Gaming Build -- Suggestions?

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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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Nov 11, 2009
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You can do a lot better than that. With $500, you don't need to stick to DDR2. I'd almost sugggest upgrading the PSU as well to be ready for Crossfire, but a quality unit would likely put you over $500, so you can wait until you're ready to add the second card. Here's a great, relatively future proof build that includes new RAM:

CPU/Mobo: X3 440 and HD Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $183 after rebate
RAM: GeIL 2x2 GB 1333 mhz CAS Latency 9 $80
GPU: HD 5770 $135 after rebate and promo code
Case/Optical: Coolermaster 690 and cheap SATA DVD burner $73

Total: $471
 
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dbq12

dbq12

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Jul 6, 2010
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the reason isay that is because if your card is underpoewered and you have a cheap psu (i mean a non heard of psu 400w, not a corsiar/antec/ocz 400w psu) u can short out you gpu, cpu, and mobo

So if you have a brand name psu, u might be fine and forgo it (for right now), if not, find a way to get a new one.
 
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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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The problems I have with that build is that it features a lower quality board with absolutely no future proofing potential (no Crossfire/SLI, no USB 3/SATA III) and the RAM is absolutely horrible. OCZ has massive trouble with compatibility. There is a reason their sticks are so cheap.

If you want a new PSU (400W is a little small), here's a good combo: HD 5770 and OCZ ModXStream 700W for $160 after rebates. That'd make the total for my build $496.
 
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aford10

aford10

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Oct 2, 2008
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I'm going to disagree on the OCZ RAM comment. They make quality RAM. The reason people have issues with them, is because some of their models are higher voltage. If they won't boot with a particular motherboard, a few BIOS tweaks should fix it.

I'm also not a big fan of that 700w ModXStream. Dual 12v rails @ 18amps each, is fairly weak for a 700w PSU. If you're running a single video card, this is a great PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022&cm_re=ocz_550w-_-17-341-022-_-Product
If you're running dual video cards, this is a great PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=corsair%20750
 
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dbq12

dbq12

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doesn't the modXstream pro have 2 25A 12V rails?
 
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sickness335

sickness335

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Jul 25, 2010
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Jeez I don't check the site in a day and look what happens :p


Do I really need DDR3? I mean the 4 sticks of DDR2 I use now work perfectly.


I have 500 watt ATX Ultra V Series. Not a 400, sorry for the typo.


I think I can go without getting a new tower. I have an Antec Sonata II, and the front case has broken off. No big deal.


I've been told the mobo I have right now is really good, however its a 939 socket and can only support a duel processor. I'm in full agreement that I need to pick a better mobo.

How about this setup (Without the tower):

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704&cm_re=athlon_x4_630-_-19-103-704-_-Product


Graphics: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130254&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

500W PSU (current)

4, 1 GB, DDR2 RAM (current)

Antec Sonata II (Current)

Total: $327.99 -- (Not including DDR3 sticks)

Total: $407.98 -- (With DDR3 sticks)

This is kind of a stupid question, would I be able to use the same DVD Burners that I use now on the new tower?







Here's my set up as of now:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon 64, 2400 MHz (12 x 200) 3800+
Motherboard Name Asus A8N-SLI Premium (3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x4, 2 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, Dual Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce4 SLI, AMD Hammer
System Memory 3072 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award (01/18/06)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS (512 MB)

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 953867 MB (842579 MB free)

Network:
Network Adapter Belkin 11Mbps Wireless USB Network Adapter (192.168.1.44)
 
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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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You can't use DDR2 RAM with current boards. DDR2 is dead. You really need to move on to DDR3. You can sell the old sticks for a decent price though.

You should be able to use the old burner. Just make sure you have the correct connectors in the new build.

I'd stick to the build I posted at the beginning. Just drop the case/optical out of it.
 
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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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Nov 11, 2009
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Not really. Only certain games use all four cores. The prime example is GTA IV. The X3 440 is actually considered a better gaming CPU than every AMD CPU, excluding the X4 955.

You can also unlock the fourth core, turning it into a quad. That is if you get lucky.
 
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aford10

aford10

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Oct 2, 2008
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You're going to need to upgrade your RAM as well. According to your specs, you have DDR. The board you're looking at only takes DDR3.

The motherboard you're looking at has 1 IDE port that can support 2 devices. If you have IDE opticals and IDE hard drive, you have to pick 2, or get an adapter. If you have SATA drives, they can all be re-used.

I think you may want to check some of the combos that were linked. They can save you some $$, and get a better overall upgrade.


EDIT: You guys beat me to it. I'm at work and got sidetracked.....
 
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sickness335

sickness335

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Jul 25, 2010
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Hmm sounds perfect. I'm only 15, so I'll see if my dad wants to split the price with me. :p I've been going around fourms getting people's suggestions since February :D If I have any other questions concerning this I'll post back. Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate it :)
 
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