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Compequip · May 27, 2008

O.K. Guys let me start out by saying Hi, I just registered here today and apologize for the long thread, my heads ready to split open from all the reading I've been doing on Comp. forums. Let me start off by saying I know a little about hardware and nothing about software. I'm looking to build a new system that will mostly be used for internet surfing, home and business use and very little gaming (I like to play counter-strike once in a while). And right now I'm not sure where to start. Can some of you chime in on what you would suggest for the following;

MoBo
Ram
HD
Video

I haven't thought of a budget but would like to keep it under 1000.00. I currently have the following system. I was hoping to use the same case and monitor. What do you think?

Antec Case ? model
Intel MoBo - old maybe an 865?
Pentium 4
3.0 Ghz
Asus 400W PSU
4X256 1 gig ram
256mg nvidia card 6600
120 GB hard drive
22" viewsonic WS monitor

Langers2k7 · May 27, 2008

CPU: Intel E8200
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DSL3
GFX: GeForce 9600GT or ATi 3850
HDD: The new Samsung Spinpoint F1 drives are very fast and cheap.

Compequip · May 27, 2008

What's the difference between the Q processors and the E?

I was looking into the Q6600 or Q9300, but I've seen a lot of E8400.

Also on the mobo I was looking at the P35, but what about the P5K or was thinking of the X48 for 100.00 more seeing this is your core of your system.

On the Video card was looking at the 8800GT the prices are around 170.00, is the 9600 and 9800 that much better?

What about the PSU is 500W all I need?

And do any of you run two HD one for personnel or business and one for internet surfing? And is this a good idea or waste of money?

And right now I run windows XP Service pack 2 should I get window vista 64. I don't know much about vista other than people complaining about support for older stuff?

Thanks again

stevenson140 · May 27, 2008

The difference between the Q6600 and like the E8400 is the Q6600 is a Quad Core Processor and the E8400 is a Core 2 Duo. The Q6600 would be better at multitasking and better for things such as video editing, while the E8400 would be better at gaming because most games don't take advantage of all four cores on the quad cores.

The P35 is a great chipset if you think you wont do Crossfire or SLI. While the X38 and X48 can do Crossfire.

As for the graphics cards. The 8800GT is a good card. The 9600 is alittle worse then the 8800GT while the 9800 is better. Really Depends on what you need, they are releasing new cards in June and July so I think it would be best to wait for those. Not only will you have the options of going with a newer card but the old cards will go down in price.

For a power supply I would go with this one:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19832&vpn=CMPSU-520HX&manufacture=CORSAIR&promoid=1034

As for the OS. It's really up to you, XP is fine and would still work great.

UriA702 · May 28, 2008

Will you be overclocking? Save the money and get a name brand case w/ a 500+ watt power supply unit, that will fit your needs.

I personally have the e8400 on one machine, the q6600 on another, the performance difference is negligible for day to day computing (using the p35 as well.)

I recently build the system in my signature for under $1000 (assuming you just need the pc, not the monitor)

I would go for vista, direct-x 10 has better graphics and the OS will be supported for years. As we shift away from XP you will see less drivers and compatible software (things of that short) specifically for XP.

I will post some pics below of my system so you can get an idea of whats around for $1000

UriA702 · May 28, 2008

Will you be overclocking? Save the money and get a name brand case w/ a 500+ watt power supply unit, that will fit your needs.

I personally have the e8400 on one machine, the q6600 on another, the performance difference is negligible for day to day computing (using the p35 as well.)

I recently build the system in my signature for under $1000 (assuming you just need the pc, not the monitor)

I would go for vista, direct-x 10 has better graphics and the OS will be supported for years. As we shift away from XP you will see less drivers and compatible software (things of that short) specifically for XP.

I will post some pics below of my system so you can get an idea of whats around for $1000

Compequip · May 28, 2008

stevenson140 said:
The difference between the Q6600 and like the E8400 is the Q6600 is a Quad Core Processor and the E8400 is a Core 2 Duo. The Q6600 would be better at multitasking and better for things such as video editing, while the E8400 would be better at gaming because most games don't take advantage of all four cores on the quad cores.

The P35 is a great chipset if you think you wont do Crossfire or SLI. While the X38 and X48 can do Crossfire.

As for the graphics cards. The 8800GT is a good card. The 9600 is alittle worse then the 8800GT while the 9800 is better. Really Depends on what you need, they are releasing new cards in June and July so I think it would be best to wait for those. Not only will you have the options of going with a newer card but the old cards will go down in price.

For a power supply I would go with this one:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19832&vpn=CMPSU-520HX&manufacture=CORSAIR&promoid=1034

As for the OS. It's really up to you, XP is fine and would still work great.

What is crossfire and SLI? I'm covinced on the 8800 or 9800 video card now. I don't think I can wait until June or July so I'll have to see the price difference in the next couple of weeks. As for the processor, I don't do video editing just personnel, internet surfing and business back up mostly word, some excel spreadsheets and adobe read only... So I think the E8400 would be better for me.

Compequip · May 28, 2008

UriA702 said:
Will you be overclocking? Save the money and get a name brand case w/ a 500+ watt power supply unit, that will fit your needs.

I personally have the e8400 on one machine, the q6600 on another, the performance difference is negligible for day to day computing (using the p35 as well.)

I recently build the system in my signature for under $1000 (assuming you just need the pc, not the monitor)

I would go for vista, direct-x 10 has better graphics and the OS will be supported for years. As we shift away from XP you will see less drivers and compatible software (things of that short) specifically for XP.

I will post some pics below of my system so you can get an idea of whats around for $1000

I don't know anything about overclocking or how to do it. I'm sure if I read thru post here I'd figure it out. Is there any advantage of overclocking and if so what would be the positives and negatives. I'd think if you run something faster than it was designed that it would run hotter and need excellent cooling. So you think vista would be better than XP?

Compequip · May 29, 2008

Bump still need help. This is what I decided

Case Antec 900, P182, NZXT CS-NT-TEM-B or Smilodem All arount $100-120

MOBO DON'T KNOW YET Looking at Asus rampage $289, Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 $235.00 and Intel BOXDX48BT2 $245.00. I don't know if I need this good of a MoBo.

Processor E8400 $200

Memory 2X2GB G Skill or OCZ DDR2 1000 $90.00

PSU OCZ 700,Corsair 650 or coolmax 650 $90.00

Video EVGA 8800GT 180.00

HD Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 32MB Cache $85.00

O.S. XP Pro - I'm not sure about Vista yet....

Rosewill Card reader $15.00

And will I need a sound card, I have an older logitech 4.1thx (think it was call Z-5300?)and newer logitec 2.1thx Z-2300.

Again thanks for the help

cohen · May 29, 2008

Compequip said:
Bump still need help. This is what I decided

Case Antec 900, P182, NZXT CS-NT-TEM-B or Smilodem All arount $100-120

MOBO DON'T KNOW YET Looking at Asus rampage $289, Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 $235.00 and Intel BOXDX48BT2 $245.00. I don't know if I need this good of a MoBo.

Processor E8400 $200

Memory 2X2GB G Skill or OCZ DDR2 1000 $90.00

PSU OCZ 700,Corsair 650 or coolmax 650 $90.00

Video EVGA 8800GT 180.00

HD Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 32MB Cache $85.00

O.S. XP Pro - I'm not sure about Vista yet....

Rosewill Card reader $15.00

And will I need a sound card, I have an older logitech 4.1thx (think it was call Z-5300?)and newer logitec 2.1thx Z-2300.

Again thanks for the help

Looks good.

Get this sound card.

oscaryu1 · May 29, 2008

Compequip said:
What is crossfire and SLI? I'm covinced on the 8800 or 9800 video card now. I don't think I can wait until June or July so I'll have to see the price difference in the next couple of weeks. As for the processor, I don't do video editing just personnel, internet surfing and business back up mostly word, some excel spreadsheets and adobe read only... So I think the E8400 would be better for me.

Crossfire and SLi is the process of taking 2/3 cards, connecting them with a CrossFire/SLi cable, and running them together, like as one card. However, you can't just expect it to double its speed and such. Usually a 20-40% performance gain is noticed.

Overclocking is the process of making the processor run faster than it was designed to.

Compequip · May 29, 2008

Thanks guys, so what I have listed is O.K. What does everyone think about the Mobo choices.

jashgtp · May 29, 2008

As for vista...i have it an love it..no problems or issues at all

I went with vista buisness 32bit

As for cases i wanted something a bit quiter so i went with the Antec sonata III, comes with a 500W psu Antecs earth watts which is 80 plus certified...and the power supply has pretty awesome reviews. I snagged the case at a Comp USA going out of buisness sale it was a steal. i think it was like 30 bucks for the case and psu.

Intel E8400 is a great choice but if you want something more future proof i would go with the q6600 (which overclocks very well)

I would spend a bit extra and get an aftermarket cpu cooler. (Zalman makes some nice ones.) Also, get some artic silver thermal compund.

thats my humble opinion

reddevil6 · May 29, 2008

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