New gaming system on a budget, need input please.

[Croaten]

This is what I am thinking of ordering so far. I would like to keep it under $600 when its all said and done. This is going to be my first time trying to build a computer and on top of that its for my wife so any help would be greatly apperciated. She will be using it to play games like Hellgate London and Boishock also using MS office. I am planning on ordering the following from newegg.

Rosewill case

Gigabyte ga p35 ds3l lga775 intel atx mb

Intel Pentium 4 631 Cedar Mill 3.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

patriot extreme 2gb

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Power Supply - Retail

120gb western digital

XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

Total comes to around $500.

Coments or suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks alot.

 

[singingigo]

I would seriously consider getting a Pentium dual-core 2xxx series, or preferably, and AMD Athlon X2 (which would require a AM2 motherboard). Either one will dust the pants of a Pentium 4. You can pretty much forget about playing Bioshock on a single core system (assuming you want to play at resolutions over 800x600).

The other items look okay, although I would swap the memory for g-skill or Crucial

 

[Gir37]

The only thing with that system is the processor. It really doesn't do too well on newer games such as Bioshock.

AMD has a great processor for a little more money and it does pretty well on new games (and is located next to the Pentium 4 631 on the price/performance meter)

I'd go with:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor
MSI AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
and change the Patriot 2gb ram to G.Skill 2gb (better quality)

with those and the other items on your list, it comes to $592.93 before a $40 mail-in-rebate and this rig will run A LOT better.

 

[Croaten]

Alright thanks so much for the replies guys. Ill make both those changes So going with :


AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor

MSI AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

and change the Patriot 2gb ram to G.Skill 2gb (better quality)

Rosewill case

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Power Supply - Retail

120gb western digital

XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

LG Black 20x dvd Writer


Any other changes you guys would make. Again thanks for the help.

 

[shadowmaster625]

get a 65W processor like an X2-5000. Use the money you save to dump the 8600GT for a HD3850

 

[singingigo]

If the X2-5000 is the black edition (check prices), definately go that route, as it can easily OC to the performance spec of a X2-6000. Otherwise, I think you've got yourself a nice system! I second the recommendation of the HD3850. It's a better performer and uses less energy.

 

[Croaten]

MSI AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (75)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Black Edition Processor (130)

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Power Supply - Retail (60)

120gb western digital (50)

LG Black 20x dvd Writer (20)

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory(75)

SAPPHIRE 100216L Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card (180)

Ok getting the final ordering list together. How does this look? Also this is my first time attempting to build a system. Is there anything else I need to order likes fans or anything else at all to get this up and running? Also do you guys have a good link for some step by step instructions an how exactly I go about this. Thanks again everyone, you have been a big help and I appreciate it.

 

[nvalhalla]

Looks good. I went with the E2140 and OCed to 2.8, but the X2 is fine. Might have problems upgrading, we'll have to see how phenom works in the old AM2... They say it'll work, but the 945 chipset is supposed to work with C2Ds, and not all do...

 

[mtyermom]

I recommend you go with the motherboard you chose originally, GA-P35-DS3L, and take a Pentium Dual Core E2160.

 

[Croaten]

If the video card really is the bottle neck is that a bad thing. If so what should I do. I am already over budget a bit. Or do you guys think it seems fine. A few other questions before I order all this stuff. What about an OS she has a Dell with windows XP is it possible to use that OS or do I have to order a new one? If so what OS should I go with. Also do I need to order any extra fans or cables, or will ordering what I have posed above get me 100% up and running? Thanks a ton.

 

[koss63]

I would'nt worry about any bottlenecks yet.The build looks decent for the price. In terms of the OS, it might be able to work if you got a bonafide windows cd with it and not some dell system restore cd.If not get an OEM windows XP pro. if you do have said cd you can use the key but you have to call microsoft to reactivate it.An about cables, the motherboard comes with an ide and sata power and data cable which should work for your build, in terms of case fans, ive never seen this rosewill case your're talking about so i cant say if it needs or supports it.

 

[Onus]

The low-end CoolerMaster cases ($20-$40 after MIR) are clean, simple, and offer good cooling. They have rear 120mm fans, and either have or can be fitted with additional 120mm front fans and/or 80mm side fans if desired. I do not know anything about the Rosewill case you have mentioned. If you want comments, post a link to it.

 

[Croaten]

MSI AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (75)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130065&Tpk=MSI%2bAM2%2bNVIDIA%2bQuadro%2bNVS

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Black Edition Processor (130)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Power Supply - Retail (60)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007&Tpk=Antec%2bearthwatts%2bEA500%2b500W

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R (40)32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (75)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

SAPPHIRE 100216L Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card (180)

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (50) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068


Alright here is the final list with links, any other input would be great everyone and thanks again.

 

[Croaten]

Everything look ok to order? Going to place it this after noon. Wish me luck! Thanks agian for all the help.

 

[Onus]

Looks reasonable. Good luck and happy building.

 

[Croaten]

Does the OS for this system matter much? Should I go with Vista, Xp, or 64 bit vista?

 

[colonelblake]

Does the OS for this system matter much? Should I go with Vista, Xp, or 64 bit vista?

if you wanna add more ram and play new dx10 games get vista 64bit....if thats not important and you want a good bioshock experience (awesome game) you can stick with xp

 

[singingigo]

Good choice on the processor...and I'm an Intel guy...I'd go with Vista. Vista is only going to mature, SP1 is due in January. Based on what you are using it for now, just go 32 bit. You aren't planning on doing anything that would challenge the 1GB per process limit, so there really isn't much point. Plus, correct me if I am wrong, but if you have the 32 bit, you can get the 64 bit CD for ten bucks.

 

[deranged]

I take back my last post, I didn't see you change the card to a 3850. Much much better than the 8600