A build for under $1K CDN

[detn8r]

Hey all, I'm trying to build a system for a $1000 or under, preferably. I already have an Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 I bought a while ago as well as OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 (2GB) ram.

I need -everything- else to make it complete. I recently contacted someone on Kijiji and they compiled the following for the price listed.

-Microsoft Windows XP or Vista (Your Choice!)
-ECS Elitegroup NF650ISLIT-A Motherboard
-Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA2 Hard Drive
-600w Ultra Extreme Power Supply
-Thermaltake Wings RS100 Case
-Samsung DVD-+RW/CD-RW Burner With Lightscribe & Trudirect
-768mb BFG OC or EVGA 8800GTX Video Card (Both Have the Exact same specs and speed)

Retail Value= 1497.54 Your Price: $1140

Does anyone have an opinion on what is listed? It's more than what I want to spend, and it looks a bit over priced. I could be wrong though. Does anyone have any suggestions on what they would use to go with the pre-existing parts? I'm seriously thinking of switching up the tower too, it's fudging ugly.

[VvWolverinevV]

Dude! I can do nearly as good for half the price!
First, you do NOT need a 600W power supply unless you plan on installing RAID HDDs and multiple video cards. Do the math; 450W is plenty. Next, if you have an optical drive in your current computer, just move it over; you will rarely need an optical drive for your secondary PC, and any time you do, you can just get what you need from your new PC via a local area network. Third, I've never heard of that motherboard, but I like to use Intel motherboards with Intel chips; that's partially personal preference and partially common sense in that it minimizes the chances for compatibility issues.

So with all of that in mind, here's my recommendation: Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

I used all of those components in my current build that I put together in January, and it's made me very happy. The motherboard leaves a ton of room for future upgrading, which I missed sorely in my previous machine. I did not get that version of Windows; it looks legit, but read all the fine print on the System Builder's Edition to make sure. The video card in your post is fairly significantly better, but IMO not worth the exorbitant difference in price. The only other thing you might need is an optical drive, but like I said, just reuse an old drive if you can; optical drives haven't changed much in the last 5 years.

Building a working computer is really rewarding somehow. Typing this post makes me want to do it again

Oh, I almost forgot! You can save $90 - and be more of a man - if you scratch the Windows and use Ubuntu instead

[David]

Originally Posted by VvWolverinevV

So with all of that in mind, here's my recommendation: Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

Oh, I almost forgot! You can save $90 - and be more of a man - if you scratch the Windows and use Ubuntu instead

I know you love your Ubuntu, but computers still used RAM and Processors. Granted he doesn't have either on his list, but they're included in the build. So while your system may be cheaper, it isn't as vastly cheaper as that wishlist appears to be.

Anyway, as for building your computer, while it may be rewarding, it probably isn't worth the trouble unless you have a specific configuration in mind. I'm all for retail computers that are already quality tested and have compatible hardware.. but I'd rather just get a laptop these days, so take that for what you will.

Also, for the "low low price of free," you aren't taking into account TCO. Assuming det makes a decent wage, it's likely not worth the time it would take to a) become proficient with the OS, and b) locate, install and configure the Linux alternatives to his Window software. Plug it all you want, but don't screw someone over by not giving them the details.

[detn8r]

I don't like using Newegg as a price companion as they don't ship to Canada.

Another look (for $800):

ASUS P5Q Pro (P45 - CrossfireX)
Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB (Dual Controller)
Diamond Radeon HD 4850 512MB
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 32BIT
Antec Neopower 650W Blue Modular
Samsung 203S TruDirect 20X SATA DVD Writer Lightscribe

[detn8r]

Coolermaster Cosmos Full Tower ATX Case $189.24

ASUS P5Q Pro ATX $151.44

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1000GB 1TB SATA2 7200RPM $207.44

Samsung 203S TruDirect 20X SATA DVD Writer Lightscribe $35.79

Diamond Radeon HD 4850 512MB $199.99

OCZ GameXStream 700W ATX12V $134.01

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 32BIT DVD OEM
FREE SHIPPING FOR THIS ORDER! $111.62

Check Out Summary
Shipping Insurance: $30.89
Subtotal: $1,060.42
No PST - Outside BC residents: $0.00
GST(5%): $53.02
YOUR TOTAL: $1,113.44
CAD

All from NCIX.com... what do you think?

**dets personal notes.. price from directcanada.com ****

Vid card: $191.36
Case: $179.28
Mobo: $138.88
HDD: $168.88
DVD: $26.99
Fan: $117.35
Windows Vista: $99.88
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$922.62
+5 % GST $968.75

[VvWolverinevV]

Originally Posted by David

I know you love your Ubuntu, but computers still used RAM and Processors. Granted he doesn't have either on his list, but they're included in the build. So while your system may be cheaper, it isn't as vastly cheaper as that wishlist appears to be.

Umm... No, as a matter of fact they're NOT included in the build according to his OP. He already has a processor and RAM...

detn8r, the rest of David's post is opinion and should be regarded as the annoying yelp of a female dog ...unless for some strange reason you respect his opinion... but now we're really talking crazy.

Your most recent suggested build looks pretty solid. By now, I'm guessing you want to do some pretty serious stuff with the graphics card. Let us know how it works out

[David]

Originally Posted by VvWolverinevV

Umm... No, as a matter of fact they're NOT included in the build according to his OP. He already has a processor and RAM...

detn8r, the rest of David's post is opinion and should be regarded as the annoying yelp of a female dog ...unless for some strange reason you respect his opinion... but now we're really talking crazy.

Your most recent suggested build looks pretty solid. By now, I'm guessing you want to do some pretty serious stuff with the graphics card. Let us know how it works out

That was below the belt, you're a tool.

[AwesomeSauce]

Er... ignoring the last couple of posts.

It's true: Building a computer isn't necessarily worth it, unless you have a specific configuration in mind. Right now I'm getting ready to build a new computer in the next week or so, and I've spent what seems like forever looking at different parts and components online.

Keep in mind, it's going to be a gaming PC:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (overclocked)
Asus PQ5 ATX motherboard
G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 1066 RAM
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 512MB DDR5 video card
Corsair 750-watt power supply
Seagate SATA 3.0 Gb/s 7200RPM 250GB hard drive, CD/DVD writer, etc etc...

As you can see, I usually try to study up hard on good parts that will effect my performance, as opposed to hard drives and optical drives, which are things that I only spend a few minutes looking for at a budget price because they don't usually effect graphics/processing performance. This strategy is ideal for me because I can spend more money on more vital components and then save more money on basic ones. Do I need a terabyte of hard drive space? No. 250GB will do.

I'm totally getting that same motherboard detn8r, except it's the regular PQ5 instead of the deluxe one or whatever. (I don't want crossfire or SLI or any of that tomfoolery anymore).

Again, it makes it somewhat difficult for me to help you because (a) You don't use Newegg in Canada and (b) prices are gonna be different where you are. My future setup I listed above though is about a thousand bucks on Newegg.com, although with a new Vista OS, monitor, and some other peripherals - including a seperate CPU fan - it's actually upwards of $1,500.

One big factor is: What are you going to be using this computer for? If it's anything that involves heavy graphics or multimedia, then you're gonna have to go for a more powerful machine. Otherwise you can save a lot of money by buying a basic machine that will do pretty much everything else.

So yeah.. do a LOT of looking. Look online for pieces of hardware that are very popular, with lots of positive reviews. This is what helps me know I'm getting a quality product that is very commonplace as well, e.g. I can quickly figure out if it will work with the rest of my setup.

Good luck man. Edit: Eh... should've added more info on hard drive and disc drive. Done though.

[David]

Originally Posted by AwesomeSauce

As you can see, I usually try to study up hard on good parts that will effect my performance, as opposed to hard drives and optical drives, which are things that I only spend a few minutes looking for at a budget price because they don't usually effect graphics/processing performance. This strategy is ideal for me because I can spend more money on more vital components and then save more money on basic ones. Do I need a terabyte of hard drive space? No. 250GB will do.

I agree completely on size (and optical drives), however I wouldn't overlook the performance gain of WD Raptors and other 10,000rpm disks. They're a little louder, but they do provide a hike in speed that is great if you're doing a lot of disk-intensive work. (Games, for example).

Also, separation of disks can be a factor. I always try and install the OS on a disk that I don't do a lot of data access to. So somewhere that you put all your p2p content, you wouldn't also want the OS installed. (Very hurtful during, say a copy operation to another disk).

There isn't too much else to say about disks though, and any optical drive you find will probably be just great.

[detn8r]

Your right, I'd only be using this for light useage, light gaming etc so I made a new list with less extreme items (put an upgrade in video card).. AND cheaper, which I like

Coolermaster Cosmos
ASUS P5Q ATX
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB
Samsung 203S TruDirect 20X SATA DVD Writer Lightscribe
EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GT
Coolermaster Extreme Power 600W
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 32BIT DVD OEM

Dave, the WD Raptors are a little pricey.. but with the money I'm saving I MAY just buy one as a secondary HDD.

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BTW, DirectCanada kicks Newegg's ass anyday!