What started out small, has become bigger, and bigger...!!!

BobsCountryBunker

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Apr 29, 2007
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Right. What turned out to be a simple upgrade has turned into an all-out assault on my old PC. I've decided to go for broke (literally) and purchase a new system (almost). Here is what I got (all prices Canadian dollars):

Case
Coolermaster Centurion 534 $63

MOBO
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 $150 (price match with Direct Canada)

CPU
E6600 Dual Core $269.99

Video Card
EVGA E-GeForce 7900 GS KO 500 MHz 256Mb $191.62

RAM
Corsair Value Select PC2-5300 2x1GB DDR2-667 240PIN Dual Channel $104.99

Hard Drive
WD Caviar SE16 250GB SATA2 7200RPM 16Mb 8.9MS $100.75

PSU
I have an old Star Tech 430W ATX 12V Silent Power Supply, but I'm not sure if it will be enough for everything I've got up lined up. Your advice would be very useful here.

I'm trying VERY hard to not go over $1000. I'm currently at $986.09 (I just had to add the Sennheiser PC150 Headset for $36.99 at NCIX), leaving me with $13.91. 8O

I don't plan on OC'ing, which is why I didn't get top notch RAM. I really won't be playing huge graphic intensive games for now, but I want to have the ability in the future to upgrade to a DX10 card (when prices come down a bit). Hence the 7900. It should be a HUGE upgrade over my current 9800 Pro. And it allows me to go for an E6600.

Does this sound like a good system to you? Any suggestions where I could cut costs somewhere and increase elsewhere?
 

senor_bob

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Get the DS3 from DirectCanada instead of NCIX to save a little:
Gigabyte DS3

Maybe drop down to the -S3 instead of -DS3 to save. Strangely in Canada that saves less $(Can) than it saves on Newegg in US$. I don't know why the DS3 is so expensive in Canada anyway, the E6600 seems to track US prices (with the exchange rate) but the DS3 doesn't.

This video card can save you some money if you just need a fix to hold you until the DX10 cards become cheaper:
EVGA 7600GT

Here's a case that's not as fancy as the Armor Jr, but a lot cheaper and still nice:
Coolermaster Case

I'm not familiar with the PSU you list, but 430W should be able to power that system. Just be aware that you will probably need to upgrade the PSU when you get around to getting the DX10 card.

PS 9800 Pros ruled in their day.
 

BobsCountryBunker

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Thanks again Senor_Bob! I've made the changes and that brings me down near enough my goal that I think I've got a winner.

And yes, 9800 Pros ruled. It has served me well. I will bury it with the honour it deserves.
 

BobsCountryBunker

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OK. I have secured extra funding, which will allow me to get a few more components, such as a monitor and perhaps a better video card. My current components are at the top of this thread.

I have an old 17in CRT that has seen better days. It still chugs along, but it sometimes makes a high-pitched noise that only goes away after a good slap or two.

So, does anyone have any suggestions for a gaming monitor? I've read about the VX922, and it seems a good buy, but I've also heard of problems with blurring. Should I stick with VRT, or make the transition to LCD? I'm not looking at a huge monitor, and would be happy with a 19" or 20".

Also, if I get a new monitor, will that have an impact on my choice of video card? If I play at a higher resolution than 1024*768 (or whatever it is), can the 7900 OC KO do the job? Or should I just go with the 8800 320mb? I don't plan on getting Vista (XP Pro all the way), so I'm not sure of the benefit of getting the 8800.

Your advice would once again be appreciated.
 
8800 = great dx9 card.

LCD's have matured enough to the point that Ghosting (bluring) or blacklevels are a non-issue.

Stick with a popular manufacturer, or read about the storebrand ones like Olivia (from compusa) which gets a good review.
 

erocker

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That video card is deffinately not worth it. Go for a 8800GTS 320, or if you don't want to spend the cash go for a x1950pro.
 

erocker

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If you are using Vista deffinately go for the 8800 and I can't stress enough that the current build of Vista is a memory hog. I really don't think that 2gigs is enough if you plan on some serious gaming, and the only way up from there is 4gb.
 

smartel7070

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I have a vx922 powered by asus 7900gs and it allows me to play most games with med to high settings at 12x10. vx922 = great gaming lcd !!! I had a 21" trinitron crt before and I never had any regrets about going with the vx922. Also the 7900gs overclocks like a charm. Stock 450/632 oc 575/800 with zalman vf-700cu.
 

sailer

Splendid
So, does anyone have any suggestions for a gaming monitor? I've read about the VX922, and it seems a good buy, but I've also heard of problems with blurring. Should I stick with VRT, or make the transition to LCD? I'm not looking at a huge monitor, and would be happy with a 19" or 20".

I have VX924 monitor and have had no troubles with it. While the VX922 is a step down in some respects, I think it should work well enough. The native resolution is 1280x1024. If you can afford the 8800 GTS 320, than I'd get that over the 7900.
 

BobsCountryBunker

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I'm not sure about the S3. What is the difference between both boards? The DS3 has had so many good reviews that I'm willing to pay a few more bucks, if it's worth it.

E6600 is not worth it? I would have thought it was. The 6300 is faster? If you OC I suppose it is, but I'm not big in OC'ing, as I have had a bad experience in the past.

I guess I will get the VX922. It's hard to say no to that price. What's the main difference between it and the VX924?

I'm not going to get Vista. Way too many bugs. A guy at work got it and he has had nothing but trouble with his components, and software. I'll wait another year before I go there.

As for the 8800, man it's tempting. I'll have to look into it a little more. But right now, I'm still leaning towards the 7900, or as suggested, the x1950 Pro.

Thanks by the way! Keep'em coming!
 

smartel7070

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From what I've read on viewsonic's site the 922 has a 650:1 contrast ratio compared to 550:1 for the 924. and also the response time is 1ms faster on the 922.
 

sailer

Splendid
I guess I will get the VX922. It's hard to say no to that price. What's the main difference between it and the VX924?

The differences are very small. Last I read, the VX924 isn't even made anymore, so that really takes the choice out of it. As Smartel7070 wrote, there is a slight difference in favor of the VX922 in contrast and response time, while the VX924 was said to have had a better picture quality. For myself, I went for the better picture quality. Was that impression correct? I don't know for sure. But I don't think you will go wrong with the VX922 model.