Computer to be built soon

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pmenefee

New Member
It's been quite awhile since I've built a computer, I've just been using my laptop for school, but I'm planning on building a desktop that will be able to handle the newest games such as COD 4 well. I've been getting all my prices and information from newegg.com, and want to find a good system but don't want to spend too much. Here's what I had found, just thought I'd see what everyone else thought of it for gaming.

Processor- Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz $169.99
Video Card- EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3 $229.99
Memory- Crucial Ballistix 2GB (1GB x 2) $64.99
Motherboard- XFG MG-630i-7109 $69.99
Power Supply- Rosewill RD550N 550W
Case- Rosewill R5601
Case and Power Supply $94.98
Drive- Samsung 20x DVD +-R $25.99


I plan on running XP Pro and I already have a 250GB WD Hard Drive. For the money is there anything I should switch out that would be better for the same price or maybe a little more? Would this be able to handle pretty much anything thrown at it? Thanks in advance.

-pmenefee
 
Yeah get the P35-DS3L for the money that thing is amazing.

And if you dont want to spend the money on an e8400 get either the e6600 or e6750.

And get an acutal power supply. Either an antec or a OCZ is what i like.

And the ram is fine it really doesnt matter too much as long as its either Corsair, Crucial, HyperX, OCZ

Also recommend a aftermarket CPU cooler to keep your CPOU running cooler and longer =]
 
The aftermarket cooler is great, but if he doesn't plan to overclock, its pointless, no ?
Also, it voids the warranty on the CPU, so I'd only get one to oc.
 
A couple questions off of the suggestions-
What would you recommend for the wattage for a power supply?
Since I'm getting a different power supply what then would you recommend for a case?
Is 2GB of memory the most that you can support with XP Professional?

I am not familiar with changing anything as far as overclocking so will I still need a second fan? Thanks again for the advice
 
You won't need a fancy cooler, a basic one will be fine. XP I believe supports 3gb of ram, 64bit XP supports more. 600Watts or so should be fine for most computers, I still run most of my PC's off 400's and they've been fine, some of them have been powering 4 video cards at a time etc... I'd recommend going down your nearest computer shop and finding their cheapest case - it won't look the best but you'll save shipping which always surprises me (at least in the UK)
 
To overclock, you need to change the cooler on the CPU, this process voids the warranty of the CPU, even if normally nothing should happen cuz ur actually putting a better cooler than the one that comes with the CPU. It is also a good idea to have a well ventilated case, specially if you overclock, but either way its a good thing.

A case is mostly up to the owner's choice. I suggested the Sonata III because it comes with a quality Antec PSU. But if you want a separate PSU, its even better cuz u can choose from the whole variety there is. It goes from small, big, fancy, quiet; everyone has their preferance. I am partial to Antec.

As for the wattage of the PSU, well the first thing to look at is if its a trusted brand. Then, you need to figure out if you will overclock, go SLI. If the answer is no to both questions, with the current system you've got, a good 500 Watt PSU should be plenty. For more info, have a look here or for even more specific info here.

Xp pro 32bit can support up to 3.2 gb ram. You need 64bit to support 4gb or more(depends on the os).
 
Jesse said:
i would change the ram to G. Skill 240 pin DDR2
Click to expand...

What is different about the G Skill from the one I was looking at or the Corsair?

If I went with an Antec 550 Watt power supply should that do everything well? If I'm going to spend the money on a good computer I want everything to be good quality.

Should I get a motherboard with 3 memory slots (if that's even available, I don't know), and put in a gig each or should I put in a 2 and a 1 or just but in 2 2GB sticks to get the maximum memory? And what would people recommend for each one?

If I were wanting to overclock, assuming I found out the way to actually do it, what kind of power supply and extra cooling fan would you recommend?

How much of a difference am I going to see as far as the speed of my computer if I were to upgrade the processor from the 6550 to the 6750 (2.33GHz to 2.66GHz)?

I have a couple questions about software as well that I'll ask if this is the proper place for it otherwise I'll go to a different section. I'll post that in a bit
 
For the RAM, well the G Skill, provided Jesse was talking about this, its 45$, thus cheaper than the one you chose or the Corsair. Its an average brand. The corsair I suggested is a well known reliable brand, it is cheaper than the ram you suggested and has a mail in rebate which makes it really attractive.

Not sure which Antec 550 you are talking about. Truepower Trio is fine for your build(probably also for oc), NeoHe would be more recommendent for Oc. It might also be worth it to check the Corsair 550VX, it should be good for oc.

For the ram slot, I am not sure, someone else will have to confirm, but I believe it would be better to have say 4gb(2x2gb or 4x1gb) in dual channel than 1gb+2gb or 1gb+1gb+1gb.

If you just wanted to overclock, you'd be fine with the PSU mentionned above, not sure for aftermarket fan, someone else will have to help u with that. But keep in mind that a good case is also recommended since u can't cool to a lower temperature than the one inside the case.

For the difference between the E6550 and the E6750, have a look at Tom's chart
 
I appreciate all the input I've gotten from you guys. As far as a good case, hwo does this Rosewill R5604-TBK look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147033

And a few questions regarding software. I plan on using Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Webroot SpySweeper. I currently have Kaspersky Internet Security on this computer but I don't really like the way the firewall is set up. Would I be smart to go with just Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Webroot SpySweeper, and some other firewall? And what firewall would you guys recommend?
 
Well, its not the one I would buy... I guess I have something against Rosewill... but as I said, the case is mostly personnal, so if you like it, go for it.
 
NZXT Apollo ftw


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025


11-146-025-28.jpg
 
Last edited:
Kilauea said:
Well, its not the one I would buy... I guess I have something against Rosewill... but as I said, the case is mostly personnal, so if you like it, go for it.
Click to expand...

Would it do a good enough job keeping the specified computer cool? Or would I need to do something to it?
 
Just ran across something else...would I be better off going with the 8800GTS 512MB for the extra $40? How much of a difference will I see?
 
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