rate this budget pc

[MiccyNarc]

Here's what I'm considering:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140 Conroe 1.60GHz 1MB L2 LGA 775 Processor OEM HH80557PG0251M SLA3J
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1938428
COOLER MASTER Hyper TX2 CPU Cooler for Intel LGA775 & AMD Socket 754/ 939/ 940/ AM2 CPUs Retail RR-CCH-L9U1-GP
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1906910
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS Hard Drive - 250GB - 7200rpm - 300MBps Serial ATA - II - Serial ATA/300 - Serial ATA - Internal OEM
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA3401005
MSI P6N SLI PLATINUM LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard Retail
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA4854012
EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130290
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231098
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202

I already have case/monitor/dvd drive/PSU/sound card (audigy 2 zs)

Anything else I'd need? Would the 1mb of cache on the pentium be enough?

I'm planning on selling the 8600 when the 9*** series comes out, might get a new processor too, so this is a bit of a stop gap.

Suggestions?

 

[hool10]

I would steer clear of Vista and use the money on better things.

 

[The Brick]

Agreed with hool. Not much more to comment on, looks fine.

 

[MiccyNarc]

I would steer clear of Vista and use the money on better things.

I want to, but Vista has DX10. It may slow down games currently, but I figure I should future proof myself a tad. Maybe I will, I don't know. That'll be the last thing I purchase.

 

[The Brick]

I'd stick to XP till it's really necessary or advantageous.

 

[MiccyNarc]

I'd stick to XP till it's really necessary or advantageous.

Alrighty, I guess it'll save me $100 in the short term :-\

 

[Javert]

I approve, with XP.

 

[-Psy-]

I thought the 8600GT was crap on a card?

 

[Asus]

I thought the 8600GT was crap on a card?

The 8600GT is good. Although some games will bring it to 30fps range, depending on settings of course. $30 more gets you a X1950pro (actually they can be had for cheaper than the 8600gt model he has linked to) which will be a bit faster although not DX10.
UT3 performance

8600GT's just have a 128bit wide memory path. No need for 512MB memory on the card. I would think 256MB would be fine for it and a lot cheaper.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

I wouldn't consider the UT3 beta a legit performance bench.

 

[MiccyNarc]

The 8600GT is good. Although some games will bring it to 30fps range, depending on settings of course. $30 more gets you a X1950pro (actually they can be had for cheaper than the 8600gt model he has linked to) which will be a bit faster although not DX10.
UT3 performance

8600GT's just have a 128bit wide memory path. No need for 512MB memory on the card. I would think 256MB would be fine for it and a lot cheaper.

Found a 256 mb GTS that was cheaper, so I went with that instead.

 

[MiccyNarc]

Considering my components, would this power supply work?
http://www.xoxide.com/500waassuuvr.html
Would this PSU allow me to upgrade later?

 

[CptStern]

Here's what I'm considering:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140 Conroe 1.60GHz 1MB L2 LGA 775 Processor OEM HH80557PG0251M SLA3J
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1938428
COOLER MASTER Hyper TX2 CPU Cooler for Intel LGA775 & AMD Socket 754/ 939/ 940/ AM2 CPUs Retail RR-CCH-L9U1-GP
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1906910
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS Hard Drive - 250GB - 7200rpm - 300MBps Serial ATA - II - Serial ATA/300 - Serial ATA - Internal OEM
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA3401005
MSI P6N SLI PLATINUM LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard Retail
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA4854012
EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130290
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231098
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202

I already have case/monitor/dvd drive/PSU/sound card (audigy 2 zs)

Anything else I'd need? Would the 1mb of cache on the pentium be enough?

I'm planning on selling the 8600 when the 9*** series comes out, might get a new processor too, so this is a bit of a stop gap.

Suggestions?

wait a few weeks, the nvidia 8800gt is supposed to come out ..comparable to 8800gts 320mb for $200-$250 in 512 mb and 256 mb versions

 

[Asus]

Considering my components, would this power supply work?
http://www.xoxide.com/500waassuuvr.html
Would this PSU allow me to upgrade later?

I would not go with that brand (aka Aspire). You'll want something that has a much better track record. Don't want it to fizzle on ya. hehe
Antec, Enermax, Fortron, Seasonic, Corsair HX (made by Seasonic), PC Power&Cooling, Thermaltake all would be a much better pick.

I wouldn't consider the UT3 beta a legit performance bench.

I didn't use the bench for my comments. I found the link after. And you are right, FPS will probably change on all those cards as the game comes out.
Here is HL2: EP1 and other games benched. Same thing.

wait a few weeks, the nvidia 8800gt is supposed to come out ..comparable to 8800gts 320mb for $200-$250 in 512 mb and 256 mb versions

Would be excellent if it's supposed to be similar in price. http://myevilprocessor.blogspot.com/2007/10/geforce-8800-gt-512mb.html

 

[CptStern]

lol Asus that link actually hurt my eyes


this rumour GT thing is driving me crazy ..some sites say it'll be close to gtx performance (which makes absolutely no sense) while others are saying it'll perform slightly worse than the 8800gts 320mb which wouldnt explain why they would have to come out with the gt when the gts already has that segment of the market

 

[MiccyNarc]

I'm waiting for the 9800 gt

I'm going to sell it within the next 6 months to get a better card no matter what and I need a computer now. My laptop is useless for gaming and I want orange box.

 

[Asus]

Yeah, sorta pulled that link out of my ass. Google catches everything.

 

[CptStern]

those benchmarks make no sense ..the GT outperforms the gtx yet costs half as much ..why would nvidia gut two of their top tiers for less money?

 

[Asus]

I've seen comments that mention that the GTS will be getting an upgrade in specs. IDK what to think yet.

 

[CptStern]

ya 112 shader processors as opposed to the current 98 bringing it closer to the gtx' 128 ....if true it proves that the GT is inferior to the updated 8800 gts and is at best a mid range card

 

[Javert]

This thread makes me feel Asus has a bookmark for every argument and counter-argument for any PC component.