Budget Gaming Rig help

[SkateFam]

This is what I plan to build

CaseI have this)

MotherboardI have this)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130057
MSI K9A Platinum

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103759
AMD AM2 X2 5200+

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023
Thermaltake 430watt

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227169
2x1 GB

Thats the main components I have in mind..Now I need to know which Video Card under $150 should I get that is also Crossfire supported (for later) and GDDR3 and doesn't suck?? (PCIx16)

I've heard that since the GDDR4's are coming out all the older 2k video cards will be lowering their prices...If I wait what should I go for? I wanna build a budget computer to be able to handle Bioshock, Rainbow Six Vegas, Halo 2, Gears Of War etc. Thank you for your reply's

 

[g-paw]

If you're going to use Crossfire, this would be a better board. Has a DVI connection for the monitor. If you are using the Crossfire, that PSU might not work given it's not SLI compatible but not sure if this would affect Crossfire. I'd go with the AMD X2 5000+ Black Edition. Very overclockable.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128056
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/22/budget_overclocker/

 

[tlmck]

This is what I plan to build

CaseI have this)
http://www.nailbat.net/images/antec_case.gif

MotherboardI have this)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130057
MSI K9A Platinum

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103759
AMD AM2 X2 5200+

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023
Thermaltake 430watt

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227169
2x1 GB

Thats the main components I have in mind..Now I need to know which Video Card under $150 should I get that is also Crossfire supported (for later) and GDDR3 and doesn't suck?? (PCIx16)

I've heard that since the GDDR4's are coming out all the older 2k video cards will be lowering their prices...If I wait what should I go for? I wanna build a budget computer to be able to handle Bioshock, Rainbow Six Vegas, Halo 2, Gears Of War etc. Thank you for your reply's

With that poor quality PSU, the new machine will make a nice door stop when you wipe off the smoke stains. A Corsair 550vx would be a good low cost "quality" choice.

As for the vid card, if you can tolerate lower resolutions like 800x600, the 2600xt would be a good option. A better bet for higher res, but DX9, would be the x1950pro.

 

[akhilles]

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/VisionTek-Radeon-X1950PRO-XGE-256MB-HD-Video-Card-X1950P256PCIE/sem/rpsm/oid/178227/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do?linkid=j13459594k1971&affiliateid=k1971&mid=sduidp0t653050
http://www.visiontek.com/products/cards/retail/x1950pro_PCIe.html

550W for Crossfire. If you have a bit more money, get an HD3850.

 

[SkateFam]

I really liked that HD3850 but I looked for it on newegg and it says it's PCIxpress 2.0 Would that be able to work on my K9A Platinum mobo?

 

[tlmck]

PCIexpress 2.0 is backward compatible with 1.0.

 

[SkateFam]

Does my PCIx16 read 2.0?

Please be clear about your statement

 

[ibleet]

PCIe 2.0 doubles the bus standard's bandwidth from 2.5 Gbit/s to 5 Gbit/s, meaning a x32 connector can transfer data at up to 16 GB/s in each direction.

Another way of saying this is: PCI Express 2.0 increases the bus data rate from 8GB per second to 16GB per second, so it actually doubles the bandwidth.

To answer your question: PCIe 2.0 is completely backward compatible with PCIe v1.x, so graphic cards and motherboards designed for v2.0 will be able to work with v1.0 and vice versa.

Is that clear enough for you?

 

[SkateFam]

Yes Thank you! so I could get the HD 3850 for my mobo..anyone know when they will drop in prices?

 

[akhilles]

Of course it does. ATI/NVIDIA would be shooting 'emselves in the foot if they abandoned the majority of users. I have 8800gt pci-e 2.0 on my 1.x mobo. Works like a champ.

 

[SkateFam]

Alright cool thx!