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Please help with new gaming system

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Please help with new gaming system

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girlD6   03-20-2006 at 06:08:57 PM

I am trying to build a new gaming system fast, are these items recommend?

SAPPHIRE 100154 Radeon X1800XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card

I am considering

Asus+Atlon 64 x2 4400
Motherboard Combo

Memory
Memory

I still need:

Power Suppy
DVD
Heat Sink

Thanks

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Bluefinger   03-20-2006 at 06:38:05 PM
- 0 +

If you can afford a 4400+... why not go for a 4200+ (Or Opteron 165 for OCing), save the money and get a better video card, like an Nvidia 7900GT or ATI X1900XT? Memory, simple, go with either Corsair, OCZ, or Patriot...

As for PSUs, Hiper makes good ones, along with Antec, Seasonic, Tagan...
For DVD-RW, an NEC 4550A will do fine, reads and writes with all current formats on CD and DVD...
And heatsink.... depends really, any of the Zalman range is good, but this heavily depends whether you are going to OC your cpu or not, otherwise Stock HSF with a decent thermal compound like Arctic Silver 5 will suffice.

Reply to Bluefinger
girlD6   03-20-2006 at 10:14:21 PM
- 0 +

I already purchased the video card. I still need to purchase a motherboard and pocessor. Is the motherboard and processor combo listed above a good choice?


Thanks

Reply to girlD6
Bluefinger   03-20-2006 at 10:23:34 PM
- 0 +

Ummm.... you won't get an ATI card running on that mobo.... that mobo is specifically for running Nvidia cards in the SLI configuration.... Best bet is either an A8N-E or A8N-MVP, or another NF4 mobo on the other makes, like DFI or Epox.

Reply to Bluefinger
girlD6   03-20-2006 at 10:28:25 PM
- 0 +

Now I am really freaking out. I didn't know that I couldn't use any video card on any motherboard other than AGP or PCI-E.


Thanks so much for your help. I am trying to get this done yesterday.

Reply to girlD6
Bluefinger   03-20-2006 at 10:32:15 PM
- 0 +

Eh, if its an internet order, you can always return the product if its within the returns policy time... just send an application for an RMA to replace the product with another....

Reply to Bluefinger
girlD6   03-20-2006 at 10:36:02 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

Ummm.... you won't get an ATI card running on that mobo.... that mobo is specifically for running Nvidia cards in the SLI configuration.... Best bet is either an A8N-E or A8N-MVP, or another NF4 mobo on the other makes, like DFI or Epox.



Will either of motherboards you listed run ATI X1900XT if so which motherboard would you choose?


Thanks

Reply to girlD6
handym3000   03-20-2006 at 11:22:07 PM
- 0 +

that card will work on that motherboard. dont freak out. if the card is a pci-express which it is then it will work. it looks all good to me

Reply to handym3000
girlD6   03-20-2006 at 11:55:56 PM
- 0 +

So far this is what I have managed to put together:


Memory

Processor

Video Card

I don't have a motherboard. I have no clue what SLI so I am assuming I don't need it.

If I should go with something other than the products listed here please let me know. I am still struggling with the motherboard. I am trying to build a good gaming system.

Thanks

Reply to girlD6
a1ien   03-21-2006 at 12:09:19 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

Ummm.... you won't get an ATI card running on that mobo.... that mobo is specifically for running Nvidia cards in the SLI configuration.... Best bet is either an A8N-E or A8N-MVP, or another NF4 mobo on the other makes, like DFI or Epox.



Actually... an ATI x1900xt will run on that motherboard. You just won't be able to crossfire it. So don't worry.

Reply to a1ien
Bluefinger   03-21-2006 at 12:12:30 AM
- 0 +

oh well... my mistake...

Reply to Bluefinger
a1ien   03-21-2006 at 02:49:16 AM
- 0 +

No problem man. :D Learn something new everyday, right? Although I will say that from what I have read... mismatching your video card and the chipset (i.e. a Nvidia card on a ATI based motherboard) does slightly, and I mean slightly, give you a lower performance than matching them. But I think it is so slight that you might only notice it a little bit in benchmarking and not actually playing games.

Reply to a1ien
girlD6   03-21-2006 at 03:02:15 AM
- 0 +

What about this motherboard?
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon XPRESS 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Motherboard

Reply to girlD6
shadowduck   03-21-2006 at 03:06:14 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

What about this motherboard?
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon XPRESS 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Motherboard



Unless you plan on buying TWO video cards right now or within the next month Crossfire/SLI is not worth it. If you do not plan on doing this, do not buy a SLI/Crossfire motherboard. DFI makes a great board for $88 (Ultra Infinity NFD) and Asus makes one for $95 (A8N-E). Both of these boards will take care of your needs just fine.

Reply to shadowduck
Newf   03-21-2006 at 03:20:11 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

No problem man. :D Learn something new everyday, right? Although I will say that from what I have read... mismatching your video card and the chipset (i.e. a Nvidia card on a ATI based motherboard) does slightly, and I mean slightly, give you a lower performance than matching them. But I think it is so slight that you might only notice it a little bit in benchmarking and not actually playing games.

You may find this strange, but ATI cards actually run slightly faster using nF4 chipsets than their own. It is true that you can't run crossfire on NVidia chips though.

Reply to Newf
girlD6   03-21-2006 at 03:23:21 AM
- 0 +

Please critique my final specs.

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

Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

Memory
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail

Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100154 Radeon X1800XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card

Reply to girlD6
Newf   03-21-2006 at 03:25:23 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

What about this motherboard?
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon XPRESS 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

That board will work just fine for you. It also allows the OPTION of dual cards in the future. It's also a relative bargain.

Reply to Newf
Newf   03-21-2006 at 03:28:24 AM
- 0 +

Do you plan on overclocking?

Reply to Newf
girlD6   03-21-2006 at 03:30:28 AM
- 0 +

No over clocking. I would like to build a good system so I don't have to do this again for at least 5 years. I know its wishful thinking but I am wishing.

Reply to girlD6
Newf   03-21-2006 at 03:44:18 AM
- 0 +

You are on your way. I asked about overclocking because of the ram. I use the exact same 2x1G Corsair in my X2 system. It works great BUT will not OC well. Your system should rock... :)
Don't forget to pay attention to a quality power supply. It does not have to cost a fortune. Newegg has FSP supplies that will work well for $65 and up.

Reply to Newf
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