Chosen Parts For Custom PC

[aplayaz2000]

Well I want to build a custom PC with the help of my friends who happens to know more than me about computer hardware. I get to choose my own parts and save some cash so why not? I am on a tight budget around $500 to spend. Here are chosen parts, comments are welcomed.

Newegg link there for more information but the closest computer store is Canada Computers so I will buy from there.

Video card won't be bought now because shortage on cash.

Case $81.99
CPU $138.99
Motherboard $98.99
PSU $50.99
RAM $55.99
Hard Drive $85.99
DVD Drive $29.49
----------------
$542.43
x .14 tax added
--------
$619

Case
NZXT Apollo ATX Tower Case - $81.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...304&cid=CS.664
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146025
I was looking for an overall nice case with a clear side panel so I can see inside my computer also it has a nice blue light finish. The case has decent reviews from Newegg so why not?

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 - $138.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...190&cid=CPU.84
http://www.newegg.com/Store/BrandSub...PUs-Processors
I don't really want to spend more money on a quad because I have a really tight budget and I just prefer Intel because they have good ratings and reviews from everyone plus strong solid benchmarks.

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Socket 775 - $98.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...018&cid=MB.157
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128084
Decent motherboard, save some cash.

Power Supply
Cooler Master Extreme Power 550W ATX Silent Power Supply - $50.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...471&cid=PS.808
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171016
Good product features, nice and quiet.

RAM
OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz Gold XTC 2GB Dual Channel Kit - $55.99
http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...id=RAM.346.307
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227078
Not 2.1V, trusty brand.

Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda SATA 3.0Gb/s 500GB - $85.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...cid=HD.443.877
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288
Normal 500GB, think thats all I need.

DVD Drive
Samsung SATA Black DVD-Writer 20xDVD - $29.49
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...645&cid=CR.184
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151153
Trusty Samsung, 20X speed.

Video Card
Zotac 9600GT 512MB nVidia GeForce 9600GT Chipset - $179.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...id=999.243.390
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500019
Decent price for a powerful card, I like the new 9600 series.

Thanks for reading, I'd like to hear from you!

[hugejazz]

First of all, I think you need ram too.

Since you are from Ontario, you are better off buying from NCIX or Direct Canada because you don't have to pay PST. Also, prices at those 2 places generally beat the prices at CanadaComputers (especially if you count the PST savings).

The same motherboard is cheaper at Direct Canada, and equivalent Harddrive sells for ~ $78 at Direct Canada, the ROM drive is about $24 online, and there was a recent 9600 from NCIX for $108 (there might still be stock).

Shipping from Direct Canada is free if you spend more than $300. So there isn't really a catch, other than a credit card I guess.

[willy]

Get a E2160 and run it @ 266MHz FSB ... Save yourself ~ $70 ! Performance will be pretty close to E4600 ...

[Shinjieva01]

Video Card
Zotac 9600GT 512MB nVidia GeForce 9600GT Chipset - $179.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...=999 .243.390
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500019
Decent price for a powerful card, I like the new 9600 series.

from my understanding 9600 is just a slight stepup from the 8600.

you're better off getting the EVGA 8800GT 512MB from TD instead. its currently on sale for 159.99 (after $78 instant savings and $30 MIR) until May 31st (and i believe they currently have free shipping until then)

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...922&CatId=3670


i just purchased one 4 days ago and its eaten alive every game ive thrown at it (on 1280x1024 resolution very high-max settings)

[GVRtrader]

9600GT is NOT just a slight step up from 8600. Its a whole lot better and even slightly better than 8800GS. Its about 15-25% lower than 8800GT (depending on what you're doing).

Anyways, first thing i recommend is changing the PSU. The CM 550W PSU might seem like a good deal (decent brand and all) but unless you like hearing your PSU, don't get it. Not sure on the price on the Muskin 550W in GTA but its a much better PSU at a similar price in GVR.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=MUSHKIN

Case - I really like CM690 (even tho i didn't like the CM PSU... ironic isn't it?). It's price ~$70-80 in GVR so i assume its about that in GTA too. CM590 is a similar case if you like that design more (also pretty much same price). Don't know much about the case you picked.

HD - Nothing wrong with what you pick but if Samsung F1 doesn't cost a lot more, its a faster HD.

Mobo - If you can PM, NCIX has it @ 89.99. Otherwise, its still probably the best mobo at that price. DFI Bloodiron is better for overclocking but priced slightly more. An alternative if you like easy overclocking.

Video card = really depends on price as it various. For example, last week, in your situation, NCIX had 8800 GS for $90 after rebate which is a great deal that you can grab now. Months from now, there might be a better deal else where (eg 4000 series from AMD is coming out soon and should be showing up in stores around June).

Finally CPU - I say either go with e2160 or e8200. You can use the money you save from e2160 to grab a better heatsink and overclock it much higher than stock speed of e4600. e8200 is pretty new so stock might be hard to fine but its nice price for a brand new 45nm CPU. Should be nice to overclock (no experience overclocking it... yet).

[willy]

Finally CPU - I say either go with e2160 or e8200. You can use the money you save from e2160 to grab a better heatsink and overclock it much higher than stock speed of e4600. e8200 is pretty new so stock might be hard to fine but its nice price for a brand new 45nm CPU. Should be nice to overclock (no experience overclocking it... yet).

To run a E2160 @ 2.4GHz, stock heatsink is good enough.

[cjpark]

I'd probably change the psu...maybe something from Corsair. Their VX line is only slightly more expensive, HX line is a bit more if you want modular.

It could just be me, but I'd go with Western Digital over Seagate for the hard drive unless you're really looking for that longer warranty, you'll likely be happier with the noise of the WD...or a Samsung.

[azn_dan]

looked through you build,

the only things i would suggest are get a better psu(not saying its bad, but you do get what you pay for), and ordering from directcanada can save you on pst and then some, since prices tend to be better there.

[Silver Bullet]

Changes I'd say to make ...

GFX: Gigabyte 8800GT - $149 (with $20 MIR) NCIX
Hard to be this price for an 8800GT.

RAM: OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 PC2-6400 2GB - $31.99 (with $30 MIR) NCIX
2.1v though it makes no difference, because your P35 board can easily change the ram voltage.

CPU: E7200 - $139 - NCIX
45nm, less heat and faster than E4x00 series

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $88 - Direct Canada
Better price.

CASE: Antec Sonata Plus 550 - $157 - DC
Better power supply than the cheaper Coolermaster and better case than NZXT .. though a little less flashy.

Otherwise not too bad

As always check pricecanada.com for the best prices, and I'd say order as much as you can from NCIX, price match and you'll end up with a better system for less money.

[evoviii]

Agreed on the E7200

9600gt vs 8800gt is depending on pricing difference given the performance difference. For some they rather have the quieter 9600gt than 8800gt which have been known to be loud. Not sure about the gigabyte model.

[terrybear]

HD - Nothing wrong with what you pick but if Samsung F1 doesn't cost a lot more, its a faster HD.

Only 1 problem with that, there not warrentied in canada anymore ..

[terrybear]

Changes I'd say to make ...

GFX: Gigabyte 8800GT - $149 (with $20 MIR) NCIX
Hard to be this price for an 8800GT.

RAM: OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 PC2-6400 2GB - $31.99 (with $30 MIR) NCIX
2.1v though it makes no difference, because your P35 board can easily change the ram voltage.

CPU: E7200 - $139 - NCIX
45nm, less heat and faster than E4x00 series

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $88 - Direct Canada
Better price.

CASE: Antec Sonata Plus 550 - $157 - DC
Better power supply than the cheaper Coolermaster and better case than NZXT .. though a little less flashy.

Otherwise not to bad

As always check pricecanada.com for the best prices, and I'd say order as much as you can from NCIX, price match and you'll end up with a better system.

+1

Add that seagate 500 drive to it & your set imho.
I'd sugest a AMD setup but most peaple refuse to support/recomend them so

[aplayaz2000]

Yeah Directcanada is offering free shipping on orders over $300 so that is pretty sweet also their prices are much cheaper.

[GVRtrader]

Changes I'd say to make ...

GFX: Gigabyte 8800GT - $149 (with $20 MIR) NCIX
Hard to be this price for an 8800GT.

RAM: OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 PC2-6400 2GB - $31.99 (with $30 MIR) NCIX
2.1v though it makes no difference, because your P35 board can easily change the ram voltage.

CPU: E7200 - $139 - NCIX
45nm, less heat and faster than E4x00 series

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $88 - Direct Canada
Better price.

CASE: Antec Sonata Plus 550 - $157 - DC
Better power supply than the cheaper Coolermaster and better case than NZXT .. though a little less flashy.

Otherwise not too bad

As always check pricecanada.com for the best prices, and I'd say order as much as you can from NCIX, price match and you'll end up with a better system for less money.

e7200 has even less stock than e8200 i believe (released pretty much same time). Its a good low wattage chip tho and i would recommend it if you can find it stock.

Antec Sonata Plus does have a nice PSU (Antec Neo series, modular cable 550W that can operate @ 650W if needed) but i don't really like the case. I actually think the NZXT case is better but thats personal opinion. If you like the case, GTA has a cheaper local pickup... (so you can see before you buy).
http://www.swiftgamers.com/ProductDe...=SonataPlus550

8800GT makes more noise than 9600GT if its the 1 slot version. The 2 slot version makes little noise and is much cooler... problem is there aren't many 2 slot versions of it. If you can find a 2 slot version of it great. Or you can wait for 3830/9600 GSO to be released (soon) for lower alt (and lower prices). 4870 based on Internet rumor is suppose to be 50% faster than 9800 GX2 so if thats true, pretty bad time to buy 8800GT now.

[aplayaz2000]

Changed CPU to 7200 since less heat.

PSU - Corsair 550W, good brand.

MOBO - Asus P5N - EM because it has an intergrated 7100Nvidia to keep my company till my 8800GT or 9600GT in two months. ASUS P5N-EM

RAM - OCZ Plat Rev. II from CanadaComputers