Looking for advice to complete a Fry's/Newegg custom mid-range build

[PH0ENIX]

Here are the gory details:

Case: Antec Solo mid-tower case (http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?lan=us&id=18500) ($39.99 from black Friday weekend sale)
PSU: Antec TruePower Trio 650W power supply (http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?lan=us&id=23650) ($49.99 from Fry's black Friday weekend sale)
Motherboard: Something that will allow me to upgrade the CPU/memory later if I want to
CPU: I want to stay with an Intel processor
RAM: I want 4GB
Graphics card: Don't need anything fancy, I'm not a gamer. Would be nice to be able to watch Blueray down the road though.
Sound card: Built-in sound card is probably sufficient for my needs
Hard Drive(s): I am looking at 500GB 7200RPM SATA drives, possibly in RAID config for mirroring
Optical Drive(s): I just need a fast (black) DVDRW drive that can be region unlocked

Monitor: Dell 1905FP 19" UltraSharp LCD with DVI (from first build)
Speakers: Altec Lansing ATP3 (from first build)
Keyboard/mouse: Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 (from first build)
Operating System: Windows XP Pro (already have a copy)
TV card: just need any decent cheap card

I have an old rig that I built in 2002 (Intel P4 2.4GHz 1.5GB), but I don't think I can reuse any of the components from it (other than the monitor & speakers) because the drives are IDE, and the graphics card is AGP8. I believe modern interfaces are different now (SATA and PCI-E?).

I use the desktop primarily to watch TV/Slingbox, backup my files & DVDs, host a virtual PC (sandbox to try new software), and convert videos into mp4 format for my iPod Touch. I do not game at all, except for online card games which do not require fancy graphics cards, and occasionally MAME. I don't need the speediest rig in the world, but I do want my machine to be fast for those tasks that I do perform. I want to stay with an Intel CPU, not the latest and greatest but something that can last me a couple of years and be upgraded when the latest & greatest comes do down in price. :D

I would like to stay under $750ish for the remaining components (motherboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card if needed, sound card if needed, hard drive, DVDRW). If you can't tell, I'm not an early adopter, more of the "best-bang-for-the-buck" kinda guy. I love Fry's and New Egg deals! ;)

Thank you for your recommendations!

[RickyTick]

Hey Phoenix. Welcome to MySuperPC.

You do know that using Windows XP will not allow you to utilize all 4gb of ram? 3.5gb is about max.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale $188
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R motherboard $105 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

EVGA 512-P3-N954-TR GeForce 9500 GT $50 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130378

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM $75 each
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Samsung SH-S223Q DVD R/W $29
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

That's only $567, so it's well within your budget and is a terrific system. I would suggest taking the extra money and buy Windows Vista Home Premium for $100. You could use the extra savings to maybe bump up the ram to DDR2 1000, or DDR2 1066, but that's only about $15 more.

Here's a quote for TechReport.com on their System Build Recommendations.

"Naturally, you'll need a 64-bit operating system to take full advantage of this amount of memory. 32-bit OSes have enough address space for 4GB of memory, but that figure is an upper limit for all memory in a system, including video RAM. In practice, 32-bit versions of Windows will only be able to use 3 to 3.5GB of actual system RAM, and they'll normally restrict each application's RAM budget to 2GB. There are potential workarounds, but Microsoft says they can hurt compatibility; it recommends that folks run a 64-bit version of Windows instead. Because Vista x64 is quite mature these days, we also recommend it for this system."

What do you think?

[PH0ENIX]

Thank you, RickyTick! I do have a question regarding the processor. What's the difference between the Core 2 Duo E8500 and the Core 2 Quad Q6600? They are about the same price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

I hear what you are saying about the 32bit OS/4GB memory limitation. The problem is, I have other family members' machines on the home network that use EFS and file level access control, and we do share files regularly. I know those features aren't available in the home version of XP, but I'm not sure about Vista.

The other limiting factor is that we have apps at work that won't run on Vista as of yet, and I do work from home time to time, so I've got to think about that as well.

Thanks again!

[RickyTick]

Thank you, RickyTick! I do have a question regarding the processor. What's the difference between the Core 2 Duo E8500 and the Core 2 Quad Q6600? They are about the same price:


Good point. The Q6600 has been an Intel Workhorse for the past year or so, but it has reached EOL and has been replaced by other Quads. In head to head matchups the E8500 vs Q6600 have been very very close in performance, with the E8500 having a very slight advantage in gaming applications. The versatility of the Q6600 is usually the reason why so many have chosen it. Its really a toss up. I personally have the Q6600 and its blazing fast. You can't go wrong with either choice.

[PH0ENIX]

RickyTick, I think I will go with the E8500 as it's newer and runs cooler than the Q6600. Plus I don't think my apps are able to take advantage of the multi-threaded performance in the Quad Core CPUs yet.

Regarding the video card, what do you think about this versus the EVGA GeForce 9500 GT?

ASUS EAH4550/DI/512MD3 Radeon HD 4550 $50 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121281

The main reason I'm considering it is because it has the HDMI port for added flexibility (in case I want to hook it up to my TV), is that a smart move?

Also, is there any reason not to go with this RAM for the same price?

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

I love your other recommendations! I think this system will last me for a few years until the Nehalems become dirt cheap (in which case I only need to swap out the Mobo/CPU, right?). :D

Thanks again!

[RickyTick]

The video card and ram you listed would work just fine. Excellent choices. I generally prefer EVGA products because of their 90 day Step Up program, and overall quality, that's why I usually recommend them.

[PH0ENIX]

Not to beat this topic to death, but there's an interesting twist to my dilemma.

It turns out that there's someone in my family who works as an engineer at Intel, and can get me discounted prices on certain processors.

Here are the price quotes I got:

i7 940 = $277
Q9650 = $262.50
Q9550 = $158.50
Q9400 = $134.00
Q9300 = $135.00
Q6600 = not offered to employees

E8600 = $133.00
E8500 = $93.50

Given this new info, what do you think of the following build option as the best bang for the buck for my needs?

[CPU]
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 E0 (SLB8V not SLAWQ) $158.50

[MOBO]
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P $117 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

-or-

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R motherboard $105 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

[RAM]
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

-or-

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

[HSF]
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler $19 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

[VID]
ASUS EAH4550/DI/512MD3 Radeon HD 4550 $50 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121281

[HD]
(2) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM $75 each
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

[OPTICAL]
Samsung SH-S223Q DVD R/W $29
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

SUBTOTAL = $579 (costlier mobo/ram) to $557 (cheaper mobo/ram)

Do you think it's worth it to pay the $22 to get the upgraded motherboard and RAM if I can afford it?

Thanks!

[chunkylover53]

Dude, you are KILLING me. :eek: You can get an i7 940 for less than half price? Need shmeed! Go sell something to raise the money to get that bad boy AND the overpriced motherboard and DDR3 you need to run it!

Sorry about that, I got a little excited there. :o

I'll let Ricky answer you question, cause other than the extra PCIX2.0 slot on the 3P the only difference looks like memory standard. I don't really understand what "DDR2 1366+/1066" means on the 3R to be honest.

EDIT: Wait, can that relative get you a fat discount in Intel motherboards too? If so, I'm starting to foam at the mouth again...

[RickyTick]

Dude, you are KILLING me. :eek:


No kidding, me too!! :eek:

I know you want to stay within you $750 budget, so you should jump on that Q9650 before they change their mind.

[RickyTick]

Do you think it's worth it to pay the $22 to get the upgraded motherboard and RAM if I can afford it?
Thanks!

Yes, absolutely. $22 is nothing.

[PH0ENIX]

The i7 is nice, but I think I'll wait to see what happens over the next year or two with mobo and DDR3 prices. If those get low enough I'll upgrade to an Nehalem/Westmere and toss this PC build into the trash (J/k!).

Anyhow, I decide to go with the Q9550. I just can't justify spending an additional $104 for the 107MHz bump in speed to the Q9650 (that's almost $1/MHz), especially considering that I should be able to easily OC the 9550 to above 3GHz.

Along the same lines, $10 for the 66MHz gain in RAM (1066 vs 1000) probably isn't worth it either.

So, it looks like I'll be able to build the following:

Intel C2Q Q9550 $159
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P $137 ($20 rebate)
G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 1000 $45
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 $29 ($10 rebate)
ASUS EAH4550 HD 4550 $60 ($10 rebate)
(2) WD6400AAKS 640GB $75 each
Samsung SH-S223Q DVDRW $29
Antec Solo $40
Antec TruePower 650W $50
Total $699-$40 rebates = $659

Not too shabby for a decent-ish midrange system? This should suit me fine for video encoding and HTPC use, right? (Should be a little faster than my existing P4 2.4GHz/1.5GB setup... :D)

By the way, the employee discounts on Intel motherboards aren't worth a damn unfortunately (you can do better through places like Newegg), so I am sticking with the Gigabyte mobo.

Any other last minute thoughts before I pull the trigger?

[The Wise Monkey]

That is a top of the range spec PC you've got there, and will remain so for a few years to come. The Q9550 for $159... :o

It costs the equivalent of $310 here in the UK. :(

[PH0ENIX]

I know I am very lucky to be able to get a 50% discount on the most expensive component in a PC. I love bargains! :)

Thanks for the help, if you don't mind I will post some pics of my build once it's completed. Maybe even have it done in time for a new toy on Christmas! :D

[Perhaps]

Wow.
I smell a group buy. Just kidding. :p

I recently put together a very similar build. Your price is much, much better.

You'll have a very nice PC there. Pay no attention to me being biased though. :cool:

[PH0ENIX]

I recently put together a very similar build. Your price is much, much better.

You'll have a very nice PC there. Pay no attention to me being biased though. :cool:
Thanks. I think you got a better deal on some of your components (mobo, HD) but my savings on the CPU makes up for some of that. :D

I see that you purchased the Arctic Silver 5. The $6 shipping kills it for me though. I have some Arctic Silver 3 left over from my 2002 build, but I don't know if it's still good. Fry's near by me sells it for $7.99, but I don't need a whole tube.

Maybe I could buy your unused AS5 if you're not going to use it again soon? Or if you need a spare keyboard and/or mouse we could work out a deal. I have a couple of MS Natural keyboards that are not in use, and spare MS wired/wireless mice sitting around. Have some miscellaneous networking/phone/cellular stuff as well...

[Perhaps]

...snip...

Maybe I could buy your unused AS5 if you're not going to use it again soon? Or if you need a spare keyboard and/or mouse we could work out a deal. I have a couple of MS Natural keyboards that are not in use, and spare MS wired/wireless mice sitting around. Have some miscellaneous networking/phone/cellular stuff as well...

Unfortunately I have given it to a buddy who is in the middle of a build. He is doing some overclocking/CPU cooler tests.
Thanks for the offer, I probably could have used something in that list of yours.