Posted: 11/14/2007 8:14:53 PM EDT
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Alright, I'm building a new gaming PC on a budget. Not a really tight one, but I'd like to keep it under $1200 (I'm talking just the tower - I'm set on the monitor/peripherals). I'd like your advice. Specifically, on the following items: CPU, Mobo, RAM, PSU, Case. Here's what I've got so far: CPU: Intel E2160 1.8 GHz Dual-Core. Why only 1.8 GHz? Because it's $80 and overclocks to 3.2GHz. The downside is that it still only has a 1 MB L2 cache. I'm also considering the Intel Core-2 Duo E6750. It's 2.6GHz (stock) and has a 2MB L2 cache. It's close to $200, though. It's important to note that both of these processors are socket 775, as are the current quad-core processors. So if it turns out the E2160 doesn't cut it down the line, it should be simple & cheap enough to replace. That brings me to the motherboard... Mobo: Asus P5K-E Wifi. It's $150. Seems to have most of the features I want. SLI isn't true 16x/16x though. I think it goes 8x/8x in SLI but I'm not sure. Shouldn't be a huge deal with the graphics card I'm choosing. Also considering: DFI Blood Iron, which is supposed to be great for overclocking, but only supports DDR2-800 RAM so I couldn't overclock my RAM. GFX: PNY 8800GT. Kind of hard to find in-stock, but a straight-out steal at $250. RAM: G-Skill 2x2G. It's DDR2-1000, timings are so-so (5-5-5-15). Seems to have good reviews on Newegg (running @ 1066 w/ 2.0-2.1V). Will the mobo I have selected be good enough to fine-tune my RAM? HDD: W-D SATA 7200RPM 500GB 16MB cache. Only $110! Might pick up a second down the road for RAID. Power Supply: Thermaltake Purepower 500W. $60 on Newegg. 500W might not be enough if I ever go SLI, but that's way down the road. Wish it was modular. Optical Drive: Lite-On 20x LightScribe DVD burner. I doubt I'll ever use LightScribe, but the drive's only $38, not really a bank-breaker. Case: I'm thinking of going with an Ultra Aluminus case (black). Pretty reasonable at $70 on Tiger Direct. I really wanted an acrylic case, but all the ones I saw/read about seemed to be of poor quality. I saw Logisys, Xoxide, Sunbeamtech. I also considered a cheaper Lian-Li (I like quality, even if it's not flashy) or an Antec P180B (very...utilitarian, I think). Prices of these cases range from $60 (acrylic) to $240 (one of the three Lian-Lis I liked). Total price (not including shipping): $970 |
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You're getting a weak processor paired up with a monster video card? Why bother. Get an c2d e6600, it's a hell of a processor and shouldn't be much over $200. Nothing wrong with WD drives...all HD manufacturers have their lemons. G.Skill RAM is good budget RAM. I know several people using it with great results. Watch www.slickdeals.net, there's been a lot of good deals on RAM lately from more well known RAM...such as $50 for 2 GB of Corsair or OCZ. Look at Ultra power supplies if you want something modular. They have a lifetime warranty. I've used them in a couple personal builds with zero issues. |
The E2160 aint bad - overclocks easy and stable with retail cooling. At 3.2 Ghz compares well to E6750 or E6850. I basically built one of these - Toms E2160 Review - System Build If you dont want to OC, spend the extra $150 - but no reason to avoid it. Luck Alac |
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well, get the e2180 not the e2160. It has better stepping for overclocking also, the best SLI board out there now is the EVGA 680i. And if you arent going to go SLI, then get an IP35 or IP35e. 8800gt is a good card. FYI, you might want to wait for the new 45nm chips that Intel is releasing now. |
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I just built one with a C2D 6750, that processor is good and currently cheaper than the rest of the 2mb cache processors like the 6600 (got mine off amazon, check newegg for best prices). I used an eVGA 8800 GTS 640mb vid card and an eVGA 650i Ultra 775 T1 Motherboard. The board was $89 at Microcenter. I have to admit the eVGA vid/mb combo rocks, the overclocking tools are really nice and compatibility isn't an issue. Antect case and power supply. Patriot ELK memory. Sony DVD I had my whole system assembled and running in 4 hours with no issues. Your system looks good but if it were me I'd use eVGA for the MB and Vid card and change the processor. I had to go with a single PCI board this time for cost but the next upgrade will be an 16x16 SLI board, another 640 card and 2 more GB of RAM ETA: my build cost was about $1000 |
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Not a bad choice, I would step up to the faster processor. I have never been a overclocking guy, so thats just me. The 8800GT is a great video card. Hard to find currently, I bought 2 Asus 8800GT's for a SLI setup. Crysis looks amazing. I also support your choice of mainboard; Asus is great quality stuff. Sounds like you have a decent build planned. |
I don't know, Tom's Hardware got it to 3.2 GHz stable with stock cooling. Why would the E2180 be better? It's my understanding that it's the same proc, basically. |
the 2140 has a 8x multiplier and the 2160 a 9x multiplier the 2180 has a 10x multiplier, and all 2180's have The real gem is on Dec 3 - the e2200. 2.2Ghz and 11x. |
Why's this a problem? Is the multiplier locked or something? |
yes its locked, to OC it you adjust the mhz and voltage. |
Cool, I will have to look into that. I assumed the multipliers were unlocked. Thank you for the correction. 
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