Cnox needs a computer! Part 1

[Cnox]

Hey guys, with the holidays around the corner, I’m treating myself to a new computer.:D This will be my first build so I wanted to run my specs past someone (and who better then the crew at pcguide). I will be using this rig for about 80% gaming, and 20% work. In this (part 1) i need help looking over my parts, in part 2
I will keep people informed building process and share my lovely experience. So without further adieu…


CASE - Antec Performance One P180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154)
…Looking for nothing flashy here, and I like the duel chamber design, PSU issues?

MOBO – ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131182 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131182)

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029&Tpk=Core%2b2%2bduo%2b6750%2b2.66Ghz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029&Tpk=Core%2b2%2bduo%2b6750%2b2.66Ghz)

PSU - SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151028 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151028)
…Looks like a solid PSU, I don’t know if the cables will be long enough for the Antec case

VIDEO CARD - XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252)
…currently out of stock at newegg, but a newshipment is coming or I can go elsewhere.

HARDDRIVE - Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055)

RAM - Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227#spec (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227#spec)

OS - Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215)
…I’ve read around on here saying 64bit is the way to go.


And for giggles, here is my current rig… mind you it was bought back in 2002! I couldn’t even find a link anymore to this bad boy.:p
SONY VAIO PCV-RX 7700
Pentium(R) 4 2.22 Ghz
512ram
120GB HD
Windows XP
And I added a RADEON X700 Video card.
...This beast lasted me a long time, but its age is showing and desperately wants to retire.

My main concerns with this upcoming purchase are:

1) Is everything compatible?
2) Will my PSU work with my case? (Length of cables)
3) Are Neweggs extended warranties worth it?

My budget is ~$1500. Currently the rig sits at ~$1400, if I take up some of Newegg’s extended warranties it jumps to about $1600. Does anyone have experience with Neweggs extended warranties? Are they worth it? Or should I look to upgrade a part somewhere?

Any comments on this would be appreciated! I will be popping in and out this week as I am on vacation, yey!:D Happy thanksgiving to everyone celebrating!!!

[George Hallam]

ok mate

CASE = Fine

MOBO = go with a X38 chipset (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280+107172333&name=Intel+X38) because they support 1600Mhz FSB and therefor Penryn and they have PCI-E 2.0 (not that it matter at the moment)make sure it supports DRR2

CPU = get a cheaper one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030) and wait until January and get a nice shiny new 45nm Quad/Dual core :D

PSU = looks ok but take a look at these two
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153039
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

GPU = Fine

HDD = Fine

RAM = Fine so long as you choose a DDR2 MOBO

OS = Fine

My main concerns with this upcoming purchase are:

1) Is everything compatible?
2) Will my PSU work with my case? (Length of cables)
3) Are Neweggs extended warranties worth it?

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) im not sure im not from the USA have to let some else tell you that :p

any more question?

[Cnox]

Thx GH for the quick reply and suggestions!

After looking at your links, I will make the following changes to my list.

PSU - Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153039 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153039)
…mmmm t-giving special & it looks like a beast!

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030)
… I don’t know if I can wait till Jan. for the 45nm chips.:( The spare cash may not be there. I will take the 6550 over the 7550 to save some money, and honestly, I bet anything will be amazing compared to my current P4.

MOBO - ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219)
… Changing to the x38 chipset as suggested (maybe 45nm chips someday) and it still supports DDR2.


I hope to get an order out in the next day or two so I appreciate your time and suggestions. I think it looks like a fairly decent machine so far.:)

[George Hallam]

all looks good then bud

if you cant wait until the 45nm are released get this Quad core you will be blown away and its dirt cheap only $100 more than the E6550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

[Cnox]

Ahh yes, the Q6600. I was eyeballing that baby too. I was debating between that and the Duel Core E6850. I forgot what made me jump down to the E6750 (besides $100 cheaper price/performance thing). I read somewhere that Duel Core's were outdoing quad cores in terms of handling games so that’s why I was favoring the duel core. I have a feeling that’s because current games don't focus on multi core CPU’s. Should I get the Q6600 over a duel core knowing that in the near future the extra cores will pay off over a current duel core?:confused: I have a feeling the answer is yes, just want to be sure before I sink an extra $100 into the machine.

Btw, GH, thx for the help with this! I’m getting twitchy about placing this order in the next 24hrs. I can’t wait!:D