I could use a hand on components for this gaming rig

[fel]

I am attempting to put together a gaming rig, and need everything but a keyboard and mouse. I am looking for a 22" monitor and a machine that won't bog down on medium to high settings. This system is replacing an old laptop with an AMD 64 3000 mobility CPU, 1.25gb DDR RAM and a 9600 ATI Mobility video card, so the difference should be substantial..... I hope!

Edits: With the help of users, I have now switched the following: Case, Mobo, Video Card, CPU, Optical Drive, Windows. I switched out the PSU and HD due to sales at Fry's. So for those looking, the original flash card reader, the RAM and the monitor are the same.... everything else has changed. Thanks for the input guys.

Here is what I came up with.

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119137
$39.99

ABIT IN9 32X-MAX LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813127020
$129.99

XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Cardl
$279.00 - Already bought at Fry's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252

Thermaltake W0116RU 750W Power Supply
$80 - Already bought at Fry's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153038

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
$279
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115017

Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5"/5.25" Card Reader - Retail
$19.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820162016

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231122

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136161
$50 -Already bought at Fry's

Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail
$199.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824009094

SATA Samsung SH-S203B DVD/CD Burner
$31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151153

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
$111.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116202

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
$5.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835100007

 

[akhilles]

Look at these case deals:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

32-bit os uses up to 3.5gb of ram on Intel chipset & 3gb on nvidia chipset (me). Unless you plan to upgrade to 64-bit, either drop ram to 2x1gb or upgrade to 64-bit Vista.

I'm afraid the HD3850 will force you to tone-down in-game video settings on 22". HD3870 would be the minimum.

An HD3850 gaming PC can't justify the $1000+ price tag. You could build an 8800GT PC for less than $800. There are fats to be trimmed.

 

[deranged]

Get an 3870 or 8800gt, 8800gt is your best best. Also q6600 is way more "future proof" and will handle the games no problem.

 

[fel]

Ok, Windows is adjusted to Vista Home Premium 64 bit, and the processor is now a Q6600.

The video card has become somewhat of an issue as everywhere I have looked has been out of stock of the 8800GT and the 3870. I will check some Brick and Mortars here in SoCal today.

As for the case details, time to make a choice on those.

Thanks for the input.

 

[deranged]

you can also concider waiting for the new main stream processers to come out. Penryn is alittle faster(by 7% clock for clock I believe was the review) and runs a bit cooler on the 45nm manufactoring tech. using the new high -k technology.

 

[fel]

Alright, an update on it after a day of Brick and Mortar shopping. I picked up an 8800GT from Fry's for $279, a 750w Thermaltake PSU for $80 after MIR, and a WD 300GB HD for $50.



The 8800GT was the last one in the store, and a salesperson was a bit shocked they had one on the shelf. It's a nice little victory in the middle of all of the prep work for this rig.

 

[skittle]

I have that same case, and if your on a budget its awesome. My only complaints:

No cable routing features (no big deal really but it would be nice)
The haddrive cage is mounted so that the connectors are facing the side panel (once again no big deal.. but the harddrives dont get much airflow over them this way)

Get something more expensive if you have the money This is my favorite:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129017


EDIT: I noted that your using a a IDE liteon drive. STAY AWAY!!!
Go with the nice SATA Samsung SH-S203B... Best burner on the market. Theres also a litescribe model.. if you were so inclined.

 

[fel]

Ok, switched the case to:
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Apparently I had wised up and already switched the DVD burner to:
SATA Samsung SH-S203B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151153

I'll update the specs in a sec.

 

[terrett101]

Thanks skittle, I was gonna go with the same dvd drive for my build, hadn't noticed it was only IDE. As for your build Fel, it looks good. Congrats on finding an 8800GT actually in stock somewhere.

 

[Kamrooz]

Drop the 680I board. Nvidia intel chipsets are not very good. Since you're not going dual card it's a waste of money to get that board. Stick with a p35 based chipset. No point in going for x38 since it costs a lot, offers the same performance, and all boards will be outdated at the end of 2008 anyway.

Look into these three boards,

Gigabyte P35-DS3R
Asus P5K
Abit IP35/ IP35 Pro

Personally I'd rather nab a gigabyte or asus...But the abit is getting a good word. Everything else looks fine, but don't get the cpu from newegg. You might as well guarantee yourself a G0 stepping quad core. Not sure if newegg has exhausted their stock of B3 stepping q6600's, someone else can answer that if they know. But, buying from clubit will atleast guarantee you one, they run cooler, oc farther, and have a higher temperature threshold.

http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1938452

hope this helps.

 

[fel]

The idea here is going SLi at a future date. The price on the board is exactly what I was looking for. I have looked at the P35 boards but switching over to ATI's new cards in the end wasn't compelling. Any other suggestions for a SLi compatible mobo then near that price point?

 

[Evilonigiri]

I have suggestion on thermal paste.
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1220/4_way_thermal_interface_material_roundup/index.html

Shows that the Tuniq TX-2 is better and cheaper than the Artic Silver by about 2-3C

 

[Kamrooz]

Well, the next nvidia chipset is just around the corner. If you aren't in a rush. I'd recommend waiting. I've heard HORRIBLE things from nvidia intel chipsets around the 6xx series. I think your best bet would be to wait for 780i and similar chipsets from nvidia to come to market. They should be out next month.

 

[fel]

I have suggestion on thermal paste.
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1220/4_way_thermal_interface_material_roundup/index.html

Shows that the Tuniq TX-2 is better and cheaper than the Artic Silver by about 2-3C

Thanks, I'll look into it.

Due to timing, I need to finish the system soon and have it ordered. I can't wait for the hopes of next gen mobo's at my price point. I'll have to settle.

 

[skittle]

Also check out Shin-etsu, its supposed to be really good too

 

[akhilles]

Here's another case deal. $49.99 after rebate:

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4843800?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG