New System for Gaming

[MASTERxSYRUS]

sup guys! new to the forums. just thought i would drop by and post some specs to build a new gaming rig. im fairly experience with comps just not awesome with em. so any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Case: Gigabyte 3D Aurora. not sure whether to go silver or black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811233001

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103546

Mobo: this is a tough decision. stuck between
ASUS CROSSHAIR
http://www.hardware.info/en-US/articles/am9nZGpoZA/ASUS_Crosshair_mainboard_review/
and
ASUS A8N32-SLI DELUXE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

Video Card: eVGA Geforce 7950GX2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130023

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145038

Power Supply: anyone have a good suggestion?


what ya guys think? feel free to flame/support/ or offer advice. thanks again

 

[MASTERxSYRUS]

bump

 

[desolationw]

I suggest Core 2 Duo E6400, with Asus P5B Deluxe. And 2gb of Corsair RAM

agreed

 

[sweetpants]

I also agree with the above posters. If you're going to be gaming heavily I would be looking at the Core 2 Duo or, if you're a die-hard AMD guy, a much more expensive AMD that only competes (not necessarily bests) the Core 2 Duo of a similar price range.

 

[Doughbuy]

I third everyone's decision.

PSU wise, Antec Trio 650W is nice, GameXStream 600W, CMPSU-HX620 is good, Seasonic is fine, lots of PSU's out there.

I recommend GameXStream though.

 

[WR2]

That socket 939 4400+ will not work in the Crosshair AM2 motherboard.
There is no good future upgrade path for socket 939 so AM2 CPU/Motherboars is the best way to go. AM2 Quadcore CPUs (starting in 2007) will give you a future upgrade path.

Here are 2 recommended systems - choose based on your budget.
AMD X2 3800+ ~$1100
AMD X2 4200+ ~$1600

You can find suggested C2D systems at that same website.

 

[MASTERxSYRUS]

Awesome! thanks for the feedback guys. it is greatly appreciated. like i said, i know enough to get by. but sadly i didn't recognize the processor wasn't am2. ty for pointing that out. lmao dumb mistake.

anyhow in terms of the crossfire mobo. i have heard great things about it? do you guys know something i dont about its performance etc? seems like a pretty sweet mobo.

what would be a considerable processor that could compete with the intel core 2 duo e6400 that is a AMD AM2 socket? around same price range...

i really do appreciate ur guy's help. saving me some money and frustration. thanks again!

also doughbuy im gonna take ur suggestion on that PSU


___

In terms of a case. what do you guys think is better?

Ultra Mid Tower ATX
http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=13&pPath=411&productID=409

or

Gigabyte 3D AURORA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811233003

 

[sweetpants]

Honestly I like the Ultra better... reason being the hard drive cages. It seems super easy to install hard drives, along with the rails as well.

EDIT:

On the flip side though, the Ultra looks rather bland... I would definately do something to make it a bit sexier, added LED fans, maybe a custom window applique from frozencpu.com or something

 

[MASTERxSYRUS]

cool. thats kinda what i was thinking as well. heard its really good to wire with as well.

 

[WR2]

what would be a considerable processor that could compete with the intel core 2 duo e6400 that is a AMD AM2 socket? around same price range...

Look for the AMD in the same price range. How easy is that?
So E6400 $220 ~=~ X2 4600 $250
Then use the THG Interactive CPU chart to compare benchmarks
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=433&model2=467&chart=170

 

[sweetpants]

There you have it, slightly better performer for cheaper = much better

 

[WR2]

There you have it, slightly better performer for cheaper = much better

Its true the C2D CPU is cheaper but when you add in the cost of the a roughly equivelent C2D motherboard vs AM2 motherboard then the CPU/Motherboard cost tips in favor of AMD.

But probably not enough to offset the slightly better performance of the C2D. On the other hand, in practical terms, a person would be VERY hard pressed to notice the difference in terms of peformance. They would seem equally as fast unless you had someway to measure them - like those benchmarks.

 

[sweetpants]

This is very true, I forgot to take into account the cost of the Intel boards. There are a couple budget boards out there, I believe Epox has one for sub 100 bucks, and MSI has one hovering at around 100. The Gigabyte one that I ordered was about 120.