A good gaming PC rig??

[DerF]

I'm new to building computers and would like to build a good gaming computer that I will also be able to use for other stuff too. I'm also looking into overclocking and was wondering if this setup would perform well. Please look over the following hardware, all help and suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated


Case
Coolermaster Centurion 5
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

MoBo
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813152049

Video Card
eVGA GeForce 7800GTX w/ Battlefield 2
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130235

PSU
Antec NeoPower 480W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103924

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103537

Memory
Mushkin High performance 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146425

HD
Hitachi Deskstar 160 GB SATA II drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822145088

Sound Card
CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 value
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829120103

Is this maybe too much for too little? or maybe the other way around? plz suggest any hard ware that could replace these curretly listed for cheaper. (trying to use as little money as possible)

Thanks in Advance

 

[Silversierra]

Upgrade the psu, I wouldn't trust an "aspire" on that rig.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103437
I doubt you need a 7800gtx, but it's fast.

You might consider a seagate hd, they have a 5yr warranty, and have ncq.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103437
Arent' the deskstar hds the ones the refer to as "deathstars" becaue they fail so often? Or am I thinking of something else?
I've also heard that some "sata II" hds don't have ncq, and are actually slower than some sata I drives, not sure though.

I'm fine with the vnf4ultras onboard audio(but I'm not an audiophile).


If you're oc'ing you might want ddr550(or higher) ram, like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103437
^that doesn't have tight timings, but it's about the same price as the pc3200 you listed.

I like the vnf4ultra, it oc's well, and is a very good price for the performance.

I know cases are a matter of taste, but do you really like that case?

 

[twitchee2]

welcome to the forums. get rid of the aspire PSU, get a antec, enermax, ocz, seasonic or forton. if you are not ocing get OCZ value. if you are ocing get a dfi board and keep that ram. other then that it looks good

 

[Guido06]

Monarch has the same 7800gtx bundle w/ bf2 for about $507 shipped.

7800GTX /w BF2 $507.70

 

[ElFenix]

get the seasonic S12 500 from hot deals link. should be about $104. or, if you want cheap, our own jonnyguru tested the AMS pp-44603

i'm not sure i'd bother pairing a 7800GTX with that processor, even if you plan on overclocking.

if you have a fry's near you, you can usually get great deals on big drives (seagate 7200.8 200GB for $50 AR)

 

[DerF]

Do you guys think that it would be more effective to put 2 drives in a RAID instead of having just one drive?

Thanks for all that feedback

 

[wasserkool]

putting two drives in RAID will improve the transfer speed, so your map in games will load faster.

or.you can buy a Raptor 73GB version...

you might want to get a lil better CPU like the X2 4200 and overclock it!

 

[fierydemise]

Yeah that CPU will be a bottleneck for a 7800GTX

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: wasserkool
putting two drives in RAID will improve the transfer speed, so your map in games will load faster.

or.you can buy a Raptor 73GB version...

you might want to get a lil better CPU like the X2 4200 and overclock it!

no, not at all.

RAID 0 does not have any faster effect on games then one drive does.

I used to think the same thing, but then i read the review here at Anandtech and found out, RAID 0 is a waste if all your going to be doing is gaming.

 

[wasserkool]

hmm maybe not from IDE..but from my SCSI experience, things load a heck lot faster than the fastest IDE i've used lol

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: wasserkool
hmm maybe not from IDE..but from my SCSI experience, things load a heck lot faster than the fastest IDE i've used lol

*looks at seagate cheetah in sig*
well... duh...

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: wasserkool
hmm maybe not from IDE..but from my SCSI experience, things load a heck lot faster than the fastest IDE i've used lol

yes, SCSI is different

but just so you know, a single SATA drive will do the same exact thing a SATA RAID 0 will do (gaming wise)


how much was your SCSI setup?

and what controller card are you using?

 

[DanDaMan315]

Get this PSU instead of the POS you listed up there Rosewill RP550 550W Power Supply

it has the same internals as the Enermax 651 (which goes for about $130 on newegg), it's just a Rosewill rebadge.

 

[Silversierra]

Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
Get this PSU instead of the POS you listed up there Rosewill RP550 550W Power Supply

it has the same internals as the Enermax 651 (which goes for about $130 on newegg), it's just a Rosewill rebadge.

Any proof?
They don't have the same rail amperages, so I doubt they're the same.

Rosewill
+3.3V@30A, +5V@50A, +12V@35A, -5V@0.5A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2.5A
Enermax
+3.3V@36A; +5V@36A; -5V@1A; +12V@36A; -12V@1A; +5VSB@2.2A

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
Get this PSU instead of the POS you listed up there Rosewill RP550 550W Power Supply

it has the same internals as the Enermax 651 (which goes for about $130 on newegg), it's just a Rosewill rebadge.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Wrong. Welcome to the Intraweb. You're batting two for two with me on power supply ignorance today alone. The high end Rosewills are relabeled ATNG's.

El Fenix,

Didn't know you were actually reading my reviews. Thank you.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Ditch the PS and get and Antec, Fortron, Enermax, etc.... and get value ram

 

[KoolDrew]

That case is ugly IMO and I have no experience wityh it, but I am assuming it is poor quality too. Have you looked at a Chieftec Dragon or Cooler Master Centurion 5? I have no idea how good the Chiantech overclocks, but I would suggest the DFI board.

The PSU is not a good choice. Get a Fortron AX500-A. That RAm is pretty much a waste of money. Get 2GB of Value RAM. Forget about RAID-0 if that was what you were thinking.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Apparently the case is not ugly according to the OP or he wouldn't have picked it.

I've found with cases different people like ENTIRELY different things. I know when I'm looking at cases for builds at my local ASI, I'm hit with a lot of "dookie" looking cases and I always end up with something very simple like an Enlight or Foxconn. CaseEdge and Thermaltake are WAY too dookie for my tastes.

 

[Le Petomane]

For a case, look at the Antec SLK3000-B. It can be found for around $45 on Amazon. From what I understand, the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra overclocks just fine, don't waste $50 more on the DFI. Even if you are overclocking, get the corsair value select. You will see little to no performance gain using low latency memory. You can get a 460 watt Enermax for about $60.

 

[DerF]

I like the case... anyways whoa lotsa posts thanks guys I'm really trying to find a budget PSU and keep my processor at a resonable price. Whats all this talk about a processor bottleneck 4 the 7800 GTX that scares me. what if I overclock it will it still bottleneck? any new suggestions on a good processor (NOT X2 or FX too expensive) maybe im looking into the $100-200 price range

Many thanks

 

[KoolDrew]

The AX500-A is my pick for PSU. It is $73 at ewiz. You will not find a better PSU at that price. The CPU you picked out is fine too.

 

[Crescent13]

Get this power supply. Can you wait til august? If so then get the X2 3800+ (~$340), and the GeForce 7800GT (not GTX). both of those will be released in august.