Input on new build

[callmesteve]

I've been out of the loop for so long, but my computer just hit the crapper and I am in dire need of a new machine. I may sound like a total nub but please be gentle. I'll start off by answering the questions that were stickied :]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Moderate gaming and possibly holding TBs of data

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Looking to spend around 1000-1200 but if you can give me the same performance for less I am ALL ears!!

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
I've been an AMD guy for the past few years but would love to go Intel this time around

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Just a bunch of hard drives. 500GB Seagate Barracuda's

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Nope

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Overclocking is a possibility but not right away

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
In the next week

I was hoping AT could help me get the best bang for my buck without hurting performance. Where can I make some cuts to save money. And as always ALL input is greatly appreciated!! If you think ANYTHING is overkill please let me know. Thanks AT!!

This is what I have so far:

Power Supply (looking at one of these two)
1. PC Power & Cooling S610EPS 610W
2. SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT

Case
COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000

Motherboard
ABIT IP35 Pro

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400

Heatsink
Thought about the Zalman but not sure yet

Memory
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB

Hard Drive
2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS

Video Card
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800 GTS

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: callmesteve


6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Nope

I rate your rig a 4 out of 10, because at least you were honest about not doing your homework.
Normally this type of setup would garner a 3.75 out of 10.

 

[DSF]

With a setup like that you don't need 650W. 450-500W would be more than plenty. I'm sure you're aware also that the Cosmos is a very large case and has considerably more room than you need for those parts. (It also weighs almost 40 pounds empty.) May not be a concern for you, but just throwing that out there. I wouldn't blow 20% of my budget on something which has no impact on system performance.

You can get brand-name RAM for considerably less than what you picked out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146692
Mushkin DDR2-800

Also, it doesn't sound like you'd be using most of the features of the Abit IP35-Pro. The IP35-E ought to suit you just fine, or the Gigabyte P35-DS3L. If you need more SATA ports, then something like the EP35-DS3R or DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL would be good. Any of those would save you $50 or more.

If overclocking is only a possibility then don't overspend on a heatsink right now. The Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro is good for moderate overclocking and should be available for under $30.

Lastly, that video card is running on outdated tech. The 512MB 8800GT is faster, and the 512MB version of the 8800GTS is even moreso. I would spend less on your case and go for either one of those.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: DSF
With a setup like that you don't need 650W. 450-500W would be more than plenty.

When recommending PS wattage, what additional % do you factor in for component degradation?

 

[callmesteve]

Wow, I love you guys :] The reason I picked the Cooler Master case is because I currently have 4x500GB hard drives that I would like to put in... but after reading your posts it looks like 2AM jitters got to me.

Let's see what I can change here.

Also I was looking into the Abit IP35-E but it seems NewEgg no longer sells it, its OOS at ZipZoomFly and nothing that matches the search description at mwave. I've decided to go Mushkin for the RAM as DSF recommended, and am looking into getting the 512MB 8800GT(S) for the video card. I'm going to have to cut down the power supply to 500w (do you have any brand you recommend?)

After a little more browsing on NewEgg I'll report back.

 

[callmesteve]

Ok, here's an updated list... what would you rate this?

Power Supply
.... still looking...

Case
Antec Performance One P180

Motherboard
DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400

Memory
mushkin 4GB

Hard Drive
2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS

Video Card
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT

... and I'm probably going to sound like an idiot but will the DFI board accept this PCI Express 2.0 x16?

Thanks guys, you're definitely helping me get the best bang for my buck!

 

[Urtho]

Originally posted by: callmesteve
Ok, here's an updated list... what would you rate this?

Power Supply
.... still looking...

CORSAIR 450W Power Supply - $60 AR

Video Card
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT

... and I'm probably going to sound like an idiot but will the DFI board accept this PCI Express 2.0 x16?

No need to worry about 2.0, it is backwards compatible with v1. 1.0 isn't even strained right now so 2.0 is merely a checkoff feature that gives you no real world benefit.

Your choice of a video card is a fine one as EVGA is a well respected name. However, be advised that you can pick up a 8800GTS for even less than the price of that card for slightly better performance and much better cooling:

ECS 8800GTS - $170 AR

MSI 8800GTS - $180 AR (includes free game -The Witcher)

 

[chinaman1472]

Heatsink - Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

 

[lightstar]

case- either Antec 900 or NZXT tempest