Intel System Plans

[BALISTX]

So the build is moving on. I have picked up my motherboard, my memory and case.

Here will be the system specs:

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard - $89.99 (Purchased)
G.SKILL F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN Dual Channel Memory - $79.99 (Purchased)
INTEL XEON PROCESSOR E3110 3.0G 1333 MHZ FSB - $204.94
Thermalright ULTIMA-90 6 Heatpipe Cooler LGA775 AM2 CPU Heatsink - $37.80
Scythe Kama 92MM PWM Fan 200-2500RPM 0-31DBA 0-55CFM 4PIN with Molex Adaptor - $4.86
EVGA E-GEFORCE 9600GT Superclocked 675MHZ 512MB 1.8GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card - $178.26
Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - $105.00
Coolermaster CM 690 Mid Tower Black ATX Case 5X5.25 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB Sound Firewire & eSATA - $69.99 (Purchased)

Total: $770.83

The reason for the 9600GT and not the 8800 GT is to cut down on cost plus I do plan on on running SLI in the future, now I know what you are thinking "That board doesn't support SLI." So I plan on making a couple of upgrades in the 4-6 month future.

Evga Nforce 780I Sli LGA775 Atx 3PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Raid Sound Gblan 1394 Motherboard
Second EVGA E-GEFORCE 9600GT Superclocked 675MHZ 512MB 1.8GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card

[JD]

Looks good.

I've been thinking about those E3110s but I think I'm going to go for a Q9450 instead.

[Babrbarossa]

awesome! glad you're finally getting hooked up again.

[BALISTX]

I was having a chat with John (3.0Charlie) and I know I keep changing my mind on what I want for this system. I'm an impulse buyer and it's a bad habit and because of this I tend to change my mind about what I want. John reminded me of the 4 questions I needed to ask myself regarding my build. I hope John doesn't mind but I'm gonna share this with everyone.

1. budget?
2. how long do you wish to keep it?
3. which softwares do you have already installed on your current rig?
4. what do you typically do with your computer?

Answer honestly and I'll build you a rig. Tell me which parts you already have and wish to re-use, and which parts you absolutely want in your rig.

Here are my answers.
1. budget?
A. not including parts I already have $500-$600
2. how long do you wish to keep it?
A. 2-3 years
3. which softwares do you have already installed on your current rig?
A. Windows XP, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Dreamweaver, Call of Duty 4, GRAW2, Stranglehold
4. what do you typically do with your computer?
A. Game, graphics, web design, surf the net.

Current parts
Gigabyte P35-DS3L
2x1GB G.Skill F2 PC2-8500
Coolermaster CM690
Seagate 250GB SATAII
LG 18X DVD±RW

There are no parts that I have my heart set on.

John quickly came up with the following parts:
OCZ Stealthxstream 600W ATX12V 20/24PIN Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan Black In Stock 23934 $74.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.33GHZ 1333FSB 4MB Retail In Stock 25297 $178.99
EVGA E-GEFORCE 9600GT 650MHZ 512MB 1.8GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card In Stock 28844 $168.88
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro LGA775 2500RPM 45CFM In Stock 17225 $26.01 $26.01

TOTAL $448.87

I think John picked some good choices. I would like to hear some of your choices.

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by BALISTX

I hope John doesn't mind but I'm gonna share this with everyone.

More options is better for you.

Actually I chose those parts in about 5 minutes - one area of improvement can be the HSF. Spend $40 more for a TRUE 120 and still be within budget.

[Babrbarossa]

The e3110 is on for 220, and the BFG 650W is on for $50 at NCIX - this combo would lonly cost you 15 dollars more

[BALISTX]

Thanks. ah but that BFG is $50 after MIR. I hate MIRs.

The E3110 would be sweet, but I'm wondering should I spend a bit more a get a Q6600 since I do do graphic rendering and such?

[3.0charlie]

Go for a Quad if your software uses all 4 cores.

[BALISTX]

I'd have to check to see if it uses all 4 cores.

Does anyone have an opinion on the ASUS P5N-E SLI?

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by BALISTX

I'd have to check to see if it uses all 4 cores.

Does anyone have an opinion on the ASUS P5N-E SLI?

Why change boards? You what the DS3L can do, unless you want to go for SLI. And you know what I think of that.