2 basic light gaming builds... suggestions please

[2000wrx]

Here are two directions I am considering, I play mostly MMO's with my son, and will do some light Photoshop, Alias, and some maya... though this PC will be 98% MMO's like EQ2 and WoW.

From the reading I have done so far this is what I have. Two different directions with out any rational as to which direction will be better for me. I am looking for good performance within a reasonable budget.


I don't have a harddrive choice yet so if you can offer suggestion for taht as well I would appreciate it. Also I am very open to any suggestions or complete system revamps.


Thanks!!!

System 1

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2

ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400)

XFX PVT71JYHE9 GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP




System 2

ASUS - M2R32-MVP

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400)

SAPPHIRE 100176U Radeon X1950PRO 256MB GDDR3

 

[AMDThunder]

Drop the AMD.

Core 2 Duo E6600 is a few bucks cheaper and is faster than the X2 5000. Could save another $80 with the 6400 whitch matches (or is close to) the 5000 in benchies. If you plan on doing even moderate OCing, either of those Intel chips will flat smoke the 5000.

If you don't plan to use SLI, drop the SLI board and get something like the Gigabyte Gigabyte 965P-DS3. The Intel Asus boards are good too, but why pay for SLI if you don't need it.

If you don't plan to OC, the 533 ram is all you need. For a moderate OC, get the 667, and 800 memory for anything over a 400 FSB.

If your budget is much of a concern, go with the X1950Pro. Cheaper than the 7950GT and just as good depending on resolutions.

WoW ran flawlessly on my old AMD system with my 9500Pro, so you'd be fine either way. Only played EQ2 on my new set up with the 1950Pro, and it runs great.

For a hard drive, I recommend the Seagate Baracuda 7200.10 series with the perpendicular recording.
Like this one here.

 

[TSIMonster]

Why go high end AMD right now? an e6400 would out perform that CPU for less! If you do go AMD, make sure you get DDR2 800, also, the lower end x2 3800+ is a great deal right now and would play all your MMOs with ease.

I get 100+ fps in Guild Wars with the system below at 1280x1024, so I think you would be fine with a cheaper CPU (especially since the 5000+ isn't a great value)

Also, for hard drive, go for the Seagate 7200.10 320GB SATA and grab you one of the new Lite-On SATA DVD burners as well. Everything else looks good

 

[Onus]

Before I built my .sig rig, I was playing Guild Wars on a 2.4 GHz P4 and an ATI 9200SE, and it was smooth (although I was only at 800x600). I play it now at 1280x1024, and it runs great. Either of those systems (or the C2D) should exceed mine.

 

[skyguy]

Both systems you are specifying, as well as a Core2Duo system, are *technically* overkill for "light" gaming and other such non-hardcore usage for other applications.

That being said, however, there is some logic in trying to be somewhat "futureproof" to a degree.


Either way, drop the AMD. Sorry, but I'm no fanboy of Intel, I've owned both AMD and Intel very recently. But the Core2Duo systems TROUNCE the AMD's. Go with either a 6400 or 6600 with a decent vid card and your system will make the AMD rig cry.

Also, the memory you're showing is overkill. You don't need such high performance/enthusiast memory. With the C2D system, you can downgrade to cheap value DDR2-667 and have no performance loss. That will save you probably $100 right there. Use that money to upgrade to a 6600 CPU, or a better vid card, or a speaker system, or whatever.

Your money, but this route is a much better investment of your hard-earned dollars, and will provide you with a better system overall that will EASILY handle whatever you'll throw at it.

 

[2000wrx]

THANKS!! this is the kinda info I was looking for... I am starting to put together another intel based build... as far as MB's go, do you have any futher recomendations other then the Giga listed above... I just want to compare them a bit.

What chips sets are the "more desirable" sorry I have been AMD so long I am lost on the intel goodies.


Thanks a ton guys!!!

 

[skyguy]

965 chipset on the Intel. They're more mature than the new 975 sets, overclock like crazy, and are stable. The 965 mobos won't break the bank either, and should do just fine for what you need. Very highly recommend the 965 chipset.

Other than the Gigabyte, there's the ASUS P5B-e mobo. Those 2 are *probably* the most popular middle range boards. I know some people have has good experiences with the MSI and Foxconn boards. Stay away from the ECS. The Intel boards seem to be a mixed bag, so I don't trust them.

Top choices in your range are probably:

-Gigabyte 965P-DS3
-ASUS P5B-E
-Abit AB9-PRO
-MSI 965-Platinum

I own the Gigabyte. I used to own ASUS. I find the Giga to be very user-friendly and easy to tweak. Board layout is good, overclocks like a cheetah, and won't cost a fortune. All of the 4 boards listed are good though, check into them and see what strikes your fancy. I didn't list the Foxconn because I haven't heard much about it and have no personal knowledge of it either. It's a cheaper board, but if you're not into overclocking then definitely look into it.

Good luck!