My future PC

christian c · 01-08-2008, 10:59 PM

I just came across this site and it looks pretty sweet.. anway I thought I'd ask for some advice on a gaming rig build.

Budget: about 800

Brands: no preference

Multitasking: zero multitasking

Gaming: this is for gaming only

Calculations: nope

Overclocking: possibly in the future after i learn more about how to do it

Storage: just games, dont need room for much else

Legacy Support: it would be nice for ps2 but not really necessary, as long as i can plug everything in

Operating System: i'll go with xp to be on the safe side

Case: size and looks do not matter

Accessories: i have a ps2 keyboard, ps2 mouse, and bigass speakers

Recycled Components: I have an optical drive, a 60 gig HD, and a sound card laying around

Monitor: already have one

Stores: i have a $200 gift card to newegg id liek to use other than that it doest matter

Location: cont. U.S.

**blackduck30** · 01-09-2008, 12:05 AM

Have a look at this

Motherboard

ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $140

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225

CPU

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $190

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029

RAM

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $37 ( after rebate )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

Hard Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

Video Card

EVGA 256-P3-N791-AR GeForce 8800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $205

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130314

Power Supply

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail $104 ( after rebate )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002

Case

Thermaltake WingRS VG1000BNS Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $25 ( after rebate )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133048

DVD

Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM
16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM $25

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118003

Total = $796

Impact Green · 01-09-2008, 02:22 AM

does that price include shipping

**blackduck30** · 01-09-2008, 05:26 AM

No sorry it does not include shipping, you will have to talk to newegg about shipping costs

christian c · 01-09-2008, 01:31 PM

thanks blackduck you made it way too easy for me haha. i think i can afford whatever shipping costs are above 796. However, I have two more questions. Could I possibly leave out the DVD drive? Also, to save money would I be ok with this 500 watt power supply? -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012

**bruiser** · 01-09-2008, 01:53 PM

If you leave out the dvd drive, what are you going to use to load software?

christian c · 01-09-2008, 02:00 PM

I thought you could use the CD drive for that?

ebackhus · 01-09-2008, 02:31 PM

The 500w you asked about will work but leaves little room for upgrading, and even less for overclocking.

You can keep the CD-ROM but keep in mind that many newer applications and games ONLY come on DVD.

**blackduck30** · 01-09-2008, 04:32 PM

well you always have the option of stealing your dvd rom out of your old system

With your power supply I strongly recommend 700W considering you will be using a 8800GT video card, A quality power supply is also important and the cheaper units generally do not supply the power they claim and cause untold problems which you really do not want to risk with a new build ( or any build for that matter )
I'll have a hunt around and see if I can find any other units around that may be on sale that are worth buying

christian c · 01-09-2008, 04:40 PM

I didn't know that about DVDs, but I do happen to have a DVD drive here as well that I can use.

christian c · 01-09-2008, 09:01 PM

I'm ready to place my order now I think. I'm getting eveything thing that Blackduck mentioned except for the DVD drive and Im looking at another video card. This card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082
seems like a good deal. Would I be able to run that card with my planned setup?

( I want to be able to use my 24" Acer to its potential

)

Spilled · 01-09-2008, 10:43 PM

Yes, you will be able to use that card.

**blackduck30** · 01-09-2008, 10:59 PM

check some bench marks tho as the 8800GT actually uses the newer chipset which could actually give it a small lead on the older 8800GTS. Over all tho they are both good cards

christian c · 01-09-2008, 11:07 PM

thanks guys

mev532 · 02-02-2008, 10:22 AM

Thanks for all the info, Blackduck. You inspired me to build my own computer, which I did using the hardware breakdown above, with the exception of the video card and the ram.

So, got all the parts, put it together, and after some initial trouble got the system powering up.

The problem is that nothing is showing up on my monitor and the case doesn't have a built in speaker so I don't have any of the BIOS beeps which usually help diagnose the problem.

So, questions:
1) Can the problem be diagnosed without the beeps without a testing components by substitution fiasco?
2) Can I get a separate speaker just for the BIOS beeps that isn't built into a case?
3) Can normal speakers be jury rigged somehow to emit the telltale sounds?

Thanks, any help would be appreciated.

P.S. My monitor IS plugged in, both to the power, and to my video card, a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102703
and is turned on. It says there is no input detected.

01-08-2008, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
christian c Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp sp2	My future PC I just came across this site and it looks pretty sweet.. anway I thought I'd ask for some advice on a gaming rig build. Budget: about 800 Brands: no preference Multitasking: zero multitasking Gaming: this is for gaming only Calculations: nope Overclocking: possibly in the future after i learn more about how to do it Storage: just games, dont need room for much else Legacy Support: it would be nice for ps2 but not really necessary, as long as i can plug everything in Operating System: i'll go with xp to be on the safe side Case: size and looks do not matter Accessories: i have a ps2 keyboard, ps2 mouse, and bigass speakers Recycled Components: I have an optical drive, a 60 gig HD, and a sound card laying around Monitor: already have one Stores: i have a $200 gift card to newegg id liek to use other than that it doest matter Location: cont. U.S.

01-09-2008, 12:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
blackduck30 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,230 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: My future PC Have a look at this Motherboard ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $140 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225 CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $190 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029 RAM CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $37 ( after rebate ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262 Video Card EVGA 256-P3-N791-AR GeForce 8800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $205 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130314 Power Supply OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail $104 ( after rebate ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002 Case Thermaltake WingRS VG1000BNS Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $25 ( after rebate ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133048 DVD Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM $25 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118003 Total = $796 __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

01-09-2008, 02:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Impact Green Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: look behind you!!! Posts: 39 OS: xp pro service pack 2 My System	Re: My future PC does that price include shipping __________________ If you always do what you've always done You'll always get what you've always got

01-09-2008, 05:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
blackduck30 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,230 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: My future PC No sorry it does not include shipping, you will have to talk to newegg about shipping costs __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

01-09-2008, 01:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
christian c Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp sp2	Re: My future PC thanks blackduck you made it way too easy for me haha. i think i can afford whatever shipping costs are above 796. However, I have two more questions. Could I possibly leave out the DVD drive? Also, to save money would I be ok with this 500 watt power supply? -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012

01-09-2008, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,973 OS: xp	Re: My future PC If you leave out the dvd drive, what are you going to use to load software?

01-09-2008, 02:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
christian c Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp sp2	Re: My future PC I thought you could use the CD drive for that?

01-09-2008, 02:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,249 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: My future PC The 500w you asked about will work but leaves little room for upgrading, and even less for overclocking. You can keep the CD-ROM but keep in mind that many newer applications and games ONLY come on DVD. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

01-09-2008, 04:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
blackduck30 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,230 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: My future PC well you always have the option of stealing your dvd rom out of your old system With your power supply I strongly recommend 700W considering you will be using a 8800GT video card, A quality power supply is also important and the cheaper units generally do not supply the power they claim and cause untold problems which you really do not want to risk with a new build ( or any build for that matter ) I'll have a hunt around and see if I can find any other units around that may be on sale that are worth buying __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

01-09-2008, 04:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
christian c Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp sp2	Re: My future PC I didn't know that about DVDs, but I do happen to have a DVD drive here as well that I can use.

01-09-2008, 09:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
christian c Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp sp2	Re: My future PC I'm ready to place my order now I think. I'm getting eveything thing that Blackduck mentioned except for the DVD drive and Im looking at another video card. This card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082 seems like a good deal. Would I be able to run that card with my planned setup? ( I want to be able to use my 24" Acer to its potential ) Last edited by christian c; 01-09-2008 at 09:04 PM.

01-09-2008, 10:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
Spilled Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 22 OS: winxp sp2	Re: My future PC Yes, you will be able to use that card.

01-09-2008, 10:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
blackduck30 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,230 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: My future PC check some bench marks tho as the 8800GT actually uses the newer chipset which could actually give it a small lead on the older 8800GTS. Over all tho they are both good cards __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

01-09-2008, 11:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
christian c Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp sp2	Re: My future PC thanks guys

02-02-2008, 10:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
mev532 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP SP2	Re: My future PC Thanks for all the info, Blackduck. You inspired me to build my own computer, which I did using the hardware breakdown above, with the exception of the video card and the ram. So, got all the parts, put it together, and after some initial trouble got the system powering up. The problem is that nothing is showing up on my monitor and the case doesn't have a built in speaker so I don't have any of the BIOS beeps which usually help diagnose the problem. So, questions: 1) Can the problem be diagnosed without the beeps without a testing components by substitution fiasco? 2) Can I get a separate speaker just for the BIOS beeps that isn't built into a case? 3) Can normal speakers be jury rigged somehow to emit the telltale sounds? Thanks, any help would be appreciated. P.S. My monitor IS plugged in, both to the power, and to my video card, a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102703 and is turned on. It says there is no input detected. Last edited by mev532; 02-02-2008 at 10:34 AM.