Here is my current part list for a XP(32 bit)/Vista(64 bit) dual boot gaming rig. Here's what I got so far:
MOBO: ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $209.99 This is the motherboard I am pretty set on. My other choice for a board is the EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $249.99
, but I do not think the board is worth the extra money. I don't have any plans to get and faster RAM than PC6400 as an upgrade as it is too expensive, and honestly, 800 is pretty damn fast, I really don't see myself needed anything faster, especially with 3-4 gigs of 800MHz ram.
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - I think this processor is simply the most bang for my buck. at $222, it sure beats the $315 E6600 , and I just can't see that extra 2MB of L2 Cache and .27GHz making that much difference (especially when you start overclocking). At least, not $93 worth of difference.
RAM:
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (x2 for 4GB, or + 1GB) - $349.98 for 4GB, $264.98 for 3GB
VIDEO CARD: I am waiting until March for the Nvidia 8600 Ultra to come out. At $179, that's a pretty affordable SLI setup ($358 total). My only other choice is the EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card, and at $300, I could really only afford 1.
PSU: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - at 160 it is pretty steep for a PSU, but I think I can find this one for $105. Regardless, I hear it is a solid PSU, but I am willing to entertain ideas for a cheaper one that will still meet my power needs.
CASE: Antec Performance One P180B Black - $99 (locally) From what I hear it is a solid case with good airflow and heat conductivity. Though it is a mid tower, it still seems roomy enough that I could add watercooling later if I wanted to. Still, this is another area that I am still wiling to take suggestions on, especially because I have never done watercooling and I want to make sure I will be able to if I decide to, maybe once summer hits.
OPTICAL DRIVE: LiteOn SHM-165H6S - Not much to say on this one. $30.99, got some bells and whistles like lightscribe if I want them, otherwise just a standard drive for all my optical needs.
I am not including a HD in this build because I already have a 300GB Seagate drive that I am not using, but for the sake of making it a "complete build" I will tack on $100 for a HD. This will cover a 40GB 10,000RPM drive for those that really need some speed, and that should more than cover a 350+GB 7200RPM HD for everyone else
A nice flat screen LCD(22") you can find them for between $250-300.
Tack on $25-100 for a mouse and keyboard.
TOTAL COSTS:
Minimums (cheapest of the comps for which I have multiple choices listed, 3GB of RAM):
$1291 if you have a spare HD like I do *****MY BUILD*****
$1391 for a "complete" box (Hard drive included)
$1666 for a "complete" Computer set with monitor and keyboard/mouse (Low-end of price Ranges)
Maximums (Most expensive parts, 4GB of RAM):
$1511 - No HD
$1611 - (Hard drive included)
$2011 - High end monitor and peripherals (mouse and keyboard)
Add $30-40 bucks to every build for shipping, 60 if you can not get the case locally.
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Whew. I put a lot of time into writing this as I hope it will be a good baseline for many that would read this post. Please, please respond with all your thoughts and suggestions, especially if you think choices should be changed because of impending price drops that should happen by the time that the 8600 Ultra is out, or if you know of any time-sensitive deals that should be taken advantage of soon, and the other parts can be ordered in mid March after the 8600 Ultra comes out.
MOBO: ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $209.99 This is the motherboard I am pretty set on. My other choice for a board is the EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $249.99
, but I do not think the board is worth the extra money. I don't have any plans to get and faster RAM than PC6400 as an upgrade as it is too expensive, and honestly, 800 is pretty damn fast, I really don't see myself needed anything faster, especially with 3-4 gigs of 800MHz ram.
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - I think this processor is simply the most bang for my buck. at $222, it sure beats the $315 E6600 , and I just can't see that extra 2MB of L2 Cache and .27GHz making that much difference (especially when you start overclocking). At least, not $93 worth of difference.
RAM:
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (x2 for 4GB, or + 1GB) - $349.98 for 4GB, $264.98 for 3GB
VIDEO CARD: I am waiting until March for the Nvidia 8600 Ultra to come out. At $179, that's a pretty affordable SLI setup ($358 total). My only other choice is the EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card, and at $300, I could really only afford 1.
PSU: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - at 160 it is pretty steep for a PSU, but I think I can find this one for $105. Regardless, I hear it is a solid PSU, but I am willing to entertain ideas for a cheaper one that will still meet my power needs.
CASE: Antec Performance One P180B Black - $99 (locally) From what I hear it is a solid case with good airflow and heat conductivity. Though it is a mid tower, it still seems roomy enough that I could add watercooling later if I wanted to. Still, this is another area that I am still wiling to take suggestions on, especially because I have never done watercooling and I want to make sure I will be able to if I decide to, maybe once summer hits.
OPTICAL DRIVE: LiteOn SHM-165H6S - Not much to say on this one. $30.99, got some bells and whistles like lightscribe if I want them, otherwise just a standard drive for all my optical needs.
I am not including a HD in this build because I already have a 300GB Seagate drive that I am not using, but for the sake of making it a "complete build" I will tack on $100 for a HD. This will cover a 40GB 10,000RPM drive for those that really need some speed, and that should more than cover a 350+GB 7200RPM HD for everyone else
A nice flat screen LCD(22") you can find them for between $250-300.
Tack on $25-100 for a mouse and keyboard.
TOTAL COSTS:
Minimums (cheapest of the comps for which I have multiple choices listed, 3GB of RAM):
$1291 if you have a spare HD like I do *****MY BUILD*****
$1391 for a "complete" box (Hard drive included)
$1666 for a "complete" Computer set with monitor and keyboard/mouse (Low-end of price Ranges)
Maximums (Most expensive parts, 4GB of RAM):
$1511 - No HD
$1611 - (Hard drive included)
$2011 - High end monitor and peripherals (mouse and keyboard)
Add $30-40 bucks to every build for shipping, 60 if you can not get the case locally.
==============================
Whew. I put a lot of time into writing this as I hope it will be a good baseline for many that would read this post. Please, please respond with all your thoughts and suggestions, especially if you think choices should be changed because of impending price drops that should happen by the time that the 8600 Ultra is out, or if you know of any time-sensitive deals that should be taken advantage of soon, and the other parts can be ordered in mid March after the 8600 Ultra comes out.
