First Build, budget, advice please

[LShapedAmbush]

Hi, building a PC and I need some advice. Trying to stay under $700. Can you help me reach my budget goal? This is the one I want to build but it goes over my budget:

CPU - Core2 6750 2.66GHz (mwave - $189.00)
Mobo - Gibabyte P35 DS3R (mwave - $127.00)
Video - 8800GTS (320MB) (mwave - $289.00)
Case/PSU - Raidmaz Smilodon w/ 500W (newegg - $89.99)
Memory - Crucial Ballistix - 2GB DDR2 1066 (newegg - $159.46)
OS - XP Home OEM - (newegg - $89.99)

Total - $944.44 before shipping/tax


I could get this instead and upgrade later:

CPU - Core2 6750 2.66GHz (mwave - $189.00)
Mobo - Gibabyte P35 DS3R (mwave - $127.00)
Video - x1950pro (512MB) (newegg - 134.99)
Case/PSU - Raidmaz Smilodon w/ 500W (newegg - $89.99)
Memory - G.Skill 2GB (newegg - $79.99)
OS - XP Home OEM - (newegg - $89.99)

Total - $710.96 before shipping/tax


I've thought about using Linux, never have, but I think I'd be pretty limited in the games I can play. Don't want that.

Thanks.

Also, I already have hdd, cd/dvd, mouse, keyboard, monitor.

 

[veedubfreak]

Unless you really need raid, you can drop down to a DS3L and save a few bucks. I would stick with the 8800 gts, drop down to some cheaper ram. The ballistix is great memory but without the rebate its a little steep right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...mpareItemList=N82E16813128059,N82E16813128050
Newegg.com - EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[b1gapl]

Hey LShapedAmbush

You can drop down to the E6550:
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
...Is now cheaper than the E6750, and can overclock as well.

Get the P35-DS3L:
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
...same thing as the DS3R, except the RAID feature and 4 less SATA ports.

I'm guessing you're getting these prices from newegg?...because that X1950PRO for $134.99 is the 256mb version. Which is a good choice.

A cheaper case would be the Cooler Master 690:
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Get the Patriot Extremes:
Newegg.com - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
...really good memory, for the money.

 

[maroon1]

Or you could build this

CPU - Core2 6750 2.66GHz (mwave - $189.00)
Mobo - Gibabyte P35 DS3L (newegg - $99)
Video - XFX 8800GTS (newegg - 279.99) Link
Case/PSU - Raidmaz Smilodon w/ 500W (newegg - $89.99)
Memory - G.Skill 2GB (newegg - $69.99) Link
OS - XP Home OEM - (newegg - $89.99)

That would be around $818

You could save more money by getting E6550 that cost $169 at mwave

 

[veedubfreak]

One thing i noticed, if you look at the first link in my last post, the ds3l doesnt have the ultra durable or ultra cooling that the ds3r does. At least its not listed as having it. So not sure how much difference tha tmakes.

 

[b1gapl]

One thing i noticed, if you look at the first link in my last post, the ds3l doesnt have the ultra durable or ultra cooling that the ds3r does. At least its not listed as having it. So not sure how much difference tha tmakes.

I don't think that would make much difference, in terms of performance and overclocking.

 

[krazyq]

i have the ds3l now and have my e6550 oc to 3.3ghz. temps are 30 idle and 45 on load.(i do have 5 case fans with the CM 690 case)

 

[LShapedAmbush]

Thanks for the good advice. That was fast!

Now looking at:

CPU - Core2 6550 2.33GHz ($169.00)
Mobo - Gibabyte P35 DS3L ($94.99)
Video - 8800GTS (320MB) ($279.99)
Case/PSU - Raidmaz Smilodon w/ 500W ($89.99)
Memory - G.Skill - 2GB DDR2 800 ($69.99)
OS - XP Home OEM - (newegg - $89.99)

Total - $793.95 before shipping/tax

Is there any way to shave from this cost?

 

[krazyq]

Thanks for the good advice. That was fast!

Now looking at:

CPU - Core2 6550 2.33GHz ($169.00)
Mobo - Gibabyte P35 DS3L ($94.99)
Video - 8800GTS (320MB) ($279.99)
Case/PSU - Raidmaz Smilodon w/ 500W ($89.99)
Memory - G.Skill - 2GB DDR2 800 ($69.99)
OS - XP Home OEM - (newegg - $89.99)

Total - $793.95 before shipping/tax

Is there any way to shave from this cost?

Never use a psu that comes with a case...thats mistake number 1.

For a good psu:
ClubIT Product - CORSAIR HX CMPSU-520HX 520W Active PFC NVIDIA SLI Certified Modular ATX Power Supply Retail
or the same one from here
Buy.com - Corsair 520W SLI Certified Modular ATX Power Supply - CMPSU-520HX
Use GC to get an extra $10 off.

For some good cases:
COOLERMASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Mid Tower Case Retail at ZipZoomfly
new egg has it for $10 more after shipping.
or this case
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
or this one
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

The first case is the best out of all these.

 

[b1gapl]

Actually the 690 does come out, to only $3 more than at zipzoomfly. But I'd agree that the 690, is the better out of the three choices.