Best Build for $1500

[Capo]

Hey All,

 

Just curious what the current "sweat spots" are to build a system not exceeding $1500 (not counting monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.). If you had 1500 dollars cash on you today, what would you build? Links with the parts listed would be greatly appreciated!

[Agallion]

about anything youd like realy =/

[Waco]

Quad core C2D

Crossfire capable mobo

2 - 2900XT 512 MB cards in CF mode

4 gigs ddr800

 

That's about it assuming you have a power supply, case, etc already.

[WhenKittensATK]

Hmm if I had $1500, I pick me up one of those Samsung DLP and 360 bundle at Best Buy rather than upgrading a PC. Don't get the 50" 1080p version thou, it has some major bowling issues.

[LightningJR]

Well, an Intel CPU. C2Q or C2D. An EVGA 680i/DFI 680Lt mobo if you want sli. A P35 Mobo if you don't. For crossfire then I don't know. Ram at least 2GB, PC2-800 or higher.

[Capo]

Thanks for the info so far! To be a bit more detailed, here is what parts Ill need in that 1500:

 

Proc.

Mobo

RAM

Hardrive(s)

Video Card

Case / Case Fans

PSU

DVD Drive (mine is dying)

Any case accessiors, if needed...

 

I have a good sound card that I can put in this.... Other than that, I thinks that everythin I need. What brands would you guys suggest for the RAM / Video cards? Any suggestions (with links) on a good case? I wan't something that I could put 2 video cards in if I wanted to and still have room for good air flow.

 

This system is meant for gaming, and preferably something that I can get several years out of (upgradeability would be nice: IE - no deadend technologies). I have built most of my personal systems as mid-line systems but I think i'd finally like to build as close to top notch as I can. So your help here will be put to great use!

 

Thanks!

[Agallion]

theres not such thing as no dead end technologies in the pc world =). Everything youd put in pc today will be completely out of date in a year. New sockets in 2 years, new pci standards, new ram standards etc... you may be able to keep ur psu on the upside!

[Psydotek]

Hmmm, buy as much PSU and Motherboard as you can afford (since those two things generally remain a constant in a computer's lifecycle) then skimp on the CPU/RAM/videocards if you need to save money since those things are usually upgraded the most.

[Verran]

Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz ($277)

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-T1 680i SLI ($200 - $20 MIR)

eVGA 8800GTX PCIe ($530 - $20 MIR)

GeIL 2x1GB DDR2-800 Cas4 ($85 - $30 MIR)

2xHitachi 160GB 8MB Cache NCQ Sata3.0Gb/s (2x$54)

Samsung 400GB 16MB Cache Sata3.0Gb/s ($84)

OCZ GameXStream 700W PSU ($127 - $25 MIR)

Samsung 20x DVD Burner IDE ($30)

Thermaltake Armor ATX Case ($170 - $30 MIR)

 

Total: $1611 - $125 = $1486

[Capo]

Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz ($277)

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-T1 680i SLI ($200 - $20 MIR)

eVGA 8800GTX PCIe ($530 - $20 MIR)

GeIL 2x1GB DDR2-800 Cas4 ($85 - $30 MIR)

2xHitachi 160GB 8MB Cache NCQ Sata3.0Gb/s (2x$54)

Samsung 400GB 16MB Cache Sata3.0Gb/s ($84)

OCZ GameXStream 700W PSU ($127 - $25 MIR)

Samsung 20x DVD Burner IDE ($30)

Thermaltake Armor ATX Case ($170 - $30 MIR)

 

Total: $1611 - $125 = $1486

 

Thank you very much for doing that! I know you were working within my budget, but I have a few questions in general:

 

1) How is that ram, quality wise? Also, should I shoot for 4 gigs of RAM now or wait? Will I notice any immediate improvement in the "top notch" games with more than 2 gigs? Also, can I do 4 sticks or should I do 2 sticks (if I want 4 gigs)

 

2) How big of an improvement would I see with those two hds compared to two 10k RPM raptors? Should I shoot for those?

 

3) I know that PSU is SLI certified, but does anyone have any "real world" experience with it under load of two 8800 Gtxs?

 

Thanks!

Edited September 26, 2007 by Capo

[Verran]

1) How is that ram, quality wise? Also, should I shoot for 4 gigs of RAM now or wait? Will I notice any immediate improvement in the "top notch" games with more than 2 gigs? Also, can I do 4 sticks or should I do 2 sticks (if I want 4 gigs)

Quality wise? No, that's good ram. Now someone will inevitably show up here and tell you that other ram will OC better. They'll tell you they've got XJ75-9er chips, and you really need XR42-9er chips to OC the highest. (That's me exaggerating the point and being silly, btw ) And while they're right, I tend to look at what you expect to get from your OC (if you even want to OC at all). The Q6600's are topping out around 3.4, maybe 3.6 if you're very lucky. Well that ram can do that at stock speeds. So even if it can't OC at all, it can still do the max OC you'll realistically ever have. Any more speed is really just wasted, so why pay for it?

 

As for 4GB... well, that's up to you. It's your budget. I built what I could with your numbers. If money was unlimited, I'd say 4GB was a good move, but in your price range I just don't think that 4GB is the smartest way to spend your money. Besides, if you end up replacing that RAM for 2x2GB in a year or so, how much are you out? About $50, not the end of the world.

 

2) How big of an improvement would I see with those two hds compared to two 10k RPM raptors? Should I shoot for those?

Again, the raptors will be MUCH faster, but they're going to cost about 3x as much too. With your budget, I just don't think you really have $300 to blow on raptors, especially if you want a big storage disc as well. I can find a thousand ways to make the build I posted better, but they all cost more money. Ultimately it comes down to deciding how that budget will get the most performance.

 

3) I know that PSU is SLI certified, but does anyone have any "real world" experience with it under load of two 8800 Gtxs?

Well, I personally would be willing to run 2 GTX's on that PSU, but I don't have any links handy to prove it's possible. Yet again it's a question of money... That's pretty much the cheapest high quality 700W supply I know of. If you want more than that, it's going to cost significantly more.

[kingdingeling]

You might want to look at dual HD2900 Pro's, they'll come out soon (or are even out already?), and they'll cost as much as a GTX and kick the crap out of it!