New Computer Build

[Da Grape]

I am trying to build a computer to replace my aging AMD Athlon 3700+. I use the PC with some gaming (mainly World of Warcraft and other Sims style games) but I do want the system to have enough power and juice to last me a few years. I also do Video Editing and some Photo editing.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 6600
Mobo: Asus P5K-E/WIFI
Memory: G Skill PC2-8000 DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-15 4GB
Video: EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB

The case will most likely be the Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower, built my brothers comp with that case and does have excellent air circulation.

I still need HD (Would want 500gb or 2 x 500gb to do Raid but might skip that), CPU Cooler, DVD Drive and not to mention the Power Supply.

I would probably try overclocking but not too much and will maintain air cooled.

My question is, what and where is the cheapest I can get the above? and is it a decent combo? I am unsure about the Mobo and Ram.

Thoughts?

[rimi]

In my opinion/personal experience, NCIX is a good place to get these parts at good prices. You can also price match there so look around a bit. Directcanada.com, which is a sister company sometimes has cheaper but dont order from there. They're customer service doesnt exist unless you complain all over the web and then somebody will PM you to help. I would not wanna risk all that stuff.

I dont know about TigerDirect but a friend had good experience with em. There prices and shipping costs are higher than the others too.

Good luck with your new PC.

[phucyall]

I like NCIX, but I always prefer to buy local. Faster then getting it shipped and easier to return if you have problems.

CanadaComputers, InfoNec or LogicComputerHouse are good. TigerDirect is generally a no-no. Prices are not at all good, products suck and service is even worse.

[Newpunk]

I purchase most of my stuff from CanadaComputers with a few recent additions I got from NCIX. Both have great prices, though CC is usually a bit better unless NCIX has a sale.

For your particular items, I would recommend getting the graphics card off of NCIX for sure, I believe they have a rebate for them right now. Also you could check out the Galaxy 8800 GT which is dirt cheap right now.

Anyways, GL with the system, almost the same as mine actually :)

[Silver Bullet]

I am trying to build a computer to replace my aging AMD Athlon 3700+. I use the PC with some gaming (mainly World of Warcraft and other Sims style games) but I do want the system to have enough power and juice to last me a few years. I also do Video Editing and some Photo editing.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 6600
Mobo: Asus P5K-E/WIFI
Memory: G Skill PC2-8000 DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-15 4GB
Video: EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB



First FYI, to see all 4GB of ram you'll need to run either XP/Vista 64bit otherwise you'll only see 3GB.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 6600
Mobo: Asus P5K-E/WIFI
Memory: G Skill PC2-8000 DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-15 4GB
Video: EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB

PS: Corsair 520W HX
CPU COOLER: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme + 120mm fan (1200rpm or lower should be enough)
HD: 2 x Western Digital 500GB AAKS

This setup should be just fine. I would check out Infonec.com, Direct Canada and NCIX for pricing. I would try to find as much stuff from NCIX/DC as possible to save on the taxes, get the case locally (to expensive to ship).

[Da Grape]

Thanks for the info, newb question........ what would be the difference between the 32bit vs the 64bit Vista?

I'm going to try and limit my budget to 1k, any ideas how? :cheesygri

First FYI, to see all 4GB of ram you'll need to run either XP/Vista 64bit otherwise you'll only see 3GB.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 6600
Mobo: Asus P5K-E/WIFI
Memory: G Skill PC2-8000 DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-15 4GB
Video: EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB

PS: Corsair 520W HX
CPU COOLER: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme + 120mm fan (1200rpm or lower should be enough)
HD: 2 x Western Digital 500GB AAKS

This setup should be just fine. I would check out Infonec.com, Direct Canada and NCIX for pricing. I would try to find as much stuff from NCIX/DC as possible to save on the taxes, get the case locally (to expensive to ship).

[aimfox]

i like everything ure getting except the case because the case has bad cable management and tends to block the air circulation.. if i were u go for coolermaster stacker or cosmos or 690

[Da Grape]

i like everything ure getting except the case because the case has bad cable management and tends to block the air circulation.. if i were u go for coolermaster stacker or cosmos or 690

I don't have any experience with Coolermaster or Cosmos but did a Computer Build with the Nine Hundred and air circulation was pretty good. I like the clean black effect with blue lights of this and obviously what I think/feel good air circulation.

The only thing I had difficulty was installing a floppy/memory card combo drive on this thing, probably just did it wrong.

Still interested in finding out if I can do the above build or similar for 1k.

[Silver Bullet]

I just priced it out at infonec.com .. comes out to around $1130 without heatsink and fan and only one 500GB drive. NCIX sales starts tomorrow I'll price it again and see what the price comes out to then. Infonec prices are ok, but I'm sure u can do better if you shop around. (check out pricecanada.com and remember ncix price matches :) )

[Da Grape]

I just priced it out at infonec.com .. comes out to around $1130 without heatsink and fan and only one 500GB drive. NCIX sales starts tomorrow I'll price it again and see what the price comes out to then. Infonec prices are ok, but I'm sure u can do better if you shop around. (check out pricecanada.com and remember ncix price matches :) )

Thanks Silver Bullet! Does 1130 comes with taxes already? :D

Worst case scenario, I can stick with 2gb of RAM and can just get another 2gb later. I can even go down to C2D instead of the Q6600 (I really would prefer to stick with this tho). And the mobo can change i suppose, decent overclocking board with Firewire!

Can't wait to see your list.

[carmaster]

Get the new quad core Q3000 instead of the Q6600.

[xwar]

Get the new quad core Q3000 instead of the Q6600.

You must mean the Q9300

[Silver Bullet]

The Q9x50 series is a possible alternative, though I wouldn't go down ot the 6MB cache 93xx and lower. Lowest I would go is the Q9450 ($316 list) .. but those won't be out until late feb, early march.

My take:

http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/69549f1e01.gif

Not sure where else u can cut costs. You might consider taking a cheap E4500 ./. E8200 for now and then upgrading later in the year to qcore and more ram.

[Da Grape]

Thanks Silver Bullet!

I will use this as the starting point for my system. I guess if I want to lower the cost, I would definitely have to look at downgrading some parts.

I will report once i finalized the parts.

BTW, is that DVD Writer decent compare to the Pioneer 212D or something?


The Q9x50 series is a possible alternative, though I wouldn't go down ot the 6MB cache 93xx and lower. Lowest I would go is the Q9450 ($316 list) .. but those won't be out until late feb, early march.

My take:

http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/69549f1e01.gif

Not sure where else u can cut costs. You might consider taking a cheap E4500 ./. E8200 for now and then upgrading later in the year to qcore and more ram.

[Natsuiro]

I think the only reasonable way to cut costs without losing performance would be getting the sonata III and killing two birds with one stone.

[MtX]

Get a DS3L motherboard. $50 cheaper and performs the same.

I'm selling a brand new one for $90 :D

[Silver Bullet]

I think the only reasonable way to cut costs without losing performance would be getting the sonata III and killing two birds with one stone.

1+

If you're keeping the video card in the mid-range and less than 2 HDs then i would go though route, if you're looking to move up the ladder later on you might wanna stick with the 900.

[Smoked]

this is an overkill if u only playing sims and warcraft...

[Da Grape]

this is an overkill if u only playing sims and warcraft...

No kidding!

At the moment those are the games I play but won't be limited to that. It's the stupid mentality of having enough "juice and power" in case of the need someday.

I saw the FS flyer this weekend and saw this:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10097964&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN#

How do you guys feel about a complete system from them, specifically that setup?

I have that exact same monitor, if I end up getting that system, can do dual monitor right? would look sick! But I don't know how that compares to a specific build. Like what kind of motherboard, ram does it uses? how much of an upgrade can i do with that system?

[Da Grape]

1+

If you're keeping the video card in the mid-range and less than 2 HDs then i would go though route, if you're looking to move up the ladder later on you might wanna stick with the 900.

BTW, I can get some parts from my current system.

Tsunami Dream Case
320G Sata HD
LG DVDRW
BFG 7600GT Video

The RAM, Mobo and CPU are the ones that needs to be upgraded. Dang it! maybe just upgrade those parts first then and stick with the other parts and upgrade those later.

And MTX, I like that board too but Im looking for something that has Firewire.