My first rig. Need some help.

[Rand0m7158]

Updated June 13th

I've decided to build a new computer around AM2 after researching a little bit about it. My main goal is something that I can use to play games and do regular computer related tasks (surf the net, listen to music, etc). I don't do any overclocking, file compression, video/image editing or multitasking.

So far I've come up with everything (compatible?) except the memory and video card. I have an $800 spending limit and I have speakers, keyboard, mouse and a monitor.

Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black (link)
Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W Power Supply (link)
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI ATX Mobo
(link)
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Processor (link)
Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (link)
NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A (link)


For memory, I'm clueless about what I need. For a video card, I was thinking about the Radeon X1600XT 256MB (link) or the Radeon X1800XT 256MB (link).

All help and advice is much appreciated!

 

[tyr86]

All is good except for your case and RAM.

Switch out your case with one of those Antec or Thermaltake cases with a built-in PSU to save money and get a quality PSU with your case, and If you can fit it into your budget, get 2 GB of RAM. That way you'll be good to go when Vista arrives.

 

[Rand0m7158]

All is good except for your case and RAM.

Switch out your case with one of those Antec or Thermaltake cases with a built-in PSU to save money and get a quality PSU with your case, and If you can fit it into your budget, get 2 GB of RAM. That way you'll be good to go when Vista arrives.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Is this a better case and PSU?

Case - Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black
PSU - Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-430 430W

I was planning on getting another stick of 1 GB RAM later this year so that's why I'm only getting one right now.

Also, how well will I be able to play BF2 and CoD2 with this computer?

 

[MrsD]

This must be the 20th post exactly like this one in the last 24 hours.
Again, I will reiterate.
Why go socket 939 when you can go AM2 with DDR-2 800 for the same price? Socket 939 will only be upgradeable with whats out now. AM2 will run the 65nm X2's when they come out.

 

[blueangel]

This must be the 20th post exactly like this one in the last 24 hours.
Again, I will reiterate.
Why go socket 939 when you can go AM2 with DDR-2 800 for the same price? Socket 939 will only be upgradeable with whats out now. AM2 will run the 65nm X2's when they come out.

Agreed, if you are looking to upgrade your system anywhere in the future, go with AM2. But it is a little more pricy, I would recommend bucking personally. But if you don’t want to upgrade, your current mobo and proc will work fine.

 

[Rand0m7158]

This must be the 20th post exactly like this one in the last 24 hours.
Again, I will reiterate.
Why go socket 939 when you can go AM2 with DDR-2 800 for the same price? Socket 939 will only be upgradeable with whats out now. AM2 will run the 65nm X2's when they come out.

I don't plan to upgrade for awhile after this.

 

[blueangel]

All is good except for your case and RAM.

Switch out your case with one of those Antec or Thermaltake cases with a built-in PSU to save money and get a quality PSU with your case, and If you can fit it into your budget, get 2 GB of RAM. That way you'll be good to go when Vista arrives.

Your first choice of case will be fine, if you like it better than the second one. With your components, unless you are looking to overclock, the first case will be good enough, your first power supply is good enough too. Getting more ram will help performance, but I would also recommend, if you don’t get 2 GB get 2 512 DDR ram, this will help your performance in all areas.

 

[wun911]

All looks good just go and buy now

 

[Rand0m7158]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to go ahead and get the second stick of RAM.

 

[tyr86]

If you can afford to make the jump to AM2, you can get a mobo for $130 or so and you can get a socket AM2 chip for 65 bucks or so, sempron 2800 or 3000. Then you can upgrade the proc later to 65nm w/e. Dual core it, quad core it, w/e you can get 6 months to 18 months from now.

 

[edwuave]

I want something that can let me play Battlefield 2, F.E.A.R. and Call of Duty 2 on really high settings.
ASPIRE X-Dreamer ATXB3KLW-BK/420W
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe ATX
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
eVGA Geforce 7600GT 256-P2-N553-AX
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Western Digital Caviar SE 80GB
NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner

All help and adivce is very much appreciated!

F.E.A.R on really high settings?are u joking?u need more than a 7600GT to do that.

 

[Rand0m7158]

I decided to go with AM2 so I've made some changes.

 

[kais]

i wouldnt get the 3800+. get a better motherboard like the m2n32 sli or the m2n sli dlx if you wont e using cf. and for the pro. get a 3000 or 3200. youd save a lot rather than getting a 3800 which is nothing better. if you want to get dual core suggest the 4000 x2

 

[Rand0m7158]

Thanks.. I'll go with the ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe and a 3500+.

As for the video card, I'm still undecided. Need some help!

 

[carpcmelee]

wow, i've never seen a rig so cheap. that thing rocks. get the x1800xt for around 240 and ull have a killer gaming rig. hmmm, i need to get something like that.

 

[LPS]

Thanks.. I'll go with the ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe and a 3500+.

As for the video card, I'm still undecided. Need some help!

I would be looking at the nVidia cards so you have the option to go SLI later if you want.

 

[Rand0m7158]

I'm still looking for a good set of 2 GB RAM. I'm not familiar with DDR2, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Rand0m7158]

Bump

 

[LPS]

Go to the manufacturers website and check out the compatible memory they suggest or have tested.

Usually most of the bigger names woill work, Corsair, Kingston, Geil, Crucial, OCZ etc.

I am sure most people here would agree to stay away from the generic DDR2 if you want to OC.

I would also go to the asus support forum and look up this board and see what issues others are having with their ram choices.

 

[maverick777]

Here's the set I'm looking at for my build
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034

See my build in my sig.