advice on a cheap computer build

[xoduzz786]

hi, building a computer for a friend who intends to play games (especially AOE3 when it comes out) and has a budget of around $600-700...he already has a monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers and hard drive. so far this is what i have...btw he doesnt plan to overclock or anything.

processor Athlon 64 3000+ venice core

Chaintech VNF4 ATX 939 mobo

1gb corsair value select ram

Case & powersupply (plan to use the included psu)

Vid card HSI X800 XL

i was thinkin maybe i should get him an AGP motherboard and a geforce6800 GT for $295...good idea? any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Good but doyouneed to splurge the extra money on the HIS? Powercolor should be good.

 

[KoolDrew]

Ugly case, crappy PSU and any reason you want the HIS in particular? The only case/PS combos I would really recommend are Antec.

 

[xoduzz786]

he likes the way the case looks so its really not my decision....i dont necessarily need the HIS video card...could get a powercolor..i heard the HIS one was good somewhere on this forum thats why i picked it....would the AGP 6800GT + AGP motherboard be a better choice? thats what im really tryin to figure out.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: xoduzz786
he likes the way the case looks so its really not my decision....i dont necessarily need the HIS video card...could get a powercolor..i heard the HIS one was good somewhere on this forum thats why i picked it....would the AGP 6800GT + AGP motherboard be a better choice? thats what im really tryin to figure out.

A X800Xl performs about the same as a 6800GT.

HIS is a good card. The only difference between it and all other X800Xl cards is it has a better heatsink on it, and is overclocked from the factory.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

X800XL's the better buy (as opposed to 6800GT). But I'm just saying, you could save some money with the powercolor.

 

[knothead34]

i wouldnt use that psu either . i would get a better one.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Really good point. Your parts might fry if you use that PSU

 

[KoolDrew]

The X800XL is a much better buy and the case is fine if he likes it, but the PSU is crap. You could probably buy a Raidmax case like that for cheaper without a PSU and buy this PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

 

[nick1985]

crappy PSU


get the powercolor X800XL and use the saved cash to get an antec case with a decent PSU.

 

[IEC]

Stick with the HIS - it's a great card with a great cooling system - the only thing is, you need a better case/PSU. An Antec combo would be cheapest and most effective most likely. Save up about another $50 😉

 

[xoduzz786]

ok....i've convinced him to get the antec sonata case with the 380watt psu...the psu should be enough to handle the system right?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: xoduzz786
ok....i've convinced him to get the antec sonata case with the 380watt psu...the psu should be enough to handle the system right?

easily

 

[stelleg151]

does he need optical drives?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: stelleg151
does he need optical drives?

 

[xoduzz786]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: stelleg151
does he need optical drives?

just a single 120gig hard drive + dvdrw drive

 

[shoRunner]

don't use that PSU(or that case) its crap, pure and simple. my friend bought it (i certainly did not recommend it) and regrets it.

and here's your card for $50 less

 

[xoduzz786]

thanks for the great find....has anyone had any experiences with connect3D?

 

[eXx08]

Spend a little bit more and get the nforce 4 ultra version of that motherboard, it will be alot better.

 

[xoduzz786]

whats the difference between the nforce4 ultra and the regular nforce?

 

[eXx08]

Originally posted by: xoduzz786
whats the difference between the nforce4 ultra and the regular nforce?

Nforce 4 Ultra has more to offer and is a bit more faster than the Nforce 4.