[MangledOne]

Hello all,
I am new to building PCs, so please give me any feedback about this parts list. I am aware I don't have a case, CD drive or HDD, so if anyone has some suggestions, I am open to them. I am trying to keep this under $1,000 if possible. Thanks everyone!

Kingston HyperX DDR2 1066 (x2)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

[Compiler]

Its the end of the line for Core2... no upgrade path.

If you want an intel system, get a i5... cost you a bit more.

If you want it on a budget, an AMD system can be built for less and give you a bit more performance.

Gigabyte is a very good brand.

Scratch the video card, in the next few days or week or so - new DX11 cards will be shipping. For the price of that GTX, you could get something about twice as fast. Like the ATI 5850... who knows.

Here are some very recent CPU benchmarks: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3641&p=7

Thing to notice, the difference in performance between a $100 CPU vs a $600 CPU isn't that much.

I have a Core2Quad, but I've gone back to AMD builds.

[MangledOne]

I don't have any particular loyalty to AMD or Intel, so I will check out the AMD chips. Also, thanks for the tip about the DX11 cards! I'll have to look into that. Any thoughts about a good case, HDD, or CD drive? No need to worry about an OS, I should be getting a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from Microsoft Expert Zone.

Thanks for the quick response!

[Compiler]

CPU AMD X2 240 $60 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103688
CPU AMD X2 550BE $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680
CPU AMD X3 720BE $120 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103649
CPU AMD X4 955BE $200 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674
CPU AMD X4 620 $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103706

MB Gigabyte 780 $75 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128379
MB Gigabyte 785 $90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128395 (ATX 2x 16x slots)
MB Gigabyte 785 $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128394 (mATX)


MB Gigabyte 770 $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128392 (No onboard video)
MB Gigabyte 790 $110 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128387 (High end - Crossfire 8x8 mode)

RAM 2GB DDR2 800 - $30 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098 (G.Skill 2x 1GB)
RAM 4GB DDR2 800 - $47 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

For a good quality, yet low cost basic black case that LOOKS good - (not cheap) - Check out the Antec 300... I don't care for its side-fan opening (some people may need it) - what I do is cut a square off the black-cardboard box the case came with, and TAPE it from the inside. The fans in back/top are enough to suck hot air out.
Antec 300 $55 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

If you want something a bit more upscale... get the Solo. I have the white version.
Antec Solo $90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129018

I'd go with the 785G or 790 chipset boards.... a bit more so with the newer 785s.

If on a budget - $120 for the X3 720 or X4 650 - its a toss up but the X3 has more cache so its faster in general. Heres a review of the $100 quad cores. http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...oc.aspx?i=3638

[Compiler]

HD - I prefer Seagates because they are silent. But I'd stick with 500GB or 1000GB drives. $60/85

DVD-RW drive - Pioneer SATA, about $30 on newegg.

When you build your list, how I listed above is easiest (IMHO) when showing people what you're looking at.

[Mosquito555]

Originally Posted by MangledOne

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible.

Corsair is a good PSU manufacturer, probably among the best...

However, this particular unit is suspected to produce audible coil noise if paired with high end gpus, like the ones you are considering to buy. I read about this problem on various websites, can't confirm it myself though. Check this video out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up_axOyd1Z8

They may have fixed this problem with a newer revision of the unit but I had to inform you anyway. You can get one of the TX series instead.

[MangledOne]

@ Compiler - would the parts you suggested, be able to run games pretty well? I am hoping to be able to play Diablo III when it comes out, and maybe some other upcoming releases.

[Compiler]

Ouch... Mosquito555 - thanks for the heads up. But checking on Youtube, it appears to be a bit of a problem with many who use GTX 200 cards.

From that, I gather the problem is noise interference. High end Video cards have power connections DIRECTLY to the PSU. So the problem is a combination of videocard + PSU. Some PSUs being more sensitive than others. To me, such noise would be unacceptable.

Note: It is not uncommon for electronics to make some noise, very faint. Like some videos showed that even moving the mouse - could generate noise. Had that with a clients notebook... which was one of many problems.

MangledOne:
There is ALWAYS new games coming out... so there will always be upgrades. With how Win7 deals with CPU/GPUs - GPUs are very important. I gave you a link to recent reviews with $100 quad cores. You see that in many games, the X3 is still faster... but in certain other jobs, the $100 X4 is faster... and those tests were done with Vista.

So... yes, a $1000 Core i7 with a two $500 video cards will give you the BEST performance... totaling about $3000 for a game rig. But how much faster is it compared to a $600~700 PC? Typically, both will play most games in 1920x1200 (24" LCD) at 60+ FPS (Frames Per Second). I play in 1920x1200 with a current $65 video card. The $100 4850 is about twice the performance over mine.

So what do you get? That is up to you. How much you want to spend for how much performance? The goal is 60fps AVG. As long as you're over 30, its okay... but 60+ is preferred. Check out reviews of CPUs and GPUs.
For CPUs, I like this one: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?b=2
For GPUs: http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/g...s-cards,1.html

[Mosquito555]

Originally Posted by Compiler

Ouch... Mosquito555 - thanks for the heads up. But checking on Youtube, it appears to be a bit of a problem with many who use GTX 200 cards.

I want to clarify this, my post is based on similar posts I came across while researching Corsair PSUs. So, I can't guarantee that everything I say is true.

But I had to post here cause in most cases, the common parts were the 620HX and a high end video card, either by ATI or NVIDIA.

Originally Posted by Compiler

From that, I gather the problem is noise interference. High end Video cards have power connections DIRECTLY to the PSU. So the problem is a combination of videocard + PSU. Some PSUs being more sensitive than others. To me, such noise would be unacceptable.

Compiler, in most cases similar noises are caused by electrical interference, correct. But here it has to do with the coils or "chokes" on the PSU. These parts sometimes physically vibrate when a lot of electrical current moves through them.

Originally Posted by Compiler

Note: It is not uncommon for electronics to make some noise, very faint. Like some videos showed that even moving the mouse - could generate noise. Had that with a clients notebook... which was one of many problems.

Exactly, this is quite normal in most cases. I had a PSU that made that noise in the past (on a much lower volume though), it is still good and running. My current m/b produces a faint, high pitched noise sometimes, when under load.

But that noise on youtube....The thing was screaming! So, the reason I made this post is to inform MangledOne of this possibility.

As I said, this is probably an issue with HX series alone...Seems like the TX series do not suffer from this.

As Compiler said, this doesn't mean that the PSU has flaws or it may stop working. The PSU will be fine, but this sound could annoy you. If you don't care that much about that then hte 620HX is a good choice.

[BG-0]

If you don't care that much about modular cables, which you really should not, as you're getting a bigger case, then the TX650 would really be your choice. Non-modular units are slightly more reliable, and as there's a possible problem with the HX620, why not?

Another case choice I would like to bring up is/are the Lancool (Lian-Li "cheapo" line) Dragonlord PC-K58 and PC-K62. Very good cable management capability, and a working, convenient tool-less installation mechanism. The Antecs Compiler linked are still very good choices too. Take a look at each and make your choice

[BG-0]

Originally Posted by Compiler

Check out the Antec 300... I don't care for its side-fan opening (some people may need it) - what I do is cut a square off the black-cardboard box the case came with, and TAPE it from the inside. The fans in back/top are enough to suck hot air out.[/url]

BTW, I didn't like the side fan either, but I didn't want to cut my beautiful box, and got bored with the birthday card I taped in there, so I just swapped the panels. The grill doesn't take that much dust in, and whatever it takes will go behind the mobo tray, not causing any real harm. You could block it there too, though. Might look better this way if the case's, err ?left/right? side is visible where you put it.

[MangledOne]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the informative and quick responses. Here is an updated list with a few different case choices.

Lian-Li Lancool PC-K58W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112238
Lian-Li Lancool PC-K58: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112237
Antec Solo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129018

AMD Phenom II x4 BE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674

GA 790x: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128387

RAM 4GB DDR2 800: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Pioneer SATA: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129045

ATI 5750: http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,695043/Ati-Radeon-HD-5770-and-HD-5750-New-middle-class-in-October/News/

Look good?

[BG-0]

Changing RAM to these wouldn't hurt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166 Have been tested hundreds of times compatible with the 790X-UD4P, same price as the high-latency 800 kit from Corsair, decent quality brand, same price, what's not to love?
Graphics, I think you could want 5770 or 5850... Or maybe not. 5750 is better than 4850, which does game very decently... But might start to be a tad bit underpowered with a year or so past the DX11 launch... You can upgrade then, of course..
I would personally get a highly reviewed Samsung instead of a seemingly-bugged-up Pioneer... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151187

[Compiler]

Originally Posted by Mosquito555

I want to clarify this, my post is based on similar posts I came across while researching Corsair PSUs. So, I can't guarantee that everything I say is true.

But I had to post here cause in most cases, the common parts were the 620HX and a high end video card, either by ATI or NVIDIA.

Compiler, in most cases similar noises are caused by electrical interference, correct. But here it has to do with the coils or "chokes" on the PSU. These parts sometimes physically vibrate when a lot of electrical current moves through them.

I know what you're saying. And I'm very glad for the info. I would find that noise unacceptable. I was just stating that others (mostly with GTX 200s) are reporting similar problems with the non Corsair CPUs. That tells me that something is out of spec.. a bit.

The 620HX would be more likely to have a problem because it is modular.... and I do like modular PSUs myself, because of cable clutter. But I also don't have to look for cables when I add drives

[Compiler]

Cases... any of those you listed would work great.

Pioneer has so many models of DVDs... the quality has gone on their bottom end unit I guess. I've used both Samsung and Pioneer... for me, both have worked well.

* Important when reading reviews on Newegg... like WHY the person is giving a product a low score. So one of the guys who was upset, was talking about the lack of software & screws.... is a -$20 OEM drive... hello?

Its a bit of a long wait and see for th new ATI 5000 series cards