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Suggestions for New Computer Configuration

(8 posts)
  • Started 4 years ago by lloydipp
  • Latest reply from lloydipp
  • Topic Viewed 2483 times

lloydipp
Posts: 7

I am in the process of building a computer, as per this article (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto.....-hardware/)

I would like your opinions on these components (i.e. if there are any compatibility issues, am I cutting corners, etc).

Here they are:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6819115032

Foxconn P9657AB-8EKRS2H LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6813186116

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6820161063

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6822135106

HIS Hightech H105H256RDDN-R Radeon X1050 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6814161202

Rosewill R804BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W with 20+4Pin&1 SATA Connectors Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6811147024

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....H-20A1L-05

Total Price: $379.93 + shipping

Thank you in advance.

Posted 4 years ago #
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thegeek
The Geek
Posts: 2059

For just a couple of dollars more you could double the hard drive size: http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6822136075 If you look around, you might be able to find a better deal.

You might want to go with a single 2GB memory stick, makes for better upgrade capacity in the future... also you can save a few bucks on this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....=DDR2+800+(PC2+6400)

I'm not sure how fast that video card is... it's not listed on the VGA charts. It could be perfectly decent.. perhaps somebody else around here will know.

For a few bucks more you could upgrade the processor to a faster model, this one runs at 1066mhz and has a lot more cache, but it's also 45nm which means it will run cooler than the one you picked: http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6819115052

Either way, pretty decent overall for a budget pc.

Posted 4 years ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

I would go for an AMD. For the same money you can get a 5600+ Brisbane, or if you want to stay in the 2.4GHz range go with the 4800+ for less money. That is an excellent processor and runs very, very cool. Both have a 2000MHz FSB. I have a 4800+ myself. It is faster than my Intel Q6600 Quad core.

Posted 4 years ago #
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lloydipp
Posts: 7

What about this card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6814127294

I honestly don't know that much about graphics cards (or processors).

Posted 4 years ago #
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thegeek
The Geek
Posts: 2059

If you aren't going to be using this for video games, I'm sure that card would work perfectly fine.

You can see video card performance charts here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/ch.....584%2C1617

Note that any card that even shows up on that chart is probably going to be pretty decent for Windows.

Posted 4 years ago #
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ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 6609

@The Geek: If you go with one DIMM instead of a matched pair, you lose the supposed benefit of Dual Channel memory. That article at Wikipedia mentions a test by Tom's Hardware Group showing little benefit to dual channel. Is it all just hype?

@lloydipp: I would suggest that you consider a motherboard with a Intel P35 chipset. The P965 is an older chipset, though "old" is a relative term. The P35 has new features and more future potential, but the price goes up a little. If you were to pick up a 45nm CPU, as The Geek suggests, you would need the P35 motherboard for compatibility. The P965 does not officially support the 45nm procs.

Posted 4 years ago #
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thegeek
The Geek
Posts: 2059

@ScottW: That's a good point... although I'm quite sure the P965 will usually work with a BIOS update, if the board doesn't already come with the latest BIOS version.

But you are right... probably best to either use 65nm or get the newer board to avoid issues.

[Edit]: This is why I recommend asking for feedback... we've got some very knowledgeable geeks around here :-)

Posted 4 years ago #
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lloydipp
Posts: 7

Thank you for all you're help, I think I am ready to build this.

Posted 4 years ago #
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