Advice for a new system

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Ekhaatvensters

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I thought I'd make yet another pimp my system thread here before finalising my choices for a new set up. Not my own, but for a friend looking to spend around R8000. This set up is R8500 atm, that's about the max.

CPU - AMD (oh noes) 5200+ X2 1mb cache = R1385.37 Prophecy.co.za

I've thought about the obvious Intel Core 2 Duo choice, but then I saw this chip with this price :O The performance difference between this one and a E4400 or E6320 is marginal and so is the price difference, but I liked the cheap AM2 platform mobo's and this system probably won't be overclocked unless I did it myself, so that isn't very important.

RAM - 2X1GB LiquidSilver DDR800 bundle = R999 Computersonly.co.za
alternatively
2X1GB Mushkin DDR800 for R1150 from Prophecy. In case the special at computersonly ends or just for the sake of better quality ram.

HDD - 320GB 16mb cache Seagate 7200.10 = R799 Prophecy.co.za

GFX - XFX 8800GTS XXX Edition = R3299 Computersonly.co.za

Mobo - Asus M2N-E Sli = R839 Take2.co.za

This is where I'd like any suggestions, the Asus board was one of the only NForce 500 boards I could find, but the non-Sli NF 570 would be a better option, if I could find one for a similar price :/

Case + PSU - Raidmax Ninja R518 and seperate Coolermaster Extremepower 430Watt R370 Both from Prophecy.co.za

I know I don't take my PSU's as seriously as some people, but I thought an Extremepower 430 Watt should be enough, and the price is great :D

Then just a LG Light-scribe drive for R389.

So it's just the system for now, no monitor etc.

Any suggestions that stay in the price range are welcome. If a Core 2 system isn't that much better for a similar price then that's an option, I just haven't looked at those mobos,well.. ever.
 
why not just what and see what intel price cuts come through

you may be able to get an e6600 for the price of that cpu

just a thought

also im not sure how that 430 watt will hold up with a 8800gts, try for a 500w or more

also make sure that LG is sata and not IDE
 
1. I would wait until Intel's price cuts have taken effect in ZA.
2. I would not buy individual components from different places.
 
psivius said:
When are these price cuts expected?
Click to expand...

Intel is due to announce them on July 22.
Once they've been announced, the local distributors can calculate their new prices. Once that's done, the retailers can determine their new prices. Hopefully, the price cuts will be in effect (meaning the ManInTheStreet pays less) by 1st Aug.
 
Well atm a E6600 is a bit more expensive, and this kind of stretches the budget already, with a cheap mobo that would have to be changed. But I'll wait and see about the price cuts, I didn't know they were coming so soon, thanks.

EDIT: It's R2200 at prophecy atm, the E4400 is the same price as this chip.

The LG drive is SATA, great to have none of those huge IDE cables anymore :D
 
Archi3 said:
Hey Ekhaatvensters

Goto www.bluesting.co.za , they list all online retailers, and give u the different prices available on the web.Archi3
Click to expand...

I've been there, but they don't seem to keep up with the latest price changes, and often don't show the best price. I've shopped around myself in any case.

spiderz said:
Drop to a 8800gt, and rather get a intel e6600.
Click to expand...

Hmm, thb I didn't know there was a 8800GT? And I usually know whats available :/

Like I said the price of a E6600 will have to come down, but another Intel chip will probably be better value after the price cuts.

So could you guys point out any good LGA775 boards for around R900, you seem to get pretty decent boards for that price with AM2. :)
 
Nice setup, just don't skimp on the PSU (speaking from experience)
 
This looks like a pretty decent rig. I put together a similarly spec'd intel flavoured PC as follows:

E6600 Processor
Gigabyte GA-965P Motherboard
Seagate 320GB SATA
Transcend 2GB DDR800
Gigabyte X3 chassis + 400W PSU
Asus DRW-1814BLT SATA
XFX 8600GTS

Rounds up nicely to R9000. Though I will definately be waiting for those Intel price cuts (thanks for that masticore) and maybe bump up the GFX card to a 8800GTS particulary after seeing your rig having this (which is about 600 bucks more than the 8600GTS). Though I have to say: your casing rocks compared to mine. Anybody know where I can get a casing like this in Cape Town.
 
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get the isonic omega megapower PSU 600W, for . i have it and its great, modular, lots of bling :D , only R519.84 at prophecy...

secondly, i think you should go for the better ram, the mushkin or the team elite (its only 1150 now, a few months ago i paid 1699 for it)...

liquidsilver seems like a suspect make... i bought the liquidsilver case from computersonly, pci cards werent fitting in properly :( had to cut it a bit...
 
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Rather go for a standard 8800GTS 320MB, not the XXX version.
You can get them for R3000, so that's a R300 saving.
 
500w will be enuf for your setup, make sure you rather spend more on getting a decent motherboard. The cheap boards are'nt always that good. Remember that this will be the key component in you system. (The heart of your system.) and yes, your choice of motherboard makes a HUGE differeence in system speed!

I recently got the following system:
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS4
Intel E6700 (they were out of E6600's)
2x 1Gb DDR2-800 Ram
2x 320Gb 16mb SATA2 running RAID 0 (640gb C-Drive, is just AWESOME!)
3 x 320Gb for data (had these, total space +-1.5Tb)
Liteon DVD-RW lightscribe (will probibly never use the lightscribe)
Geforce 8600GT (Got a copy of Supreme Comander with this :D )
500W powersupply (this is now way to small)
4x 80mm fans for case (old fans gave in/noisy, still space in case for 2 extra fans)

Lessons learned: (from previous/current experience)
*Make sure you get a decent Motherboard
*Check that all the SATA port support Raid, and not just 2 (or none)
*Finding a case that can take more that 6 HDD is difficult (or just plain expensive!)
*Raid 0 requires a stiffy drive with the motherboard raid drivers and a XP SP2 CD
*XP still installs as slow as ever!
 
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