ned99

Hi everyone. I'm building a computer for a friend who will not be overclocking at all and I wanted some advice about parts. First off he wants to go with a q9550 and DDR2 Ram, and a Corsair 520HX PSU. Since he won't be upgrading again for 4-5 years I thought it would be better to get the best price/performance LGA 775 chip. I'll also be using Newegg.ca (Canada) to order parts.

So this is what I've got so far:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5: $69.99
GIGABYTE UD3P: $169.99
EVGA GTX 285: $405.99
q9550: $249.99
2x2 GB Corsair Dominators DDR2 1066: $79.49
WD Caviar Black 1 TB: $114.99
Sony Optiarc DVD Burner: $33.49
Corsair 520HX: $101.49

My main question is that since he won't be overclocking does it make sense to buy the UD3P? Is their a better/cheaper motherboard that won't OC as well but would be best for this type of build?

Thanks.

airplaneman

The UD3P is actually a weird board, it's not very expensive and it can overclock as well as, if not better than some of the $200+ boards out there. He may not want to overclock now, but he will eventually .

Only thing I'd change is the RAM. If you aren't overclocking, get some OCZ Gold, less expensive still good.

Here is a cheaper place to get the video card. I will now show you the ways of NCIX + pricematch.

Go to NCIX.come and add all the stuff you want to your cart. Then start a price match session (it will ask you for the link to the cheaper price and the price). To find the cheapest prices, go to shopbot.ca and search for everything and fill it in on NCIX.com. Just make sure to paste the link from the store, and make sure it doesn't have an MIR and you should be good. This has saved me hundreds of dollars over time, now it can save you/your friend money.

I've got 4GB (2x2GB) of Mushkin Redline PC8000 RAM that I could sell you for $60 CAD shipped if you want. Let me know.

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Q9650 @ 4.5, 1.4 vCore (1.376 CPU-Z)

Aardobard

Based on what you're saying, I'd change to this board:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128372
which has the same chipset (and overclock potential) and has only one PCI-E slot, saving about $50CAD.

Airplaneman is on target with the RAM, good call.

Everything else looks fine, as long as you are happy with the case. It's a great budget case, but now I'm wondering if you aren't going to have space difficulties with that GPU.

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The_0ctogon

Don't get a GTX 285. At that price you get crossfire two 4890s, which would spank a GTX 285 so bad it'd be almost criminal. And go either Phenom II or i7. Socket 775 is already obsolete, so using it in a rig that's meant to last 4-5 years isn't very smart.

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airplaneman

It is a relatively inexpensive build, and it would be expensive to go with i7/Phenom II. The CPU he has will be fine for a few years with gaming. It's a fairly high end quad, sure he won't be able to play crysis 2 on max graphics but he'll be able to play games with decent FPS rates.

EDIT: The Boondock Saints is an amazing movie (re: avatar). I just bought the collectors edition for $6 cad!

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Q9650 @ 4.5, 1.4 vCore (1.376 CPU-Z)

Aardobard

Being phased out doesn't mean useless. In fact, I think we are about to see some (more) bargains to be had with this socket. In 4-5 years it'll be a P4 equivalent.

If you have a build suggestion that is financially comparable and improves upon what is being discussed so far, you could always post it.

__________________
I got all my rep the old fashioned way. If you rep'd me and haven't received payment, rest assured, "the check is in the mail".

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=485448

"What are the facts? Again and again and again - what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what 'the stars foretell,' avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable 'verdict of history' - what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your only clue. Get the facts!"
- Lazarus Long

Dopamin3

*Hides for cover at the thought of someone mentioning AMD*



@OP close the thread now before it turns into 20 pages of bickering Phenom II vs c2q.

Mr. Stroker

Spending more than $200 for a gpu is stupid. Get a 4890 and call it a day. When they upgrade to a new gen spend the other $200 on a better gpu. I also would get a phenom II with AM3 so the ability to upgrade is there if he needs it.

Also tell him to OC and sell save some cash....

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Spritanium

Hooray for overpriced electronics!

$170 for a UD3P? Check newegg out, bro

tipsycoma

If you don't overclock, and want crossfire in the future, this is a good board for 70 bucks, 50 bucks with rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186153