rate my build

[cannabiscalzone]

Hey everybody! This is my first build I'm trying to build a solid gaming rig for under $800. I want to be able to run games like Bioshock, Half-Life 2 and Gears of War smoothly. I'm pretty new to building computers so any suggestions or critizism is helpful.

Case: Rosewill R5601-BK 0.8mm SECC Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor

MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Video Card: EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

Disc Drive: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM SATA Combo

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

PSU: FSP Group SAGA+ 400R ATX12V 400W Power Supply

 

[dmroeder]

Personally, I wouldn't use a microATX motherboard or buy anything by Rosewill.

I also would go for something better than a 7600GT.

If money is an issue, I would go with 1 gig of RAM and a better video card. You can always buy more RAM down the road for cheaper than a better video card.

 

[Plyro109]

Well, Drop the sound card, for one. The Audigy SE doesn't sound much better than what you get from than onboard sound. If you're going to get a sound card, get it later, and spend at least $60. That'll save you $30-40 in the meantime, so put that into your video card. If you don't need the hard drive space, a 250 gig Hard Drive is still pretty cheap, plus you can add more on later if you need to. That'll save another $30-40. Once again, into the video card.

 

[medjohnson77]

Hello Canibis,

Here we have another sad moment in the forms were another jugde's Rosewill on its name or past. I have just built my system for around $1100. Its on this form under new build, posted by me check it out. I bought a Rosewill Rx750 watt power supply which has the jonnyguru approval, because it tested very well and yet still so many knocked my choice on it. I can not speak on the case you want cuz I went with a NZXT which is a really nice case for under $60. So if it has good reviews and you like the look of it then go for it and see what you get. I could not be happier with my power supply from them, but beware, some of there products are crap. Do your research!!

I think I looked at the sound card from creative you want, $168 on newegg i think, but I went with vista 64 and heard it has problems with running on it. My ASUS M2n32-SLI wireless deluxe already has on board sound 7.1 and digital outs on it so not worth it for me. I would not go Mirco ATX either. I would also think about the Grafix card and choose very carefully, I got a XFX 8600Gt and even though it is decent, I should of gone with a 8800 GTS. Last night I was in the middle of a warhammer40,000 dark crusade game and it shut down on me taking me back to window vista, it came up a Grafix card error, and even though it loaded back up I lost the 1hour play time in the mission and had to start it over, lucky for me I saved it at the start! I have every option turned high so I wounder if the 8600gt can't handle it. It seems like it does very good but I now wonder about it. Hope this helps, and good luck.

 

[chuckm]

Have you considered an Intel build? It will blow the socks off AMD.

 

[Kohlhagen]

Terrible.. maybe a 3 out of 5 for the price..

Processore : Intel (Allendale or Conroe) dual core
motherboard : LGA 775 w/ SLI or Crossfire (I like MSI, Asus, ABIT, Gigabyte,
RAM : 2x1 GB DDR2 @ 800 4-4-4-12 for under $75
Video Card : 2900 series cost under $160.00
Case : Cooler master Centurion w/ side panel window for under $50.00
HDD : Western Digital under $100.00

I'm not in the mood to research on newegg.. But if you leave me an IM @ NonPhixion24 we could even look into a quad core for that price.. But making it dual core would give you more money for other quality components.

 

[zenmaster]

Good Intel P35 Mobo +10 More than your selection.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127031

E2140 - $10 from your selection.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116037

This should easily hit 3.0-3.2Ghz on Stock cooling and easily beat even an AMD X2 6000+ OC'd.
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Drop the Sound Card - Save $30
Drop to a 250GB HDD - Save $50
Get XP Home - Save $40

That is $120 to put towards your GPU.
This should easily get you a nice ATI 3850 and give you a good gaming system.

 

[chuckm]

I have to make a comment on the Rosewill 56XX series cases. Yes they are more $$$ than the Coolermaster most of the time, they are an exceptional deal when they are on sale or have free shipping. They feel to me anyway, more sturdy than the Centurion and if you want the fans in push/pull configuration, you have mod the side fan in the Coolermaster. I used this case from my brother's build;
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811147083
and may use this one for mine, I hate doors!
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811147079
Also I have to agree with the other's, do an Intel build. One more thing, maybe this power supply;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair-VX-450w-Power-Supply/q/loc/101/205466485.html

 

[nhobo]

On a scale of 1 to 10: 3

P35, C2D, HD 3750/3850 or 8800GT, CoolerMaster 534, 2x 160/250GB drives (no RAID).

Stay with XP, 2GB ram. Try the onboard audio before you buy a sound card.