Building a new PC, Need some help with deciding on components

[EliC]

Ok, I am having some hardware issues with my current PC so its time to build a new one. Of course I want to save as much as possible, but I want high quality components that are stable and reliable

-Stability is very important
-Quite PC
-Will not be overclocking


Motherboard
-leaning towards Core2Duo CPU
-need very good quality MB
-do not need crossfire/sli support
-STABLE
-ddr2
-ideally <$100

CPU
-Can I use a Txxxx core2duo (laptop chip) on a desktop MB?
-Tempted to get a quad core, but really don't need it
-probably would get the best bang for the buck in <$100 range

RAM
-DDR2
-STABLE
-want 4gb
-ideally in 2 dims so if I change to a 64 bit OS later I can up to 8GB ram

Video Card
-looking at the 8600GT and 9600GT cards
-QUITE
-STABLE
-dual DVI
-~ or < $100

HD
-reliable
-quite
-fast
-low power usage
-SATA

HDTV Tuner / DVR
-good software support for easy DVR
-good encoding quality
-nice remote
-will be using the system as primary PC as well as entertainment center next year

Case
-would like a Lian-Li but $$$
-nice case
-screwless would be nice
-aluminum would be nice

Power Supply
-quite
-efficient
-reliable
-how much do I need 500, 750,...?

[LtData]

If you get a good PSU brand, you can get away with 500W, I would image. IMO, the best PSU to get is a PC Power & Cooling Silencer. You won't hear it, and they are very reliable.

CPU: I don't believe laptop CPUs will go in a desktop MB. Stick with a dual-core Core2, the quads are too expensive still.

HD: I believe they have "Green Power" HDDs that are supposed to use less power, but I have not heard about how much they actually help in power drain and how much speed is compromised.

Vid Card: They make silent vid cards if you look around enough. Do note that you will need decent case airflow in this case, though.

[EliC]

Anyone have good advice on the vid card? nVidia vs ATI? Model? Manufacturer?

I want good/decent h264 encoding/decoding - is this done on the video cards? Some of them say they support h264.

[Teknojnky]

I have x38, but you should be ok with any x35 (intel) board since you don't need sli/xfire. Depending on your timeframe to build, you might want to wait for the upcoming x45 boards. Anyway, there are alot of good x35 boards for ~$100, check toms hardware/anandtech websites for reviews.

I'm using a quad core q6600 which you can probly find even cheaper than the 250ish I paid. I OC to 3 ghz (333mhz bus speed) no problem.

I'm happy with my nvidia 8800gt (512m ram), if I recall the 9600 are just slightly under the 8800 as far as graphics power (shaders etc), both are based on the g9x architecture but the 9600 is the 8800gt little brother so it seems.

[EliC]

Here is a start. What does everyone think? Still deciding on CPU.

PC Power and Cooling PPCS500 Silencer 500 EPS 12V 80 Certified
http://www.homecomputergames.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=70004&zenid=c8i7vtrivop64h9bhq7ch82p40

LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

ECS N9600GT-512MX-P GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Equipped with Arctic Cooling System
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134040

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231172

[Teknojnky]

Looks pretty solid.

I would really recommend going with 4 gig memory now, ddr2 ram is so cheap now its silly, but eventually it will start becoming more difficult to get once ddr3 becomes more mainstream. Better to get 4 gig now and be done with it than have to worry about having to find more later.

I don't think you mentioned what OS you are going to use, but contrary to some people's belief, 4 gig still helps xp 32. Personally I would recommend XP 64 if your more technically inclined. X64 is generally rock solid (assuming x64 drivers are available and stable for whichever hardware you have), it shares the same codebase (and service packs/updates) as windows server 2003.

[EliC]

Ok, 2 memory options - does anyone think the jump from 800 to 1066 is worth 30% more cost? How much performance boost would be expected?

Anyone have any opinions on OCZ?

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267
$85

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289
$113

[EliC]

Ok, Im looking at core 2 duo prices and the dual cores get creep up so fast to the $200 price range I think it makes sense to go with the q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017&Tpk=q6600

Any suggestions on cooling?

[LtData]

Personally, I would go with the 3.0GHz E8400: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $20 cheaper and 600MHz faster. Quad-cores are still too expensive, IMO.

As for cooling, I heartily recommend Zalman:
Go with either the 7000B-AlCu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118112
Or the 7000B-Cu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118113
Note that you need to get this too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118219

[Teknojnky]

@ 800 vs 1066: I had both and could not tell a difference. In fact, I went from 2 gig @ 1066 to 4 gig @ 800 and 4 gig was better in general, less swapping etc. (I did test 2 gig 1066 vs 2 gig 800 before I put the whole 4 gig in to see if there was much difference, there wasn't that I could tell)

@ ocz: that's what I've used for my last 2 system builds and had no problems thus far

@ q6600: that's what I got and recommend, especially if you tend to do alot of converting after the fact (ie flac to mp3)

@ cooling: I'm using a tuniq tower (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154001) and while it seems to work well, I am not sure I would recommend it or use it again on my own systems. Its H U G E and quite a pain in the ass to install, it uses a back side bracket so you have to install it with the motherboard out of the case. It also barely fit in my thermaltake soprano case, the side fan of the case misses the top of the tuniq by less than an inch.

[EliC]

Ok, nearing final.I decided to go with the e2160 as it is very inexpensive, can apparently be over-clocked to 3ghz with stock fan at cool temps (though I dont plan to), and I figure I can upgrade so something like the q9450 in a year or so when the price is reasonable. The only other thing I am trying to decide is if I should go with the case below or the Antec Solo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018):

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030
$149.99

-good reviews. seems to be a very stable motherboard. A bit pricier then I would like.


Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036
$67.99

-A bit slower then ideal, but a good price to performance ratio and beats my current CPU easily so it will be a major upgrade for me. I can always upgrade when better chips get cheaper.


OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267
$84.99

-good memory at a reasonable price. Am a bit concerned about the size of the heat pipes


ECS N9600GT-512MX-P GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134040
$124.99

-should be a good performer and quiet. I am not familier with ECS


ARCTIC COOLING Turbo Module Sleeve Dual VGA Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186021
$8.99

-supposed to be quiet. Keep the video card cool and some air moving.


COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129
$64.99

-trying to decide between this and the $25 cheaper Antec Solo


PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W EPS12V Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134040
$119.99

-think I only need the 500W version, but can't find it anywhere for less then $100, so the upgrade for $20 seems reasonable.


SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153
$26.99

-would prefer a PX-760sa but cant find them new and even used they cost to much.

[LtData]

Note that your link to the PCP&C PSU isn't the correct link.

Picked a CPU cooler yet or just going to stick with the retail Intel cooler?