Author Topic: My new cheap ass computer build (Read 4614 times)

mgz · « **Reply #20 on:** September 14, 2009, 12:56:19 PM »

i had OCZ gamexstream 700w psu, worked great for about a year and a half, then died out of nowhere, and may have been bad in part from the beginning i had always had intermittent usb troubles with my cpu and figured it was motherboard, because at some point in time i replaced the mother board and it fixed the problem, unfortunately the PSU died officially shortly after.

Now using the zalman 750w rated for 24hr continuous use, and liking it alot.
Although the ocz worked fine for things for quite a while, it has REALLY long cables which was nice and terrible at the same time

Natheria · « **Reply #21 on:** September 14, 2009, 02:45:08 PM »

Quote from: kureshii on September 14, 2009, 03:12:09 AM

it's most likely an E5300 in that thing, pretty much the last thing you want unless your budget is so low you can't afford anything else (in which case I can recommend you a cheaper and better AMD build).

I love how they don't even tell which Pentium it is or how many cores it has. LOL Best Buy.

At first i looked at that case and PSU and thought "meh.." until i noticed the free shipping. That knocks like 30+ USD off right there.

Now that I've poured over some of the pictures and reviews it's a really solid looking case.

I've also been looking at some of those other combos you mentioned. As far as the speed of the memory is concerned, is the 2000 worth of bandwidth just wasted on the fact that I'm not getting a new video card yet? Do you really need to get an i7 to utilize it?

Oh, and Xtras, don't feel bad, your not the only one who liked the 2600 XT. I was worried when i got it at first because everyone said it ran hot as a mother, but it's been doing great for as long as I've had it (i think like 2 years now). It's been very reliable.

Lupin · « **Reply #22 on:** September 14, 2009, 02:58:14 PM »

I say wait for AMD's reaction (aka price cuts) to Lynnfield. I suggest this not to buy AMD's but because Intel will surely respond with their own cuts in their existing lineup

Tatsujin · « **Reply #23 on:** September 14, 2009, 03:07:29 PM »

Quote from: Natheria on September 14, 2009, 01:04:09 AM

Quote from: Tatsujin on September 14, 2009, 12:06:16 AM
isn't Core i7 suppose to be better than Core i5? Just wondering.

i7 has hyper threading, which is the only difference. Nice to have 8 threads running although i would spend the money on a better GPU or screen before i would spend it on an i7. The i5 blows away my video card already. The new Lynfields are certainly more affordable than the Bloomfield or Nahelams though. now if only they would stop changing sockets dammit!

I don't really see myself being able to afford two video cards. I would just get one good GPU instead of using SLI or Crossfire.

lol, and i guess i could blow my all my college funds on a computer like that, except I'd be in deep shit. I'm currently looking at $415 for the RAM, mobo, and CPU as a combo deal and i think that's pretty good.

Also, Newegg matches the price of that mobo (with free shipping as well) and undercuts that same exact ram and mobo combo by $10. Go go Newegg!!

college is more important.

kureshii · « **Reply #24 on:** September 14, 2009, 04:25:08 PM »

Quote from: Natheria on September 14, 2009, 02:45:08 PM

I've also been looking at some of those other combos you mentioned. As far as the speed of the memory is concerned, is the 2000 worth of bandwidth just wasted on the fact that I'm not getting a new video card yet? Do you really need to get an i7 to utilize it?

Not just an i7, but plenty of overclocking as well (you need to overclock to reach DDR3-2000 anyway).

I'll just leave a few links to Anandtech since that's my usual read of choice, do feel free to google more articles and make your own conclusions.

Where memory bandwidth does make a difference
And where it doesn't
If you plan on overclocking

That article was written for the Bloomfield i7s, so you're probably wondering what it means for Lynnfield, which has dual-channel DDR3 (on P55) instead of triple-channel on the X58.

Anandtech's conclusion: won't be bandwidth-limited by DDR3-1333 for most cases.

Natheria · « **Reply #25 on:** September 15, 2009, 12:41:09 AM »

Quote from: Tatsujin on September 14, 2009, 03:07:29 PM

college is more important.

LOL, I'd never blow all my money on a new computer, least not any more i couldn't get by without.

BTW, Thanks for all those links Kureshii. Right now I'm looking at these parts.

CPU+RAM
Mobo
Case+PSU

I'm wondering why those sticks of 1333 OCZ were 8 dollars more on their own (originally 11 dollars more) than the 1600 G.Skill. Is OCZ RAM really worth that much (one of the two things i hate about new hardware, little to no reviews)? This is the one thing I'm still hung up on.

Edit: NVM, i wen't back over the specs and the G.Skill has a lower voltage and slightly higher Tras latency. I was wondering why a stick of 1600 was lower priced than a 1333 with the same timings.

The G.Skill is still better though, and for only 2 dollars extra with the combo. It may not make a lick of difference but damnit, it's a good enough excuse for me.

I'm looking at the other GIGABYTE Mobo i was thinking of earlier, but with the same G.Skill memory it's $20 extra for just a few more ports i really don't need.

Slysoft · « **Reply #26 on:** September 15, 2009, 01:37:42 AM »

This isn't my system, but I put it together when I was bored a few months ago. Pretty decent.

Tatsujin · « **Reply #27 on:** September 15, 2009, 02:14:56 AM »

Quote from: Slysoft on September 15, 2009, 01:37:42 AM

This isn't my system, but I put it together when I was bored a few months ago. Pretty decent.

Would switch to G.Skill memory. Better than OCZ and equivalent to Corsair (most, the good ones).

Excale · « **Reply #28 on:** September 16, 2009, 09:53:37 PM »

Truth be told I wouldn't getting a Core i7/i5 as so many socket changed and by Q4 2009 there is gonna be ANOTHER socket change.
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 ($5 cheaper)
CPU :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041 (suggest this if you can pay $20 more; if not then) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 ($10 less)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 (I suggest this if you want to use the savings on something else or)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 (make you use 8GB as having 16GB of ram is useless)
PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036 ( I suggest this for $1 cheaper ^^ and for 1 12v rail instead of 3 as it adds complexity, 50w more output, but i do notice there is that combo deal for $40 dollars so it's up to you)
Case: I cannot recommend anything as the computer case represents the gamer so ya...

fohfoh · « **Reply #29 on:** September 16, 2009, 11:21:48 PM »

Basically, if you're going to reuse parts for a later computer, don't bother with i7 or i5. However, if you're just building a decent power build for current use and then making it into a HTPC later... it's not a bad run.

(I concur)

Natheria · « **Reply #30 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:47:31 AM »

I think Ive pretty much given up at this point on hoping they'll be using the same socket when I'm in the market for a new CPU or mobo again. It was more of a bonus in my mind anyway as i was looking at a Core2 before hand.

@Excale I've already changed most of my earlier parts (from the parts you quoted it sounds as if you are referring to my original post).

I was thinking about that exact same CPU before i saw the new Lynnfields. Certainly a good chip for the price. However, the parts I'm looking at now are only like 10-15 dollars more (that's including the mail in rebate on the mobo you quoted, before that they're the same price) for alot more computer. Also, The memory you linked really isn't all that great for the price (i would also never build anything without 4GB of RAM at least). I prefer This 4GB G.Skill kit for a Core2 build myself.

Edit: I just noticed they lowered the price of the I5 by about 10 bucks.

Tatsujin · « **Reply #31 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:45:05 AM »

Quote from: Natheria on September 15, 2009, 12:41:09 AM

Quote from: Tatsujin on September 14, 2009, 03:07:29 PM
college is more important.

LOL, I'd never blow all my money on a new computer, least not any more i couldn't get by without.

BTW, Thanks for all those links Kureshii. Right now I'm looking at these parts.

CPU+RAM
Mobo
Case+PSU

I'm wondering why those sticks of 1333 OCZ were 8 dollars more on their own (originally 11 dollars more) than the 1600 G.Skill. Is OCZ RAM really worth that much (one of the two things i hate about new hardware, little to no reviews)? This is the one thing I'm still hung up on.

Edit: NVM, i wen't back over the specs and the G.Skill has a lower voltage and slightly higher Tras latency. I was wondering why a stick of 1600 was lower priced than a 1333 with the same timings. The G.Skill is still better though, and for only 2 dollars extra with the combo. It may not make a lick of difference but damnit, it's a good enough excuse for me.

I'm looking at the other GIGABYTE Mobo i was thinking of earlier, but with the same G.Skill memory it's $20 extra for just a few more ports i really don't need.

Gigabyte Mobo +1. G.Skill Memory isn't just good, it's stable and efficient unlike some memory I've dealt with. I can't comment on Corsair since I am a Corsair person but haven't bought any DDR2/3 or experienced with them. The ones before G.Skill were OCZ Raptors and they are good, not that great tho'.

Natheria · « **Reply #32 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:59:49 PM »

So i ordered the parts Monday night. I settled on...

Case: NZXT TEMPEST
CPU: i5 Lynnfield
mobo: ASUS P7P55D
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 1600
PSU: Corsair 650TX

Total: (after shipping+MIRs) $582

Yes, I splurged on the power supply and the mobo.

kureshii · « **Reply #33 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:58:56 PM »

Corsair TX series, overpriced but it's a solid PSU

(and not overpriced by much anyway)

Tatsujin · « **Reply #34 on:** September 23, 2009, 10:53:26 PM »

Quote from: Natheria on September 23, 2009, 01:59:49 PM

So i ordered the parts Monday night. I settled on...

Case: NZXT TEMPEST
CPU: i5 Lynnfield
mobo: ASUS P7P55D
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 1600
PSU: Corsair 650TX

Total: (after shipping+MIRs) $582

Yes, I splurged on the power supply and the mobo.

Just noticed the old RAM that you had for your old computer. Mine are similar to yours, tho' yours seem to be better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

I use 4 of those. I bought them @ 42 dollars back then.

Klocknov · « **Reply #35 on:** September 23, 2009, 11:37:04 PM »

Quote from: Tatsujin on September 23, 2009, 10:53:26 PM

Just noticed the old RAM that you had for your old computer. Mine are similar to yours, tho' yours seem to be better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

I use 4 of those. I bought them @ 42 dollars back then.

I miss G.Skill being cheap on price, it made so many systems for my friends with more cash for me left over...

Natheria · « **Reply #36 on:** September 23, 2009, 11:56:50 PM »

I would certainly never buy that PSU at the original price (160 dollars for a 650w power supply? Not bloody likely). Corsair is a dependable and quality company and everyone seemed glowing about it in the reviews, even the 4-3 star ones.

And Tatsu, if you are referring to my post where i said that i would prefer this G.Skill ram for a Core2 build i wasn't referring to my current desktop, just the RAM that i had picked out on Newegg in my Core2 wish list (I was looking at the Q9400 until Lynnfield came out). I'm using a 4-5 year old AMD Athlon 64 single core @1.6GHz with a gig of RAM.

G.Skill is still pretty cheap compared to other memory Ive looked at, and with great reviews as well for its price. We'll see how it does. ^_^

Klocknov · « **Reply #37 on:** September 24, 2009, 12:07:44 AM »

G.Skill does pretty good on their RAM, I have only got a set of bad chips out of many orders of it from back when it was dog cheap.

Tatsujin · « **Reply #38 on:** September 24, 2009, 12:36:21 AM »

Quote from: Klocknov on September 24, 2009, 12:07:44 AM

G.Skill does pretty good on their RAM, I have only got a set of bad chips out of many orders of it from back when it was dog cheap.

Oh yea, a lot more stable than the RAM I used to use.

Klocknov · « **Reply #39 on:** September 24, 2009, 12:44:55 AM »

Also about the only other ram I touch anymore is Corsair, though I will say Kingston and OCZ are next up after G.Skill