I'm in the process of trying to fathom a decent computer for roughly 500.00 or so. I'm hoping to be able to do video/graphic editing and play some video games when all is said and done. I've been doing research and I think I've come up with a decent build... Before I actually purchased anything, I just wanted to get some feedback and make sure everything would work together, and that it'd do so in a manner that would let me play some current games. (Sims 3, Fallout 3, WoW on a video setting other than the lowest and still getting more than 15fps...)
Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Video Card:
EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Desktop Memory
Power Supply:
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91
Newegg.com - Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
I'm interested in overclocking the processor, but I'm not sure what is reasonable... I've read that the 8400 can go as high as 4.2Ghz without a lot of problems, but I don't know that I'm that brave... Also, I'm hoping I won't have to purchase a 3rd party cooler for it, so I'm thinking 3.6Ghz may be as far as I take it. If I do overclock it, will there be any problems with the Ram speeding up that you can see right off? I'm afraid I don't know too much about the overclocking process just yet.
In doing my research, I've heard that the Ram and the Powersupply are things you do not want to skimp on, so I tried to find reputable manufacturers... I'm not 100% on the G.Skill Ram, does anybody know if they make a decent product? I've heard pretty consistently that Antec is pretty much the standard for power supplies, and after using a few calculators online they all said my voltage would be anywhere between 430V-515... Can anyone say if that looks about right?
Other than that, does anybody have any suggestions or ideas?
Thanks a lot!
Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Video Card:
EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Desktop Memory
Power Supply:
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91
Newegg.com - Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
I'm interested in overclocking the processor, but I'm not sure what is reasonable... I've read that the 8400 can go as high as 4.2Ghz without a lot of problems, but I don't know that I'm that brave... Also, I'm hoping I won't have to purchase a 3rd party cooler for it, so I'm thinking 3.6Ghz may be as far as I take it. If I do overclock it, will there be any problems with the Ram speeding up that you can see right off? I'm afraid I don't know too much about the overclocking process just yet.
In doing my research, I've heard that the Ram and the Powersupply are things you do not want to skimp on, so I tried to find reputable manufacturers... I'm not 100% on the G.Skill Ram, does anybody know if they make a decent product? I've heard pretty consistently that Antec is pretty much the standard for power supplies, and after using a few calculators online they all said my voltage would be anywhere between 430V-515... Can anyone say if that looks about right?
Other than that, does anybody have any suggestions or ideas?
Thanks a lot!