Making plans for first system, suggestions!

[goldraine]

Hi,

As my system is becoming sickeningly outdated, I have began making plans, along with a friend of mine. I have the GPU that I want already decided, a GeForce 8600 Ultra. For memory I'm going the low route and probably only going to hit 1.5GB, which the make being Mushkin or Corsair XMS. For CPU, E4300. However, I am stumped on what to get as a mobo. The only thing i really *need* is at least 2 IDE, more than 2 ram slots, a PCIe x16 and a couple of PCI.

Input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ronnie]

as for the motherboard i would suggest the msi 975X
great board and has two ide and 2 pci slot

 

[raiders_best]

u should get a even amount of ram so it will utilize dual channeling

 

[goldraine]

as for the motherboard i would suggest the msi 975X
great board and has two ide and 2 pci slot

I've heard it's rather complicated to get set up, and I'm looking for a less expensive board.

u should get a even amount of ram so it will utilize dual channeling

My experiences with dual channel tell me it's not enough of an increase to make a better or worse gaming experience.

 

[Flying-Squirrel]

First off let me say a couple things that seem to be wrong with what you were already planning on.

1) I think you are confused on the vidcard. As far as I know there isn't a GeForce 8600. You are probably either thinking of the GeForce 7600GT or something similar or perhaps the 8800GTS. If you have the money it is always nice to be on the bleeding edge of technology and go with an 8800 GTX but likely you are better going with something like the 7950 GT:
EVGA GeForce 7950 GT 512MB KO SuperClocked - $285.99 with a $20 mail-in rebate so total of $265.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130066
Great card, play any current game on high settings and will make future games playable for years to come. Good compromise between price/performance.

2) Memory, you really want to keep your memory running in Dual Channel. If you get 1.5gb you would not be doing that. You are much much better off getting 2gb (2 x 1gb sticks) or just staying with 1gb (2 x 512). Corsair, OCZ, G.Skill are all good brands. What you get sort of depends on whether you want to OC and how much.

3) CPU, the drawback with the E4300 that you were looking at is that it only has a multiplier of 9 and a 2mb L2 cache. HOWEVER, if you are really going to OC that chip that is fine because it OCs like a pimp and you can get up around 3.2 ghz which makes the smaller cache not matter and gives you some sweet performance for a very very low price tag.

4) MOBO, I don't know a ton but I have heard good things about the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 motherboard for use with that CPU. According to Anandtech they were able to reach over 3.3Ghz with that CPU and that Mobo on stock cooling: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2903&p=2
The price on this Mobo is also very low: $132.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

So there ya go, that is some stuff to ponder

 

[goldraine]

First off let me say a couple things that seem to be wrong with what you were already planning on.

1) I think you are confused on the vidcard. As far as I know there isn't a GeForce 8600.

Haven't you heard? Entry level and mid-range DX10 cards from Nvidia is coming out in a few months. This includes Geforce 8300 and the 8600. I need time to make money, so I'm just in preliminary planning at the moment.

 

[Flying-Squirrel]

Haven't you heard? Entry level and mid-range DX10 cards from Nvidia is coming out in a few months. This includes Geforce 8300 and the 8600. I need time to make money, so I'm just in preliminary planning at the moment.

I hadn't, I guess I am biased and ignore that type of thing since I already have na 8800 GTX and am considering getting a 2nd one for SLI My bad, ignore my #1

EDIT: I prefer to roast marshmellows on the burning edge of technology... and then rant in disgust when prices drop $xxx a month or 2 later

 

[COD2_fanatic]

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131048

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231102

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151023

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119106

Hard Drive
will let you choose

Opticals
Will let you choose

Video Card
you already mentioned what you want

 

[goldraine]

OK, after much deliberation I have it thought out. Most of what COD2_fanatic mentioned is in the mix,.

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013
$177.99, dropping to around $113

Motherboard:
ASUS P5LD2 R2.0 LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131048
$106.99

Memory:
G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231102
$99.99

Video Card:
NVIDIA Geforce 8600 Ultra
not released yet
around $179

PSU:
SeaSonic S12-430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151023
$89.99

Case:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119106
$49.99

Optical:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106045
$37.99
DVD drives are pretty much preference...

Hard drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JB 160GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144203
$54.99

Grand total:

Hopefully $751.94 or under, not including shipping.

 

[COD2_fanatic]

not bad not bad, just keep an eye out though something may come up and you want to change a part.