New PC Build since the millennium

[btpenterprises]

Hi Folks,

Believe it or not im still using my aging P3 600mhz as of 2006. That is about to change however because im tired of waiting for things to load or execute, i have little patience you see. Anyhow after a little googling and reading posts on AnandTech ive been able to catch up with the latest technology and get a sence of what seems to be acceptable these days as an above average PC. Below is a list of components i have chosen to build my new PC with. My budget is around AUS $2000 (US $ 1,500) not including monitor/key/mouse/Case. I want to OC at some stage and want to play some of the latest games so i kept that in mind with the choices.

I leave the Thread open for your suggestions. Let me know if i can better spend my AUS $2000. Thanks.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 AUS $369.60
MOBO: ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP AUS $368.35
RAM: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB (2x XMS2 1GB) AUS $512.40
GPU: XFX GeForce 7600GT, 256MB, Extreme Edition AUS $312.95
HD: Western Digital 250GB 7200rpm SATA II Caviar SE16 AUS $135.35
PSU: Enermax Liberty 620 Watt ATX ELT620AWT AUS $226.45
Thermalright Ultra-120 AUS $78.00

 

[imported_RedStar]

looks good to me

"i have little patience you see"

Yet you lasted 7 years (almost) on the same platform. That is beyond patient )

edit: although your power supply may be a bit on large size --it's all good to me though

 

[dBTelos]

For that exact system a 450W PSU is overkill. A Enhance ENP 400W would run it great. For more upgrading room a Corsair HX520W can handle pretty much any system with one GPU.

 

[johnos]

are u planning on buying a new monitor/mouse/keyboard as well with that?
and im not sure what your planning on doing with the computer and whether or not you want to overclock....but i would suggest the Gigabyte 965P-DS3 or the 965P-S3 for slightly cheaper......only difference is the DS3 uses solid capacitators which should last longer and stand up to more stress (usefull for overclocking).
but either way it looks like a great system...........

 

[bamacre]

If you want to play the latest games, get a better video card. X1950 Pro should do you well.

 

[starwars7]

Looks like a great build,

1) but I don't really think you need that expensive RAM, you can find other name brands like OCZ or Gskill that sell very comprable productsion

2) I agree that you don't need the 620W PSU, you could try the 500W I've got

3) Are you planning on doing some serious OCing? If not, you don't need to spend the $78 on a CPU cooler, get something less expensive that works almost as well.

CPU, MOBO, GPU, HD all look perfect.

 

[xolisaxo]

whoaaaaa hold on there

looks like you're from australia... so am i and i'm getting a new comp now as well

use staticice for ur prices... searching by model number is best, and u can get great prices from heaps of stores...

using staticice:

e6400: $290
p5b deluxe: $279
TWIN2X2048-6400 : $434
XFX GeForce 7600GT: $235
ELT620AWT (PSU): $215
Western Digital 250GB 7200rpm SATA II Caviar SE16: $ 100
Thermalright Ultra-120: $71.60


so a lot of savings to be had of course, it also depends on what state you're in

i'd also strongly recommend the 320gb seagate 7200.10... i've read rave reviews all over the net, and its around $130 so not much more than what you're looking at, but 70gb more

and i'm getting the Silverstone Strider ST60F 600W psu... has got good reviews too, and is only around $185

good luck with your new build!


lisa xoxo :lips:

 

[btpenterprises]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys/gals, really appreciate it.

xolisaxo: "use staticice for ur prices... searching by model number is best, and u can get great prices from heaps of stores..."

Great site Lisa, Thats awesome, Cheers!

bamacre: "if you want to play the latest games, get a better video card. X1950 Pro should do you well."

I think your right, but i dont want to spend anymore then say AUS $400 = US $300 on a video card.

starwars7: 2) "I agree that you don't need the 620W PSU, you could try the 500W I've got"

I'll have a look at that PSU, i figured 620W would be ok, but if you guys think its overkill, then it has to go!

Cheers!

 

[thecrecarc]

i dont know about australian prices, but i suggest (if you are gaming) to get a 6300 for a CPU and a better video card instead

 

[btpenterprises]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
i dont know about australian prices, but i suggest (if you are gaming) to get a 6300 for a CPU and a better video card instead

Well ill be doing all sorts with this PC, from movie ripping to MP3 editing, as well the occasional game play. Im having a look at Video Cards at the moment. The Geforce 7900GT looks like an OK GPU. Have a look at these two cards below:

XFX GeForce 7900GT, 256MB, DVI, HDTV, Extreme Edition, (1.37Ghz, 470Mhz) - PCI-Ex16
Link

XFX GeForce 7950GT - 512MB DDR3, Dual DVI, HDTV, HDCP, Totally Silent Heatpipe Cooling, PCI-Ex 16
Link

 

[thecrecarc]

Originally posted by: btpenterprises

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
i dont know about australian prices, but i suggest (if you are gaming) to get a 6300 for a CPU and a better video card instead

Well ill be doing all sorts with this PC, from movie ripping to MP3 editing, as well the occasional game play. Im having a look at Video Cards at the moment. The Geforce 7900GT looks like an OK GPU. Have a look at these two cards below:

XFX GeForce 7900GT, 256MB, DVI, HDTV, Extreme Edition, (1.37Ghz, 470Mhz) - PCI-Ex16
Link

XFX GeForce 7950GT - 512MB DDR3, Dual DVI, HDTV, HDCP, Totally Silent Heatpipe Cooling, PCI-Ex 16
Link

those are pretty good, but i personally would suggest ATI cards instead like the 1900xt or the xtx. they usally are a better bang for the buck

 

[Operandi]

I'm going through a very similar build with a friend of mine and I definitely say for sure you are spending more money that is necessary in regards to the RAM and PSU.

With that speed grade of Core2 you will be served perfectly fine with DDR2 667 such as this Crucial; you simply wouldn?t be able to take advange of the extra bandwidth the DDR2 800 offers.

As far as the power goes most people grossly overestimate how much power they need. At most you are looking at 150-175 DC power draw, a 500-600+ watt PSU doesn't make sense. A good 300-350 watt unit will do fine; I would suggest you take a look at Seasonic, specifically the S12 330 or 380.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Don't you think it's a little soon for building a computer?

 

[starwars7]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc

Originally posted by: btpenterprises

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
i dont know about australian prices, but i suggest (if you are gaming) to get a 6300 for a CPU and a better video card instead

Well ill be doing all sorts with this PC, from movie ripping to MP3 editing, as well the occasional game play. Im having a look at Video Cards at the moment. The Geforce 7900GT looks like an OK GPU. Have a look at these two cards below:

XFX GeForce 7900GT, 256MB, DVI, HDTV, Extreme Edition, (1.37Ghz, 470Mhz) - PCI-Ex16
Link

XFX GeForce 7950GT - 512MB DDR3, Dual DVI, HDTV, HDCP, Totally Silent Heatpipe Cooling, PCI-Ex 16
Link

those are pretty good, but i personally would suggest ATI cards instead like the 1900xt or the xtx. they usally are a better bang for the buck

I have a 7900 and it's been great to me, although I have read that the 1900xt or the xtx are better performers and back when I was reading that the prices on them was better than the 7900. Not sure if that is still the case.