Build me a $1,500 computer

[ForzaItalia4]

Ok, here are the things:

I really want dual core, but don't plan on much overclocking, so this rules optys out. If I can't get dual core with the 1500 budget, then that's fine, but i really prefer it.

I HAVE to get the sapphire radeon x1800xt 512mb (only about 20 bucks more on newegg) for my vid card as i plan on playing oblivion at least near max.

This 1500 price needs to include a good gaming monitor.

I have 1 gig of value Kingston ram, should I go for performance ram with the 1 gig? or buy two 1 gigs or another gig of kingston value?

thanks for all the help in advanced.

 

[hubbardt]

<---- click me !

 

[ForzaItalia4]

I did, his wishlist is blank to me.

 

[NumenorLord]

CASE: Lian Li PC-7B $89.99
PSU: Antec SmartPower 2.0 500 watt $68.99
MOBO: ASUS A8N-E $92.99
GFX: Sapphire 256 mb X1800XT $279.99 ($259.99 after rebates)
CPU: Opteron 165 $325
RAM: OCZ 2x1GB DDR 400 2-3-2-5 $191.99 ($141.99 after rebates)
HD for OS/games: Seagate Barracuda 80 GB $51.00
HD for Storage: Seagate Barracuda 300 GB $110.00
LCD: Viewsonic 19" Widescreen 8 ms $274.99
OPTICAL: Samsung 16x DVD+/-R Drive $44.99
COOLING:
Thermaltake Big Typhoon Heatsink+Fan $49.99

That works out to $1510, after rebates. I believe that it would be $1580 before rebates. You don't need 256 mb for your graphics card, but if you need the 512 mb version that would raise your pre-rebate price by $20 to $1600 and after rebate price to $1550. My advice to you: save up a bit more and get the above specs. You'll want to pick up a dedicated sound card later (I'm guessing you also have a keyboard and mouse to use in the meantime).

 

[ForzaItalia4]

I don't need two harddrives, unless there's a real specific reason why you prefer two or more. One 160+ HD should do fine, no? I'm not gonna have a stopwatch when my apps are loading. Also, I don't want to overclock so should I really get an opteron + a fan to replace the stock fan?

Oh, and like i said earlier I have a gig of kingston ram already as it is, should I just get another one of those for 70 or so? or two of them?

 

[kitchenshark]

LOL! I was just pricing out a new budget/gaming rig for myself. XD

Anyway, all these prices are newegg and DO include S/H but not after-rebate prices.

$284 for 3800+
$184 for XFX 7600Gt 256mb
$160 for WD Raptor 74Gb
$94 for DFI nF4 Ultra-Infinity
$192 for Patriot 2Gb Low Latency
$50 for Zalman HS
$40 for DVD burner
$100 for case
$90 for Seagate 250Gb SATA HDD
$1194

Mine is supposed to be a budget thing, so I've skimped in some areas to save $$$. Since you have more to spend, I'd probably put the extra into a nice 7900GTX for gfx and maybe a better proc.

 

[guyinyourattic37]

CASE: Lian Li PC-7B $89.99
PSU: Antec SmartPower 2.0 500 watt $68.99
MOBO: ASUS A8N-E $92.99
GFX: Sapphire 256 mb X1800XT $279.99 ($259.99 after rebates)
CPU: Opteron 165 $325
RAM: OCZ 2x1GB DDR 400 2-3-2-5 $191.99 ($141.99 after rebates)
HD for OS/games: Seagate Barracuda 80 GB $51.00
HD for Storage: Seagate Barracuda 300 GB $110.00
LCD: Viewsonic 19" Widescreen 8 ms $274.99
OPTICAL: Samsung 16x DVD+/-R Drive $44.99
COOLING:
Thermaltake Big Typhoon Heatsink+Fan $49.99

That works out to $1510, after rebates. I believe that it would be $1580 before rebates. You don't need 256 mb for your graphics card, but if you need the 512 mb version that would raise your pre-rebate price by $20 to $1600 and after rebate price to $1550. My advice to you: save up a bit more and get the above specs. You'll want to pick up a dedicated sound card later (I'm guessing you also have a keyboard and mouse to use in the meantime).

The Thermaltake Big typhoon is a bad idea. The stock opty hsf is almost as good and is free. Don't get a widescreen for gaming. That should shave ~$70 so u can get the 512MB x1800xt

 

[kitchenshark]

Yes! I'd definitely recommend 2 hdds! I use a 36Gb Raptor currently for my OS/games and a 120Gb drive for storage. It makes it SOOOO nice when I can wipe my Raptor whenever I want to reinstall windows and games without worrying about my work being lost.

 

[UnWorldly]

that friggin list dissapeared again!? wtf is up with newegg how do I make the list stay up.
(nevermind, the list is still there, you need to log in to the site to see it I think)

The best value for monitors seems to be in the 19 inch right now, I wouldnt get one with built in speakers and wide screen though, this one(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116363) would save you 30 bucks, it depends on how much widescreen is worth to you. I also have an aversion to samsung disc drives, though it is only based on a laptop cdr drive from 2002, it sucked so miserably that I swore off of samsung, YMMV.

the specs for your machine are actually a bit higher than the one I planned out, but you're not including kb/mouse and aren't aiming for silence either so you have more left over for better stuff. That ram numenor just linked is cheaper and has better timings than the one I had in my list after rebates, I am gonna switch mine for that one.

But yeah, that list is quite similar to mine. except 2 hds, an opty, different power supply, nicer screen, different cooling.

 

[NumenorLord]

Oh yeah, I forgot that the stock HSF for Opterons was pretty good. Scratch that Big Typhoon! That saves you $50. Also, I guess the 512 mb X1800XT for $300 (Sapphire version) can't hurt.

Oh, and to the guy that said don't get a widescreen: why is it that once people go widescreen they don't go back? I absolutely love my 20" widescreen. Most of the new games actually support widescreen, and you can have it play fullscreen if you need to. Seriously, widescreen is the way to go. Just think about movies as well. It will seriously give you a lot more picture over a 4:3 ratio would for widescreen media. I mean, I don't mind playing The Battle for Middle-Earth in fullscreen (mainly because EA is dumb), but Oblivion in widescreen is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[ForzaItalia4]

I forgot to say that I also want win xp pro in this 1500 budget. thanks

 

[jaguarskx]

Oh, and to the guy that said don't get a widescreen: why is it that once people go widescreen they don't go back? I absolutely love my 20" widescreen. Most of the new games actually support widescreen, and you can have it play fullscreen if you need to.

I like the viewing height of my 19" 4:3 monitor. So if I want the same viewing height in a widescreen monitor, then I need to get a 23" widescreen LCD. They are kinda expensive.

A 20" widescreen would be like a 17" 4:3 LCD in terms of viewing height, that's too small for me.

 

[NumenorLord]

jaguar, have you ever used a widescreen monitor? It's worth the extra cash. Besides, it just struck me as being very close to that golden ratio of ~1.618 (look it up on wiki). It's very aesthetically pleasing, but that's not why you should get it. In fact, it's just been so long since I used a 4:3 monitor that I forget what they're like. It just feels so much more open. 4:3 feels... like everything is stuffed into a tiny space. Widescreen is the way to go. Just look around. You'll find tons of people that love it. Perhaps the only downside is that not every game supports widescreen, but that's no matter. You can still play them in fullscreen.

 

[someguyy]

Here is what you ar asking for/ more or less what i have.

Saphire X1800xt-------------------------$289 (269 after $20 mail in rebate)
Amd X2 3800----------------------------$209
Antec Truepower2 550 watt------------$99 (79 after rebate)
Patriot Memory 2gb dual channel kit--$181 ($126 after $55 rebate)
Asus A8N-E------------------------------$92
Seagate barracuda 300gb--------------$110
Viewsonic 19" widescreen (example)--$274
Sony DVD burner------------------------$38
Cooler Master Centurion(example)-----$50 (excellent quality for the price)

Total---------------------------------------$1342 (and thats befor rebates)
Total (after rebates)----------------------$1247

This is an AMd system. However i think you should go with an up to date intel system as it can be upgraded to a conroe system later (i think). (btw i am an AMD fanboy)

 

[shadowduck]

However i think you should go with an up to date intel system as it can be upgraded to a conroe system later (i think). (btw i am an AMD fanboy)

Only if its Intels 975 chipset, and it might be upgradable depending on the motherboard. Knowing Intel I would not make any buying decisions based on that until someone proves it can be done. Otherwise, oops you just wasted some money .

 

[ForzaItalia4]

Here is what you ar asking for/ more or less what i have.

Saphire X1800xt-------------------------$289 (269 after $20 mail in rebate)
Amd X2 3800----------------------------$209
Antec Truepower2 550 watt------------$99 (79 after rebate)
Patriot Memory 2gb dual channel kit--$181 ($126 after $55 rebate)
Asus A8N-E------------------------------$92
Seagate barracuda 300gb--------------$110
Viewsonic 19" widescreen (example)--$274
Sony DVD burner------------------------$38
Cooler Master Centurion(example)-----$50 (excellent quality for the price)

Total---------------------------------------$1342 (and thats befor rebates)
Total (after rebates)----------------------$1247

This is an AMd system. However i think you should go with an up to date intel system as it can be upgraded to a conroe system later (i think). (btw i am an AMD fanboy)

please let me know where you saw a 3800+ x2 for 209$, thanks

 

[hubbardt]

I love my 24" widescreen