Normally I spend weeks researching things to death before making a system purchase. However, my existing game rig died Saturday with what may be a failed mobo or CPU. So now it's time for an emergency upgrade!
I will use this computer 95%+ for games. I had an upgrade budget in mind of $1000, and this list has gone over budget. I want good quality, reliability, and performance. I will probably not overclock at all. Or if I do, it will be very minor.
Feel free to make suggestions/alterations to the listed components. I hope to order no later than tomorrow.
New components (prices/specs from Newegg)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6400
Item #: N82E1681911500
($217)
ASUS P5B Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5B Deluxe
Item #: N82E16813131045
($183)
(2x) CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X1024-6400 - Retail
Model #: CM2X1024-6400
Item #: N82E16820145153
($276)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3250620AS
Item #: N82E16822148144
($80)
BFG Tech BFGR650PSU ATX 12v 2.0 / EPS 12V 650Watts Power Supply - Retail
Model #: BFGR650PSU
Item #: N82E16817702003
($110)
BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: BFGR88640GTSE
Item #: N82E16814143074
($450)
Existing components that will be reused
Case - Antec P160 with front 120mm fan
Optical - Lite-On DVD+/-RW
Optical - Lite-On CR RW
Drive - WD Raptor 36GB (will use as internal backup drive, or game drive)
Sound - Creative Labs X-Fi Platinum
FD/Card - Mitsumi Floppy/Card Reader combo
I chose the 8800 for longevity and the fact that it is one of the few cards that will support DirectX 10. Otherwise, I would have spec'ed a 7900 for almost half the cost.
I chose the E6400 over the E6300 because the performance gain seemed justified for the slight increase in price. Though I'm over budget, so I may have to reconsider. The mobo was chosen based on posts and reviews I've seen. Though it is one of the more expensive boards out there.
Let me know what you think.
I will use this computer 95%+ for games. I had an upgrade budget in mind of $1000, and this list has gone over budget. I want good quality, reliability, and performance. I will probably not overclock at all. Or if I do, it will be very minor.
Feel free to make suggestions/alterations to the listed components. I hope to order no later than tomorrow.
New components (prices/specs from Newegg)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6400
Item #: N82E1681911500
($217)
ASUS P5B Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5B Deluxe
Item #: N82E16813131045
($183)
(2x) CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X1024-6400 - Retail
Model #: CM2X1024-6400
Item #: N82E16820145153
($276)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3250620AS
Item #: N82E16822148144
($80)
BFG Tech BFGR650PSU ATX 12v 2.0 / EPS 12V 650Watts Power Supply - Retail
Model #: BFGR650PSU
Item #: N82E16817702003
($110)
BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: BFGR88640GTSE
Item #: N82E16814143074
($450)
Existing components that will be reused
Case - Antec P160 with front 120mm fan
Optical - Lite-On DVD+/-RW
Optical - Lite-On CR RW
Drive - WD Raptor 36GB (will use as internal backup drive, or game drive)
Sound - Creative Labs X-Fi Platinum
FD/Card - Mitsumi Floppy/Card Reader combo
I chose the 8800 for longevity and the fact that it is one of the few cards that will support DirectX 10. Otherwise, I would have spec'ed a 7900 for almost half the cost.
I chose the E6400 over the E6300 because the performance gain seemed justified for the slight increase in price. Though I'm over budget, so I may have to reconsider. The mobo was chosen based on posts and reviews I've seen. Though it is one of the more expensive boards out there.
Let me know what you think.