New computer

[#43 fan]

Hey, a client of mine wants a new computer for about $800-1000. It will be used for light gaming and office work. It will need Windows, no monitor or keyboard though.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[Theophylact]

Build or buy?

[KarmaKiller]

I'll throw together a list real quick, give me a sec..

CPU: E8400 ($179.99)
http://www.tankguys.com/product_info...oducts_id=1815

Motherboard: Asus P5N-D ($149.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131232

RAM: Super Talent (2x 1Gb) DDR2-800 ($40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820609027
*I recommend that mainly because I just got a set for a build, and it works great on 1.8v 5-5-5-18 @ 800Mhz. I've had it up to 850Mhz on stock everything. Plus it's cheap!*

GPU: XFX 8800GTS (G92) ($239.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150261

PSU: Silverstone 650w ($109 or $79 after MIR) <--- Very Good Price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163108

HDD: WD 640Gb ($115) <-- Super fast drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

That leaves case and burners, OS also. Total of the above comes to $835, without shipping and rebates. Add in the one rebate, it drops the total down to $795. Which I think this is a very good system for that price.

What do you think?

[#43 fan]

Would a 9600GT be better or worse? Curious, that's all. Is there an ATI that's pretty good at about the same price?
Haven't used Super Talent, won't be overclocking, either. They don't need a DVD burner, their old Dell has one that will work.
I'm leaning towards a lesser CPU with a better GPU, or would that be bad.
Also, this system needs to be stable.
At a lesser price point, would a CPU from AMD be better suited, due to the lower cost of AMD?
As for the Power Supply, haven't used a Silverstone, but have heard great things about them. I prefer FSP, but I'll it over once I get back over to the client's house that has a broadband connection.
The above selection is a little above what they want to spend, but may work.
Thanks for the selections so far.

[KarmaKiller]

The 9600gt is a little bit slower then the 8800GT(s). There is nothing even close to the 8800GTS in the price range. If you want something better, your talking about a SLI rig then, or a 8800Ultra.
But the 9600GT is a very good card. That's what I'm running, and it has no problems maxing out games. Crysis would be the exception of course.

As far as CPU's go. Nothing AMD's got will touch that Wolfdale, unless your talking about a Phenom or something. It's the 45nm Core for Intel, so it uses very little power. V-core runs about 1.2v on those chips, and they are smoking fast! In benchs they keep up with the Q6600.


If your wanting to knock some off the price, switch the 9600GT. Drop the mobo down from the 750 chipset to a P35 chipset. And between those 2 you'll save about $120-$140. That's the bare minimum I would put into a new gaming rig.

[#43 fan]

Sounds like a good plan. They won't be overclocking, so a reliable board will work.
I may look for a different PSU, though.

[Keymaker]

AN 8800GTS for "light gaming"? Of course it depends on the gaming, but a 7950 would proably be more than adequate. .

[KarmaKiller]

Couple of problems with that. First one being, unless your getting a second hand card, the price is gonna be the same as a card that performs better now. Finding one that's actually worth how it performs.

@ #43,
You could also pick up a older G80 core GTS for ~$120 or so. Those still perform very well, especially at the pricing point.

[JPMiller]

Silverstone is an EXCELLENT choice in brands...
However, Karmakillers option is overpriced and more overkill than is necessary by far
Too often, your needs are not nearly as high, power wise, as you think
Most parts are going DOWN in power requirements, not up
A good 400 is often as powerful as you need for even a loaded rig
THIS
400W Silverstone is more than adequate for your needs and overkill at that

[Keymaker]

Originally Posted by KarmaKiller

Couple of problems with that. First one being, unless your getting a second hand card, the price is gonna be the same as a card that performs better now. Finding one that's actually worth how it performs.

Crap your right! I was looking at prices for the 7600GS.

The 7600GS could be ideal too. I mean this guy apparently said "light gaming" .

#43 fan, you need to ask your customers what games they intend on playing.



Wait, maybe light gaming is not what I think it is... When I hear light gaming I think of older games. I just realized that he probably means he isn't going to game on the rig that much... Oops.. Still, does it matter if he doesn't game on the computer that much? This isn't a factor in choosing hardware. Either it will play those games that he intends on playing "sometimes" or not... So the question of light gaming becomes null and void.