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[Niv KA]

I have a friend (advanced user) that wants to build a new PC. The problem is that he wants to buy everything in the US (I live in Mainland Europe, and don't know any good places to get parts in the US.). His budget is 700 USD, and he already has a monitor. He is a full time Linux user, so no Windows is needed, but he would rather have an Nvidia card (better Linux drivers). He IS a gamer (Cegeda) so it needs to be a gaming machine. He also is a slightly paranoid person and only trusts major sites like Newegg, zipzoomfly and tigerdirect (I only have never used any of them... because I live in Europe...)

EDIT: 1000USD is the new budget. He is just selling some old stuff he doesn't use

This is what I have recommended, but I don't know if it is possible with his budget or is good in terms of balance

P5B Motherboard
E6400 C2D CPU
8800GTS 320MB from EVGA (He wont let go of this one)
2 GB (2*1GB) of DDR2 (probably 667... is there a noticeable difference between 667 and 800?)
Simple DVD+/-WR
PSU=???? ANY RECOMMENDATIONS????
NZXT Lexa case (his personal preference)
HDD Seagate 320 GB 7200.10
CPU cooling?????? something cheap but good??

and openSUSE 10.2 Linux

Does this seem reasonable for 700 USD (EDIT 1000USD)? would you recommend anything else? He still needs to find a PSU and CPU cooling solution. Any ideas?

This is what we have so far:
Motherboard: ASUS P5B 116.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16813131030
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 184.50 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/....jsp?ProductCode=80859
CPU fan: ???????????? ????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Ram: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098
Power Supply: ???????????? ????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Drives: LG GSA-H54NK 26.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827136119
Case: NZXT Lexa 99.99 http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=2477939&CatId=1848
Graphics Card: GeForce 8800 GTS 289.99 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...22837&prodlist=froogle
Hard-Drive: Seagate / 320GB / 7200 64.99 http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...dpNo=2851740&CatId=139
So far (without PSU and CPU cooling) 873.44


Any recommendations on PSUs and CPU cooling?

Thanks in advance!

 

[imported_shader]

in case you didn't know, intel is cutting prices (again) on their processors july 22nd. so that will drop the price if your friend can wait. i would also suggest an E4300 processor instead of the E6400 for more savings. possibly look for a cheaper case (sorry i don't have any suggestions on that though).

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

well looks like his $700 budget is out the window with the 8800.

 

[jpeyton]

If he's an "advanced user", why does he need help picking parts?

 

[Niv KA]

Well, he is advanced (relative to most people), but he hasn't kept up with hardware too much over the past few years.

 

[imported_shader]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
well looks like his $700 budget is out the window with the 8800.

yeah, gonna have to go mega budget to fit that in under 700.

 

[Niv KA]

Good news, he can add another 300 to it, so its 1000 now

 

[aCynic2]

Look at a zalman, but any decent third party HS is going to cost ~$40 or more.

The Zalman 120mm is $39.99 from NE.

If he intends to OC, he better splurge a bit more on the HS and lapping kit.

 

[imported_shader]

overclocking?

if no, you can probably get a much cheaper mobo

look here for more suggestions on mobos

and if no overclocking, cooling shouldn't be too much of a concern (read, the retail HSF should be fine). although there is one HSF you can get for about $20 (arctic freezer pro i think).

PSU - corsair HX520 should be ok

look here for more suggestions on PSU's

2 GB (2*1GB) of DDR2 (probably 667... is there a noticeable difference between 667 and 800?)

probably not noticable. especially if not overclocking