Gaming Comp - $1000 (first time)

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adam_r

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Nov 29, 2007
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Hey guys. I'm new to this forum and would like some advice on a new build I'll be putting together for Christmas (this will be my first one). My budget is $900-1000USD, as stated in the title. I'm not looking for a display or any other peripherals.

I'll be using this for gaming (Battlefield 2/2142 / CS:S / CoD4 / Crysis hopefully, and other titles that are of relative newness) and digital art and imaging (Photoshop, Illustrator, Cinema 4D, etc).

So, this is what I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129009 Pioneer Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129 COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136178 Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130309 EVGA 320-P2-N815-A3 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231112 G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059 GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030 Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056 Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM

Total: $961.92

I'll probably end up changing XP to Vista Home Premium.

Thanks.
Adam
 
A

aadamszc

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Sep 8, 2007
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Firstly, welcome to the forums.

Secondly, suggestions:
-Have you considered the 8800GT or the ATI 3870? They are both cheaper than the 8800GTS 320MB and look to outperform it also.

-Would you consider spending an extra ~$20.00 for the E6750?

-Either way you go(xp or vista), the OS won't recognize all 4GB of ram unless it is 64bit.

Everything else looks good. Pretty much a clone of my build I have coming in (hopefully) tomorrow. If everythiing goes well, I'll have it done before tomorrow is over.

Again, switching to the 8800GT or 3870 would probably be better and would also allow you to spend a little more on your processor and vista.

Hope I helped,
-Adam
 
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adam_r

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Nov 29, 2007
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Yeah, I had actually planned on switching it out for the 8800GT actually. Newegg didn't have but two models in stock from some distributer I haven't even heard of lol so I was gonna throw one from eVGA if I saw one by the time Christmas came.

And for $20 extra that seems pretty nice. I'll consider swapping them out.

As for the OS, I'll probably get a 64 bit version of Vista. Anyone have any comments about it?

Also, how well will I be able to OC this? Like I said, this is the first time I've ever tried to build a computer so I don't know how nor do I understand the mechanics of overclocking. I intended on keeping it all stock, but I may choose into dabbling into it.

Thanks,
Adam
 
bloodclox

bloodclox

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Nov 28, 2007
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From what I hear, p-35 mobo and e6750 processor are excellent for overclocking. I am in your situation at the moment too. I have NO idea how to overclock yet. I will learn once i get more time :D.

EVGA 8800GT definatly.

64bit vista can read 4 GB+ of ram while 32bit os can only read 3.3 GB

64 bit all the way.



I like your build

I'd go for the Antec 900 case though. Im getting one. They are excellent with airflow from what I hear.
 
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djdan987

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Dec 3, 2007
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why is the 8800 GT better than the 8800 GTS?
I would also like to build a computer and I a am looking for the video first, ( i want to be able to play crysis on full ) i was thinking i would get this one:

EVGA 640-P2-N829-A3 GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $370

OR this one:

EVGA 512-P3-N802-A3 GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $300

I don't know what mobo would be better, don't even know where to begin.
 
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maximelabelle

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Dec 2, 2007
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Im running on vista 64 for like 3 months now,
so far no problem at all except some compatibility issue with some partitionning program but nothing to make me go back to 32.
Just make sure you got all driver for vista 64 before installing it.
Also dont neglate a good Power supply, for your build dont go over 500-600 watts, this would be overkill.

have a great build
 
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saintones

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Aug 31, 2007
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Im almost in the same exact boat, were close to the same build.. Max how do you install the 64 bit drivers before having the operating system running??
 
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maximelabelle

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You cant, but just make sure you got all those driver available because once installed if you cannot install all you present harware (video card, printer, soundcard) your busted
 
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Guest

Guest



The 8800GTS is based on the G80 chipset, and is about a year older than the 8800GT which is based on the G92 chipset. Its a smaller, faster, cooler, more efficient chip. Plain and simple, if you buy the 8800GTS 640 you will be spending an extra $100 for a SLOWER card. If you buy the 8800GTS 320, you will be spending a little more money for a SLOWER card.

The 8800GT blows away the 8800GTS. Not to be confused with the upcoming 8800GTS based on the G92 chip. Though that is not out yet and will be about $100 more than the 8800GT.


To simplify, the 8800GT is wayyy better and cheaper. If a person would know this and still buy the G80 8800GTS, than that person would be known as an idiot.

Also, P35 boards are the best affordable mobos out right now. Most any Gigabyte or Asus P35 board would work well.

My 2 cents.
 
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
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Vista-64 home premium will come with all the drivers you need to get started. After installation, and maintenance, you will probably want to go to the hardware vendor's web site to get the latest driver updates from Nvidia, and gigabyte anyway. If you will do any amount of multitasking, then 4gb and vista-64 home premiumis the way to go.

You will also need a quality PSU. Corsair 550, or seasonic is good. PC P&C silencer610 is good also. Shop around for these. I got my silencer610 direct from PC P&C as a refurb cheap.

If you have any thoughts about overclocking, then you should consider installing a good oem cooler up front. Read the reviews, the thermalright ultra 120 extreme is currently the best. The reason I say do it up front is because coolers are best installed outside of the case. For pushpin types, it is essential that you be able to look at the back of the mobo to be certain that all the pins are fully in. It can be tricky. For backplate types, you need to remove the mobo anyway. You will also want to get a tube of as5 or similar in case you need to remount the cooler. Even if you don't overclock, a good cooler will let the fans run slower, making for a quieter machine. Run your cpu at standard for a while to see if you need to overclock. I bet you won't need it.


---good luck---
 
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maximelabelle

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You can, that wath i wanted to tell
 
A

adam_r

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Nov 29, 2007
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So. Once I add in the PSU and change the GPU to an 8800GT, how are things looking?

Will this be a solid build? Like I said, this is my first one, so I need all the reassurance I can get!

Thanks for the help so far guys.

- Adam
 
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bs6749

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Jan 27, 2007
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Get rid of that RAM. I just got lots of the same stuff and am going to OC. You can get better RAM. I went with Crucial Ballistix 2x1Gb DDR2 800MHz sticks with 4-4-4-12 timings. These will give you better results. I got 2 sticks from Newegg for $60 with shipping after Thanksgiving. You can OC the e6750 by raising the FSB to 400MHz, which I plan to do (at least) and that will allow you to run the RAM at speeds of which it is capable. This will give you 3.2GHz. Or you can raise the FSB to 450MHz so the RAM will be OC'ed too (should be easy to do with the Crucial Ballistix sticks) and that will give you 3.4GHz. You should be able to reach 3.6GHz. Either way, you should be able to get these speeds on stock cooling.
 
notherdude

notherdude

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I can't believe we made it this far without any Vista bashers crashing the party. I have Vista 64 ultimate with 4 gig RAM and I love it. As was mentioned above the Vista 64 DVD comes stocked with drivers. After installing you may wish to get the latest versions. Most will be available but if you have any off beat, obscure hardware or software you simply must keep you'll need to check for drivers and versions first.
 
lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Okay there would be some things that I'd change.
1) Not sure how Enlight PSU's are, but I'd go with one of these:
$95.50 shipped
Antec NeoPower 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, TUV, CE, FCC, CCC, CB, C-tick - Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=269997
or
$109 shipped - $10 MIR = $99
Corsair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W Power Supply Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100
or
$128 shipped Probably the best of the 3 listed, but all are good PSU's for SLI'ing, if you go that way later.
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, TUV - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Drop the Raptor HDD, they are overpriced and don't really offer much more speed for the money. Instead get 2 of these and put them in RAID 0 for less $ and more than 2x the capacity!
2 x $75 = $150 shipped!
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

I'd also change the memory out with the ones below. They are initially $20 cheaper and are just as fast as what you selected. And then with the $25 MIR you save an additional $45 from your selection.
$80 shipped - $25 MIR = $55!
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

Now if you make those 3 changes (PSU/HD's/Memory) I'd put my stamp of approval!! Not that really means much, but that's what sticking too :)
 
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