E7400 Machine

[xsever]

Hello everyone,

Those are the specs of a my new upcoming build. I will build it once my semester is over (in 3 months), but I thought I should get opinions as early as now. I know prices might drop from now until then, but I just want to make sure I am on the right track. I could buy some of the components as early as now if they are at a discount price/rebate.

I am going to use this computer for gaming (1280x1024)(19 inch monitor non-widescreen), Internet, and some audio/video editing/converting (nothing serious requiring a Quad Core).

Specs:

Intel E7400 --- 120$
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L --- 100$ (85$ After rebate)
4GB of G.Skill RAM (2x2GB) --- 40$
MSI 9600GT 512M OC GeForce 512MB --- 110$ (85 After rebate)
Rosewill RP500-2 500W ATX12V v2.01 Power Supply --- 45$ ( I could replace this with an OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W --- 60$ (25$ After rebate) if there is a need and the price difference is not big.)

As for HDs, I am debating between getting one 1TB HD and partitioning it accordingly or getting one small HD just for the OS and another big one for apps/media/backups. I just want to be able to re-install an OS without loosing everything. (I will be multi-booting)

As for the processor, I would like to overclock it to a speed that does not require a new heatsink/fan and/or huge voltages. I would really appreciate your opinion about this also (safe speeds/voltages/temps...)

My budget goes as far as 550$-600$. Please consider that.

Thank you for your time and for the feedback.

[Soultribunal]

For the PSU, Rosewill is store Branded type...Something you might want to steer clear from (unless someone else here has used them).

NCIX.com - Buy Corsair VX550W 550W ATX 12V 41A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - CMPSU-550VX In Canada.

Corsair Powersupply, to most people here is a religion :)
Going mid-low grade PSU is not always the best idea, if you can fit this into your budget, you should.

Ultra LSP550 550-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, SLI-Ready, 135mm Fan in Canada at TigerDirect.ca

Or, for my chance to Plug an Ultra into the equation this is an alternate.
I use one myself, the 750W version, aside from tons of cables, its been reliable and quiet. Plus, I love the Lifetime warranty.

Good luck,
ST

[3 of 7]

Are those prices from the US newegg site?

[geokilla]

Get the OCZ StealthXStream instead. Way better than the Rosewill.

Hard drive, I'd recommend the WD or Seagate 640GB. It's better than one small drive for OS and then one big drive for data and games imo.

I noticed that you don't have a case.

Also, your prices are from Newegg USA.

[xsever]

I knew that Power Supply was going to cause me trouble. I guess I will go with the OCZ. It is going for 25$ After rebate on the Newegg USA site.

I live in Windsor, Ontario ( all the way down south) and I can get the parts shipped to Detroit and then brought in. Pretty handy isn't it?


What do you guys know about the overclocking potential of the E7400?

[Eagle Eye]

Across the web I have seen this chip as high as 4.0GHz with good cooling, I'd aim for 3.6 to 3.8GHz that would be a pretty good bet.