Core 2 Duo Build Assistance

E

epanchenko

New Member
This is my first time building my own computer. I have added up the prices of the parts below and it seems if I bought a comparable Dell XPS 410 it would be a similar price. Please let me know where I am going wrong in my part selection (if a particular part is overkill, for instance, or compatibility problems). Or perhaps I would not save as much as I would think by building it myself. Thanks in advance.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004)

Asus P5W DH Deluxe
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025)

Antec Performance I P180B Case
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129017)

Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD5000YS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136032)

eVGA 256-P2-N584-AR Geforce 7900GT 256MB
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130033)

Thermaltake W0101RU ATX 12V 2.0 Version 550W Power Supply
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153029)

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116049)

Hauppauge TV Tuner Card
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815116631)
 
I am going to use this computer for computer application development (Visual Studio), light gaming, and as a potential replacement for my TiVo. I had read in some other threads that I would get a lot more computer for a lot less than if I bought a computer from Dell, but adding up all the parts, it doesn't seem like I am saving much money.
 
Your build looks great! I would suspect that Dell would be more expensive, but with that motherboard it adds a lot more that Dell wouldn't include. If you like that board and are fine spending that much, it is a great board, though you could get a cheaper one and still get by (ie. $150). What RAM are you getting?

I would also suggest this PSU. Wattage isn't everything.
 
Jet said:
Your build looks great! I would suspect that Dell would be more expensive, but with that motherboard it adds a lot more that Dell wouldn't include. If you like that board and are fine spending that much, it is a great board, though you could get a cheaper one and still get by (ie. $150). What RAM are you getting?

I would also suggest this PSU. Wattage isn't everything.
Click to expand...

There's no link when you suggest a PSU.

But anyway, I agree...a Dell usually is a lot more expensive, but the parts in your build contain things that a Dell wouldn't...for example, the mobo has a lot of stuff that dells dont, the BIOS isn't locked on your build, while it is on a Dell...Dell uses custom parts in their computers so you can't upgrade them without buying parts from Dell, etc.

I'd say build yourself.
 
You also forget that Dell doesn't use good name brand parts. (At least most of their parts) So, you are getting quality parts.
 
The memory I found is the following:

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145098)

Do you have any other recommendations for a cheaper motherboard and a power supply? I am willing to pay an extra $80 for the current one I chose if it is better or another $20 for the eVga nVidia nForce 680i SLI that I read about here. I want a Firewire port built into the motherboard. I already have a sound card so I don't need integrated sound if that is possible. Also, I do not need Wireless 802.11g built into the motherboard.

Is this motherboard ok?
ASUS P5B-E Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131070)

Also, do I need to buy a heat sink for my Core 2 Duo? If so, does anyone have a recommendation?

I see your point about the Dell parts. It seems the motherboard Dell wanted to sell me only allows max 4GB of RAM, for instance. I had to replace the power supply of my current Dell and it needed a special power supply.
 
Last edited:
epanchenko said:
The memory I found is the following:

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145098)

Do you have any other recommendations for a cheaper motherboard and a power supply? I am willing to pay an extra $80 for the current one I chose if it is better or another $20 for the eVga nVidia nForce 680i SLI that I read about here. I want a Firewire port built into the motherboard. I already have a sound card so I don't need integrated sound if that is possible. Also, I do not need Wireless 802.11g built into the motherboard.

Is this motherboard ok?
ASUS P5B-E Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131070)

Also, do I need to buy a heat sink for my Core 2 Duo? If so, does anyone have a recommendation?

I see your point about the Dell parts. It seems the motherboard Dell wanted to sell me only allows max 4GB of RAM, for instance. I had to replace the power supply of my current Dell and it needed a special power supply.
Click to expand...

Not that memory, but that motherboard is great.

If you buy an OEM Core 2 Duo, you will need a heatsink, but the Retail version comes with a sufficient heatsink.
 
Do you have a recommendation for the 2GB RAM? I don't think I need the fastest RAM available, but I would want good performance.
 
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