Looking for help on a PC Build

C

CTM

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This will be my first time building a computer since 2001, and I really need your advice. For the most part, I can't really bring anything over from my current build except maybe the cdrom. monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Basically I need everything else.

Since I've been out of the loop over the past few months I would love it if you could suggest a few builds. I live in canada, so I'll be paying in CAD, and I'll have to use a website that ships to canada, like canadacomputers.com, tigerdirect.ca, or maybe you know of a better one.

My budget is around $1200 CAD, but I can go higher if needed. I'll mostly be using it for gaming and not much else. Well nothing that would demand anything more powerfull. If it could run Oblivion at mid-high settings that would be great.
 
First thing u shud take a look at is whether u want amd or intel

Stupid question really tho Intel Core 2 Duo is the answer lol

Start looking at them and see what 1 u can get for ur money, id say u can probably stretch to the e6300 (same as what im getting) :)
 
That was one of the things I was unsure of. Some people have said to just go for AMD where as others are saying Core2. I'm hoping to get some opinions from people. I don't really have a preference.

Core2 E6300

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+

Both for $250, suggestions?
 
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I went through the same question before my build (AM2 was brand new and Core 2 was not out yet). I evenually went with AMD, and I am happy with my choice.

People are saying that Core2 from Intel is better than AMD's x2, but either way, you can build a very nice pc. Most dual core cpu's are now more affordable than ever.
 
Haha, very good - very good.

Certainly go Core2Duo - I was an AMD fanboy at first, but Conroe changed ALL that..
 
I've gone over basic prices, and I'm thinking that I have around 250 CAD for the processor, and the AMD I listed above was my first pick.

Now my question is, which one would be more suited towards just gaming?

Edit: I'll think it over and choose after I get off work.

For now, how about a graphics card? This is the other thing I'm kinda iffy about. I kept pretty up to date with the Geforce 6's, but with the Geforce 7's and the ones ATI has out I'm not sure. What are your picks?
 
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I have the 7600Gt, and I love it. But I'm not sure about it playing Oblivion mid-high settings.
 
belfong said:
Many say that the Core2 is better. But i would take the AMD, i'm getting the amd 5000+.

Edit: Here's an article of 5000+, versus E6600. http://www.legitreviews.com/article/365/1/
And as u can see, there's not that a big difference.
Click to expand...
Naturally, if you're going to be testing with high resolution gaming the video card will be the limiting factor. I most certainly don't consider this to be a true indication of the performance of the CPU, though. Most reviews give a solid lead to the E6600. For example:
http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rlid=136509

The E6600 will often outperform the FX-62 as well. Of course, the X2 5000+ is cheaper than the E6600.

The big difference is price. Tigerdirect.ca has:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 for $444.99
AMD Athlon X2 5000+ for $761.99
Click to expand...
Then their 5000+ is significantly overpriced. The 5000+ is, in general, cheaper than the E6600.

X2 5000+: $309
Core 2 Duo E6600: $337

Core2 E6300

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+

Both for $250, suggestions?
Click to expand...
The E6300 would be my pick. The difference will be even more significant if overclocking potential is considered.

For now, how about a graphics card? This is the other thing I'm kinda iffy about. I kept pretty up to date with the Geforce 6's, but with the Geforce 7's and the ones ATI has out I'm not sure. What are your picks?
Click to expand...
The 7600GT would be a great choice, with the 7900GT even better if it will fit into budget.
 
XFX GeForce 7600 GT for $209 CAD

The 7900GT is about $300, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to fit it into my budget, maybe depending on the other parts.

I've chosen to go with the Core2, and I'm in need of a motherboard now. Is there a specific maker I should look for, or do any of you have one in mind?
 
leetkyle said:
I'm a huge conroe fan, don't get me wrong - but that price is more expensive than the 5000.. I think you got the prices mixed up or something..
Click to expand...
Reread my post. The X2 5000+ is cheaper than the E6600, which is what those prices indicate.

The real question is whether the C2D is worth the extra money. IMO, it is.

I've chosen to go with the Core2, and I'm in need of a motherboard now. Is there a specific maker I should look for, or do any of you have one in mind?
Click to expand...
The Gigabyte 965P-S3 or DS3 would be my picks at that pricerange.
 
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Hopefully I'll be ordering this weekend, and I'm looking for a bit more advice on the final parts of it.

Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3

Processer: Core2 E6300

Video Card: XFX Geforce 7600 GT
----

As for ram, the above motherboard requires 800mhz DDR2, if someone could pick out a few good ones that would be great.

Also, I need the case, power supply, and hard drive. For all of these including the ram, I have around $430 left. If the 800mhz ram is too much to fit into the budget, could you suggest another motherboard that supports 533mhz, or 667mhz.
 
 
800 is recommended for the ram, the board will run slower ram
(i'm 99.9~% sure here, but just to doubt myself, you should double check)
 
For your online ordering you should shop through Tiger Direct, they have the best information and pictures of products, and buy through New Egg, best prices easily.

And about the AMD v. Intel, you should probaly go with the Core 2 Duo. Its 64-bit, fairly inexpensive compared to AMD for the amount of power you get. And you probaly have a biased towards AMD, like I did, because of the terrible Pentium 4. But this is a totaly different processor, its what I about to use in a build.

I've got some knowledge about the two, I an avid gamer and I sell computers retail, if that's worth any thing.

Good luck.
 
I'm going with the core2, I've listed the one I'm getting above, and I can't order from newegg since they don't ship to canada. As for the mobo running slower ram, can anyone confirm this?

As for the ram mensioned above, the Corsair TWINX Dual Channel 1024MB looks good.

For the hard drive, I'm going to cut back on that and get something around 80gb. I don't see myself using any more then that right now, and I can always get another hard drive easily.

I think I'll stick with that case as well. Thanks
 
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Just an update on my choices.

Mobo: Gigabyte 965P-DS3

Processor: Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz

Vid Card: XFX GeForce 7600 GT

Ram: Corsair TWINX Dual Channel 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz

Hard Drive: Samsung 80GB

Case: Power Up 5511 Black ATX Mid-Tower Case

Power Supply: Ultra 500-Watt

CD/DVD Rom: Lite-on SHD-16P1S / 16x DVD-ROM / 48x CD-ROM

With shipping and tax it comes to $1,279.51. I still have some left, and I could upgrade 1 or 2 things, but I'm quite happy with this. If someone could check it over and make sure everything is compatable and rubber stamp it, that would be great.
 
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