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I'm just kinda bored and configed a whole system on our favorite site www.newegg.com. I was wondering if you guys might give me a short critique on what you think of this medium-high budgeted build for playing some games. I added Crysis onto the list because I want to play that first and foremost, but other games to be played will include neverwinter nights 2 (included) quake wars, oblivion, and any other suggestions for excellent games you guys might add. Rate me on price vs. performance and I'm definitely sticking to an amd system.

dvd burner $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151153

Case + PSU $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156098

small hd (have others already) $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822145124

motherboard $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131022

the ever important video card $220 with NWN 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125086

2 gigs inexpensive mem $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098

proc $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103194

Crysis $45 no link necessary

and to top it all off an inexpensive aftermarket cpu cooler. $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835200023

total is $730 shipped and at my doorstep.

I have a dlp projector right now that only runs 1024x768 native, it'll do widescreen as well as full 4:3, and the resolution can be nudged up a bit. for my main monitor i have a 19" crt, 1600x1200 max, but i won't be playing games that high likely, and when i get extra money, i'll be doing most of my gaming on a 22 inch acer lcd at 1080x1650 or whatever the native is on that. :-p

thank you preemptively for the input.

------------------------------ AMD 5000+BE Brisbane: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 64: Raidmax Smilodon w/500w PSU: Gigabyte HD 3870 w/Ultra Durable 2: 2x 1gig G-Skill DDR2 800: Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4: Samsung Spinpoint hd321kj: samsug dvd burner: Wireless logitech perfs, thumb ball mouse:

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Is it just me or does the 1mb total cache on the processor seem a bit low? My Q6600 has 8 megabytes total, and I know that cache can often be crippling to processor performance (ex. celeron). You sound pretty set on AMD, but really you might be better off with a comparably priced (within $20) intel that has twice the cache.

I am relatively unfamiliar with the selection of AMD processors in this price segment, so hopefully someone else can give you some good advice.

And just to make sure you know, you may run into trouble if you try to use one of your other hard drive's operating system in your new build.

Message edited by rayzor on 02-05-2008 at 02:45:31 AM

------------------------------ MSI P6N SLI Platinum || Q6600 B3 @ 3.0Ghz || EVGA 8800 GTX (625/1550/2020) || 4 gigs Mushkin Enhanced DDR2 800 (5-5-5-18) || 2xWD Raptors (200 gigs) 1x Seagate Barracuda (300 gigs) || HT Omega Striker Sound Card || Coolmax 700W Modular Power Supply
Reply to rayzor

I'm aware of the cache and how it works, and i believe there were some tests run on how the cache effects newer processors, and the ones with integrated memory controlers don't need as much cache i think... i dunno i forget. and yeah, i'm set on amd... i'm going to support competition. Cuz if not we're all screwed. hehe. that and this proc overclocks to 3.2ghz easy.
I'll be running a fresh install of ubuntu linux and windows xp on 2 different hd's. and i decided to change the hd to a seagate barracuda after finding out how much my tax return is going to be to a 250 gig hd. 67 dollars. not bad. but not great. :-p Thanks for the suggestion though... not that i'm a fanboy, but I'm fine with AMD. and this proc is the BEST in the price segment due to the oc-ability. dual core.

------------------------------ AMD 5000+BE Brisbane: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 64: Raidmax Smilodon w/500w PSU: Gigabyte HD 3870 w/Ultra Durable 2: 2x 1gig G-Skill DDR2 800: Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4: Samsung Spinpoint hd321kj: samsug dvd burner: Wireless logitech perfs, thumb ball mouse:
Reply to nachowarrior

I wouldn't go with that mobo as it seems to have issues with 800Mhz ram.

Mobo should be one of those things where you want to invest a lot...considering you'll be able to keep your mobo on your next upgrade. Go for DDR3 Ram. Its little more expensive but it'll be easier to upgrade after. My 2 cents.

But you've done a good job getting good pieces at low cost. You might want to keep about 100$ aside in case your PSU doesn't give you enough juice. Especially with today's Vcards being so power hungry and all.

------------------------------ Windows XP MCE & Vista 64-bit (dual boot)
XFX NFORCE 680I LT SLI w/ OCZ Platinum 4 Gigs Dual DDR2 @ 800MHz
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz w/ ChillTec Thermo Electric CPU Cooler
MSI NX8800 GTX & X-Fi XtremeGamer Soundblaster
Reply to Alex The PC Gamer

yeah, i kept that in mind on the psu. I really prefer a modular above 500 watts. and I wasn't aware of the mobo/ram issue. I was thinking about looking for a full on am2+ motherboard in case I keep the pc for more than 6 months, but knowing me i'll prolly sell it shortly after i get it (like a month or 2) cuz that's what i do... :-p hehe. well, unless I oc the proc, the mem won't run at 800mhz anyway, but i think i'm going to oc it to 3.2ghz, which means it will run at 800... thanks for the input, i'll check asus' certified memory list or whatever and see what that's going to cost as well as looking at other motherboards. Wish i coulda told that to a guy i just recommended this mobo too... most people love this board. thanks man.

------------------------------ AMD 5000+BE Brisbane: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 64: Raidmax Smilodon w/500w PSU: Gigabyte HD 3870 w/Ultra Durable 2: 2x 1gig G-Skill DDR2 800: Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4: Samsung Spinpoint hd321kj: samsug dvd burner: Wireless logitech perfs, thumb ball mouse:
Reply to nachowarrior

another note, I found somwhere that the 3870 only uses 89 watts. That's only 14 watts above and beyond what's available on the pcie bus. so i think the psu will be good unless I overvolt everything. then it might crash due to lack of power. 89watts at 12v= a little under 8 amps on the 12v rail. I think i'll be ok... but i still have a backup plan.

------------------------------ AMD 5000+BE Brisbane: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 64: Raidmax Smilodon w/500w PSU: Gigabyte HD 3870 w/Ultra Durable 2: 2x 1gig G-Skill DDR2 800: Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4: Samsung Spinpoint hd321kj: samsug dvd burner: Wireless logitech perfs, thumb ball mouse:
Reply to nachowarrior

Quote :

I'm just kinda bored and configed a whole system on our favorite site www.newegg.com. I was wondering if you guys might give me a short critique on what you think of this medium-high budgeted build for playing some games. I added Crysis onto the list because I want to play that first and foremost, but other games to be played will include neverwinter nights 2 (included) quake wars, oblivion, and any other suggestions for excellent games you guys might add. Rate me on price vs. performance and I'm definitely sticking to an amd system.
total is $730 shipped and at my doorstep.

Building an AMD system is like giving to charity without the write off.

$730 would be entry level.

If you want the best for your money, you go with the following:

$70 - oem Intel e2180 (ewiz)
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=E2180
$21 - Freezer Pro 7
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC7PRO

Overclock it to 3.0ghz+ and it will beat ANY dual-core AMD in nearly every benchmark.

$90 - Best bang for the buck Intel board and will handle 45nm with a BIOS flash
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128059

$50 - Best memory for the $$ and will handle overclocking easy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146565

If you want to play new games on high settings, buy the best card for the money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127323
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150261
Destroys the 3870 for $50 more.

$58 - best PSU for the money:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx [...] 52646.html
$45 - Good cooling case with good drive bay design, though it does lack the gaudiness of your style:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147038

HD - $50
Burner - $30

For a total of $684 after rebate/before shipping...and it will destroy the AMD/ATi combo you chose.

Reply to Noya

thanks for input, BUT...
i'm sticking with amd, i like that proc and i'll put it back to stock when i sell it, 2.6 looks better than 2.0 to a potential customer.
I don't like mail in rebates because half the time you don't get em back.
I also don't like the idea of ocing on the motherboard and the ram.
so that puts us at over 800 i think if you don't count the rebates... and i'm not putting this on credit... paying out of pocket. so that kinda destroys that idea.
I do however like the psu you recommended, I will keep that on my list of parts, especially if the included psu doesn't end up working as expected.
thnks

------------------------------ AMD 5000+BE Brisbane: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 64: Raidmax Smilodon w/500w PSU: Gigabyte HD 3870 w/Ultra Durable 2: 2x 1gig G-Skill DDR2 800: Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4: Samsung Spinpoint hd321kj: samsug dvd burner: Wireless logitech perfs, thumb ball mouse:
Reply to nachowarrior

u should have gotten an nvidia card i have that mobo its an nvidia chipset so nvidia cards are better for that mobo!!!

------------------------------ Asus M2N-E mobo, 4 gb ddr2 800 mhz ram, Amd Athlon 64 X2 4600+, Western Digital 500 gb hard drive, Thermaltake 700 watt psu, EVGA 8800gt
Reply to db4s

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