C2D Christmas Build for Sister Config thread - Ordered

[Delk]

*Note that this is 100% unrelated to my other thread in this forum.

Alright I'm building a computer for my sister for Christmas. I just yesterday agreed to make one for her. So I'm kinda rushing to get this ordered and would like some opinions. I'm going to overclock it, of course, but not as crazily as my other system in here.

I made a Newegg Public Wishlist: here

When I'm building it I'll take lots of pictures and put 'em here.

So here is what I'm planning to buy:

• Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $44.99
• Mobo: ASUS P5B-E Intel P965 Express - $150.99
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe - $181.00
• Graphics: eVGA GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 - $129.99
• RAM: G.SKILL (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - $219.99
• Storage: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB x2 in RAID 0 - $159.98
• Cooling: Thermaltake Big Typhoon 120mm Cooling Fan with Heatsink - $45.99
• PSU: OCZ GameXStream 600W Power Supply - $114.99
• Monitor: Hanns·G Black 19" 5ms Widescreen - $179.99
• DVD Burner: SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ LightScribe - $31.99
• Floppy: SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - $7.99
• Keyboard/Mouse: Microsoft Black Wired Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - $26.99
• Mouse Pad: XTRAC Ripper Optical Mouse Pad - $8.95
• Sound Card: None - $0.00
• Speakers: Logitech X-230 32 watts RMS 2.1 Black Speaker System - $35.99

Total: $1,310.82 ($1,348.82 - $38.00 MIR)

Of course, any advise and help is greatly appreciated.

[Chozart]

Very nice!

A few comments:

• Graphics: This eVGA 7600GT is not much more expensive, and a better performer.
• RAM: Since you seem to have picked nicely overclockable parts, you might want to check for some good DDR2 800 RAM. This G.Skill kit costs the same, and is DDR2 800. Pretty good deal if you ask me
• PSU: you can save some money here with this Silverstone 500W (35A on the 12V rails). A very good PSU and more than enough power for this rig. Alternatively, I'd pick the OCZ GameXStream 600W over the Powerstream if you want to stay OCZ.
• Monitor: for that price, go 19"!! There are several good ones for that price or less, like this ViewSonic

Otherwise, nicely done!

[TheEddie]

Buy a 19" WS over that 17" (Hanns-G 19" is actually cheaper).. its sort of a no brainer!

Edit: Just like Chozart said!

[Delk]

Thank you both for responding.

Something came up though and I may have to order this as early as tonight.

I updated the specs with your suggestions (thanks again), but I don't have time to edit the first post right now. I'm in school and I'll update it when I get home. I changed the monitor, but I couldn't find any Viewsonics that got reviews as good as this one. So I put that in there, please tell me what you think.

To see the updated list, go here.

Thanks again.

EDIT- Updated list in first post.

[Chozart]

That monitor is not a widescreen. And if you mean the Newegg 'reviews', I actually don't even look at those anymore

The Hanns-G monitor TheEddie listed is also pretty good... take a look at it

[Delk]

Thanks. I decided to go with that monitor. I was a little skeptical of widescreen, but it looks pretty cool.

Oh, and if you don't go by ratings and reviews, what do you go by? Just wondering.

[Chozart]

I go by reviews by good, professional websites, who really take the time going over the product and are not hold back to give criticism. If the review is like "it looks good...let's turn it on... oohhh it works! GREAT! 9/10", then forget that one You'll know a good review when you read it.

Otherwise, I go by experience of people who really know their stuff, like members here on the forum.

Of course, some reviews on the 'Egg are good, but you have to go through a whole lot of them... The problem with a review system like on the 'egg is that 1) manufacturers could have folks post 'false' reviews, and 2) not everyone posts a review... thus it's always slanted imo.

Don't ever go for ratings. Go for the story behind the ratings. A four 'egg item might actually be better than a 5 'egg item, but have a lower rating because it just might not look as good... something like that

[The Pook]

As I've been suggesting a lot lately- I'd get the cheaper Biostar TForce 965PT. I'm a Biostar fanboy, but it actually clocks higher in FSB average in the reviews than the DS3/S3. And its only $105 on the 'egg. Flash the BIOS to a Deluxe for more OCing options too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138037

Good rig whichever you go for. You probably won't need more than 400FSB, but its still cheaper.

[Chozart]

Pook: no RAID on that one ...right?

The DS3 does support RAID, on the secondary Gigabyte controller over the PCI bus.

Since he wants RAID, the Biostar is not an option

Actually, a better option is the ASUS P5B-E Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express for $150.99. That one allows for RAID over the Southbridge (ICH8R)

[todd258]

No offense, but it looks like your sisters computer is going to be better then yours.