Yet another upgrade!

fenris

Since my venerable Athalon XP3000+ based system is starting to show its age in a most cantankerous manner, I have decided to replace its major organs with pieces of a younger model!

My goal is a good gaming machine with enough overclockability to see me through to the far side of creche fees! (at least another 2-3 years)

So with that in mind and with a budget pegged at approx. 1 months worth of creche for 1 sprog (thats €900 for those still eligable for a darwin award)

I have come up with the following shopping list:

http://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist.asp?mode=receive&si=456606&su=1838CD72-70C8-435C-B346-331ABA33E091

• 312367 Crucial DDR2 BallistiX PC6400 2048MB CL4 ,Kit w/two BallistiX 1024MB's, E.P.P
• 323508 Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3, P965, Socket-775, ATX, SATAII, GbLAN, DDR2, 1xPCI-Ex16
• 322633 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Socket LGA775, 4MB, BOXED w/fan
• 334627 Point of View GeForce 8600GT 256MB, GDDR3, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/Tv-Out, Retail
• 331024 Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM

I already have a Hyper 520W PSU, G15 keyboard, etc.


Is this list overkill or just enough?
Am I overdoing it with the 6400 memory, would the 5400 balistix do just as well?
Comments welcome!

awhir

Crucial DDR2 BallistiX PC6400 2048MB are much cheaper on dabs.ie

thats a nice list the d-s3 is a good overclocker for the e6600.

the 520w should be fine.

not shure about the 8600gt

maby go for 8800gs 320mb ?

TerrorFirmer

If you're really on a tight budget I'd drop down to an E6400 and get an 8800 at least, if you're looking to make it last as long as possible. The 8600GT would cripple you faster then even the E6400 would, and you can always overclock.

fenris

My first thoughts on a graphic card was a X1950pro or 7600GT similar, and now I am considering an 8800GTS, this really is a dangerous place!

On komplett the club 3D 8800GTS is €286
€70ish in not that much of a jump in cash for that level of performance and most importantly to me at the moment, future proofing. I will try and keep the E6600 for the 4 meg cache and hope my wife never reads boards.ie

papu

why not go for the 6320? that has a 4mb cache aswell?

awhir

or the e6420??:D

are you going to overclock?

fenris

Overclocking is definitely on the agenda!
maybe not on day one but definitely to keep ahead of the rising tide of game requirements.