Long time listener, first time caller......

[johnsonbrewer]

Greetings all,

I have been gaining valuable knowledge in the forums for building my first scratch computer. I do some video editing, home movies and such, and the usual basic computer application software. No gaming at the moment. After much research I have decided on an E6750, a P35 Raid board ( Gigabyte, Abit, or Asus ), Corsair ram and PSU, and either an Antec 900 or CM 690. This list was put together with the fact I can upgrade the CPU to either a Q6600 or one of the newer Quads next spring.

However, now I've got the notion of building a low-budget Intel system first to retire my wife's computer. This is where I need suggestions --- Looks like an E4500 is perfect to OC on air or should I also be considering an E2xxx for budget reasons? E4500 is affordable but I just want to see how cheap I can possibly be and remain on air cooling. All my research has been on P35 boards so what else can I look at thats cheap and stable and has PATA (2 channels nice but not a have-to), SATA, USB, LAN, at least 4G ram capacity? I've seen the Gigabyte DS3L for $90 now, but again I just want to see how cheap I can go. Probably stick with corsair ram, and is there anything cheaper than the EW500 PSU right now? What is the cheapest Seasonic ~ 400 Watts and would that be better?

The two main things are the CPU and Motherboard combination where I would appreciate the input.

Thanks in advance JB

 

[Denithor]

For the wife's computer, if it's just general use go with an e2160/e2180 and OC to 3GHz or you could even go with an AMD X2 4000+ ($60) and an AM2 motherboard with integrated graphics ($50 and up).

For your motherboard, P35 chipset is the best, but you will need a separate video card to use these motherboards.
DFI "BLOOD IRON" P35-T2RL P35/ICH9R board $114
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R P35/ICH9R board $133

If you don't game go with a G33 or G35 chipset board. These boards are still fully featured and are mATX factor so you can use a smaller case for the build. They have an x16 PCI-E slot so if you decide to game in the future you can always add a video card.
Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R G33/ICH9R $136
ASUS P5E-VM HDMI G35/ICH9R $141

These two particular boards both have raid and also firewire (not included on the P35 boards mentioned above). If you need firewire either get one of these or go for the abit IP35 (if you can find it) or IP35 Pro ($150 after MIR) or the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P ($160).

EDIT: Concerning your processor, wait until January and get the Penryn e8200 or e8400 which will run cooler than Conroe (45nm construction) with better overclocking potential and increased cache (6MB versus 4MB).

 

[Punjab234]

Intel E2140 M0 + ABIT IP35-E + Transcend AXE 800MHz RAM + Corsair VX450W

 

[sutahz]

What computer are you using right now? Give that one to the wife (a truely budget system).

 

[johnsonbrewer]

Originally posted by: sutahz
What computer are you using right now? Give that one to the wife (a truely budget system).

We are sharing one now -- An 800 MHz PIII, Dell L800r. I know the move up to C2D will be a huge jump!

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Punjab234
Intel E2140 M0 + ABIT IP35-E + Transcend AXE 800MHz RAM + Corsair VX450W

+1

Unless you wanna try out a quad.

I wouldnt look at DFI unless you like overclocking, or know how to overclock. The options in bios will scare most people who are new to overclocking. Also not a lot of people own the board so if you have issues, you'll be SOOL.

Get a board which a lot of people have if your new to the scene, or just returning from a long break. That way if you do run into problems, there will be a lot of people to help you out.

I prefer the Gigabyte P35-DS3P or DS4 series over Abit IP35 series. I havent tried the Abit X38.

Asus, is a great board, but a bit pricey. P5K series are awesome.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: Punjab234
Intel E2140 M0 + ABIT IP35-E + Transcend AXE 800MHz RAM + Corsair VX450W

Newegg didn't have the ABIT IP35-E last time I looked. I don't see them cheap anymore. What happened to them?

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: johnsonbrewer
I do some video editing, home movies and such, and the usual basic computer application software. No gaming at the moment.

Do you want to be able to do gaming? Do you want to be able to do high definition video?

If you want to play some games, the Radeon 3850 cards probably offer the best bang for the buck.

No games, but you want to watch hi def video, you might want at least a 2600 series card. They offer decent decoding.

If you want to do a lot of editing high def videos, you might want to get a quad core.

and is there anything cheaper than the EW500 PSU right now? What is the cheapest Seasonic ~ 400 Watts and would that be better?

If you're not gaming you don't need that powerful a power supply. The Earth watts 380 was on sale in the last Newegg add. Coupon code - EMC1213CASE01. I don't know if that still works or not.

 

[sutahz]

As far as the budget system... I upgraded my laptop from 1GHz P3/512MB PC100 to a 1.46GHz T2310/2GB and as you can imagine it's night and day. With that said, if the budget system is just going to be doing the most basic of basic tasks (Word/excel, internet, simple photo editing & stuff) then I say consider:
E2140 (OC as much as you can or want w/ stock voltage, use stock cooler)
Foxconn 946GZ7MA-8KS2H (Newegg item#:N82E16813186107)
Has integrated video, but if you want a little better pick up a $40 video card
A-DATA Value Series Model VDQVE1A16K (Newegg Item#:N82E16820211165)

 

[Crumbelievable]

Originally posted by: johnsonbrewer
Greetings all,

I have been gaining valuable knowledge in the forums for building my first scratch computer. I do some video editing, home movies and such, and the usual basic computer application software. No gaming at the moment. After much research I have decided on an E6750, a P35 Raid board ( Gigabyte, Abit, or Asus ), Corsair ram and PSU, and either an Antec 900 or CM 690. This list was put together with the fact I can upgrade the CPU to either a Q6600 or one of the newer Quads next spring.

However, now I've got the notion of building a low-budget Intel system first to retire my wife's computer. This is where I need suggestions --- Looks like an E4500 is perfect to OC on air or should I also be considering an E2xxx for budget reasons? E4500 is affordable but I just want to see how cheap I can possibly be and remain on air cooling. All my research has been on P35 boards so what else can I look at thats cheap and stable and has PATA (2 channels nice but not a have-to), SATA, USB, LAN, at least 4G ram capacity? I've seen the Gigabyte DS3L for $90 now, but again I just want to see how cheap I can go. Probably stick with corsair ram, and is there anything cheaper than the EW500 PSU right now? What is the cheapest Seasonic ~ 400 Watts and would that be better?

The two main things are the CPU and Motherboard combination where I would appreciate the input.

Thanks in advance JB

If I were you I would build both systems AMD. Best bang for the buck IMO.

 

[johnsonbrewer]

Originally posted by: sutahz
As far as the budget system... I upgraded my laptop from 1GHz P3/512MB PC100 to a 1.46GHz T2310/2GB and as you can imagine it's night and day. With that said, if the budget system is just going to be doing the most basic of basic tasks (Word/excel, internet, simple photo editing & stuff) then I say consider:
E2140 (OC as much as you can or want w/ stock voltage, use stock cooler)
Foxconn 946GZ7MA-8KS2H (Newegg item#:N82E16813186107)
Has integrated video, but if you want a little better pick up a $40 video card
A-DATA Value Series Model VDQVE1A16K (Newegg Item#:N82E16820211165)

I'm going to do some research on that Foxconn mobo ( $38, $28 AR ). Man that's cheap! The very few reviews on NE state that it isn't a very good OC'er, but does anyone know anything about its OC ability? What could I do air-cooled with either an E2xxx or E4500? The board is rated up to 1066 but will it do more? Anyone please chime in if you have this board. In the mean time I will be searching the mobo forums for it.

Thanks much for everyone's input!!

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: johnsonbrewer
I'm going to do some research on that Foxconn mobo ( $38, $28 AR ). Man that's cheap! The very few reviews on NE state that it isn't a very good OC'er, but does anyone know anything about its OC ability? What could I do air-cooled with either an E2xxx or E4500? The board is rated up to 1066 but will it do more?

Are you aware that "1066" is only 266 Mhz FSB? Of course, with an 11x multiplier, that's 2.9 Ghz, so you'd be alright with an E4500, or an E2180 at the minimum. Whether or not it will clock higher is anyone's guess, unless they own the board, and have tried it.

 

[sutahz]

Yeah you want to OC your budget system, but even if the foxconn isnt a great/good overclocker, all the more pride you can take if you do reach a good/respectible/pWnzor OC level. And for this budget system, get the cheapest ram you can, DDR2-667 max speed (and run your ram 1:1) unless you can find a cheaper DDR2-800 set.
In my opinion, if i were to build this ultra-budget system (which is all you need for every day tasks) I'd be happy w/ any OC I got. However, if your going after a "tiny monster" OC, then you will need to pony up more (~$30-40) more for the processor and get at LEAST a $60 mobo, which almost adds what... 50% to your costs?
To sum up is going as budget as possible your goal, or budget + OC your goal?