Attention System Builders

[modoheo]

Updated the OP with a couple notes regarding Nehalem and the idea of 'future-proofing'.

 

[Jpck]

Thanks for the great Sticky and info!

I used this thread as well as the other 'rate my build' threads here and my own research to put together a 'mid-range' rig. Parts are being ordered next week after the release of the new Vid cards to see if I can catch a price break on the one I have my eye on.

The rig, sans Monitor, keyboard and mouse (I have a newer 22" LCD widescreen) came to just around $1170.00 AR before taxes and shipping from the Egg.

I can post what I ordered if anyone is interested here or in another thread, but I am very happy with my choices and can't wait to put this puppy together when it all gets here!

Thanks again for the great info, there are people reading and using it

*Edit*

Posted my build in a seperate thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2196681&enterthread=y

 

[modoheo]

If you have any questions or just want a few people to give your parts list a quick once-over, feel free to post it in a separate thread, and be sure to let us know how the build turns out. Glad you found the thread useful.

 

[Greenman]

Thank you!
I've wasted hours trying to figure out what parts I should get. Should have looked here first.

 

[crashem]

good job at a quick glance someone can get a good idea were tech is at. were to direct ones attention. if it could stay updated once a month. this stickey would be the most viewed. You did good man! keep it simple and direct.

 

[ViviTheMage]

very nice, good luck keeping this updated .

 

[modoheo]

Updated with some info and recommendations on the new GPU's, the 280GTX and ATI 4850.

 

[piasabird]

I just put an Integrated Business/Home system together using an Intel Integrated Motherboard with the X35 integrated video and it seems to be working great this is a list of parts I used, but I purchased them from www.directron.com. www.directron.com had some of the parts slightly cheaper to about the same cost within $20 - $30 overall with shipping costs figured in.

Case: Antec NSK4480B (Black)
MB: Intel DG35EC $87.99
CPU: E7200 $139.99
RAM: DDR2 Crucial (2 X 1GB) (1.8 volt) $49.00
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.20 160Gigs $47.99
DVD: Lite-On Light Scribe Dual Layer 20X 29.99
OS: Vista Home Premium + SP1 $95.99

This Antec case (Solution Series) barely has enough room for the MATX motherboard. However, it is very quiet and a good quality case. It does not have front Audio jacks, but it has front USB Jacks. It is a good basic black business style computer case.

The Intel Motherboard is good quality. I was playing Rise of nations on it and noticed no slowdowns. The Video is good quality X35, and has High Definition Audio. The system is very fast with the Intel E7200 .45 CPU. Vista seems to run fast on this system.

 

[imported_ravenous]

Nice

I am building a new rig within the next 6 months (going to save and order all at once), things will change a lot by then but this keeps a sane look at price to performance now and then. Will be looking for one of these type posts when I am piecing together my final build then.

 

[drifter106]

Appreciate the post...why? Built 2 puters 3 and 4 years ago and have been out of the loop for some time. This thread gets me started for upgrading one of them. Motherboard went out on one of them and now I need to work things out. Can't find an AGP board so looks like I will have to change not only the board but a lot of other things.

 

[BladeVenom]

I think since the low end board you're recommending only has 2 slots for memory, you should recommend going with one 2GB stick of memory instead of 2 x 1GB so you have room to add more memory later.

 

[conorvansmack]

Thanks for this post/guide. It confirmed many of the choices I've already made and guided me toward some more good ones!

 

[NVaderJ]

Originally posted by: modoheo
Well-regarded AMD Motherboards:
GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128056
Great value/price. Has onboard video, capable of handling office tasks and low level gaming, plus a slot to add a GPU card for 3d gaming.

Deactivated item

 

[modoheo]

Originally posted by: NVaderJ

Originally posted by: modoheo
Well-regarded AMD Motherboards:
GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128056
Great value/price. Has onboard video, capable of handling office tasks and low level gaming, plus a slot to add a GPU card for 3d gaming.

Deactivated item

Thanks for the heads-up. Updated.

 

[M0RPH]

I don't have any plans to upgrade in the near future but I have to say that this is a great, well-written guide. Nice job!

 

[wwswimming]

Originally posted by: modoheoASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131299
This last board above is an excellent example of the brand new p45 Intel chipset boards, that's gotten excellent professional reviews, is crossfire capable and highly overclockable at a great price point. Like any new board/chipset, just be aware there may be some early growing pains as the BIOS matures with new releases over time, and be prepared to possibly update the BIOS at some point.Stickied by MarcVenice -- General Hardware Mod

that P5Q looks like a great motherboard.

$149 !

does it have the 8 phase power ?

it looks like it, from the picture, but the EGGspec info doesn't say.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I think this thread should be retitled:

Recommended Intel Builds from Newegg

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
I think this thread should be retitled:

Recommended Intel Builds from Newegg

Yeah, it looks this way because it seems that there is a consensus between most enthusiasts about the content (there was period of public discussion before it was made sticky).

However it is free world you can open a new thread suggest better hardware for the money, and link to a less expensive specific selling pages. :thumbsup:

 

[TripleAAA]

Newegg seems to be the gold standard for computer parts in general. There will always be other companies with certain components for less, but I think the OP was just giving people a "starting point". They can get a general idea of the prices for everything and then pick and choose where they get their stuff from.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: TripleAAA
Newegg seems to be the gold standard for computer parts in general. There will always be other companies with certain components for less, but I think the OP was just giving people a "starting point". They can get a general idea of the prices for everything and then pick and choose where they get their stuff from.

:thumbsup:

 

[wongnog]

I'm doing some research on an upgrade to a E7200 build, and trying to narrow down my mobo choices. I noticed you only recommended one P45 board. Are there other choices you guys have? How about the Gigabyte EP45-DS3L or EP45-DS3R? Also my local stores don't seem to carry the Asus P5Q Pro, but they do have the P5Q, P5Q-E, P5Q Deluxe, and many other variants. So many choices!

 

[modoheo]

Most of the p45 boards are getting good professional reviews, but their BIOS's are still maturing since they're so new. A mature BIOS makes a big difference when it comes to overclocking and system stability. The p35 boards are pretty darn good too however. I'll probably replace a couple of the p35 boards with p45 boards over the next few weeks.

BTW, all the ones you mentioned in your post are good boards and mainly only differ in pretty minor ways.

 

[wongnog]

Any big dif b/t the ICH10 and ICH10R southbridge? The GB DS3L has the former while the DS3R (and all Asus P45's) have the latter.

 

[wongnog]

One other thing: I noticed most of your recommended RAM modules are G.Skill. Is OCZ not a recommended brand? I'm looking at their PC2-6400 4Gb (2x2gb) kits since many have mail-in-rebates which makes the price right.

 

[hotdogchef]

Great post.
Although I wish this would be on the Anandtech main pages as it took me awhile to find, but I purchased a new rig from Newegg today!!
Theres another $1000 to Newegg for this thread.
(I'll take my $5 for the plug now please)