DescentBB

Ok, it is upgrade time. Building a new gaming machine for the GF to replace her aged dying laptop. I really like the new Intels, they seem to run smooth. I'd also consider AMD's current line. With the introduction of the new AM2 chipset and Intel's Core 2 Duo boards... Technology knowledge has again passed me by.

What should I know about the AM2 boards? What DDR RAM do they take now? What's the current Proc? What should I know about Intel's chipset? What RAM do they take now? What's the current Proc?

I'm looking for midrange, nothing bleeding edge. I will also be going with nVidia's GeForce 7 series PCIx16 (Not SLI).

Thanks for any advice or help you can provide.

Both AM2 and the Intel C2D chipsets use DDR2 RAM, I recommend a minimum of PC2-6400 (800 MHz) ram for both. And it is still best to get a matched pair, so if you want 1 GB, you would get 2x 512MB sticks.

I just built my current computer in early December because my old video card died. I went with a Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4 GHz) in an abit aw9d-max motherboard with 2 GB of DDR2 800 MHz memory, and a geforce 7950 GT. Throw in a 320 GB SATA boot drive, 700w OCZ PSU, cheap case and it comes out to around $1500. Keep in mind that is without keyboards, mice, monitors, or optical drives since I was reusing all of those. A lot of this is closer to high end then midrange, the video card is the closest to midrange right now. If you clip back a bit on the CPU, and switch the PSU to a more affordable 500w unit, along with a less expensive 7 series geforce you should be able to knock a desktop down some pretty good prices, or spare some for a new monitor/keyboard/optical drive.

Today, I would recommend 2 GB of memory, unless you are really hurting on the budget. Also avoid Windows Vista for now, don't even bother thinking about changing any purchase in order to improve Vista compatibility, it would cost too much.

Let us know how much you wan to spend, that can give us a better idea of what you need to be looking at.

About 1K... Only need case and innards.

Hmmm, with the Intel Tax that might be pushing it a bit, but I'd still give it a try with the specs and see what happens. Depending on the video card and RAM, it should still be possible. Otherwise an AM2 X2 system should run within that range easily enough. Regardless of which you decide on, get a retail CPU so you don't have to bother with getting a heatsink/fan assembly with them.

Going with PCIe video definitely opens up a lot more options today then it did a year or two ago. You probably should aim somewhere around a GF 7600, but shop around to see which one lands in your budget.

If you get Intel, any 965/975 (socket 775) board should do the trick easily, you could get a Nforce for Intel, but those are more geared towards overclockers and generally cost more. Just pick a board with the features you like and run with it. The onboard audio that comes with most motherboards these days isn't that bad, but 9 times out of 10 comes with a much higher CPU utilization penalty then a discrete audio solution, so if you have the extra budget get a decent soundcard.

As for the case, it is entirely up to you, go to newegg or whatever site you prefer, and shop around till you see one you like. And if possible, one with a couple 120MM fans (one in the front, one in the back) would aid your cooling without getting obnoxiously loud. Try to avoid ones with power supplies included, or if it does come with a PSU, plan on replacing it with the PSU you pick out.

Since you probably need a hard drive, I would recommend one of the new Seagate 7200.10 series SATA drives, I have the 320 myself and it is around $100, which is about the best price per GB right now. Plenty of space for booting, very fast, and easy to keep cool. Throw in a Lite-On DVD burner for $30 and you are all set.

Definitely x2 on the Seagate SATA drives. I've got two 400GB drives in my system right now, and even if I only had the CPU fan running theres very little chance that I would hear them working. These drives are DAMN quiet, without sacrificing speed.

Thanks guys.

Krom wrote:Both AM2 and the Intel C2D chipsets use DDR2 RAM, I recommend a minimum of PC2-6400 (800 MHz) ram for both. And it is still best to get a matched pair, so if you want 1 GB, you would get 2x 512MB sticks.

I just built my current computer in early December because my old video card died. I went with a Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4 GHz) in an abit aw9d-max motherboard with 2 GB of DDR2 800 MHz memory, and a geforce 7950 GT. Throw in a 320 GB SATA boot drive, 700w OCZ PSU, cheap case and it comes out to around $1500. Keep in mind that is without keyboards, mice, monitors, or optical drives since I was reusing all of those. A lot of this is closer to high end then midrange, the video card is the closest to midrange right now. If you clip back a bit on the CPU, and switch the PSU to a more affordable 500w unit, along with a less expensive 7 series geforce you should be able to knock a desktop down some pretty good prices, or spare some for a new monitor/keyboard/optical drive.

Today, I would recommend 2 GB of memory, unless you are really hurting on the budget. Also avoid Windows Vista for now, don't even bother thinking about changing any purchase in order to improve Vista compatibility, it would cost too much.

Let us know how much you wan to spend, that can give us a better idea of what you need to be looking at.

Even though the FSB of your proc is 1066 MHz you still use 800MHz Ram?

Actually the ram is running async FASTER then the bus @ 800 MHz. 1:1 on both and the RAM would be running at 533 MHz. The 1066 MHz is the quad pump figure, the actual front side clock speed is 266 MHz(x4), plug in DDR memory and its 266x2 = 532 MHz so I am actually running the RAM at a 2:3 multiplier.

Here is what I threw together for just under 1K. Tell me if this looks ok.


$229- mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop

$114- MSI P6N SLI-FI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$89- Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

$109- Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2b w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM

$119- FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX600-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 600W Quad. SLi Power Supply - Retail

$221- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$119- EVGA 256-P2-N550 -T2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Looks pretty solid to me. I almost got that same PSU when I was shopping for my computer, but the 700W OCZ I ended up with was only $5 more so I went for it.

Awesome, thanks. Will prolly take the plundge here in the next week or 2.

System Orderd! Here is what I bought:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4GHz, 4MB Cache)
Albatron GF 7950GT PCI-x16 (HDCP, 256MB GDDR3)
2GB Mushkin DDR2 800 (2x1GB Kit)
MSI P6N SLI-FI nVidia nForce 650i Mobo
Fortron Source 600w Quad SLi Power Supply
320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2

Went slightly over on the original budget but the performance gains will be worth it I think. I'll post pics when it comes in.

Thanks again to Krom for all his help over DBB/ICQ.

Thank you, come again.

Pics posted!

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