Suggestions on My Gaming PC Build ($850 max)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

Zidave

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2006
19
0
18,510
Ok so if this PC is completely bogus than let me know and you're more than welcomed to link me to something that you would recommend instead. As far as the motherboard, I'm really in the dark, the 570ultra seemed to be one of the best, so i just went with that. The DVD burner I dont know very much about either. The processor I prefer AMD's and this one also has a 1MB L2 cache on it. It seemed from the CPU reviews on this site that this was a little faster than it's comparible Core 2 duo, and it was about $50 cheaper. Maybe I'm comparing the wrong ones? I honestly don't know if the AMD or Intel is better for the price though. The video card I know is a great deal at that price, I've looked on this sites bang for your buck article and it was best for $200 price range it's only $150... Also, I don't care to deal with the 8800's problems with vista and it's the first gen of DX10 cards so I'd prefer to wait 2 years and then I will buy a DX10 card. My memory i'm guessing 2G is what I want? I dont really know what SATA drives are but that's what my friends have and now that's the majority of whats on newegg so I'm guessing its the kind to get, although I have no idea what brand to get, I just thought I remembered HIATCHI being very good. The case I'm getting I'm pretty set on, Antec makes good power supplies that cost and much as I'm getting the case and supply for, plus it's a quiet case. Also, I don't want to deal with the soundcard problems with vista right now, so I'm going to buy the next gen of soundblasters whenever that is. Also I don't need an OS (already have a copy of vista), monitor (samsung 19" already works great), mouse (just bought a G4), or keyboard either (have had my $10 keyboard for 5 years and love it lol). Oh and I don't overclock at all.

CASE: $99
Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129155


MOTHERBOARD: $104 - Don't really know what I'm getting lol.
ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131022


CPU: $174
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Windsor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103771


VIDEO CARD: $149
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102067


MEMORY: $91
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145034


HARD DRIVE: $75
HITACHI Deskstar T7K500 HDT725032VLA360 (0A33435) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822145129


CD/DVD BURNER: $39
SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151141



TOTAL PRICE ( with shipping) = $760.77

BUDGET = around $850

What I should get? Suggestions? Feedback? As I've said the motherboard is what I'm really unsure about....

THANK YOU for any help! :D
 
emp

emp

Distinguished
Dec 15, 2004
2,593
0
20,780
the motherboard looks fine for your needs, but if I were you I wouldn't rule out completely the 8800GTS 320MB, it has decent support for vista now and even though DX10 isn't looking like what it was cracked up to be, it is still an amazing DX9 performer.

But even if you want to keep that X1950XT it still looks good. One thing that bugs me though, I wouldn't try to power that nice system of yours using a PSU bundled with a case, even if it's an antec one (I use an antec psu myself), If you decide to keep the same graphics card you could buy a better PSU with the leftovers of your budget.
 
M

mgtech

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
160
0
18,680
Just some advice: Go intel
I bought a 5200+ and it didn't perform up to what I expected compared to a C2D.
Wait until July 22 and get a Core 2 Duo for a lot less. AMD is about to have their feet cut out from under them by this price cut. Get a P35 motherboard (gigabyte p35 ds3r) and maybe 2 gigs of (patriot or Corsair) ddr2 1066, if you can get a good price ($110 after reabates). DDR2 800 should be fine though as long as you have at least 2 gigs. Get a SATA hard drive, seagates and maxtors are good from my experience. I agree, wait on a DX10 card for 6 months at least.
 
Z

Zidave

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2006
19
0
18,510
What is the recommended PSU watts, if I did decide to get a 8800GTS? So the 450W that comes with the sonatta would or wouldn't cut it? Also I looked at the DDR2 1066 Ram. I didn't see any mobos that could even use it. Most of them the DDR2 800 was the max.

Sonata III has a 500W PSU at $150 for combo. 500W be enough?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Also if you could link me to a reliable PSU at the recommended watts, it would be appreciated. I don't want to buy a crappy one, but kind of hoping my case and PSU would cost me less than $200
 
M

mgtech

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
160
0
18,680
ALSO ON THE PSU

GET AT LEAST 600W SO GET A SEPARATE CASE IF YOU WANT THE 8800 GTS

12V @ AT LEAST 26 AMPS

I AM LOOKING
 
Z

Zidave

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2006
19
0
18,510
Went out to get a pizza and was working on a recommendation letter for a friend's college app :p lol...

Thanks for the replies!! I will look all of that over right now.
 
Z

Zidave

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2006
19
0
18,510
I don't know anything about intel CPU's, which ones should I be looking at? Have to be under $200

Also, if you think the 500W will work, what if I just get the Sonata III that comes with a 500W and if it isn't adequate then i could just try that $24 PSU that you showed me. I just really want the Sonata case, as it's super quiet. My friend loves it.
 
D

deathsycthehe11

Distinguished
Jan 10, 2007
40
0
18,530
Okay here's what I would recommend.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

I would recommend checking local stores cause online shipping for cases cost a lot.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012

I know you don't want to overclock, but still a great board nonetheless. You really learn to overclock, there's a great guide in the forum. It really simple to overclock a Core2Duo, and it gives best bang for the buck.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz $186
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115016

Great CPU. Again should look into overclocking cause it's a great card to overclock.

Video Card: You could get what you posted or this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

It really your option.

Ram: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

This should be good enough, but there's a bunch of other cheap ones out there so it really your option.

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

I would personally go with this one because it's a little faster due to the perpendicular recording. But you can choose any like Western Digital or the one you chose. Whatever floats your boat.

CD/DVD Burner: The one you posted was great but you can look into buying two burners or burner/rom. I just like having two for my taste.

I didn't calculate the price but it should be around $800 I think. Have fun.
 
Someguyperson

Someguyperson

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
95
0
18,630
You really should just try to overclock and use an 8800 GTS because they are the best way to get the most of your money. The 5600+ is a wise choice if you aren't overclocking, so don't go for a C2D, unless you overclock of course. Also a stock 5600+ can't fully use memory with a higher speed than 800 Mhz so here's some good stuff:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161030

and change that PSU, here's a case and PSU that you could use:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037

If that's too expensive here's THE PSU chart: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088
 
Z

Zidave

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2006
19
0
18,510
Thank you!! I will keep looking into everything suggested so far. Maybe I will switch to getting an intel. Seems like it's really comparable and far more potential in overclocking if that's something I decide to do later. Too bad, I like AMD a lot more lol.

So no one thinks I should get the Sonata III then. Too bad I was hoping to have a quiet case lol. Sick of the jet engine case I have :lol:
 
M

mgtech

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
160
0
18,680
I've been helping some other people too.
Right now the intel e6420 is about $186.
It has a 4mb cache and runs at 2.13 ghz. It is about as fast as my athlon x2 5200.
I believe that after the price drop at about $183 there will be a new model the e6750 that will run at 2.66 ghz with a 1333 fsb. It will be much faster than anything amd can make.
I know an e6600 is a good chip and almost bought one, but I fell into the amd trap. I had always supported them and wanted to support the little guy and ripped myself off. NOT SMART!!! Anyway it costs $220 right now and that is sure to drop along with the e6700 and all models with a 1066 fsb, except maybe the ex6800.
 
M

mgtech

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
160
0
18,680
Just for reference on hard drives seagate and maxtor are the same thing. My cousin works for seagate and did r&d. The funniest thing is that those are all that are sold at Best Buy. Not much of an option, but I think it is pretty funny because the average joe thinks that there is a difference and that they are competing. Mua haha!
 
Z

Zidave

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2006
19
0
18,510
I've been helping some other people too.
Right now the intel e6420 is about $186.
It has a 4mb cache and runs at 2.13 ghz. It is about as fast as my athlon x2 5200.
I believe that after the price drop at about $183 there will be a new model the e6750 that will run at 2.66 ghz with a 1333 fsb. It will be much faster than anything amd can make.
I know an e6600 is a good chip and almost bought one, but I fell into the amd trap. I had always supported them and wanted to support the little guy and ripped myself off. NOT SMART!!! Anyway it costs $220 right now and that is sure to drop along with the e6700 and all models with a 1066 fsb, except maybe the ex6800.
Click to expand...


Think I have decided to go with the Intel one. Question though:

So is it worth waiting for the new processor line of Intel? I'm not worried about saving a few bucks. It's whether or not there will be a new $180 that would be worth a very painful month wait lol. I haven't even mentioned my current system. Almost 5 years old:

AMD 2600+
1G PC 3200 RAM
120G 5400RPM HD
9800 Pro 128mb (although just upgraded to a 7800GS in Jan, but my CPU bottle necks it too much)
SB audigy 2

Think I will notice the upgrade in processors? LOL.
 
M

mgtech

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
160
0
18,680
I believe that the new line of intels is really worth waiting for for a couple of weeks even if it is just for the sole purpose of getting some chips that will truck amd for less as a result of price cuts. I realize that what I just said was very fanboyish. Don't get me wrong. It will suck as if amd doesn't make a processor that kicks intels ass, but that won't be happening for a while. From what I have read amd's new k10 phenom stuff is as fast as penryn( intels future stuff at 45 nm). However they don't clock as high, so they are still pretty well screwed. In addition amd won't support ddr3 until this time next year while intel has already begun to and it is very expensive right now,but that will change by next year. Unfortunately, if amd can't pull it off we will be stuck paying for it later because intel won't have competition and will intel raise prices. If you just want the best for your money, just like average joe, yes, it is a good idea to wait.
 
M

mgtech

Distinguished
Jun 14, 2007
160
0
18,680
Either an e6550 or an e6750 are good choices. Then of course you could also raid the old 1066 stuff for dirt cheap and overclock the hell out of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom