Basic Gaming Build

[shadowduck]

I have not built a system in a couple of years.. so heres what I came up with tell me what you think. No OMG Go Intel moron comments please unless you can prove it can be done for basically the same price.

AMD X2-4400+ Brisbane (65nm) $115.00
Asus M2N-E motherboard (other suggestions are welcome- don't care about SLI) $99.99
A.Data 2GB DDR2-800 RAM
(might get 2 sets for 4GB- its $100 cheaper than 2x 2GB set)
Existing 250GB hard drive and DVD burner

Video Card: someone help me decide is the 640 worth it over the 320? Right now my monitor is 1280x1024 might move to a 24" 1920x1200..

Option 1) EVGA 8800GTS 320MB- $279.00

Option 2) eVGA 8800GTS 640MB $389.99


Already have an Antec P160 case and Antec Smartpower 500W PSU.

PSU Output: +3.3V@32A, +5V@35A, +12V1@17A, +12V2@19A, -12V@0.3A, +5VSB@2A

Will this PSU be okay for an 8800GTS?

Thanks for the help!

 

[jakeradden]

The absolute minimum for an 8800 is 500W, I believe. You may want to get a larger one, but 500W may work. I don't believe that the 640 is worth it over the 320, but if you have the money to throw around, go for it. I think the 65nm 4400+ is a good price, good speed, good processor. Mobo is good, although you might look into Abit - Although I have an ASUS and love it, I also built a computer for someone whose ASUS motherboard failed within 4 months. I'd go with this for RAM:
(From the Egg)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail @ 139.99
Or
Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900(PC2 7200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX7200D2K2/2G - Retail @ 140.49

Simply because I know and trust both Crucial and Kingston, and know nothing about A.Data.

 

[doolittle]

If you can afford the 640 and the monitor upgrade, then do it - esp if you play GRAW you will be thankful you did. I have the 320 it's great the 1280 and lower - I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon, and if I do it will be another CRT most likely.

The SP500 should work w/o any prob - A quick trip to the psu-calc estimates your system to have +12v@19A demand at most...

Antec's specs (link) say:
* +5V, +12V1, 12V2 and +3.3V maxload: 480Watts
* +5V and +3.3V combined output: 180Watts

so the min will be +12v@25A (so it will definitely work for you no prob) and under typical loads (+5/+3.3~100w) then it is a safe bet the unit can handle +12V@30A without an issue - which is typical for a CWT built unit in that range... My TPII-480 blue is rated for +12V@33A max and anything over 30A would have me loose that warm fuzzy feeling

 

[zenmaster]

Intel CPU - $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

Intel MB - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042
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Same Price as you specificied.

Of course feel free to stick with AMD.
Expect the Intel Chip to easily clock to 3.0 to 3.2Ghz.

3.4-3.6 may be possible if you get some really good cooling.


The AMD CPU selected is not a great price point.
The 3600/3800 with a mild OC would be better for budget concious.

 

[jjknoll]

If you have any inclinations in moving up in monitors, I believe you have to consider the 640 unless you just want to rock the 320 until a time you upgrade both monitor and gfx card. I have a 320 (running 600/1850) and like it but even at 1600x1200 it lags on a couple games. I have it paired with a 6600 @2.925. At your current res a 320 will be great, but like I said a monitor upgrade will REALLY take its toll on that card.

 

[shadowduck]

Thanks guys!

I am thinking about getting the Dell 24"LCD because of all the inputs and the built in card reader, so I will consider the 640.

Any other suggestions are weclome!

 

[Gary_Busey]

If you do upgrade your monitor, then it might be wise to get the 640 version 8800 also. The extra memory will help with those higher resolutions. If not, and you decide to keep gaming at 1280x1024, the 320 version will be fine.