Suggestions For New Build

[LiquidFlame]

Hey guys, so my friend is looking to build a new computer and he asked me to help him. After I built my new computer, I kind of stopped paying attention to the new stuff that was coming out, so I?m a little rusty. Here are some details of what he would like to do:

Budget: $500-$700 ? cheaper the better
Computer is for gaming
Doesn?t plan to overclock
Plans on using XP, probably 32-bit for now
Parts that he needs to buy:

MB
CPU
GPU
Memory
PSU

Off the top of my I head, this is what I suggested to him:
Wish List

After rebates and shipping it?s about $656.75. So what do you guys think, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[alimoalem]

your wishlist link doesn't work for me. can you just edit your OP with the details?

also, what resolution will your friend play at? games?

these are some parts i would consider. probably not perfect, but it's a good place to start from, i think. sorry for not linking (lazy) but all prices and descriptions are from newegg.

CPU: E8400 - $170
GPU: HIS HD4850 - $175 - $20 rebate = $155
RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) for $67 ($87 -$20 rebate) or OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) for $70 ($100 -$30 rebate)
PSU: my pick would be the Corsair CMPSU-550VX ($75AR), but I would also consider the Antec EarthWatts EA500 ($90), PC P&C PPCS500 ($70AR), Seasonic S12 II SS-500GB ($80), or Corsair CMPSU-520HX($95AR).

MB: not sure. but the above parts come out to ~$550 ($470AR). i think $130 for a good motherboard would be good. it'll bring it to $600 total, after rebates.

i just looked at PSU's in the 600-700w range...it'll be overkill for your friend's system but if he plans on taking the PSU over to future builds, you can consider the PC P&C, Corsair, and Seasonic PSUs Newegg has. they look pretty solid and there's a few <$100AR.


anyways, just my $.02.

 

[LiquidFlame]

The link should be working, I know you have to log on with your Newegg account in order to see the wish list, but here is what I had listed:

MB: EVGA 750i FTW $159.99 AR
CPU: Q6600 $189.99
GPU: EVGA 8800GT $129.99 AR
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $38.99 AR
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-620HX $124.99 AR

With Shipping = $656.75

 

[Juked07]

You might want to consider 4GB of memory. A decent 2x2GB kit can be had for ~$60.

Is there a reason you have gone for that mobo? You can probably get one that serves your needs just as well for ~$100, especially if you're not going to do SLI. The mobo in my sig is available for ~$80 and has been working very well for me.

There are probably cheaper PSUs that will also serve your needs just as well.

With the money you save on mobo and PSU, you can go for a 4850, which is supposed to be better bang for the buck.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Juked07
You might want to consider 4GB of memory. A decent 2x2GB kit can be had for ~$60.

Is there a reason you have gone for that mobo? You can probably get one that serves your needs just as well for ~$100, especially if you're not going to do SLI. The mobo in my sig is available for ~$80 and has been working very well for me.

There are probably cheaper PSUs that will also serve your needs just as well.

With the money you save on mobo and PSU, you can go for a 4850, which is supposed to be better bang for the buck.

I'm in agreement with this and it's pretty much what I posted in my first post. Add Juked07's motherboard to the list I posted and see what people have to say to that. The E8400/HD4850 is better than the Q6600/8800GT combo, and it's only $5 more.

The PSU in your sig is a good one, but for $125, it is very pricey for a $500-700 build. I would definitely go with one of the sub-$100 ones.

And as Juked07 said, go with a 2x2GB kit. May as well since it's so cheap.

 

[JPB]

Not sure if you realize it OP, but you have....

3 x 8800GT
3 x Corsair PSU
3 x Memory

In your wishlist. For a total of : $1,461.89

 

[LiquidFlame]

Ok, so after looking something?s over, what do you guys think of this?

MB: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L
CPU: E8400
GPU: EVGA 9800GT
Memory: Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
PSU: PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750w

With shipping and AR = $595.26
Wish List Link

I think for that price, it's a pretty good setup and I know my friend would be in love with the price.

 

[modoheo]

You're getting closer with the latest setup above, but I would change the GPU to the ATI 4850 - it's significantly faster than the 9800GT for about the same price after MIR (and he gets a free game).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127359

Also, that PSU is nice but overkill. The Corsair 550W would be plenty:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139004

 

[Roguestar]

Modoheo's graphics card amendment is spot on the money.

 

[DSF]

Agree completely on the graphics card and PSU. The only thing about the EP35-DS3L is that that line of motherboards had some serious issues with DPC latency. It could cause serious issues with audio/video stuttering and I don't know whether or not the problem was ever completely fixed. I'd look into that before I bought one of the boards.

Since he's not overclocking you might consider a P43 motherboard which has the advantage of the PCI-e 2.0 graphics card slot without some of the overclocking prowess of P35/P45. Those boards also tend to be a little bit less expensive. Examples would be the EP43-DS3L from Gigabyte or P5QL series from ASUS.

 

[MarcVenice]

Drop the 9800gt, any1 on a budget buying a similar priced 9800gt or 8800gt over a HD4850 should be shot