rate my build! suggestions?

[delirium330]

hey all, ordering this later today. i had very limited selection on the case based on size dimensions, but i think it was a good find. using the PC for general stuff, inet, word processing, some amateur photo and video editing, storage, etc. want to stay under $1,100. dont need any software or speakers, but need everything else. won't be gaming.

specific questions, what's the best monitor to buy under $200?

what's the best processor i should get for under $200? i want intel...

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8400 - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

XCLIO Coolbox Advanced Fully Black Finish 0.5mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM

EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port - Retail

 

[MangoSalsa]

CPU---Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor for $169
Monitor---Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor for $160
MOBO---GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard for $105 after rebate

Im sure you could do without the quad-core for what your going to use your computer for, but the monitor is a great deal for the price.

 

[delirium330]

CPU---Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor for $169
Monitor---Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor for $160
MOBO---GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard for $105 after rebate

Im sure you could do without the quad-core for what your going to use your computer for, but the monitor is a great deal for the price.

thanks. yea i wasn't sure whether to go higher speed core 2 duo or a lower speed quad core. which is better for under $200?

 

[MangoSalsa]

Well if you are never going to game, OC, or upgrade, then I would go with:

CPU---Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core for $119
MOBO---Intel BOXDP35DPM LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard for $109

It wont be future proof. but if you just want a solid upgrade from what you are using now, for cheap, I would look at those products.

>.> but wait for some admin responses. lol

 

[Gilles]

That's pretty good advice, but I really wouldn't go as low as a 7400 if you can afford more.

The G.SKILL PI Black is good, but if you aren't going to overclock it, you could save by using the regular gskill, which is still awesome RAM.

That power supply is really overkill, although it's a really nice deal right now, and is obviously going to last you a few builds. Here's another option if you want to save: Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
Personally, I'd go with the one you picked. I prefer to leave lots of room.

I would go with this card. Newegg.com - XFX HD-465X-YAFC Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[delirium330]

good suggestions. ill consider the regular gskill ram and that 4650 card.

for the mobo ill prob. go with the UD3R (used on a previous build and has been great).

can't decide on the cpu tho. should i go quad if i have $200 to spend on it?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8400 - Retail

or

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail

 

[Gilles]

I'd probably go with the quad if you aren't going to game.

 

[Peter.Cort]

quad will serve you better in the future once apps start to support 3 and 4 cores, then the quad will shine. but even so the quad or dual will be way over kill for anything you'll be doing. Also just get some value ram, save the money..

 

[delirium330]

k, ill go with the quad 8400 then, and downgrade to regular g.skill ram.

what monitor should i go with for under $200?

 

[Peter.Cort]

that acer one that someone posted is a good one. If that's the size you want of course.