First Build which CPU should I use?

[drneves7]

Well I had another thread but it got all mucked up. So here it goes I have some of the system figured out. Right know I am trying to figure out which mother board and CPU to use. I have two picked out one intel and one AMD. I will be useing this computer for multitasking and gameing. I would call myself a moderate gamer. But I would like to be able to play the newest games with decent frame rates and resolution. But here are the two set ups I am looking at and I am flexable on my build I am trying to keep it under $700.

This is what I will be useing on either build:
Xion Case 64.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811208004
ePOWER Power Supply 52.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817101021
Seagate Barracuda 250GB 79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148144
LG Black 18X DVD+R 29.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827136103
PNY GeForce 7600GS 89.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814133192


Amd setup:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2.0Ghz 135.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103735
ABIT KN9 73.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813127010
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB DDR2 533
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145526

Total Cost: 632.93


Intel Setup:

Intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819116213
GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 LGA
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128018
CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145566

Total Cost: 672.93

Well there you go any input and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. And which one would you go with.

Thanks Dominic

 

[Grafficks]

Push your budget a little if need-be, but I think that any PC built around this time *must* be a Core 2 Duo. They are the optimal choice around this time.

This would be a superb choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005
It works with the Intel Mobo you selected.

Since you wish to do a lot of gaming, a 7600GT would perform a lot better than a 7600GS, but I feel I have extended your budget far enough with the Core 2 Duo.

 

[drneves7]

I was hopeing to spend as little as I can on the Video card since I plan on upgrading to a Direct X 10 when they get cheap enough.

And that is the kind of input I am looking for. Is there any cheaper route I can go as far as memory. And is the PSU enough.

Thanks Dominic

 

[Grafficks]

The XMS2 2x512MB DDR2-800MHz is perfect for your build. I suggest you get that, because if you get something cheaper that is DDR2-533MHz, then you are limited to only getting DDR533 memory in the future for upgrades, since all modules must be the same speed.

However if you must get a lower price on the memory, then you can never go wrong with Corsair Value Select. Get the DDR-667MHz Corsair Value Select if you must go lower on memory price. But this hardly saves you much money, since there's only about a $20 difference. This is another reason why that 2x512MB XMS2 DDR2-800MHz would be the best choice - it only costs a little more.


That PSU is powerful enough for your PC. It will even be powerful enough for a future upgrade to a DirectX 10 Video Card, so no worries on the wattage. Dual 20A rails are great too. However I have never heard of the brand ePOWER. It looks really good and the specs are great, but that's about it. Guess we'll have to trust all the positive Newegg reviews on this one.


Best of luck with your build.

 

[drneves7]

Guess we'll have to trust all the positive Newegg reviews on this one.

This is what I was kind of going off of if you can suggest a better known PSU that will support this and not cost a sustantial amount of money that would be great. And that is where I was at on the memory just trying to figure out were I can cut some fat. Unfortunetly I am a sucker for reliability and performance.

Thanks for the input

Dominic

 

[drneves7]

Well I think I have it all figured out here is the final out come thanks for the input.

XION II XON-103 Black 69.99 minus 20.00 Rebate

COOLER MASTER eXtreme 49.99 minus 20.00 Rebate

GIGABYTE 965G-DS3 149.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 191.00

Seagate 320GB 7200 16MB 99.99 minus 20.00 Rebate

Corsair TWINX Dual Channel 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 122.00

XFX GeForce 7600 GS 109.99 minus 40.00 Rebate

LG Black 18X DVD Burner 29.99

Total cost $785.91 w/ tax and shipping after rebates. And only $300 over budget for my the overhaul that this started as.


What do you think and is there any compatability problems that you can see here.



Thanks Dominic

P.S. Sorry about the double post Howard I swear I will learn.

 

[Ressurrector]

AMD= more bang for the buck