PLZ Help Building PC, $1500 Budget

[dereckbc]

Noob here, building my first PC and I can really use some help. From what I have seen here so far suggest I cam to the right place. I have about $1500 to build the box excluding monitor and software. I am really struggling selecting and matching components. I fear I have really made some noob blunders and need some guidance.

Here is the deal; the PC will be used for:

Gaming
BF2
MS Flight Simulator
Doom 4
Sims 2 (my wife’s thing, not mine).

Other
MS office suit
Surfing the web.

Will not be used for video editing, sound mixing, storing MP3. Mostly used for business and play time.

Here is what I am thinking about so far. Any and everything is open for suggestions.

* Case: Antec Solution SLK3000-B, Black steel ATX Mid Tower
* PSU: Antec Truepower TPII-550 ATX12V 550 Watt
* MoBo: Asus A8N-SLI Premium, Socket 939, NVIDIA nForce4 SLI (may be a waist of $$).
* CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Manchester 1GHz HT
* Memory: Corsair XMS 2GB (2 x 1 GB) mod Twinx2048-3200c2pt
* Graphic: Radeon X850 XT, or GeForce 7800 GT. (head is spinning over this one)
* Sound Card: ?? Do I really need one since the MoBo has chip set?
* HDD: WD Caviar SE16 WD3200KS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA
* DVD/CD Burner: NEC 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner IDE/ATAPI Mod ND-3550A OEM (clueless if this will burn both CD and DVD’s.

That is it for the major components. MoBo and Video Graphic is really confusing the heck out of me. Does this sound right? I really want a system that I can easily expand for the next five or so years. Any comments or suggestion welcomed, especially an education.

THX

 

[angry_ducky]

It looks OK, but here's what I'd change, IMHO:

I'd change the case to the Cooler Master Cavalier. I'm biased because I have one, but it's big, attractive looking, and has plenty of airflow. Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119074

Newegg also has it in silver.

For the video card, I'd get a 7900GT. It'll run outperform, run cooler than, and use less power than the 7800GT. It's faster than a 7800GTX, and barely more expensive than the 7800GT. Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130281

A sound card has its own audio processor, whereas integrated sound uses the CPU to process the audio. Plus, music and game audio will sound a lot better with a sound card. Creative makes the best sound cards. Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188

The motherboard is a good one, but you could save money with a non-SLI board. Other than that, your build looks good. Quack.

 

[angry_ducky]

Which is what I just said, BTW

 

[dereckbc]

Thanks so far. I am mistified by the SLI MoBo. If I were to go to the 7900 GT, do I need a SLI MoBo. Or in other words what does the SLI do and does it buy me anything. Would love to trim back on MoBo, but do not know the pros and cons of doing so.

 

[HumbleGod]

Which X2 Manchester? 3800+, 4200+, 4600+? Either way, if you must have a dual-core, check out an Opteron instead--similar pricing, server grade, better OC potential.

SLI is technology where you can use two graphics cards to boost graphics performance. In other words, to use SLI you'd need two of those cards. Don't bother; SLI is just another way to pry money from rich fools. Get one great card instead (the 7900GT is a good choice).

That NEC burner should be fine. Any DVD+R drive will burn CD-Rs as well these days, including the one you mention.

Honestly, it sounds like you might need to research things a bit more before committing yourself to components. Read these forums for a few more weeks to better understand what you'll need for your build.

 

[HumbleGod]

Another thing--since this is mostly a gaming PC, and you probably won't be doing a lot of multitasking, you may not benefit much from a dual-core CPU. Few games these days are optimized for dual core CPUs, although this may change in coming years. Consider an Athlon 64 3700+ or an Opteron 148 instead--you'll save money and still have enough processing power for the tasks you have in mind.

 

[angry_ducky]

I was about to say that

 

[steveosazninvazn]

It looks good, please specify which processor your going to use. I'd go with the nVidia, but that's just because most of my positive experiences have been with them.

 

[dereckbc]

Processor I am considering is Anthlon 64 X2 3800+. Sorry for leaving that out.

Humble, I am researching, that is why I am here. Like I said I am a newbie and need help matching components.

I am willing to change any component like the MoBo and Processor. What do you suggets?

 

[angry_ducky]

You most definately DO NOT need an SLI mobo to have a 7900GT. You need to have an SLI mobo if you want to have TWO 7900GT's. Which is kind of a waste.

 

[dereckbc]

OK after some advice here and doing some research here is my revised configuration. Please tell me what you think and if I screwed up.

Case: Coolermaster CAC-T05-UW
PSU: Antec TPII-550ATX
MoBo: ASUS A8N5X NF4 939
CPU: Anthlon 64 4000+ 2.4G
V-Card: EVGA GF 7900GT 256-P2-N563
S-Card: Creative X-FI Extreme
MEMORY: Corsair Twin2048-3200c2pt
H-Drive: WD 7K 8M SATA2 WD3200JS 320GB
DVD Burner HP DVD740R1 16X

Well this all work together?

 

[xBlueBoron]

I'd go with the Dual core CPU. Don't let people convince you that one processor is better, you'll be sorry if you do. You could save money buy just buying cheaper Soundblaster sound card.

And will these new gadgets such as Physics cards make use of the second PCI express slots, if so I would go with an SLI motherboard.

 

[blafrisch]

I agree on the dual-core CPU also. I'm going to one-up that though and make a very good recommendation:

Socket 939 Opteron 165 (or 170)

Fantastic processor that you can overclock quite a lot. (I'd recommend overclocking it) It comes with a great stock heatsink too (albeit you should use your own termal goo, Arctic Silver 5 is best right now)

 

[admiral25]

OK after some advice here and doing some research here is my revised configuration. Please tell me what you think and if I screwed up.

Case: Coolermaster CAC-T05-UW
PSU: Antec TPII-550ATX
MoBo: ASUS A8N5X NF4 939
CPU: Anthlon 64 4000+ 2.4G
V-Card: EVGA GF 7900GT 256-P2-N563
S-Card: Creative X-FI Extreme
MEMORY: Corsair Twin2048-3200c2pt
H-Drive: WD 7K 8M SATA2 WD3200JS 320GB
DVD Burner HP DVD740R1 16X

Well this all work together?

3800 x2 (oc it to 2.4ghz) instead of 4000+ (same speed but dual core)
if you stay with the 4000+ u dont need 2 gigs of ram 1 gig is enough
nec 3550a vs that hp dvd burner
Caviar SE16 WD3200KS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA2

 

[parlee]

did he even say hed liek to overclock? if not id get the first amd x2 with 1mb cache percore... as for video card, like every1 said, 7900gt... id get an sli board because if u plan to have this for 5 years, maybe adding another 7900gt in a year or 2 wont be too bad of an idea. id stick with the dual core since newer games are becomming multi threaded and u want to own this comp for up to 5 years... if anyone has said to "wait for vista" advise = delete there post. vista has already been delayed until 07 and microsoft seems to be taking its sweet ass time in getting it to us... i think the amd x2 4400 is the first dual core with 1mb cache... id say to not buy an opteron if ur not gonna overclock since an x2 will be just as stable at stock speeds as any other processor.

 

[quicsilver]

I agree with parlee. It's the guys first PC, don't confuse him with overclocking now. He's going to be sweatin balls just worrying about everything working after he puts it together anyway, much less worrying about toasting his new system. We all know that within the next two or three years you will want to build another one, so SLI is a pointless money waster, and the dual core is really up to you. If you plan on multi tasking, internet, DVD watching, word processing, then you will see little to no performance loss with an X2. Think of it this way, in two years when there are actually games to take advantage of the SLI and the video cards are cheaper, upgrade your mobo and buy another 7900 and it'll actually be worth the money. The sound card seems a little steep, don't go too overboard now, b/c unless you plan on spending another $300+ on good speakers, get a nice base model that will definetly sound better than your onboard. Why the DVD change to an HP? Just wondering... What about monitors.....???

IMO - No SLI No Overclock and go with the x2, everyone multitasks, stop denying it.

 

[bob5568]

If a guy is planning to use the same computer for 5 years, it hardly matters splitting hairs over details of his build, assuming he establishes a good solid match of parts.

Any of the suggestions made here (except sli) strike me as a fair matching of parts.

In a couple years, his equipment will be quite obsolete, no matter what.

 

[dereckbc]

To answer a few questions.

Monitor and Speakers, I already have from a previos PC. I have 4- Altec Lansing satelites and Sub-woofer that contains the amplifiers.

S-Card selection was out of ignorance. What is a good match?

Over clocking, I know what it is, but do not know how. Assume it it is the BIOS settings, never tinkered with it.

Beats me why I changed DVD from NEC to HP, guess I thought the HP had more features. Am I wrong?

Mega dittos to the hard drive catch, just a few bucks more for a lot more performance.

As for the Dual Core and SLI debate, keep it coming, I am learning.

 

[neax]

As for the Dual Core and SLI debate, keep it coming, I am learning.

Have a read of the thread that i started....has been along similar lines to yours here...some interesting insights on SLI....
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hard...-lt-1200-good-upgrade-path-ftopict179286.html

I am same as you ...unsure about the benifits of SLI....I was looking at it from an upgrade perspective, not for now....but general advice seems to suggest that it is propably not worth it.

I am interested reading your thread, as you are looking at a similar system to me.....however i have a tighter budget so will be getting a cheaper cpu and graphics card

 

[quicsilver]

In my opinion, think of SLi this way, software and hardware manufactuers haven't even had enough time to take full advantage of PCI express, much less two PCI express cards. Wasted money

 

[unbiased4u]

Here's a system I would get:

Cooler Master Centurion 5 Blue - $45
edit: or get the Cooler Master Wavemaster - $130 Very beautiful case
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - $90
AMD Opteron 144 or 146: $130/$170 respectively (single core)
2GB Corsair XMS or Kingston HyperMemory $250-300
Min: ATI X850XT - $160
250GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA 150 - $89
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 Socket 939 ULi M1695 ATX AMD Motherboard - $65
[They have an add on card that supports AM2 and DDR2 on a certain slot...great upgradibility!]
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse - $50
any $30 Keyboard
or Splurge on this: Logitech diNovo™ Media Desktop - $150
Sony or any other company 16X DVD burner - $50

Base price: $1008 - $1310

Then spend the rest on a high quality 19" Monitor!

Hope that didn't confuse you even more LOL!

 

[illuminatirex]

im also planning to build a new pc with some of my old parts and geting new parts, so far im planning to do it during summer, and i have been researching the parts ...since i think october 2005( i know the technology changes, but then i wanted to crate a new rig in december....just didnt have time) and as well as You i wanted my system to last me that 5 years ( now im still using a pc which i got in 2001) so for now i decided to use the folowing:

-MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P5wd2E -Premium ( a lot of future upgradespossible on it)
-PROCESSOR: Pentium 4 3.2 640 (or the 641 series)
-RAM: 2 gigs of ddr2 ram 667
-GRAPHIC CARD: ATI Radeon x1900 AIW
-HSF: Zalman CuAl 7700 or the 7000 series (the lighter one)

and i wanted to use parts that i m using now
-CASE: Thermaltake Xaser III series case
-PSU: Thermaltake Purepower 480W psu
-HD: 2 hardrives (240 gb total)
-Sony DVD drive
-Yamaha F1 series CD-RW drive


total cost $$ 1268 ( including a nwe windows XP...2 bad i cant use myold OEM)
to be honest im the most woried just about the power suplpy but i made a post here and 20 out of 24 people said that it wil have planty of power to power this system (im just woried about the amperage of the 12v rail), ati mentioned that the minimum for its gcard is 30A and i have only 18A, so it might be insufficient there, or maby ati overstated it by alot, any thinughts on that???

 

[skankinred]

Don't cheap out on the PSU. If you don't plan on adding 4 HD's or lots of pci slots later on than the Antec true is good. If you want to upgrade go with PC Power and Cooling 510. It's twice as much but about 40% more power. Do NOT use your current PSU for this new pc. People don't realize the PSU is the heart of your computer. It's just as important as the CPU; it's connected to everything.

Nothing beats the NEC 3500 series speed and reliability and only $38:
NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
DVD-RW and CD-RW all in one. Can't beat it guranteed.

Sorry but I would reccomend AMD since you get 64bit proc+dual core and better performance for less as of right now. 6months from now it may be different, but AMD is way ahead right now.
I'd reccomend the Opterson 165/170 model for it's dual core and 2mb cache. You can over clock the 170 to 2.6ghz(fx-60 speed) for only $349 vs. $1200.
Don't skip out on dual core, you will regret it later. Dual core is only 2% less performance in single core gaming compared to their FX equivalent in Ghz. But wayyy ahead in everyday application performance.

XP90 HSF currently best air cooler out right now for soc 939. It can help you get opty 170 2.6+ghz OC(fx-60) easily.

A good mobo will get you a long way with OC'ing. Stick to ASUS EPoX, DFI. DFI has been the leader for awhile now, with a heatsink/fan already installed on the northbridge. You can get the DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D for $119 @ monarch.

Don't waste your money on an ATI X1800. It's almost $300. The eVGA 7900GT smokes it easily, and it's only $319. OC'ing your eVGA does not void your warranty unlike ANY other maker. You will regret not getting the cooler running, bigger pipelined, and higher OC'ing possibilities.

 

[admiral25]

Don't waste your money on an ATI X1900. It's almost $300. The eVGA 7900GT smokes it easily, and it's only $319. OC'ing your eVGA does not void your warranty unlike ANY other maker. You will regret not getting the cooler running, bigger pipelined, and higher OC'ing possibilities.


the x1900xt is far faster than a 7900gt, I agree with the rest of your post.

 

[ForzaItalia4]

Don't waste your money on an ATI X1900. It's almost $300. The eVGA 7900GT smokes it easily, and it's only $319. OC'ing your eVGA does not void your warranty unlike ANY other maker. You will regret not getting the cooler running, bigger pipelined, and higher OC'ing possibilities.


the x1900xt is far faster than a 7900gt, I agree with the rest of your post.

Guess you didn't see where he said 1800, not 1900.