Entirely New Configuration, need some help

SeriousSam

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Dec 26, 2005
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Hello everyone, okay this is my first post, I've read some stuff around
the forums and I'm somewhat familiar with hardware, but I'm no expert so
I still need you to cover some things for me... :)

Mainly I use my PC entirely for gaming...
ATM I have this configuration:

ECS P4VXASD2+
INTEL Celeron 1.7 GHZ, Williamete-128
Sapphire ATi Radeon 9600XT, 128MB DDR [Running at AGP 4x because of MBO]
Elixir/Nanyi 1x512 MB DDR RAM, PC-2100
HDD Maxtor 6E040L0, 40 GB, 7.200 RPM

Yeah, I know I'm way back with this configuration but since my budget still depends entirely upon my parents well, what can you expect :p.
I figure I should probably round up as much money as possible and
buy an entirely new configuration, but money can be settled with,
brand is what's troubling me. So let's take this as it comes shall we...

Motherboard
I've rounded it down to two choices: Abit or Asus. I need a motherboard
with 7.1 sound support and an SLI interface. I don't think I am going to clock so that doesn't come as a factor here...A SATA interface would be good too...

Processor
As much as I've been able to read AMD is the gaming CPU...So,
should I go for the dual-core ones or what?

Graphics Card
Okay, this is the big trouble here...ATi, or nVidia? I really can't choose on this one...

HDD
Ah anything bigger than 100 GB that runs quietly and doesn't heat up much...

Case
Has good cooling potential, let's the air flow nicely...And has a nice look :)

Power Supply
Is 400W enough? What brand? Oh and what's the difference between ATX and BTX and which should I choose?


That's about it. Sorry for the long post but buying a PC ain't a small thing. If anyone reads it, cool, if anyone answers it, superb... Okay thx folks,
peace... :D
 
Forget SLI. It's only worth it when high res gaming on high details is a must and the budget is not a concern. Put together what a system that YOU think would be good and then post it here. We'll give you some ideas and pointers... :smile:
 

SeriousSam

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Dec 26, 2005
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Sure, no problem. Ok, here's what I had in mind...

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2200 MHz, 512 kb c., socket 939, BUS 2000 MHz, BOX (Venice core)

MBO ABIT, s. 939, AN8 SLI, nForce 4 Ultra, BUS 2000 MHz, serial ATA II, RAID, 7.1 zvuk, DDR 400, 1Gbps, FireWire, Firewall, ATX 2

VGA PCI-E SAPPHIRE ATI Radeon X850 XT FR , 256 MB, tv-out, DVI

2x RAM, 512 MB, DDR, PC-4000, 500 MHz, KINGMAX Hardcore

HDD SEAGATE Barracuda 7200.9 120 GB, UDMA 100, 7.200 o/min., 8 MB cache


That's about it...I think this would be good...Dunno about the PS and Case yet...
If there's anything needing to be changed pls let me know...K thx...cya
 

Ninjax

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Dec 18, 2005
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Hello everyone, okay this is my first post, I've read some stuff around
the forums and I'm somewhat familiar with hardware, but I'm no expert so
I still need you to cover some things for me... :)

Mainly I use my PC entirely for gaming...
ATM I have this configuration:

ECS P4VXASD2+
INTEL Celeron 1.7 GHZ, Williamete-128
Sapphire ATi Radeon 9600XT, 128MB DDR [Running at AGP 4x because of MBO]
Elixir/Nanyi 1x512 MB DDR RAM, PC-2100
HDD Maxtor 6E040L0, 40 GB, 7.200 RPM

Yeah, I know I'm way back with this configuration but since my budget still depends entirely upon my parents well, what can you expect :p.
I figure I should probably round up as much money as possible and
buy an entirely new configuration, but money can be settled with,
brand is what's troubling me. So let's take this as it comes shall we...

Motherboard
I've rounded it down to two choices: Abit or Asus. I need a motherboard
with 7.1 sound support and an SLI interface. I don't think I am going to clock so that doesn't come as a factor here...A SATA interface would be good too...

Processor
As much as I've been able to read AMD is the gaming CPU...So,
should I go for the dual-core ones or what?

Graphics Card
Okay, this is the big trouble here...ATi, or nVidia? I really can't choose on this one...

HDD
Ah anything bigger than 100 GB that runs quietly and doesn't heat up much...

Case
Has good cooling potential, let's the air flow nicely...And has a nice look :)

Power Supply
Is 400W enough? What brand? Oh and what's the difference between ATX and BTX and which should I choose?


That's about it. Sorry for the long post but buying a PC ain't a small thing. If anyone reads it, cool, if anyone answers it, superb... Okay thx folks,
peace... :D

AMD ATHLON 3200+(venice core E6) if u r on a tight budget
asus A8N-E mobo
corsair 2x512MB value select DDR
Nvidia 6600GT card
dont go for an SLI unless u wanna use 2 cards...
 

sleepdeprived82

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Dec 21, 2005
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Ok Its hard to advise on exact things because we dont know your budget.
Are you going to overclock at all, if so I would go with Abit over asus prob the An8 ultra.

The cpu coose a 3500+ venice 512kb cache or 3700+ san deagio with 1mb Cache. Forget dual cores if your main intention is gaming as games just are not optimized for dual cores yet and the performance is worse with dual cores on games than single cores. BF2 has problems with dual cores and you have to turn one core off for it to run. Dual cores are also a lot more expensive than single so I would say go single core.

Hard drive totaly your choice I have a maxtor diamond max 10 and its a bit noisy for me.

Ram, if your going to overclock fine go with the pc-4000 if your not then stick with pc-3200 its much cheaper.

PSU its important you get a good one and dont just go by the watts, I would say try for a 480w or higher. Check to see the amps on the 12v rail look for around 30a also remember that some psus have dual 12v rails so add the rails together. I would suggest something like an Antec, Hiper or enermax.

Sli is for those without a budget

Btx is fairly new and rare, so i would not bother with it, the layout is just different and cooling is supposed to be a bit better but you will pay through the teeth for it. Go Atx

Dont even start the ATi nvidia debate just find a card from each in your budget and check the benchmarks for them.
 

ir_efrem

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Dec 13, 2005
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sorry in advance sleepdeprived82
i hate to sit and correct some one - i just dont want the man to get confused over a simple little issue - for a DDR system there is no pc-400
PC-3200 is 400mhz though

regardless of anything you will want PC-3200 for your new AMD 64
depending on budget go with a main brand of memory
most all of them have a "value" line and "performance" line of memory
stick with a major brand no matter what

never be a total cheapo with memory or power supply
buy the best video card you can afford
and dont buy a SLI motherboard if yur going with an ATI video card (already mentioned)
if you are looking at playing newer games go with at LEAST a (ATI x700) or (geforce 6600gt) those are the bare minimum i would suggest

i cant make more specific recomendations without knowing yur budget
 

SeriousSam

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Dec 26, 2005
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Hmm yeah but thing is there is no motherboard here that supports Crossfire so I was thinking I'd buy an SLI motherboard, stick an nVidia and later if I need the extra firepower stick in another card...
 

SeriousSam

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Dec 26, 2005
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I've come up with this:

MBO:

MBO DFI, s. 939, Lan Party UT, nForce 4 Ultra-D, BUS 2000 MHz, serial ATA, RAID, 7.1 sound, DDR 400, 2x 1Gbps, FireWire, ATX 2

1.118 KN

CPU:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+, 2200 MHz, 1 Mb c., socket 939, BUS 2000 MHz, BOX (San Diego)

2.073,00 KN

GFX:

VGA PCI-E SAPPHIRE ATI Radeon X1600 XT, 256 MB, tv-out, DVI

1.594,00 KN

MEM:

2xRAM, 512 MB, DDR, PC-3200, 400 MHz, KINGMAX

746,00 kn

CASE:

Midi Tower, CHIEFTEC LCX-01BBSL-W, ATX 2, no PS

582,00 KN

PS:

425 W ATX 2, HIPER 4S425-EU

447,00 KN

Sorry that the prices are in KN this was a copy paste from a local store and KN is our currency. In dollars the price is around 1044 $...
I think it's a really good gaming configuration for the money...
 

opzero

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Jan 3, 2006
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being your gonna be useing your computer for gameing look into getting a sound card using the on board sound uses system resorces and sound cards dont usally need to be upgraded that much unless your a audio nut and latest sound blaster cards can be had for around 120$ US. if not i suggest at least getting a eax card and that should last you for few years. might want to look into at least 500 watt psu.
 

CPUZ

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The DFI board is good but I like my MSI K8N nForce 4 board.

As for the CPU a 3700+ is way more than you need and its a waste of money as it won't really give you a higher FPS. A good idea is to get a 3500+ or even a 3000+ and save some cash!!

With the GFX you'll get a big FPS increase if you got a X1800XL but if you can't stay with the X1600XT.(It would be better to have a 3000+ and an X1800XT than a 3700+ and an X1600XT:D )

Mem is fine for now. THG did a test with 2GB and it only helped in a few programs. So stay with 1GB for now...

Case you can pick what ever you want but as for the PSU don't be fooled into getting a 425W. Its way way more than you need as you could get a 400W or even a 350W and it would still manage!!
 

SeriousSam

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Dec 26, 2005
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But isnt't the X1800XT a bit too expensive? Over here it's around 700 dollars... :( How about an nVidia solution? This for example:

VGA PCI-E CHAINTECH, AE78GT, GeForce 7800 GT, , 256 MB, VIVO, Dual DVI

????

Is it good, or maybe the 6800 GT...I don't know about this one...
But if i take the X1800XT I am left with no money for a case or PS, as my budget is around 1200 dollars...
 

Mills

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Dec 14, 2005
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I would suggest either paying a bit more and going with the 3700+ or step down to the 3200+ if you want to save some money.

The 3500+ is a waste.
 

CPUZ

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Sorry I was meaning the XL...

This is what I would say is best 3000+ or 3200+ and the Powercolor X1800XL which retails for about $369(I've never had any problems with Powercolor and they are my first choice of brand when I buy a card). I would stay with ATI as they have a better picture and there are less issues with drivers. nVidia cards also have optimisations in their drivers to get a better FPS, thats why ATI cards have a better pictures.
 

opzero

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Case you can pick what ever you want but as for the PSU don't be fooled into getting a 425W. Its way way more than you need as you could get a 400W or even a 350W and it would still manage!!

it might manage but alot of manuifactors set the minimum recemoned psu size at 450 for newer video cards.
 

fishmahn

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Don't skimp on the PSU quality though - while a 350 may manage, it had better be a high quality one to handle that.

I would recommend at least a 400w just in case you need/want to add a hard drive or something later - just gives you a little buffer for a minimal cost. If you don't use it you spent $10, if you do use it you saved $50 (replacing the PSU with the upgrade).

Mike.
 

fishmahn

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And I agree they need to do that. If you have a high quality PSU you can get away with less than the recommended amount... though some mfg tech guys won't understand that if you do have to call them for support.

Mike.
 

SeriousSam

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Dec 26, 2005
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I've found a configuration at a local store...I think the price is pretty good for what it offers, still it doesn't have the monitor, but I think that from the money I'd get from my old PC I could get enough for a nice 17' LCD... Here it is:

MBO: DFI nF4-INFINITY/DAGF, nForce 4, DDR, zvuk, S-ATA, FW, G-LAN, PCI-E, s. 939
Processor: AMD Athlon64 3200+ BOX, socket 939, Venice, 2000MHz, 512kb c., HTT 1000MHz
Memory: CORSAIR PC-3200, 1024MB, DDR, KIT, Value Select, DDR 400 MHz, 2 x 512MB
Graphics Card: XFX PCI-E, GeForce PCX 6600GT, 128MB DDR3, DVI, TV
Hard Disk Drive: 120.0 GB SEAGATE, Serial ATA II, 8MB cache, 7200.9
Optical Device: NEC DVD+RW ND-3550, 16x, black, Dual layer + recording, bulk
Diskette Drive: FDD 1,44MB
Case: CHIEFTEC DX-01BD-W, MIDI Dragon, bez PS
Power Supply: CHIEFTEC 400W, GPS-400AA-101A, 12cm fan, ATX2 ver 2.0
Keyboard: Logitech Media
Mouse: Logitech MX 500, optički
Sound: LABTEC 2.1 Pulse 385

The cost is 1230 dollars. It all seems good, but there is one thing I'm worried about - the graphics card.... This XFX, I've never heard about it, is it good? And is a 6600GT going to be good enough, or is 128 MB too little? Thanks alot...
 

opzero

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xfx is a extreamley good card companythe 6600 gt will probley get you by on most of todays games with decent rez. But personally id look into the 7800 series thinking of the months to come. I dont know about where you live but hard drives are cheap after rebates from circut city, comp usa ect so id least look into 200 gig. But overall if you want a prebuilt system that one dosent seem to bad except for the speakers and it dosent have a sound card.
 

CPUZ

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I also think you should think about getting a better GFX card. Maybe the X1600XT or a 7800GT depending on your budget.
 

SeriousSam

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CPU AMD Athlon64 3200+ BOX, socket 939, Venice, 2000MHz, 512kb c., HTT 1000MHz

MBO DFI LAN PARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D, DDR, 7.1 sound, S-ATA, FW, 2xG-LAN, PCI-E, s. 939

2xRAM PC-3500, 512MB, DDR, KINGMAX, DDR 433 MHz

VGA PCI-E XFX, GeForce PCX 7800GT Extreme Gamer, 256MB DDR3, DVI, TV

PROTECTOR CS-606, MIDI CASE, yellow


SHARKOON 370W, Silent Storm, dual fan, regulation, ATX2

TOTAL: 1292 dollars