How is this computer build? (On a budget...)?

Question

I have an ancient computer, and lately I have been getting pissed off cause counter-strike source lags bad on some maps, down to 10 or 15 fps. Lets just say my motherboard is an AGP 4X/8X mobo. Anyways, I was lookin to build a new comp under $1,000.00, the lower the better, and this is what I got:

Motherboard: EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1

-FSB 1333/1066MHz

-NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI

-Memory: DDR2 1066

-2 PCI Express x16 slots

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale

-3.16 GHz

-6 MB L2 cache

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Power Supply: Rosewill RX950-D-B

-950 Watts

-NVIDIA SLI Support - 8800Ultra SLI

-(Combo'd with above CPU for $120 cheaper)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182097

Graphics Card: EVGA 640-P2-N829-AR

-GeForce 8800GTS SSC

-Core Clock 576 MHz

-Memory Clock: 1800 MHz

-Memory Size: 640 MB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130317

Memory: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB

- 2 x 2GB

- DDR2 1066

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

I also plan on getting an ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro fan and the Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound for the processor.

With this setup, It will run me roughly $850 with S&H. I already do have hard drives and a case, as well as Windows XP. I know some of you may say that I need to get Vista for DX10, but I dont really think that I need it right now, especially since I have heard it is a resource hog (although with this new computer it might not be a big deal) as well as all the problems it still has with its compatibility with all kinds of programs and games.

It has been a long time since I have built a computer and technology changes so rapidly, so some help would be much appreciated :)

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

That will work. I run an E8500 in my Vista gamer. clocked at 3.8(9.5X400-1600FSB) 24/7 and clocks over 4 when running benchmarks--on air. Thats on an X48 board-don't know what a 750i board will do. May want to run a 512MB 8800GT if you are looking at SLI later because a 640MB 8800GTS may be hard to find down the road.

Nice rig--will game nicely. Good planning going with the SLI PSU from the get-go.

Not sure where someone figures a quad works better for gaming??!! Games aren't quad pumped and you want a BIG Core 2 Duo for games. Toms hardware did a comparision of 2 high-end gaming rigs, one with the $180 E8500 and one with a $1400 QX9770 Quad Extreme and, clocked at the same speed they ran neck and neck. The E8500 is the best choice for a gamer. Try clocking any quad other than an Extreme at 3.8Ghz and above on air. Not gonna happen.

Answer 2

That sounds pretty good, although I find that the base pieces of the computer are cheaper on TigerDirect (motherboard, hard drives, case), and that usually makes the total lower. Try finding the same pieces there and compare.

It also seems like the power supply is a lot. I have a somewhat similar computer that works fine on 550W. Also, if you want a cheaper build, you can get a lower frequency quad core processor that would work better for games (but worse for mostly everything else).

Answer 3

First your power supply dosent need to be 950 watt you will need about 700 for sli.

E8400 is like 5percent worse than the e8500 but the reduction is cost is worth the loss.

Get vista I repeat get vista!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next year xp is gonna be obsolete ok not next year but withing 5 and vista is not a resource hog anymore!!

With 4gb of ram when you really only need 2 and a fast proccesor you have nothing to worry about and omg games look 10 times better in DX10 so please vista is a must!!!!