How good

[The Zune Guy]

Totally changed my PC set up following advice on the forums. I will be ordering some things from the US (send via friend to ROI) and UK (Will pick up on hols). Here's what my new rig will look like...

- Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R Mainboard (129.99 from newegg.com)
- 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair Balistix PC2-6400 memory (99.99 from buy.com)
- XFX Fatal1ty Edition 8600gt (OC) 256mb (159.99 from buy.com)
- Casecom Black/Silver Case w/ Side Window (£17.99 from ebuyer.co.uk)
- Antec 500w Basiq Power PSU (£39.86 from Ebuyer)
- Existing Seagate 320gb HDD (7200RPM)
- Existing Windows Vista (64 bit) and XP (Home) Dual boot
- Existing Logitech x-230 2.1 speakers
- Existing Hanns-G HU151 15" monitor (will upgrade later)

Hows that, I know, I should've got an 8800gts because its $x from such a place but I can't afford one so got the fastest 8600gt I could. Just trying to decide on CPU, e6320 (£100.73) w/aftermarket cooler or e6420 (£166.13) w/stock. I have read the 6400's are better than the 6300's but is it the same in the new 4mb cache versions.
By the way, total cost was a respectable €555.55 approx

 

[The Zune Guy]

And, mobo

Actually on subject on this,
ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
-or-
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
The abit's 119.99, the Gigabyte's 129.99, both from newegg

 

[b1gapl]

The P35-DS3R is the popular choice, and is known to overclock like a monster, so go with that.

It's Crucial Ballistix, not Corsair.

Go for the e6320 w/aftermarket cooling. The e6320 and e6420, have around the same overclocking potential, to around 3.0-3.3GHz.

Get the 7900GS, instead of the 8600GT. It's just not worth it, if you plan on gaming.
Buy.com - EVGA GeForce 7900GS 256MB 500MHz PCI Express x16 Video Card - 256-P2-N624-AR
cheaper from newegg:
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card - Retail

I also think, you should get a better power supply, than that choice.

 

[kobe24]

change ur gpu to a 8800gts 320mb, and ram to 2*1gb gskill hk's, psu to a corsair 520watt

 

[TheDiceman]

He already stated that the 8800 is out of his price range.

 

[Ronnie]

save like 20 bucks and get the GSkill DDR2 800 kit thats like 80 bucks
and with the money you save get a better video card the 8600GT is crap