How's This Build? (Noob needs help)

rdawise

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Apr 18, 2008
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Started my first build(a budget PC), but want to put something together that can handle most (not all) of the graphics requipments for so fairly high end games (mostly witcher, WOW TBC (and WoLK), Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (when it hits). Here's what I am thinking about putting together:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121004

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106087

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227169

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103228

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185039

Currently the cost of all this is roughly $465.00 (Great for a budget). My main reason for going this route is with this setup I can add and ATI Radeon card (3000 series) and crossfire them later when I have more money. I need some advice as too how this setup might perform or hat I should add or subtract. Please help.
 

Preecher

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Doesnt look like that motherboard supports dual pci express. Only 1 express slot, so I am not sure your upgrade plans for crossfire would work.

Presonally, I would go with atx instead of micro-atx unless you have a specific reason not to.
 

Silverion77

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Sep 21, 2007
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For BUDGET build like that Crossfire is VERY stupid....it will not give you that much a performance upgrade. Just get one GOOD GPU.

Tell us a final budget and we can suggest better parts

Follow the build below
 

litlrabi

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Mar 25, 2008
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You seem to have the right idea, but there are some potential problems with your build.

Primarily, the case/PSU. You don't know what kind of power supply you're getting with that case, so beware. The Antec Sonata III w/ 500W Earthwatts PSU is a better idea. It moves your budget up some more, but think about it.

Also, for your budget, overclocking is a good idea. You can get much more performance for the price with simple overclocks.

I would suggest looking at the Tom's Hardware $500 gaming PC.

Also, regarding the Crossfire, I assume you're looking at Hybrid Crossfire with your onboard GPU with a second add in card. I don't know much about it, so you should ask some questions over in the Graphics Cards forums.
 

Cpt Deadboots

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Dec 12, 2007
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Hybrid Crossfire is only supported by low-end cards.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will be painful to play on a system like that.

I agree with litlrabi; check out Tom's $500 system.
 

rdawise

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Thanks for the input, yeah litlrabi I was thinking of using the Hybrid option. I'll check the Graphics forum to see others results in using this option. Which low-end cards support hybrid (Nevermind answer is HD 3400 series)? I know AMDs don't allow for mch overclocking but thought I found a good combo with card/mobo (with the onboard graphics). I agress that an ATX board might give me a more advantageous setup. Will think about reworking.

The Budget for this build will probably be 500 to 700 dollars. I am looking for a build that would be the mort competitive today, plus upgradable tommorrow.

Edit:
Now that I know about the crossfire, still think I will get this board, but just one good card. I will still look for a alternate build.
 

kilorth

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Mar 17, 2008
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Low System Total 564.01$ ( This is with tax and shipping here in Canada )

Processor Intel E2160 69,82 $

Memory Mushkin HP PC2-6400 2x1gb 996533 46,65 $

Motherboard Gigabyte P35-DS3L 86,05 $

Hard Drive Disk Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 53,88 $

DVD Writer Samsung SH-S203B 25,88 $

Case & PSU Antec Sonata III 98,88 $

Graphic Card XFX Geforce 8800GS 129,67 $

CPU Cooler Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 18,38 $

Go for something like that, you can easily OC the proc @ 3.1Ghz, the graphic card is pretty good for the price, but you can consider getting an 9600GT if you want, they are not much more expensive, it depend what deal you can get. Also you can go for a e4xxx or e6xxx series if ya want more power if you got budget for it. And check price after 20th april on intel processor, they will have some nice price drop.

PS: This is all Canadian price, you might find it at different price for you in US ( as i see that the HDD is more expensive ).
The memory is the cheapest good quality I found so far here. Don't go over that point for the price of 2gb that's for sure. It is pretty useless and anyway with that build when OC you won't go over ddr 800 much anyway. If you don't want Mushking, get Patriot/Crucial/Corsair good memory.
 

houstonserenity

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Mar 1, 2008
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One thing I would suggest is not to go with a OEM operating system you can buy full AE versions online at thesame price <coughs> .The Academic software is for students and in a way are we all students of life <smiles>?