New System Build

[TinmanX]

Okie dokie. The current system is beyond upgrading. Old processor won't fit a new board so it's a completely new system.

Trying to keep it under $1000 so as not to pay for a divorce as well as a new system;

  Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - $229.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6700 - $320

2x CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $252

OS - around $94.99

Total - $896.98

Already own;

VGA EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR 8800GTS

PSU ROSEWILL|RP550-2-S

2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD4000KDRTL 400GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drives

That should do it, shouldn't it?

If I gave you $1000 what would you buy?

[Sting138]

If you gave me 1000.00 I would go to newegg and have a grand ol time. I dont know what site or where your pricing your motherboard from but I can say two words for that intel board price!  RIP OFF!!!


But seriously, I would check out Newegg.com and get an Asus, Abit, or Gigabyte motherboard just for sheer customizability and overclockability alone then stick with same processor and ram, and possibly save about $200 to $300 bucks just in those items alone which then will allow you to get more ram or some other upgrades.

[Krusty]

Rosewill makes crappy fans. I assume they make crappy PSUs as well. Most of their non-PSU products I view have negative reviews.


You can get 2x1GB of Corsair DDR2 800 ram with 4-4-4-12 timings for $110 on Newegg.com (free shipping, last time I checked!). Seems a bit much to spend over twice that much for the same thing.


If you're getting an Conroe chip, you're cutting off future expansion if you get an Intel board. The beauty of the Conroe is that you can overclock it. You might not want to now, but a year from now, or 2, you may want to boost it up because it'll double the life of the computer. Most Intel-brand motherboards have limited (if any) overclocking in the BIOS. Also, that's expensive as hell!

[NHawk]

The only thing I would suggest for upgradeability is to get a motherboard that supports the quad processors, not just the extreme.

Edit: I must have been looking at your selections when Krusty posted. FYI I just built a core 2 system from newegg for about $600.

What I would buy with $1200...

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 ATX Intel Motherboard - $129
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Memory - $89 x2
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor  - $320

Total $627

No need for OS, just use the one you're retiring unless it's not XP.

And then I'd fill in with goodies.

[Krusty]

If you're patient, wait a while...

Intel chopped prices on Conroes recently because the Penrynn cores are coming out. If you can wait for them to come out, they will no doubt be better than Conroes!

Also, the Penrynn need a special feature on motherboards. Some sort of voltage capacitor that existing LGA775s don't have. You won't be able to upgrade if you get a basic LGA775 motherboard now.

Unless you plan to keep it as-is, or unless you really can't wait that long, I'd suggest holding out until the newer stuff comes out

[Speed55]

The links do go to newegg.

But i agree that you could probably find a comparable motherboard for half the price, and the same goes for the memory.
You could also try crucial for the memory too.

Good luck.

 The conroe's are like lightning compared to the p4's.  I bought the lesser 6400 and am hoping it can keep up for at least the next 3 years with overclocking.

[Sting138]

I've been using Patriot memory for a while now with better results than the Corsair.