New computer build

[Joker]

I'm looking to build a computer that will be used mainly for Aces High, but will also have to serve some more mundane computer duties like web surfing and a little digital photograph storage and editing. Only the computer itself is needed, no monitor or other peripherals. The cost target is less than $1000.

Please check out this list and tell me what you think. The prices are from Newegg a couple of days ago.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600                               $229

Asus P5B                                                       $110

Corsair  TWIN2x2048-6400  2 x 1 GB sticks    $95

Sapphire Radeon x1950pro 512 MB              $153

Antec Sonata III w/ 500w PS                          $90 ( after rebate )

Western Digital 1600YS    160GB, SATA 3.0    $60

Phillips SPD2513BD    DVD/CD drive                $35

Win XP pro w/SP 2b                                      $139

Plan to use the onboard sound.
Any suggestions, or does this look OK?
Thanks!
Joker

[Gaidin]

2 suggestions for you.

1. up the watts on the PSU to 650 or better and make sure it SATA ready and preferably not antec.

2.  Don't buy the dvd/cd drive from newegg.  Go to WalMart and pay the same price for one that will come with bundled Nero or Roxio burning software.



Just my .02

Gaidin

[A8balls]

I wouldn't use the onboard sound. Ties up a little too much CPU for me.

[Fulmar]

Few comments myself

1.  Spend $15 more and double your hard drive space.  You'll thank me later.  This WD is probably one of the best mainstay HD's out there, and at $75 you can't go wrong.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
2.  Choose a different power supply.  Antec now isn't the Antec of the past.  You may be on a budget so I went with a sub $100 PSU.  
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128002
HIPER HPU-4K580-MS ATX12V v2.2 580W Power Supply - Retail $99
3.  Never buy a case + power supply combo.  Even though its branded Antec on the side, that PSU in there is garbage.  Buy a different cheap case for all I care, but don't get a PSU with one.  Remember the PSU is supplying power to all your more expensive components.  Its like buying gasoline from a bum on the corner holding a 5 gal can.  Sure it may have some gas in it but I bet he peed in at least half.  I'd rather have a 16 year old from Taiwan making my PSU, than a 5 year old in mainland China.
4.  That Philips looks good, but as someone else mentioned, may want to buy one bundled w/ nero or something.  If you already have burning software, then I'd go for the okay on that drive.

[wabbit]

You might take a look at the Asus P5k series. Here's a review of 9 mtb including the p5k. The P5K-E looks real nice and it's only a little bit more then what you've chosen...


http://www.techspot.com/article/61-intel-p35-motherboard-roundup/




Wabbit
Morals & Manners Officer
Whitey's Buccaneers
5th Army Air Corps

[Fulmar]

Originally posted by wabbit
You might take a look at the Asus P5k series. Here's a review of 9 mtb including the p5k. The P5K-E looks real nice and it's only a little bit more then what you've chosen...


http://www.techspot.com/article/61-intel-p35-motherboard-roundup/




Wabbit
Morals & Manners Officer
Whitey's Buccaneers
5th Army Air Corps

Good call, the P965 chipset on the P5B is getting dated.  $20 more for the P5K.

[humble]

P5K (or other P35 chipset) is way to go...I have the P5K-e...great MB...

I agree completely on PS...make sure your voltage on the 12V rails is good. You want a minimum of 2 rails with 18@ on each...most will be 20/18 or better....

[Joker]

Thanks guys, this is exactly the kind of input I need.

Will go to a P5K mobo ( SE model looks sweet ) , the larger hard drive, and grab a SoundBlaster card for like $30.

I have been looking at the power supplies. Evidently Antec ain't what it used to be. Too bad....I have several older Antec cases with Antec PS's in them and they have been running perfectly for years now. Will go with the one you suggested Fulmar, and find a cheaper case to house it.

What do you guys think of the Radeon x1950 pro? I chose that because I have had good reults with Radeons in the past, but I'm not up to speed on the newer cards. Is there a better video card available in about the same price range?

Appreciate the help guys!  

Joker

[Fulmar]

Originally posted by Joker

What do you guys think of the Radeon x1950 pro? I chose that because I have had good reults with Radeons in the past, but I'm not up to speed on the newer cards. Is there a better video card available in about the same price range?
/B]

Well, Tomshardware does the best video card for the money article every month.  For September's edition they have two categories in your price range.  $125 or $200.  At $125 range the X1950 pro is the best (at least at stock speeds, the 7900 GS is slower at stock, but can overclock easily and will be faster than the pro, the pro does not overclock well).  At $200 the X1950 XT is the best option.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/05/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page3.html

Or check out their VGA charts to show about what kind of performance each card gets in what game.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

[jtdragon]

look at a  overclocked 7950, been real happy with mine.