Build my PC! (Around $1000.00)

[philthygeezer]

My old noisy DELL doesn't have the horsepower to run my NEC 1900x1200 monitor DVI anymore. I guess this means a change.

Specific Caveats:

1. Intel Core Duo - want the least heat for best performance in the chip.
2. nForce chipset - to go along with the graphics card - GOING p45 With ASUS P5Q-E
3. ASUS hardware wherever possible (though graphics card could be excepted - should I do a Gigabyte motherboard instead?)
   
4. Antec case
5. Must double as a TV/DVD/BlueRay player
6. Power supply must do both 110 for Canada and 220 for Europe.

General Caveats:

1. I'd like the newest Intel, but a laid-back cool-running version of the newest die.
   
2. Quiet is important - this means good cooling characteristics.
3. I play Counterstrike and possibly WOW in future.

Questions

1. Does PCI-e take regular PCI cards? I have a SCSI card and LAN card I could use yet.
2. Is SLI important?
3. Do I need 1066mhz RAM for a 1066 mHz FSB?
   

SO FAR:

CPU Intel Core 2 - Duo E7200 2.53GHz Wolfdale1066FSB 3MB 45nm
CPU Cooling - ASUS V-60 (Intel 775 CPU Heatsink & Fan)
Memory 1 - OCZ Reaper DDR2-1066 4GB Kit (OCZ2RPR10664GK)
Motherboard - ASUS P5Q (1600FSB,DDR2-1200,PCI-E,RAID,GbLAN)
Hard Drive 1 - Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA II (WD5000AAKS)
Optical Drive 1 -ASUS 5X Blu-Ray Rom/12X DVD-RW COMBO BC-1205PT
Video - BFG GF8800GT OC 512MB (BFGE88512GTOCE)
Audio - Onboard Audio
Network Card - Onboard Network Card
Case - Antec Three Hundred The Versatile Gamer Case (Black)
Power Supply - Antec NeoHE 500W ATX Low-speed Fan UL/CSA/CUL/FCC

PRICE = $1133.00 - a little high. Where could I scrimp to do better, or save on heat with little cost in performance?

What do you think? The Motherboard and RAM are where I am most fuzzy. I'm worried about the non HD components on the motherboard. is this a problem? Do I need a 1066mhz FSB and/or 1066mhz RAM?

I'm planning to configure and buy the PC here.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[g10]

considering I built a stronger machine for less money I would recommend buying from Directcanada.com or ncix.com and price matching against DC

 

[philthygeezer]

considering I built a stronger machine for less money I would recommend buying from Directcanada.com or ncix.com and price matching against DC

The Blue Ray disc is $190.00. The machine without would be about $980. Does this make a difference?

 

[g10]

theres a combo BR/HDDVD at DC for 140$

 

[g10]

Oh and I forgot, You cannot use PCI cards within a pci express slot they are 2 different technologies but most motherboards still have legacy pci slots.

 

[philthygeezer]

Oh and I forgot, You cannot use PCI cards within a pci express slot they are 2 different technologies but most motherboards still have legacy pci slots.

Thanks - do I need to buy a 1066mhz FSB MB and 1066mhz RAM for the Intel e7200?

Also, can I easily get away with an 800mhz FSB?

What about 800mhz RAM?

 

[g10]

I wouldnt recommend a 800fsb processor, right now I would buy a e8400 its 170$ and has awesome performance, specially since you are looking at the p45 chipset motherboard. No need to go 1066 or higher ram neither unless you plan to overclock, ddr2 800 will give you more then enough performance IMHO

 

[SKYMTL]

Hi Phil. I see you live in TO judging from your choice of PC parts shop.

I am going to suggest that you take a look at Canada Computers who will assemble your system for you and seem to have better rpices than the shop you linked to.

Let's see if we can get you going here....

CPU: E7200 for $137
Mobo: P5Q-E for $173
RAM: Mushkin Redline 4GB for $70 after MIR
GPU: Palit HD4850 for $200
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 640GB for $90
Optical Drive: Pioneer 215-D for $30
Case: Silverstone Kublai for $123
PSU: Corsair VX550 for $78 after MIR


Now, that comes to a total of $901 by my calculations for a kick-ass system before installation and OS.

EDIT: ok, the PSU.

 

[Spaceman-Spiff]

Very good recommendations from Sky. The Radeon 4850 will be much better than the 8800 GT (unless if you can get the 8800 GT for $100). The Pioneer 215-D optical drive doesn't have HD (blu-ray) though, you'll have to go with the ASUS one in the original post.

 

[3.0charlie]

I third Sky's recommended parts, but I would add an aftermarket HSF. OCZ's Vendetta II, or the Arctic Cooler 7 Pro.