My first build please help

trang2

Distinguished
Jul 19, 2006
3
0
18,510
Hi, I am going to buy my first computer which is mostly used for gaming. Please give me your opinion. Also, can anyone tell me if I need to get a cooling device for my CPU or any other parts ?
Thanks,

CPU: Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800IAA5CU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103735
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131022
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
VGA: POWERCOLOR X800GTO256MBDDR3 Radeon X800GTO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814131007
HardDrive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102188
Case: COOLER MASTER Ammo 533 RC-533-SWN1 Black/Silver Aluminum+Plastic front bezel; SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119098
PSU: XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817189003
DVD: SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SH-S162L/BEBN - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151118
 

stoppard

Distinguished
Feb 10, 2006
75
0
18,630
I've got to agree on the sound card. Onboard sound is pretty good these days. put that money toward gfx and get a sound card later if you feel you really want one. The performace hit for onboard sound is not nearly as big as having an inferior gfx card.

As far as cooling goes, use the one the processor comes with, unless you plan to OC.

If you planning on a high OC, watercooling is the way to go. A moderate OC will do fine on air and in that case I'd recommend a Zalman.

As far as your HDD, you may consider getting two smaller drives and running raid 0.
 

obobski

Distinguished
Jan 1, 2006
38
0
18,530
You won't see any massive increase in graphical performance with that switch, and it'll actually hurt in some games where it'll try to run the SM3.0 path, which is more complex, requires more power, etc.
 

dougie_boy

Distinguished
Jun 15, 2006
596
0
18,990
You won't see any massive increase in graphical performance with that switch, and it'll actually hurt in some games where it'll try to run the SM3.0 path, which is more complex, requires more power, etc.

your right. sorry bout that. ignore me.
 

trang2

Distinguished
Jul 19, 2006
3
0
18,510
Thank you all for your opinion.

The reason I chose that COOLER MASTER case is because I plan to move to another city in the end of this year and I think the case handle will be very helpful.

I dont intend to overclock my system (at least in the near future) so maybe I will go with the CPU cooler.

It is too bad that I have bought the sound card yesterday (as I found the deal on dealsea.com), but I will increase the budget for graphic card if it worths.
 

purplerat

Distinguished
Jul 18, 2006
1,519
0
19,810
Definatly agree on nixing the sound card and upgrading the graphics. You'd be giving up to much video performance for very little audio. I'd also recomend scaling back the ram to 1 gig(2x512). Since this is you're first system I wouldn't dive in head first with the 2gigs seeing as you probably won't need it right away. When you do you'll be able to easily add it for a total cost that will probably be cheaper. The extra money can then go to a better graphics card. If already plan on spending $100 + $80(-sound) + $60(-1gig ram) that puts you at $240 plus maybe a little extra and you're in the market for a pretty sweet card.