Build Computer - First Time!

[WildFan1099]

Hey All,

My brother has enlisted me to build him a computer and I found this community while trying to perform some research. My budget is $900, and he insists on having an AMD-based machine. PC will be used for general computing and some games. Here are the highlights of what I've picked out, please let me know your feedback:

Mobo: Gigabyte Nforce4 - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128321
Processor: AMD X2 5200+ - $229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103759
Vid Card: HIS Hightech X1650 Pro 512 MB GDDR3 - $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161044

Other components of the system will be 2GB RAM, 250 GB WD HD, DVD Burner, etc. My cart in Newegg right now is $898.

I'm most concerned about that Mobo and Video Card. Anyone have any experience with that, will they be able to run Vista ok? I needed that Mobo for onboard Firewire. SLI is not a concern, but would I be better off with the BFG nForce590, or is that overkill?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813189002

Thanks!

 

[jpeyton]

You sure he doesn't want a Core 2 Duo rig?

 

[ebeattie]

In my experience, SLI is a gimmick. While it does boost performance over a single card, it doesnt hold well for future proofing. In the end you will spend more money when it comes time to upgrade if you go SLI.

You best bet may be to drop down to a cheaper processor and spend the extra money to get a better video card. Ill admit I dont know much about ATI cards and Im sure wee'll get an ATI guy in here to give opinions for ATI stuff. I do think though that if you must stay in your budget, you may want to wait until the 8600 Ultra comes out around April. It should hit the street at about $180 bucks. It will be DX10 compliant and features a 500mhtz core and 512MB of on board memory at 256 bit. It might not be the big boy on the street but at least you will be able to run DX10 games.

 

[WildFan1099]

I agree with you about SLI - he does not want SLI and I will not recommend it to him. I'm a bit constrained on my Mobo because he needs onboard firewire for his mini HD DV. Just so happens that the one I found has SLI (a useless feature for him since it won't be used). I also cannot wait until DX10 cards come out - he needs this running in 2 weeks - thus I don't him to spend a ton on a video card now when DX10 is around the corner.

My main concern is compatability and reliability of above Mobo with Vista and the specs I outlined above.

Anymore feedback guys!!?!!

Thanks.

 

[moosey]

Since you want AMD (not C2D)...

You could go with a board on the nforce 500 series instead of the 4series. The 590SLI you choose is overkill. Also, the SLI doesn't matter since you have an ATI card, plus I agree with ebeattie's assessment of SLI on future proofing.
Biostar 550
Asus 570

Try this X1950Pro video card instead

If you're pushing budget, why not step down the CPU to something like a 4400+ I know the 5200+ has more cache, maybe check into the performance difference for the price. Maybe even a 4600+
For "general computing and some games" it doesn't sound worth it for the 5200+.
However, an e6300 is going to outperform a 4600+ for basically the same price plus the e6300 will o/c real well. So at that point, going AMD is kind of pointless.

It will all run Vista fine, just keep the 2GB RAM like you had.

 

[moosey]

Originally posted by: WildFan1099
I agree with you about SLI - he does not want SLI and I will not recommend it to him. I'm a bit constrained on my Mobo because he needs onboard firewire for his mini HD DV.

Can't you just get a firewire card?

 

[WildFan1099]

Originally posted by: moosey
Since you want AMD (not C2D)...

You could go with a board on the nforce 500 series instead of the 4series. The 590SLI you choose is overkill. Also, the SLI doesn't matter since you have an ATI card, plus I agree with ebeattie's assessment of SLI on future proofing.
Biostar 550
Asus 570

Try this X1950Pro video card instead

If you're pushing budget, why not step down the CPU to something like a 4400+ I know the 5200+ has more cache, maybe check into the performance difference for the price. Maybe even a 4600+
For "general computing and some games" it doesn't sound worth it for the 5200+.
However, an e6300 is going to outperform a 4600+ for basically the same price plus the e6300 will o/c real well. So at that point, going AMD is kind of pointless.

It will all run Vista fine, just keep the 2GB RAM like you had.

Thanks for the helpful feedback. I'm completely with you on the mobo and would rather buy one of the two you suggested, only problem is they don't have onboard firewire (needed for his HD MiniDV camera).

That video cards seems to be a trade-off - the HIS has 512 MB on 128 bit and the Sapphire has 256 MB on 256 bit. Almost everything else is equal, so what would give me the better performance considering they're the same price?

I'll look into lowering processor now...thanks.

 

[WildFan1099]

Originally posted by: moosey

Originally posted by: WildFan1099
I agree with you about SLI - he does not want SLI and I will not recommend it to him. I'm a bit constrained on my Mobo because he needs onboard firewire for his mini HD DV.

Can't you just get a firewire card?

We're going back and forth! Yes, I could, but I checked 'em out on the Egg, and then we're talking $15 after shipping, and then it'd only be in the rear panel. I'd rather just have onboard so I can hook it up to the front panel of the case I'm buying.

 

[WildFan1099]

Whoa guys, I just thought of an important question:

How the hell do I go about installing Vista from scratch on this system? Out of the box will the Mobo have all drivers and everything for Vista? I.e. - can I install Vista right out of the gates just like I'd normally install XP?

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: WildFan1099

Originally posted by: moosey

Originally posted by: WildFan1099
I agree with you about SLI - he does not want SLI and I will not recommend it to him. I'm a bit constrained on my Mobo because he needs onboard firewire for his mini HD DV.

Can't you just get a firewire card?

We're going back and forth! Yes, I could, but I checked 'em out on the Egg, and then we're talking $15 after shipping, and then it'd only be in the rear panel. I'd rather just have onboard so I can hook it up to the front panel of the case I'm buying.

I think most cards also have internal connects. Also if he is going to do video editing then an Intel C2D is probably the best bet.