Building a gaming pc, need opinions.

[_Cthulhu_]

Found the forums last night and after lookin over em figured this was a good enough place as any to ask people..

I'm trying to build a budget gaming PC.. well by budget I got about 800 to spend. So far I've picked out everthing I'm going to put on it.

All items are from newegg.


ASUS M2N4-SLI Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $92.99


AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADO4200CUBOX - Retail $169.00


SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail $164.99


Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/2G - Retail $259


Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $159.99


If anyone has any other suggestions I'd be happy... and when it comes to the video cards... Don't even speak the word NVidia or GeForce to me... ;p

[bruiser]

If you want a gaming pc, forget about AMD at this time. The Intel Conroe cpu's are ahead of any AMD at this point in time.

[_Cthulhu_]

The problem is I want to have an AMD AM2 system for future upgrades.. And I hate Intel with a firey passion... I know their duo-cores are a littel better right now.. but eh.. I dunno.. I still think I'mma go with AMD since I'm familiar with them.... The upgrade time will come.

[Fr4665]

dont get an ATI graphics card for a nvidia motherboard. go with something like a 7900GS instead of the x1900.

intel is currently in the lead and AMD will propably be announcing that the socket AM2 will be a legacy port by next year but im not 100% sure of this. i think its a very solid system but not sure for whats in store for socket AM2.

also look at nforce5 or nforce6 boards as those will be even more upgradable. also make sure u get a quality power supply

[Tumbleweed36]

HI,

Talk to us as mentioned about the proposed power supply. This is the heart of your computer and needs to be a quality unit.

[Indoril Nerevar]

Originally Posted by _Cthulhu_

Don't even speak the word NVidia or GeForce to me...

Mind if I ask why? You've listed a motherboard with an NVIDIA chipset...

NVIDIA make quality video cards, just as ATI do. The difference between the companies is purely a matter of personal preference, as many others here will agree. If you're worried about the quality of NVIDIA cards, don't be - they're just as good as ATI cards.

[_Cthulhu_]

Originally Posted by Indoril Nerevar

Mind if I ask why? You've listed a motherboard with an NVIDIA chipset...

NVIDIA make quality video cards, just as ATI do. The difference between the companies is purely a matter of personal preference, as many others here will agree. If you're worried about the quality of NVIDIA cards, don't be - they're just as good as ATI cards.

I've had trouble with NVidia in the past and I just don't prefer them.. And yep, ATI is my preference all the way.

As far as power supplies go, I'm still workin on that one. Having trouble finding em with enough connectors and a PCIE cable.. IF anyone has any suggestions... I'm not spending anything over 100 bucks on a PSU right now since I just don't have the cash. I appreciate all the help. :)

[_Cthulhu_]

Originally Posted by Fr4665

dont get an ATI graphics card for a nvidia motherboard. go with something like a 7900GS instead of the x1900.

intel is currently in the lead and AMD will propably be announcing that the socket AM2 will be a legacy port by next year but im not 100% sure of this. i think its a very solid system but not sure for whats in store for socket AM2.

also look at nforce5 or nforce6 boards as those will be even more upgradable. also make sure u get a quality power supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131013
There's a NForce5... I just don't have the cash to spend like 200 on a motherboard, so even that is going to be pushing it...

I wish I was more of a geek sometimes.. I can build a computer in an hour, but finding the parts is a different story.. makes me want to hurt myself.

[pharoah]

that asus board looks decent.look for some professional reviews first.also another thing i do is i will google the model of the board and put problems after."ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe problems".alot of times you will get links to forums where people have posted problems with a paticular model.

your power supply is actually the most important single part in the pc.if you dont have enough juice to run everything you will have nothing but trouble.follow the link in my sig power supply selection.

mr fraggs,and indoril why do you say not to use ati cards with nvidia boards.i have used an 850xt in several nvidia nforce4 boards,and have never had any problems.<just curious

[_Cthulhu_]

Originally Posted by pharoah

that asus board looks decent.look for some professional reviews first.also another thing i do is i will google the model of the board and put problems after."ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe problems".alot of times you will get links to forums where people have posted problems with a paticular model.

your power supply is actually the most important single part in the pc.if you dont have enough juice to run everything you will have nothing but trouble.follow the link in my sig power supply selection.

mr fraggs,and indoril why do you say not to use ati cards with nvidia boards.i have used an 850xt in several nvidia nforce4 boards,and have never had any problems.<just curious

Thanks man. And yah the NForce is just the chipset.. It doesn't have anything to do with the video card..

I'm one of those guys who goes 'low-tech' when it comes to cooling... You know the old poppin' the side panel off.. I know it's lame but it's worked for me ever since I started building my own systems. I have a plastic mesh material that I buy from Lowe's and keep it on with velcro tape...Hasn't failed me yet and the melting temperature on it is amazingly high..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182030
Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX 12V V2.01 Power Supply 115/230 V CSA,UL,TUV - Retail

That puppy looks relatively cheap but no omg-crap... It's rosewill, which my case is also Rosewill. Has PCIE connectors, 20+4 pin, and it's 550... Yay/Nay Guru Gods of PC Planet?

[pharoah]

i would definetly not use a rosewill power supply.you said you wouldnt spend over 100$ on the power supply well look at this. antec true power trio

[_Cthulhu_]

I'll give it a look-see...My budget is starting to top itself off.. I may have to drop it down and settle for a gig of ram for the moment. That would be a lot better than cutting corners somewhere else.

[Tumbleweed36]

Hi,

Please, oh please don't tell me you aren't going to use a Rosewill for this rig. Skip one gig for right now and buy a good power supply.

[pharoah]

Originally Posted by _Cthulhu_

I'll give it a look-see...My budget is starting to top itself off.. I may have to drop it down and settle for a gig of ram for the moment. That would be a lot better than cutting corners somewhere else.

yes that would be the way to go.never cut corners on the power supply it can be an awefull mistake.

[Indoril Nerevar]

Originally Posted by pharoah

mr fraggs,and indoril why do you say not to use ati cards with nvidia boards.i have used an 850xt in several nvidia nforce4 boards,and have never had any problems.<just curious

To my knowledge, there isn't actually any problem with doing that. The only time there is a problem is when you go to use CrossFire cards - some CF cards are not supported by some NVIDIA chipsets. And CF itself is of course not supported, even by SLI chipsets (to my knowledge).

Originally Posted by _Cthulu_

I've had trouble with NVidia in the past and I just don't prefer them.. And yep, ATI is my preference all the way.

You know what's funny? My story is exactly the other way round - all of my experiences with ATI cards have been bad. But the cards I've used are older ones - the newer cards are a lot better and more stable. However, I still go for NVIDIA, and don't have any problems with them.

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

Please, oh please don't tell me you aren't going to use a Rosewill for this rig. Skip one gig for right now and buy a good power supply.

Originally Posted by pharoah

never cut corners on the power supply it can be an awefull mistake.

I could not agree with these two more. The power supply is the most important part of your computer. Make sure you get the best one, and then work your other components around it. You don't want to end up with a dead power supply and damaged motherboard, RAM, hard drives, or other components, a year down the track - but that's what you're risking if you get a low quality brand such as Rosewill.

[_Cthulhu_]

My problems with NVidia started all the way back when the G4 came out. I think I just have bad luck with em.. But since I'm cursed I just ignore NVidia in general.. Now the NForce chipsets on the mobos.. Those things have always been kick-butt... but their video cards.. eh.. I'll run the other way.. and the Sapphire Radeon cards have treated me good through 4 cards now.

You guys have been a huge help.. These forums rocketh my pants.


So lets do a recap of the situation!

Mobo (This guy looks like a winner for me.)


ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $149.99[/i]

CPU

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADO4200CUBOX - Retail $169.00

Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail $164.99

Hard Drive (Possibilities here.. I will probably drop down to a Caviar instead since I need to cut some corners on a HD here.. and that 10k RPM won't make a huge difference here. This computer is JUST for games so I don't think I'll even need a massive hard drive.. if I do... I can upgrade later or throw on a slave..)

Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $159.99
Western Digital Caviar SE WD400JD 40GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM


PSU

Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail $99.99



RAM

Kingston HyperX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail $131.99

[pharoah]

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

these are supposed to be very fast drives from what ive been told,and that power supply is a good choice.

seagate drive

[Tumbleweed36]

Hi,

Glad to see you chose a good power supply. The other components should make a great little computer for you. Special Note: With any hard drive purchase, you need to look at the Warranty Period. Some times, that is almost the only difference between some major brands and some have a five year warranty and some have retreated back to a one year warranty. The majority do have a three year warranty.

[_Cthulhu_]

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

Hi,

Glad to see you chose a good power supply. The other components should make a great little computer for you. Special Note: With any hard drive purchase, you need to look at the Warranty Period. Some times, that is almost the only difference between some major brands and some have a five year warranty and some have retreated back to a one year warranty. The majority do have a three year warranty.

I've bought quite a few WD drives over the last few years and all of em I've found have had a 3-year warranty... and you could purchase extended.

[ebackhus]

I tend to judge a drive not by its warranty length, but by how often I need to utilize it. I've never, not even once, used warranty service for my Western Digital purchases. I've had plenty of Seagates kick the bucket, though, well before the warranty was up. Maxtor I'm in-between on. I've seen some that just failed horribly and others that were completely WIN.