Author Topic: Ready to buy new computer (Read 909 times)

HomeBoy · « **on:** March 09, 2007, 09:24:41 AM »

Back in January, I put together this grocery list for a new computer after reading many posts here and doing research. I am now ready to place an order. I just wanted to run this by you folks one last time in case there are red flags or there is a better way to go. Please let me know. Obviously I'm interested in a machine that will run AH well.

Thank you!

1. Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz cpu $312 from zipzoomfly

2. Asus P5N32-E SLI MB $212 from zipzoomfly

3. Corsair XMS 2GB (2 X 1GB) 240-pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM $159.99 from zipzoomfly

4. Nvidia eVGA 8800 GTS 640MB video card $389 from Newegg

5. ThermalTake ToughPower W0117 750W PS $179.99 from zipzoomfly

6. WD Caviar SE16 250GB SATA II 7200RPM HD $69.90 from zipzoomfly

Total cost: $1325

I am trying to stay under $1500

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2007, 09:48:18 AM »

I didn't like my thermaltake power supply. It turned out to be a piece of crap. I prefer seasonic. They're quieter and do very well in reviews. I own two, one with modular cables, and they're both great.

HomeBoy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:01:32 AM »

Thank you eagl. Exactly the sort of feedback I'm looking for.

Just back from pricegrabber. I don't see a Seasonic 750w PS. All I find is a 600W. This Silverstone ST75ZF seems to get good reviews. Any comments on that one?

Thanks for the heads up.

eagl · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:27:12 AM »

Check http://www.newegg.com and search for seasonic. I've heard good things about silverstone but haven't tried one myself. I think the silverstone ones are like most other psus, they're just rebadged from another company. The seasonics seem to be different, but I"m not sure who actually makes them.

Balsy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2007, 09:21:04 AM »

PC Power and Cooling is good too.,

HomeBoy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2007, 07:18:47 PM »

I decided to go with Newegg since all their stuff was in stock (cost me $9 more than zipzoomfly). Here is my shopping cart:

1. Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM   $20.00 Mail-in Rebate $159.99

2. Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM   $74.99

3. EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SUPERCLOCKED HDCP Video Card - Retail   $30.00 Mail-in Rebate $409.99

4. SILVERSTONE ST75F ATX12V / EPS12V 750W Power Supply - Retail    $179.99

5. CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail   $40.00 Mail-in Rebate     $200.99

6. ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail      $199.99

7. Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail      $313.00
Subtotal:    $1,538.94
Shipping:    $14.92
Grand Total:    $1,553.86

BTW, I decided not to buy a sound card as I figure I can use my old one (SB Live 24bit). Do you think it is necessary to buy a new sound card or will this one be sufficient? Sound cards seem really tricky with particular microphones. This one works great with my mic so I don't want to get into the sound card/mic matchup business unless I have to.

Thanks for advice.

Mini D · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2007, 08:19:37 PM »

The power supply is overkill for that system. 500W would be more than enough. I'm running 450W with a 6700 and the same video card.

HomeBoy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2007, 09:51:07 PM »

Thanks MD.
Actually, I know the PS is overkill but I tend to keep a case and PS for two or three upgrades and I just figured if I got this one, I wouldn't have to think about a power supply through several upgrades. Maybe that's not smart as who knows what the power cables and what-not will exist in five or six years. Oh well, it's an extra $50. I decided that was a better investment than spending an extra $50 on the 680i MB over the 650i.

Bruv119 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2007, 01:17:08 AM »

Homeboy,

I bought a very similar system about a month ago.

Same processor, gfx card, ram etc

It will fly just be warned about the 8800GTS nvidia only have 2 sets of drivers out to my knowledge and sometimes I get a gfx glitch now and again, which can be fixed by Alt-tabbing leaving it on auto pilot and then reloading the game back in. Don't have the problem in other games just AH.

Keep us updated on how you get on with it.

Bruv
~S~

HomeBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2007, 06:35:10 PM »

Hope this is not a can of worms...
650i vs 680i
I've decided to go with the 650i after reading about all the problems people have had with the 680 and because I am only going to run (initially anyway) with one vid card. Anybody have a strong opinion about this? The 680i board is $50 more and enough people have said they thought the 650 was so rock solid that I decided to go that route. Do you think this will turn out to be a bad decision in the event that I go SLI down the road?

Thanks for input

HomeBoy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2007, 10:10:28 PM »

Well, it seems nobody cares to discuss this; else nobody wants to talk to me.

Ok, well, I'm following my heart on this one and going with the hybrid 650i board. I doubt I'll notice any difference anyway.

HomeBoy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:08:09 AM »

This purchase was not without a little regret....

I probably should have skimped on the PSU (500w) and gone with a Intel P965 based MB which would have saved me near $200. I could have applied that amount to upgrading to an 8800GTX instead of the GTS since I'm probably never going to SLI anyway.

Oh well.

airspro · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2007, 03:14:36 PM »

I would have gotten a 7950 VC and the seasonics PS .

Bruv119 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2007, 12:05:35 PM »

How are you getting on with the 8800 GTS homeboy?

There are some new drivers out for it 100x+ I havent had the time to test them yet.

Do you get any graphics glitches within AH?

Bruv
~S~

HomeBoy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2007, 12:10:47 PM »

Bruv,
I'm about a week out from being able to answer your questions. I'm still setting things up. I don't even have all the parts yet. I'll give a full report in this thread in the next few days.

Thanks for all the help I've received.