Another new build - first draft

[mormonsniper]

Hi all,
Please have a look see and recommend any changes. This build is not for games necessarily. Just a good machine. My first build since the old 486s.

Thanks and blessings to all,
ms

GIGABYTE GA-X38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-X38-DS4
$199.99

GIGABYTE GV-NX86S256H GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: GV-NX86S256H
$142.99

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply - Retail
Model #: Silencer 610 EPS12V
$119.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Model #: BX80570E8400
$224.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4
$148.00

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: HD753LJ
$169.99

SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: 226BW
$319.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM
Model #: SH-S203N
$31.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Model #: 66R-00838
$189.99

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #: CNPS9700 LED
$59.99

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
Model #: MX-2R
$6.99

$1,614.90

 

[Puddle Jumper]

GIGABYTE GV-NX86S256H GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: GV-NX86S256H
$142.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4
$148.00

That ram is really overpriced. They have it on newegg for $35 after mir.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I would also recommend getting a better graphics card. An HD 3850 will perfrm a lot better than an 8600GTS and will cost about the same after mir.

Newegg.com - GECUBE GC-HD3850PG3-D3R Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[coldcheeks]

What will you be using this system for? You said 'not for games necessarily'... even if not a bad build.

 

[900RR]

yeah ram is way to expensive wherever you're looking at it and try to spend a little more on a video card. 3850 if you can't affor much more but try to get a 8800GT if you can, you can find em for $250. Almost everything is GPU bound these days so video card is where you really want to spend the money.

Look at a Tuniq Tower instead of that zalman, it's cheaper and better.

What case are you getting?

 

[mormonsniper]

All of this is from Newegg... and thanks for the responses. The case is an Antec P182. Someone posted that there was a MIR of $50 for one day only, the 15th of Jan, so I bought it for $99.00 w/free shipping, from Frys. I thought that was a pretty good deal. I tried to match up the mobo and video card; obviously not a good idea. That is $148.00 for 4 Gb of RAM. Is that still too much?

 

[mormonsniper]

What will you be using this system for? You said 'not for games necessarily'... even if not a bad build.

I plan on building a more powerful system later on in the year. This is almost like practice as it's been a while since I put a system together. At almost 55 years old, I don't play many computer games although I have beaten Halo3 on legendary (I know, hard to believe). Halo is the only game I've played as my stepsons like it. I do provide some computer time for the Rosetta program. My current computer is very old and slow. So, the whole thing is sorta like the old guy with the Corvette. :laughing: I also would like to teach the stepsons how to put a system together so this is a secondary reason for the build. When the computers are finished, I will sanitize the one I am on now and donate it to a Church member who cannot afford one.

 

[mormonsniper]

In researching the video card issue, this has good reviews on NewEgg. FYI, I currently do just fine with an FX5200. As you can see, gaming has not been my first priority. What say ye? Is the Radeon HD3870 a good enough card?

GECUBE GC-HD3870XTG4-E3R Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Newegg.com - GECUBE GC-HD3870XTG4-E3R Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail


eta: RATS and double RATS... out of stock.

 

[900RR]

no, that's not too much considering it's (2) 2x1gb kits. It's $35 after MIR, but they only let you claim the rebate on 1 kit, so you should either only buy 1 kit, it's not worth $75 more to go from 2gb to 4gb. I only bought 4 cause crucial let you buy two, and they were $40 after rebate so I couldn't NOT get a 2nd pair at that price. I may sell 1 pair....

3870
Sapphire 3870 512MB | ATi Radeon Sapphire 3870 512MB | ATi Radeon | 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express | CrossFire

If you're not much into gaming though, 3850 is the best bang for the buck but will still slaughter games, I'd say this sounds like your best bet SAPPHIRE 3850 512MB ATI CROSSIFRE PCI-E 100226L (OEM)


and actually, if you want 4gb of ram, get this 2 x 2gb kit... $74 after MIR
Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
only thing is it's timings are 5-5-5-12 but that's not too bad. Still a really good deal

 

[maroon1]

Instead of X38 motherboard get this
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

And I recommend this video card
Newegg.com - Foxconn 8800GT-512OC660/1940 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[mormonsniper]

Just an update. I know it's been a while. Lots has happened including anterior cervical fusion (C6 & C7) for me. I did get the Antec case and the EX38 board from Gigabyte. 8GB of ram from somebody (forget) and the HD3870 Video card. I put it all together while I was recovering. Got it to 4.05Ghz on air. The E8400 runs a little hot (one core). OS is the Vista Business. So far this thing has not hicupped.

As for the rebate from Antec I just got it today, after over 5 months of waiting.

Currently crunching numbers for rice and proteins since I do little else with the machine.

Thanks for listening!

ms