007, 12:44:20 PM »

Actually, now I'm more confused than ever. Scrap all of the above and lets start from scratch:

I need to upgrade my pc. To do so, I need:

A Motherboard, CPU, RAM, Graphics Card, PSU, Case.

I have about $6-700.

Please can you offer some considerations. Thanks.

randypants · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2007, 01:49:46 PM »

(CPU1) AMD Athlon

fR33STyleR · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2007, 05:27:04 PM »

Thanx for the response. I noticed the 7800GS AGP is more expensive than a 7900GS PCI-E. How do the 2 cards compare? I would think the 7900 GS would outperform the 7800 but I know that's not always the case.

randypants · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:55:57 PM »

actually the two are very similar, the 7900 would probably out perform the 7800, but the reason i said agp is because that motherboard i recommended is much cheaper than a motherboard that has pci-e. either way you go, its up to you.

UUD-40 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2007, 09:28:01 PM »

1) I would go with a Core 2 Duo E6300. Don't let the lower clock speed fool you, this is a fast CPU.
2) The 7900GT is also a good buy, it will eat anything you throw at it. (The 7900GS is faster than the 7800GS. (GS < GT))
3) 2GB is becoming the norm. You could get away with 1GB. It will add about $100 extra though)

---

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131041
Asus (nuff said), pci-e, $75.99

fR33STyleR · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2007, 09:48:44 AM »

Im definitely torn between the Core 2 Duo and Something like the AMD X2 4200 (about $40 cheaper). It seems there are more motherboard options for the AMD, I would especially like to use an Nforce chipset, but newegg's customer reviews can seemingly destroy every product they sell, this makes me weary. I think I would like to buy the motherboard locally and CompUSA is the only option, it will be about $40 more but I might save this in shipping should it be doa or incompatible.

I'm gonna try to get away with 1GB for now, but can always add more later if the mobo has 4 slots right?

Do you think I need to buy a SATA hard disk or can I continue to use my IDE? I'm a little confused as the boards only have 1 IDE channel nowadays.

Can anyone recommend a motherboard from CompUSA keeping in mind my budget. I figure:

$200 for Geforce 7900 GT
$100 for 1GB RAM
$120 for Case w/ 450w psu

That's $420, my budget is $6-700 so I'm left with $280 max. Just gotta figure out a good CPU/ Mobo combo and I'm set. Ideas?

Thanks.

[BTF]DeathStalker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2007, 03:21:01 PM »

Intel busted the Gaming arena wide open with the Core 2 Duo. They are serious about it.
The Core 2 Duo right now is setting the standards for Gaming. It out performes most all benchmarks set by AMD and at a smaller price, lower clock speed, and runs much COOLER.

ReCycled · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2007, 03:46:26 PM »

If you have a lot of peripherals (printer, scanner, camera etc) get a high-speed USB strip to connect them to. I believe there are 4 ports in the strip to fit in the usual bay space at the back. Make sure the RAM is the high-speed type. Think its called DDR but I could be wrong.

fR33STyleR · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:32:44 PM »

The C2D will take me a little over budget, but I must admit it is awesome. If only I could find the extra cash to get a Geforce 8800! Damn, I can see where this is going, in a few weeks I will be living in my car with my new ultra high end PC.

Thanks for the suggestions ppl. I don't think I need a USB strip/ hub because the only USB peripherals I have are my mouse, my external HDD and my Card reader (2 of which are usually not connected).

If I go for the Athlon, I can get DDR2 800 memory, but the C2D mobos i've seen to support slower memory.

[BTF]DeathStalker · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2007, 07:02:45 PM »

Quote from: fR33STyleR on January 10, 2007, 06:32:44 PM

but the C2D mobos i've seen to support slower memory.

True, but you don't need those higher clock speeds and heat from the faster Memory with the core 2 duo

UUD-40 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2007, 07:13:41 PM »

You can connect a max. of two devices if the mobo has one IDE channel.

I would search newegg for cases.

You can get an E6300 and the mobo I posted above for $265.
That would put you slightly lower than your target... If you can find a 7900GT for $200.

fR33STyleR · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2007, 10:01:28 PM »

Sounds good to me, I will seek the C2D path. Just gota find a mobo now.

Thanks for the info. I'm sure I'll be happy with it.

DeanRW · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2007, 12:02:39 PM »

The Core2Duo's are good, but I should warn you that many of them have concaved heat spreaders and people are having difficulty in keeping them cool. You may have to lap the heat spreader. They are great performers though.

You also cannot go wrong with something like an X2 4200+ or greater. Great performers.

For a video card, you really cannot go wrong with a X1950Pro. They are hot items right now. Another option would be a 7900GT

I just upgraded to an Opteron 175 and an asrock939sata2 so I could keep my video card. The board has an AGP and a PCI Express 16 slot so I can upgrade the video card later. Both are still sitting in their boxes waiting for me to buy a new case :-)

fR33STyleR · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2007, 07:18:55 PM »

OK, here's what I went with, if anyone sees any issues, please let me know:

Motherboard - ASUS P5N-E -$140 @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142

CPU - Core2Duo E6300 - $190 @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

Gfx Card - XFX Geforce 7900GT - $200 @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150216

Memory - 1 Gig, Corsair DDR2 800 RAM - $125 @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145566

Case - Antec Sonata II with 450W PSU - $130 @ Compusa
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=cat3&product_code=332356&Pn=Sonata_II_Piano_Black_Quiet_Super_Mini_Tower

Author Topic: Help me build a pc (Read 7429 times)

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