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Making a dream PC for cheap (as possible) - help anyone?

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tomos:
I was getting advice in a couple of german forums a few months ago
a budget case that everyone seemed to recommend is the
Cooler Master Elite 330
- you can put 120mm fans in it so not so loud (not sure what fans come with it)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115
$35 without power supply

cmpm:
hmmm,. that reminds me-
Do you need a cooling fan for the E8400 itself?
These companies are vague about that, at least tiger direct is.
They require a cooling fan purchase with a processor.

Easily running to $600 with the OS.

But one can use hard drives and optical drives that they already have.
But it's not as fun! :)

Lashiec:
Just to clarify your statement, you mean that the software is not ready, right? Because the hardware certainly is (assuming you're not too memory bandwidth limited, at least).

And sure thing, normal people won't be able to even nearly utilize a octa-core system, not even a quadcore. But for 3D rendering, servers (especially those running multiple VMs) et cetera, those CPUs can be utilized, and are welcome.
-f0dder (February 20, 2008, 09:57 AM)
--- End quote ---

Yup, software that is ready to use an octocore CPU can be counted with the fingers of one hand. For people in the media business, it's a welcome addition (Apple just released one of its monster servers with two quad core processors precisely aimed to that market), for the rest, only a money pit. Not even quad cores are used in their fullest by modern software.

hmmm,. that reminds me-
Do you need a cooling fan for the E8400 itself?
These companies are vague about that, at least tiger direct is.
They require a cooling fan purchase with a processor.
-cmpm (February 20, 2008, 12:25 PM)
--- End quote ---

That depends. If the processors is a RETAIL version, then it's not needed, the Intel cooler will be more than enough (unless you overclock), if it's OEM, then a third-party cooling device is mandatory.

cmpm:
Thanks Lashiec,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3574211&sku=CP1-DUO-E8400

Can't find a new computer with that processor.
So you would have to build for that processor.

But this site is most likable to me.

For new computers already configured to your specs-

http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby-intel.asp

though some parts seem overpriced

Newegg has one prebuilt that's sold out.
TigerDirect is into q6600 for new pc's, mostly.
And e-lower numbers.
I'd stay away from the refurbished pcs.
Seems to be a shot in the dark to get a good one from the reviews.

f0dder:
As long as the processor is "retail" or "boxed" (most of them are), you'll get a cooler with it. Intel's boxed coolers are generally pretty decent, except for their celeron coolers: those are pretty sucky.

If you don't play games, get a motherboard with onboard graphics, that saves you some cash - and they come with PCI-e x16 anyway, so you can install a GPU later on. Also integrated graphics = less power drain, so you can go with a cheaper PSU.

If you really need to skimp, DDR2-667 memory is extremely cheap - but I'd still rather go for two sticks (for dual-channel operation) DDR2-800 memory, either 2x1 or 2x2 gigabytes - no less.

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