Help choosing mobo, processor, PS

[mcaj]

Planning to build a new desktop in a week or two. I already bought the Antec 900 case last night from NCIX (thank you RFD :D)

I've listed my preferences below. Please advice me.


Budget: $500 (including tax)

Purpose: Will be using it for heavy computing. I'll be loading Oracle 11i on it.

Socket: LGA 775. Can't afford the 1366 now.

Processor: Bigger the cache, the better. Q6600 is beyond my budget for now. E8400 looks good. Any cheaper alternative? Cache is a major priority.

Motherboard: P45 + ICH10 (or ICH10R) looks to be the standard now. Overclocking might be a possibilty, but not a priority at all. I desperately need help with mobo, since i'm torn with gazillion choices out there.

Sound/video card: No gaming whatsoever. 22" screen. Any crappy card should do, correct?

Powersupply: No idea what to buy. How many watts? brand?

RAM: DDR2 prices are spiralling downwards, just like our economy :lol:. Any suggestions for good price/performance ram?

[sleepyguy]

CPU e8200 or e8400 (best you can afford)
RAM G.Skill DD2 800 or 1000 (cheap, like $60 for 4gb, get 8gb)
PSU 500W Antec Earthwatts
VID pretty much anything will do. Get a ATI 2400pro for cheap
Motherboard: either Gigabyte or Asus P45. cheaper ones that fit your budget

You might be pushing the $500 budget though. -sg



Planning to build a new desktop in a week or two. I already bought the Antec 900 case last night from NCIX (thank you RFD :D)

I've listed my preferences below. Please advice me.


Budget: $500 (including tax)

Purpose: Will be using it for heavy computing. I'll be loading Oracle 11i on it.

Socket: LGA 775. Can't afford the 1366 now.

Processor: Bigger the cache, the better. Q6600 is beyond my budget for now. E8400 looks good. Any cheaper alternative? Cache is a major priority.

Motherboard: P45 + ICH10 (or ICH10R) looks to be the standard now. Overclocking might be a possibilty, but not a priority at all. I desperately need help with mobo, since i'm torn with gazillion choices out there.

Sound/video card: No gaming whatsoever. 22" screen. Any crappy card should do, correct?

Powersupply: No idea what to buy. How many watts? brand?

RAM: DDR2 prices are spiralling downwards, just like our economy :lol:. Any suggestions for good price/performance ram?

[mcaj]

CPU e8200 or e8400 (best you can afford)
RAM G.Skill DD2 800 or 1000 (cheap, like $60 for 4gb, get 8gb)
PSU 500W Antec Earthwatts
VID pretty much anything will do. Get a ATI 2400pro for cheap
Motherboard: either Gigabyte or Asus P45. cheaper ones that fit your budget

You might be pushing the $500 budget though. -sg

thnx.
Can you suggest any specific motherboard? I'm finding it hard to decide

[Riflem@n]

I wonder if it would be better to get a Phenom in your case since you're not doing any gaming at all.

[willy]

thnx.
Can you suggest any specific motherboard? I'm finding it hard to decide
In the $100 range, Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L ... http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD7865&vpn=GA-EP43-DS3L&manufacture=GIGABYTE

Or Asus P5QL Pro ... http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530BD3655&vpn=P5QL%20Pro&manufacture=ASUS