New Computer Advice

[gohan_d1]

Hi i am not sure if i should post this in here but i really want to know if the computer parts i am thinking of buying are good quality. I want to build my first computer and here are the parts i think i want:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.2GHz - $141.21

Motherboard - ASROCK CONROE1333-D667 - $58.70

RAM - OCZ GOLD XTC Edition 2GB (2 X 1GB) DDR2 800 Dual Channel Kit (5-5-5-12) - OCZ2G8002GK - 30.51

Power Supply - Thermaltake TR2 W0070 430W - $39.35

Total = $269.71 (All Taxes In)

Now is this a good price for a decent machine? Can anyone find cheaper parts or cheaper and better quality. How do you like the parts i have selected? Please provide feedback as this is my first computer that i will build.

[GVRtrader]

Hi i am not sure if i should post this in here but i really want to know if the computer parts i am thinking of buying are good quality. I want to build my first computer and here are the parts i think i want:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.2GHz - $141.21

Motherboard - ASROCK CONROE1333-D667 - $58.70

RAM - OCZ GOLD XTC Edition 2GB (2 X 1GB) DDR2 800 Dual Channel Kit (5-5-5-12) - OCZ2G8002GK - 30.51

Power Supply - Thermaltake TR2 W0070 430W - $39.35

Total = $269.71 (All Taxes In)

Now is this a good price for a decent machine? Can anyone find cheaper parts or cheaper and better quality. How do you like the parts i have selected? Please provide feedback as this is my first computer that i will build.

You don't need case, HD, or DVD? Just checking to make sure.

First recommendation is get a better motherboard. The ASRock motherboard is cheap for a reason. It works but is not HQ. If you have a video card that you can use, i recommend grabbing the DS3L instead. If you need the onboard graphics, try to find Gigabyte's GA-945GCM-SC2 board. Its a decent board for $60... and worth the extra couple bucks over the ASRock.

CPU - Are you planning on overclocking? If so, go with e2160/2180/2200. Prices on those CPU generally go for around $70-90. e2160 is a good deal but some places actually sell 2180 or even e2200 for less than e2160 (or flat out don't carry 2160). Can't really go wrong with any of them. Combine one of those with the GA-mobo and it'll be fairly easy for you to overclock. You could use the money saved to get a better heatsink if you like.

Ram - Good enough

PSU - Nothing wrong with it, I would go with FSP 430W but thats really just personal preference. Either PSU will perform well so it doesn't matter which you buy.

[willy]

Just curious ... What's your total budget ? And what are you gonna to use the system for ?

[gohan_d1]

Hey

Thanks for replying. Those are some great suggestions. I have looked into the suggested motherboard and it is actually only 49.99! Sweet Deal at DirectCanada. Can you just clear up what is good about it and how it compares with the asrock. In terms of performance and ports/connections and if all the other parts can be handled by it. Also does it have better reviews than the asrock? I am only asking because i want to overclock and the asrock seems to be good for that.

For the cpu, what is good about the e200 series. Are they not only dual core as opposed to the e4500 which is the core 2 duo. My budget for the cpu is about 100. I am just trying to look for the e4300-e4600 within the 100$ range all taxes in.

For the ram i am wondering is the platinum version better than the gold. Like for example this gold one - OCZGold XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-12 how does it compare to this one - OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-15

Can you also refer me to a cheaper power supply. 30 is a bit too much and do i need all 430W for my parts or can i go with 300.

Thanks for your time guys really appreciate it.

P.S. i already have a case and optical drives/hard drives.

[willy]

If you want to keep the cost low, this PS ... http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11730AC4505&vpn=ATX400-PNT&manufacture=FSP%20GROUP ... I wouldn't go lower than this ...

CPU ... If you want to keep it under $100, E2200 should fit your requirement. On the other hand, I wouldn't get the already-out-dated E4000 series. For the same $140 budget range, go for the new 45nm E7200 ... http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD6726&vpn=BX80571E7200&manufacture=INTEL


A big question .... Do you have to go Intel ? For low-budget setup, AMD can give you much better bang of the bucks IMO ...

Athlon X2 5200+ ... $104
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H ... $87

[Silver Bullet]

Athlon X2 5200+ ... $104
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H ... $87

For this budget I'd go AMD also ... Should be faster than E2xx series chip and they both have about the same lifespan left I would say, maybe even AMD at this point is a better buy for a cheap system.

If you didn't already have a case, then I'd say go for an Antec 4480B, nice, quiet and comes with 430W PS.

[gohan_d1]

Hi,

This is just to clarify. I am only looking for intel and not amd. I am also only looking for the e4000 series. The cheapest one anyone can find with the best value. I just dont want to go over 130 all taxes in. Also why us everyone recommending the e2000 series. From what i understand a core 2 duo is better than a dual core. Also what does it matter if the e4000 is outdates as long it is a solid processor.

I am okay with the thermaltake powersupply but am just waiting for anyone thought about how good it is. And can anyone tell me the difference between the platinum and gold ocz ram. Thry are at different timings also and i dont understand the difference.

For the motherboard, can someone clarify why the suggested gigabyte one is better than the asrcok. When i looked at the specks asrock came out on top in terms of FSU speed and overclocking.

Thanks for your time everyone

[terrybear]

I also 3rd that agreement with a amd build for that price range.

Also if now 3 peaple tell you your gonna get a better system by a amd build you should serious take that advice. It doesn't " have to be a intel " type of brainwashing is getting old. Reality is AMD has the market for low-mid end builds right now.

Now as for parts I agree with willies recomendation & in fact even a X2 5000+ BE is not a bad idea if you get the cpu cooler with it. Placed on a AMD 780g or even the previous 690g based motherboard it will give you a nice lil kick ass system for mega cheap $'s

I would also agree with SB in sayin that probly buying a antec tower with power supply in it would be also best with the new parts as well.

[gohan_d1]

I have been to several testing sites and have seen proof that tha e4000 series is better than the amd 5200. Plus i am not aiming for that cheap a system. I am okay up till 130 and intel seems to be good for that. Can someone please tell me about the ram and motherboard

[willy]

Hi,

This is just to clarify. I am only looking for intel and not amd. I am also only looking for the e4000 series. The cheapest one anyone can find with the best value. I just dont want to go over 130 all taxes in. Also why us everyone recommending the e2000 series. From what i understand a core 2 duo is better than a dual core. Also what does it matter if the e4000 is outdates as long it is a solid processor.
Because E7000 is simply superior than E4000 ... http://www.hkepc.com/?id=950&page=3&fs=idn#view (in Chinese, but the charts are easily understood) ;) For ~ the same price, there's no reason to go for E4000 now (well, unless the mobo does not support it) ...

For the motherboard, can someone clarify why the suggested gigabyte one is better than the asrcok. When i looked at the specks asrock came out on top in terms of FSU speed and overclocking.

Thanks for your time everyone
AFAIK, 945GC A2 chipset does not support quad-core CPUs and supports up to DDR2-667.

Oh .. and since you are mentioning "overclocking", there is another reason you want to go E7000 ...