Build for a friend

[pcman83]

Hey guys I have been out of the loop for a couple months here.

I just was looking at a computer for my friend, hes a gamer. He plays WOW, BF2 and a lot of other games. Here is what I have so far, all from newegg.

He wont be overclocking. Feel free to comment on anything, and if you thing it would make a big difference to switch something out let me know.

He already has keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail
Model #: SONATA II
Item #: N82E16811129155
$99.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Model #: ST3250820AS
Item #: N82E16822148142
$79.99

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: A8N5X
Item #: N82E16813131569
$75.99

eVGA 256-P2-N564-AX Geforce 7900GT KO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N564-AX
Item #: N82E16814130015
$264.99

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBNS - Retail
Model #: F1-3200PHU2-2GBNS
Item #: N82E16820231047
$164.49

AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3800BPBOX
Item #: N82E16819103531
$147.99

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SHW160P6S05 - OEM
Model #: SHW160P6S05
Item #: N82E16827106014
$33.99

Total $867.43

 

[Gautama2]

Hmm all looks good

If he doesnt mind waiting, he could wait until conroe and get a dual core 3800+ while still in his budget and with lots of cahs to spare.

 

[pcman83]

Originally posted by: Gautama2
Hmm all looks good

If he doesnt mind waiting, he could wait until conroe and get a dual core 3800+ while still in his budget and with lots of cahs to spare.

Well if you look at the benchmarks the venice is actually faster in 3dmark and farcry. The benchmarks IM refering to is the tomshardware cpu charts.

When is conroe coming out?

 

[Howard]

July 23, or at least that was the date a few days ago. AMD will be slashing prices on July 24, but I don't know off the top of my head if it's just for AM2 or for both AM2 and S939.

 

[dazraf25]

What is the difference between the AM2 and the 929 socket? Is one better than the other ect?

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: dazraf25
What is the difference between the AM2 and the 929 socket? Is one better than the other ect?

am2 uses ddr2 memory, 939 uses ddr memory. thats basically the difference...

anyways...the build is good IMO!

i personally would switch out the lite-on dvd-rw for the nec 3550A dvd-rw, but thats just me.

im sure he'll have a fun time with that system.

 

[Tsuwamono]

and AM2 is better for an upgrade path. we recently heard that AM2 mobos will work with the upcoming AM3 processor line. Thats why im going AM2 around August or so.

 

[dazraf25]

Do u think there will be a decent price drop then on AMD processors?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: dazraf25
Do u think there will be a decent price drop then on AMD processors?

AMD will be slashing prices on July 24, but I don't know off the top of my head if it's just for AM2 or for both AM2 and S939.

Perhaps you could use Google to find out what the new prices are.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Howard
July 23, or at least that was the date a few days ago. AMD will be slashing prices on July 24, but I don't know off the top of my head if it's just for AM2 or for both AM2 and S939.

With all due respect, people shouldnt hold their breath. Anyone else remember a month ago?

 

[imported_fx]

I would recommend AM2 rig for futureproof if your friend want to buy the gaming pc now..

Antec SONATA II w/450watts PSU
A64 AM2 3800+
OCZ Gold DDR2 800 2GB RAM
Western Digital RE 250GB
ASUS M2N-E
eVGA 256mb 7900GT KO

Total=$926

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: fx
I would recommend AM2 rig for futureproof if your friend want to buy the gaming pc now..

Antec SONATA II w/450watts PSU
A64 AM2 3800+
OCZ Gold DDR2 800 2GB RAM
Western Digital RE 250GB
ASUS M2N-E
eVGA 256mb 7900GT KO

Total=$926

I would trim a little around the edges for an upgrade to the video card and hdd to x1900xt and the 7200.10, but agree with the platform.

 

[Slammy1]

Does (s)he already have a monitor?

The laset I heard was the 27th for Conroe.
http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/itnews.php?tid=622630&starttime=0&endtime=0

I'd be concerned about being the first kid on that block.

 

[imported_Imp]

Very nice build. But AM2 and new Intel is right here, and the prices don't look insane, so you may as well wait like others said. Even better now for future proofing with the AM2 being compatible with AM3 anouncement.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: fx
I would recommend AM2 rig for futureproof if your friend want to buy the gaming pc now..

Antec SONATA II w/450watts PSU
A64 AM2 3800+
OCZ Gold DDR2 800 2GB RAM
Western Digital RE 250GB
ASUS M2N-E
eVGA 256mb 7900GT KO

Total=$926

Don't get OCZ RAM w/ Asus mobo, they're not compatible. Get Corsair RAM instead.