A few Questions on Gaming Machine Build

[Emberwind]

I'm looking to build a new gaming machine in about 2 weeks and could use any suggestions on the components I have selected. I basically want a solid, easy to put together, cool, quiet machine. I'd also prefer not to overclock having not done it before. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to shave a few dollars off this build either . This is what I have picked out:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3300622AS 300GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $159.00

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor $334.00

SAPPHIRE 100149 Radeon X1900XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card $519.00

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-480 BLUE ATX12V 480W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B $79.99

Antec Performance I P180 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $124.99

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard $109.00

2 GB PC3200 Corsair Value Ram - Already Have

HP CD/DVD Writer/Reader - Already Have

Windows XP OEM $93.95

I would appreciate any advide on compatibility issues and the like, thanks in advance!!

 

[xXDracoXx]

I'm not a super pro but for what concerns quiet, that video card will whirr like freaking hell. I hope you won't sleep in the same room as your PC

 

[Emberwind]

Hehe yeah, unfortunately it is in the bedroom, and my current machine is exceptionally loud, so was hoping to cut down on the noise as sometimes the spouse wants to sleep and I want to stay up!

 

[adreen]

Some awesome choices!!! If I had to suggest anything I would opt for a different CPU. Perhaps a opty 165 or x2 and overclock it? The 4000+ is nice, but if you're looking to be playing games at blistering fps in the future, dual core should be your choice as games are becoming multithreaded, and drviers are utilizing the dual cores more. Also I wouldn't get value RAM as it will underperform and won't let you OC as good as you could. Everything else is solid though, that case will keep the noise down and cool ur overclocked parts. If you are going to overclock a considerable amount, I suggest an aftermarket CPU HSF.

 

[doclogic]

I'm actually looking at around the same arena that you are for a new pc. Here's what I've chosen so far:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Processor Socket 939 $460.00
Asus A8N-SLI nForce4 SLI Athlon 64(FX) Skt939 $122.00
Asus EN6800GT-2DT256 GeForce 6800 GT PCI Express 256MB $239.99
Corsair TWINX2048-3200PT 2GB DDR400 XMS3200 $194.00
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB SATA 7200RPM w/8MB (x2) $94.99
Sony DW-Q30A-2 Internal Double Layer DVD±RW Drive $45.99

I opted for the X2 processor since gaming is my main stay. It'll give me basically 2 processors (dual core) and the SLI on the mobo is a MUST for gaming. It'll basically handle a lot of the graphics routines for you. I went a little cheaper on the vid card, but what you have is pretty good. Oh, i would go Nvidia for the vid card too since you're running an AMD. With the SLI, it'll run a LOT faster than the radeon. I also opted for 2 160 gig hardrives so that one can run my windows, the other for my "program files". I'm hoping that this will be less taxing on my system and kinda give me a "raid" type of setup. Otherwise, i think i may go raid for the upgraded bandwith.
My only question now is, is this a good time to buy? I see a lot of the newer procs (FX series) coming out and am wondering if that's worth waiting for. I'm not sure of the difference yet between the X2 and FX atm.

 

[avatar3k]

People, stop going for X2's - AMD marketing is starting to be annoying. You can opt for the Opty 165, and oc it beyond X2 4800+ specs. For several hundred dollars less. Though you will need a $60 aftermarket HSF.

 

[Emberwind]

Well, when I first started putting this build together, I had considered going with an x2 processor, but it was more just because I wanted the newer technology and didn't really have any justification for it. From looking at the benchmarks and from a lot of the discussion here, it appeared the dual core wouldn't be as good for gaming and I don't really multi-task at all. Am I missing something here? Also was hoping not to have to overclock which is why I didn't go for an opty. So are you saying that a single vid card will run better under SLI than on a regular motherboard? I've also read up a little more on the A8Ne motherboard and seeing lots of complaints about the fan on the chipset having problems, etc., anyone else having any problems with this mobo? Thanks again for any answers, just want to get this machine right!

 

[usdeeper]

Very few home PC users will ever need a x2 processor. I also do not think that SLI is worth the cost either.

I think this processor is a better bank for your bucks..
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539

A hundred cheaper than the one you listed with very little in the way of performance loss that you would notice.

This is a good non sli motherboard..
ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

 

[JokerFMJ2]

Ok, i'm just going to let you know before you buy your video card. If you're planning on running SLI there's no point in buying anything less than a 7800GT (even at that, i'd suggest just spending the extra cash and getting the 7800GTX). The 7800GT performs as well, if not better, than a pair of 6600GT SLI'd. It's a waste of cash.

I'm actually looking at around the same arena that you are for a new pc. Here's what I've chosen so far:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Processor Socket 939 $460.00
Asus A8N-SLI nForce4 SLI Athlon 64(FX) Skt939 $122.00
Asus EN6800GT-2DT256 GeForce 6800 GT PCI Express 256MB $239.99
Corsair TWINX2048-3200PT 2GB DDR400 XMS3200 $194.00
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB SATA 7200RPM w/8MB (x2) $94.99
Sony DW-Q30A-2 Internal Double Layer DVD±RW Drive $45.99

I opted for the X2 processor since gaming is my main stay. It'll give me basically 2 processors (dual core) and the SLI on the mobo is a MUST for gaming. It'll basically handle a lot of the graphics routines for you. I went a little cheaper on the vid card, but what you have is pretty good. Oh, i would go Nvidia for the vid card too since you're running an AMD. With the SLI, it'll run a LOT faster than the radeon. I also opted for 2 160 gig hardrives so that one can run my windows, the other for my "program files". I'm hoping that this will be less taxing on my system and kinda give me a "raid" type of setup. Otherwise, i think i may go raid for the upgraded bandwith.
My only question now is, is this a good time to buy? I see a lot of the newer procs (FX series) coming out and am wondering if that's worth waiting for. I'm not sure of the difference yet between the X2 and FX atm.

 

[avatar3k]

Watch how/when you use the word "ever".

The 3700+ is a terrific single core bang/buck for gaming and demanding apps that dun take advantage of multiple cores, so I second that.

 

[Emberwind]

Great, I will go for the 3700+ then, thanks for saving me a $100, it's well appreciated! Yeah, this machine is mostly for games like EQ2, Vanguard when it comes out and maybe Morrowind:Oblivion. My current machine can do EQ2 with everything maxed except for shadows, and this new build kicks my current builds butt, so that's why I opted for single core. I can't imagine a significant improvement in those games with a dual core. Maybe other games that come out later this year might change my mind on that, but who knows !

 

[jnjkele]

If those are the games you are running, then I wouldn't neccessarily spend the cash on the X1900 unless you feel the burning need to have the latest and greatest. . . the 7800GT will give you very good performance for 200 bucks less. That one will last you longer in terms of 'future proofing' the machine but it is a very expensive card that will be awhile before games fully utilize it.

-J

 

[avatar3k]

tru dat...unless you really wanna get into some of the really demanding stuff, i see no need for a $500 vid when ocing a 7800gt from evga for $300 + 30 for aftermarket gpu cooler is good enough.