Help with hardware for my new box.


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Hey guys. I am going to be purchasing the parts for my first custom built box that I have ever done. Here is what I have so far.

Processor: Intel C2D E6420 Conroe 2.13Ghz

Motherboard: MSI P6N Platinum (NForce 650i SLI Chipset)

Memory: Kingston ValueRam 2GB DDR2-800 (2x1GB)

Operating System: Windows XP Home-OEM

Graphics Card: Gigabyte Geforce 8600GTS 256MB

Hard-Drive: Western Digital 160GB SATA 7200RPM

Case: Logisys XBladeCS859BK

- 450Watt PS Included +12v 18A

The grand total of all this will run me $865 right now. It will go down a few bucks when I buy all the parts. However how does everything look? Any recommendations anyone could make? I need to meet the following requirements.

- Stay below $900

- Be able to play BF2, BF2142 at max settings with good frame rates.

- Be able to play most new games at near max settings with good frame rates.

Would I be able to do that with this build. Right now on my current box I have the following.

AMD Sempron 3600+

1.25GB DDR2-677

GeForce 7600GT

That graphics card that I will be getting should be alot better than what I have right now correct?

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I have the MSI K9N Platinum, good board.

Can you change ram to Corsair XMS2 or OCZ platinum?

Get XP Pro...

Western Digital or Seagate, your choice.

DO NOT USE that case's power supply, get a Seasonic S12..

Processor: Intel C2D E6420 Conroe 2.13Ghz Good choice

Motherboard: MSI P6N Platinum (NForce 650i SLI Chipset) Go for P965 instead... runs cooler, similar overclocking capabilities. (Or I have a brand new Asus P5N-E SLI that I used for 2 days for testing, if you are interesting in getting it off my hands...)

Memory: Kingston ValueRam 2GB DDR2-800 (2x1GB) Switch to the OCZ Platinum XTC Rev.2, they are cheap and awesome ram.

Operating System: Windows XP Home-OEM Why not XP Pro or Vista?

Graphics Card: Gigabyte Geforce 8600GTS 256MB Your choice... personally I would find one with the best/most silent cooler; never used it so I don't know.

Hard-Drive: Western Digital 160GB SATA 7200RPM Go for a Seagate PMR drive instead (7200.10)

Case: Logisys XBladeCS859BK Do not used the included power supply. You don't want your stuff to end up in smoke lol

- 450Watt PS Included +12v 18A

  chconline said:
Processor: Intel C2D E6420 Conroe 2.13Ghz Good choice

Motherboard: MSI P6N Platinum (NForce 650i SLI Chipset) Go for P965 instead... runs cooler, similar overclocking capabilities. (Or I have a brand new Asus P5N-E SLI that I used for 2 days for testing, if you are interesting in getting it off my hands...)

Memory: Kingston ValueRam 2GB DDR2-800 (2x1GB) Switch to the OCZ Platinum XTC Rev.2, they are cheap and awesome ram.

Operating System: Windows XP Home-OEM Why not XP Pro or Vista?

Graphics Card: Gigabyte Geforce 8600GTS 256MB Your choice... personally I would find one with the best/most silent cooler; never used it so I don't know.

Hard-Drive: Western Digital 160GB SATA 7200RPM Go for a Seagate PMR drive instead (7200.10)

Case: Logisys XBladeCS859BK Do not used the included power supply. You don't want your stuff to end up in smoke lol

- 450Watt PS Included +12v 18A

Alright thanks for your input guys. I was kind of leary about using a PS with a case also. Instead I will get a case without a PS and buy a PS. Suprisingly I also bought a $60 Logisys 550W PS about 2 months ago for my 7600GT and Sempron and have not had a single problem with it. I don't think it would be a good idea to run that with all the new stuff though. The P965 you are talking about, what board is that? I looked on NewEgg and typed in P965 but there were numerous choices. With that memory I see the voltage is at 2.1V. Would that board still run it? If not all I would have to do is change the voltage setting in the bios correct? That RAM looks good. As far as Vista goes I am trying to stay away from it for awhile until they come out with a few patches for it and there is more driver support. XP Pro might be a choice for me.

Personally I would go for a P5B-Plus or something. Or you can go for a P5K board for Intel P35 chipsets :p The RAM would work, the Platinum XTC Rev 2 boots off at 1.9V; and I've tried a load of OCZ memory (SOE Urban Elite, Flex XLC PC2-6400 CL4, Reaper HPC PC2-8500, etc) on various boards, including P965, 975X, and 650i (Native and hybrid). No probs at all.

For power supply, got for an OCZ GameXStream or a Seasonic M12/S12/S12+. They cost a little more, but it is worth the cash for top quality build and efficiency.

  chconline said:
Personally I would go for a P5B-Plus or something. Or you can go for a P5K board for Intel P35 chipsets :p The RAM would work, the Platinum XTC Rev 2 boots off at 1.9V; and I've tried a load of OCZ memory (SOE Urban Elite, Flex XLC PC2-6400 CL4, Reaper HPC PC2-8500, etc) on various boards, including P965, 975X, and 650i (Native and hybrid). No probs at all.

For power supply, got for an OCZ GameXStream or a Seasonic M12/S12/S12+. They cost a little more, but it is worth the cash for top quality build and efficiency.

Alright I will look into those Motherboards. The OCZ Powersupply is a little to high for me. I was looking at this Powersupply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104123). Its a 500W the 12V rail is at 28Amps.

Alright I took your advice on the powersupply and thanks to you now I am at a little over $1,100. Ah its ok I would rather have a good quality box that will last me for awhile. This is what I have planned now.

Processor: Intel C2D E6420 Conroe 2.13Ghz

Motherboard: MSI P6N Platinum (NForce 650i SLI Chipset)

Memory: Kingston ValueRam 2GB DDR2-800 (2x1GB)

Operating System: Windows XP Home or Pro - OEM

Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB

Hard-Drive: Western Digital 160GB SATA 7200RPM

Case: RaidMax Smiliodon (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156063)

PowerSupply: ThermalTake ToughPower 650W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153040)

Thanks for your help guys.

The PSU could be better, but it's alot better than what you had before. The PSU that u were going to use would be fine in the short term, but long term, u could be running into serious issues (not with just the PSU but ur whole system). Everything else looks good to me, and the 8800GTS will be noticeably better than the 8600GTS :)

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