Low-end gamer -- $1200 box

[Davej]

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model
BX80557E6400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

MB ASUS P5B-E P965 775 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131070

MEM 1Gx2 A-DATA ADQVE1A16K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211066

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP
Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard
Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136054

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062

P/S2 kybd and mouse.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823107120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104031

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116175

Will use a 50x CD-ROM I already have. No floppy. No DVD or burner. No
sound card. How bad is the P5B-E integrated sound?

 

[JAD]

wheres the 1200 in parts?

 

[Davej]

wheres the 1200 in parts?

Well, right now they're in several UPS trucks, I suppose.

 

[JAD]

Well, right now they're in several UPS trucks, I suppose.

hmmm I musta missed something really expensive in your list

 

[Davej]

hmmm I musta missed something really expensive in your list

Math has no pity.

 

[Dave]

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model
BX80557E6400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

MB ASUS P5B-E P965 775 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131070

MEM 1Gx2 A-DATA ADQVE1A16K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211066

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP
Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard
Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136054

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062

P/S2 kybd and mouse.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823107120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104031

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116175

Will use a 50x CD-ROM I already have. No floppy. No DVD or burner. No
sound card. How bad is the P5B-E integrated sound?

Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is, how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

 

[Paul]

Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is, how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

There are reviews on Newegg for some other Raidmax PSU models...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152026

Paul

 

[Davej]

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.
[...]
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062
[...]

Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is, how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

I figured I'd probably be ok for a while since I have only one HD.

 

[JAD]

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.
[...]
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062
[...]

Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail
in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is,
how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you
are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case
if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

I figured I'd probably be ok for a while since I have only one HD.

these days you cannot, skimp on- get by with- use for awhile- a bunk PSU.
Like using a hammer with a loose head, knowing its loose isn't going to stop
something real hurtful from happening when you least expect it.

 

[John Doe]

Math has no pity.

I think you're being trolled by someone(s) who has junk for a system
(specifically, JAD, who regularly expresses his jealousy about other
author's systems here in this group).

 

[Davej]

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.
[...]
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062
[...]

Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is, how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

There are reviews on Newegg for some other Raidmax PSU models...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152026

Paul

Some of these reviews are positively strange. Why would anyone in their
right mind post a positive review in the 1 day to 1 week time frame?
Still I'm not too happy with the idea of spending another $100-$130 on
a power supply.

 

[hdrdtd]

Keep in mind that a quality power supply is the foundation upon which all
your other components run on. a failed HD can take out as many of your other
components it wants if/when it decides to die.

You ask for comments about your choices, and many have offered their own
opinions as you asked.

You have to decide yourself based on what people have told you, what to
purchase.

You might want to think for a moment and weigh just how many people have
suggested you get a better power supply, vs how many have told you the one
you chose was fine.

it's your system not ours. It's up to you to decide.

good luck with the new system no matter what you choose to do.

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.
[...]
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062
[...]

Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will
fail in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question
is, how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you
are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an
enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case
if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

There are reviews on Newegg for some other Raidmax PSU models...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817152026

Paul

Some of these reviews are positively strange. Why would anyone in their
right mind post a positive review in the 1 day to 1 week time frame?
Still I'm not too happy with the idea of spending another $100-$130 on
a power supply.

 

[Paul]

Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.
[...]
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062
[...]
Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail
in
a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is,
how
many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless you
are
building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an enermax
liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap case
if
you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

I figured I'd probably be ok for a while since I have only one HD.

these days you cannot, skimp on- get by with- use for awhile- a bunk PSU.
Like using a hammer with a loose head, knowing its loose isn't going to stop
something real hurtful from happening when you least expect it.

You can buy computer cases without a power supply, and the Newegg
search facility allows you to spec that. There was a case for $20
for example, that didn't have a power supply (it was ugly but it's
still a case). Then, you could spend the rest of your computer case
money, on a decent supply.

Paul

 

[Davej]

Dave wrote:
Here is my $1200 box. My intent is a low end gamer. I hope to have it
assembled by the end of the week.
[...]
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062
[...]
Don't you mean self-destruct gamer? The power supply you chose will fail
in a rather spectacular fashion. That's guaranteed. The only question is,
how many of the other components will it take out when it dies? Unless
you are building this for someone you really hate, I'd suggest you try an
enermax liberty or seasonic or fortron something or other. Use that cheap
case if you want, that's OK. Just replace the power supply. -Dave

I figured I'd probably be ok for a while since I have only one HD.

these days you cannot, skimp on- get by with- use for awhile- a bunk PSU.
Like using a hammer with a loose head, knowing its loose isn't going to stop
something real hurtful from happening when you least expect it.

You can buy computer cases without a power supply, and the Newegg
search facility allows you to spec that. There was a case for $20
for example, that didn't have a power supply (it was ugly but it's
still a case). Then, you could spend the rest of your computer case
money, on a decent supply.

How many different form factors are there now? I had doubts about
getting a match. In fact, for a P5B-E what do I need? Just a ATX12V
with a 12V CPU and a PCI-E connector? Thanks.

 

[Paul]

How many different form factors are there now? I had doubts about
getting a match. In fact, for a P5B-E what do I need? Just a ATX12V
with a 12V CPU and a PCI-E connector? Thanks.

The P5B-E is ATX sized (12" x 9" according to manual).

For power, it uses 2x2 ATX12V and a 24 pin connector.

*******
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
MB ASUS P5B-E P965 775
MEM 1Gx2 A-DATA ADQVE1A16K
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video
Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
P/S2 kybd and mouse.
Will use a 50x CD-ROM I already have. No floppy. No DVD or burner.
*******

E6400 is 65W, (65W/12V) * (1/0.90) = 6A on 12V2.
The rest of the electrical loads will be on 12V1.

The X1950XT is close to the X1950XTX in terms of specs.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/

The X1950XTX power is measured here.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-x1950xtx_7.html

49.6W/12V = 4 amps thru video slot connector, 68.6W/12V = 5.72A via 2x3 connector.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/ati-x1950xtx/x1950_power_full.gif

Raptor is approx 12V @ 0.5A

An optical drive has a 12V @ 1.5A spec (and I've measured 1.0 amps on mine).

For cooling fans, I allocate 12V @ 0.5A.

Total 12V1 = (4 + 5.72) + 0.5 + 1.5 + 0.5 = 12.22A

So 12V1 @ 6A, 12V2 @ 12.22A should do. I might tack on 3 amps margin
for the 12V2, to leave a little room. The 3.3V and 5V might be 50W or
so as a guess (since you cannot reliably calculate it).

Total power spec roughly 12 * (6 + 12.22) + 50W = 269W.

This is the cheapest I would go, and get a 2x3 PCI Express connector.
FSP gives exactly what is required, spec wise, as measured by Xbitlabs
in some of their previous reviews. ($54)

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W
+3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, [email protected], +5VSB@2A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

There are no reviews on this one, but the specs look good.

ENERMAX EG495AX-VE FMA ATX12V Ver 2.2 485W Power Supply $75
+3.3V@32A,+5V@32A,+12V1@22A,+12V2@22A,[email protected],+5VSB@3A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194015

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG495P-VE ATX12V 485W Power Supply $80
+3.3@32A,+5V@32A,+12V1@22A,+12V2@22A,[email protected],[email protected] (80% eff)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194009

Reviews are good on this one as well. This one is modular, but I'm
not a big fan of modular connectors (especially the ones you
can plug in backwards and blow stuff).

ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W Power Supply
+3.3V@26A, +5V@28A, +12V1@20A, +12V2@20A, [email protected], +5VSB@3A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194002

There are hundreds of cases. These are the ones without PSU.
They start at $9.99 - I cannot imagine how cheap that would feel,
probably like an old soup can.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007+105510039&Subcategory=7

HTH,
Paul

 

[Davej]

The P5B-E is ATX sized (12" x 9" according to manual).

For power, it uses 2x2 ATX12V and a 24 pin connector.

*******
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
MB ASUS P5B-E P965 775
MEM 1Gx2 A-DATA ADQVE1A16K
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video
Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Case 500W
P/S2 kybd and mouse.
Will use a 50x CD-ROM I already have. No floppy. No DVD or burner.
*******

E6400 is 65W, (65W/12V) * (1/0.90) = 6A on 12V2.
The rest of the electrical loads will be on 12V1.

The X1950XT is close to the X1950XTX in terms of specs.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/

The X1950XTX power is measured here.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-x1950xtx_7.html

49.6W/12V = 4 amps thru video slot connector, 68.6W/12V = 5.72A via 2x3 connector.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/ati-x1950xtx/x1950_power_full.gif

Raptor is approx 12V @ 0.5A

An optical drive has a 12V @ 1.5A spec (and I've measured 1.0 amps on mine).

For cooling fans, I allocate 12V @ 0.5A.

Total 12V1 = (4 + 5.72) + 0.5 + 1.5 + 0.5 = 12.22A

So 12V1 @ 6A, 12V2 @ 12.22A should do. I might tack on 3 amps margin
for the 12V2, to leave a little room. The 3.3V and 5V might be 50W or
so as a guess (since you cannot reliably calculate it).

Total power spec roughly 12 * (6 + 12.22) + 50W = 269W.

This is the cheapest I would go, and get a 2x3 PCI Express connector.
FSP gives exactly what is required, spec wise, as measured by Xbitlabs
in some of their previous reviews. ($54)

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W
+3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, [email protected], +5VSB@2A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

There are no reviews on this one, but the specs look good.

ENERMAX EG495AX-VE FMA ATX12V Ver 2.2 485W Power Supply $75
+3.3V@32A,+5V@32A,+12V1@22A,+12V2@22A,[email protected],+5VSB@3A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194015

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG495P-VE ATX12V 485W Power Supply $80
+3.3@32A,+5V@32A,+12V1@22A,+12V2@22A,[email protected],[email protected] (80% eff)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194009

Reviews are good on this one as well. This one is modular, but I'm
not a big fan of modular connectors (especially the ones you
can plug in backwards and blow stuff).

ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W Power Supply
+3.3V@26A, +5V@28A, +12V1@20A, +12V2@20A, [email protected], +5VSB@3A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194002

There are hundreds of cases. These are the ones without PSU.
They start at $9.99 - I cannot imagine how cheap that would feel,
probably like an old soup can.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007+105510039&Subcategory=7

HTH,
Paul

Thanks Paul for all the helpful info. I will be stuck with the RaidMax
case so it is just a question of changing out the cheap included power
supply. If the ATX form factor is well defined then will any ATX supply
with any fan orientation fit it? I have some concern about power supply
ratings if the rated currents are peak currents. How much derating is
considered necessary and prudent? Also are multiple 12V rails a risk
with the P5B-E ? Some supplies have 2 and some seem to have more.
Thanks.

 

[JAD]

Thanks Paul for all the helpful info. I will be stuck with the RaidMax
case so it is just a question of changing out the cheap included power
supply. If the ATX form factor is well defined then will any ATX supply
with any fan orientation fit it? I have some concern about power supply
ratings if the rated currents are peak currents. How much derating is
considered necessary and prudent? Also are multiple 12V rails a risk
with the P5B-E ? Some supplies have 2 and some seem to have more.
Thanks.

Don't over think it
the extra power connectors are for SATA and various other PCIe cards. Almost
any name brand PSU will have the necessary connectors and decent output. You
should be able to find a good for about 50 US dollars.

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewproduct.asp?PID=PS-ANTEC&updepts=POWERSUPPLY&DNAME=Power+Supplies

 

[andrew.gullans]

Save yourself a hundred bucks. Get an X2 3800+ EE (65W) and an Abit
NF-M2 nView together for about hundred dollars cheaper than the
cheapest acceptable C2D cpu+mobo combo. Cheap out the RAM to Viking
DDR2 667 for $186 cuz it won't affect the AM2 as adversely as it would
C2D) or a better video card (8800 anyone?) or, my personal choice, a
larger, faster, prettier, better widescreen LCD (22" Chinmei, anyone?).
I heart NewEgg.