Building a gaming PC to last

[TimboAA]

I've built quite a few systems, with my latest being a s754 Athlon 64 3000 and a budget celeron for another person.

The person i am building for is impartial to Intel and AMD and would like this computer to last him a while. He isn't big into 1st person shooters so my guess is that he doesn't need the latest and greatest video card. But of course he needs something to last.

I've got a couple of questions:

How are these other companies that produce the video cards such as Sapphire, Powercolor, etc.? I've only recently heard of them.

Cooling is an issue since the case will probably not have the best ventilation but liquid cooling is out of the question due to price. What are some quality cases? (I know...Antec, Lian-Li, ThermalTake.) But what about Enermax, Raidmax and all of these other cases I see?

He wants a Pentium 4 (or equivalent), his latest system is an old AMD. What direction is the gaming industry headed? I've seen the Athlon 64s become quite popular lately as well as a lot of talk about PCI Express. I don't see PCIe getting extremely popular for atleast a year to a year and a half. And isn't it a more expensive technology at the moment? I'd rather build something that I know will be supported in 3 years than take a risk in something that might not with this computer.


Here are my thoughts on spending at the moment:

Case: <$100 (w/power supply)
CPU &amp; MB: ~$250
HDD: $90-100
Optical: ~$80
Floppy: ~$10
Graphics Card: ~$150
Memory: <$130

I'm currently over the budget by $70 or so, but i'm doing rough guesstimates based on what he has mentioned to me.

Ideally he wanted (mentioned):
Pentium 4 (or equivalent)
512mb-1gb of RAM
3D card to play half-life (at some point in time, although not a priority)
ample storage space
dvd-burner and possible second dvd-rom
floppy drive

So what do you guys think? Know of any good quality budget but cool cases? graphics cards? memory?

Thanks in advance. I feel like I have to update myself everyday with whats new in the computer world...what i knew yesterday doesn't do me any good tomorrow.

 

[amol]

gaming . . . . ALWAYS go with an athlon64

and if you're looking for a 6600GT, PCI-E is cheaper than AGP

 

[ts3433]

Case: Antec Sonata. No-brainer. $100.
CPU/Board: A64 2800+ and Chaintech VNF3-250 will be good for gaming and probably outperform a P4 3.0 at that. Also the possibility for some overclocking, even with the stock cooler. $130 for the processor, $80 for the board.
RAM: 2x512 Corsair/Mushkin value RAM. 1GB is always optimal for gaming. $130.
HD: If he can temporarily live with 80GB, get that, since more can be added later. $60.
FDD: Not really needed, he can get that later too.
DVDRW: NEC 3520 is probably recommended the most right now. $70.
GPU: $190 is left. Go over by $40 and you have an AGP 6600GT, which is your best choice. $220 for eVGA's.

 

[masshass81]

This is a nice budget case

Go AMD A64 if you're building a gaming rig

 

[JBDan]

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-129-140&amp;depa=0 CASE and PSU $73 ANTEC Solu Series 350W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-123-230&amp;depa=0 MOBO $99 EPOX 939 Nforce
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-499&amp;depa=0 CPU $152 OEM AMD64 Win 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-148-019&amp;depa=0 HD $66 SATA Seagate 80 GIG
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-152-032&amp;depa=0 Optical $63 OEM NEC Dual layer combo all-in-1
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=21-103-203&amp;depa=0 Floppy $7 Samsung
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-122-201&amp;depa=0 GFX $197 Leadtek 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-299&amp;depa=0 Mushkin $130 2x512MB pc3200
Total =$787 + shipping (and tax if it applies to your state) NOT BAD and a very nice performer in my opinion.

 

[dabeast]

at 750 your gonna be really really pressed to build something. I would ask him to pony up a little more go with your numbers but figure 150 a64 3000+ and 150-200 Nf4 MB and 190 6600gt . THis should come out around 900 or so maybe less. IMO your not gonna be able to find anymore value that will last.

 

[housecat]

Originally posted by: ts3433
Case: Antec Sonata. No-brainer. $100.
CPU/Board: A64 2800+ and Chaintech VNF3-250 will be good for gaming and probably outperform a P4 3.0 at that. Also the possibility for some overclocking, even with the stock cooler. $130 for the processor, $80 for the board.
RAM: 2x512 Corsair/Mushkin value RAM. 1GB is always optimal for gaming. $130.
HD: If he can temporarily live with 80GB, get that, since more can be added later. $60.
FDD: Not really needed, he can get that later too.
DVDRW: NEC 3520 is probably recommended the most right now. $70.
GPU: $190 is left. Go over by $40 and you have an AGP 6600GT, which is your best choice. $220 for eVGA's.

look into the other Antec cases too, i like the super lanboy. generally antec cases are cheap and great quality.

i like the options ppl have listed, i'd say the 1gig ram and a 6600gt. a64 2800+ is a great cpu as well.

 

[TimboAA]

thanks for the quick comments guys!

So you guys are thinking that A64 is the way to go for gaming? When it comes to game he is generally playing yesterdays games. The new games he gets don't generally require a really fast machine due to the games he likes. He is more into strategy, rpg, and simulations. He claims he doesn't have the reflexes needed for the FPS hehe.

So that 6600gt is where its at right now huh? Guess its time to ditch my geforce 4 heh.


Oh i also get the feeling that you guys love configuring computers for people! There is something fun about it though, isn't it? I really enjoy doing it, especially when i'm up on whats new!

You guys are great.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Sonata has a solid 380watt PSU and runs cool and quiet.

Like most everyone else said, socket 754 A64 2800+, chaintech nf3 MB, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB HD (or some Hot Deal but that usually means a big rebate that takes 3 months), 6600GT for excellent performance on both Doom3-engine and Half Life (source) engine games.

 

[TimboAA]

Next question...is it worth looking at the socket A AMD processors? Whats the next step down from the 6600GT?

 

[housecat]

If I was going to the trouble of a new PC, I'd go with the A64 because the sktA stuff is just too aged and massive performance gains can be had in gaming with the A64 architechure. I think a 2800+ a64 is equal to a 3200+ AXP or faster.

I dont think you'd save enough on the AXP system to make it worthwhile anymore. The best step down from a 6600GT is the 6600 (non-GT) and then the 6200.. but neither are really available from what I've seen (maybe they are though I havent looked).
So a 9800 Pro or 9600 Pro are great for the money. I think you can pickup a 9600XT from ATI through their trade-up program for $90 or something, just need a old vesa local bus video card or similar to send to them.

otherwise the 9600 pro (about equal to a geforce4 ti) is a good option for about $100 with no rebates/hassle.

im partial to the 6600GT/6800GT like most, but the 9600 pro is a great step down price wise and has "decent" performance. Most video card snobs will mock it, but in reality GF4ti speed really isnt that bad and it does have directX9 hardware support with virtually no performance loss running in dx9 over 8.

 

[TimboAA]

Thanks housecat. I figured the AXP was starting to phase out, they were a good bunch of processors though. Now...If someone had a s754 A64 3000+ what would be its pentium equivalent?

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: TimboAA
Next question...is it worth looking at the socket A AMD processors? Whats the next step down from the 6600GT?

I say stick with A64, but its your budget so get what you see fit. You had mentioned "meant to last" With the 939 you have somewhat of a future with it and the performance gains over the Socket A's are quite a leap. As far as "step down from 6600gt" you could go 9800 pro, but I would rather say cut corners on the optical , HD, and maybe get 512MB of mem since he is playing "older games" and stick with the 6600GT.

 

[TimboAA]

Thanks for your insights JBDan. It's much easier to cut corners on the optical, HD, etc too!

Most of those 6600GT cards are PCI-Express.... A lot of those s939 boards only take AGP.

 

[ts3433]

The PCIe 6600GTs are usually cheaper (I've seen $160), but I quoted an AGP price for mine.

 

[twitchee2]

You need to remeber that the cpu DOESNOT come with a HS/F.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: twitchee2
You need to remeber that the cpu DOESNOT come with a HS/F.

True if it is OEM. A retail CPU does come with a HSF.

 

[housecat]

i'd recommend retail, you get the warranty and a nice hsf. and its not that much more considering the warranty alone is worth the extra cost anyway.

 

[coejus]

Originally posted by: TimboAA
Thanks housecat. I figured the AXP was starting to phase out, they were a good bunch of processors though. Now...If someone had a s754 A64 3000+ what would be its pentium equivalent?

The Athlon XP line is basically being renamed to Sempron and being moved to sokcet 754. If this PC is going to last a while, you should be fine going with a socket 754 Athlon64, since he'll probably want an entirely new system by the time he upgrades.

Spend the extra couple of bucks on the retail CPU. You'll get the heatsink, fan, and a 3 year (I believe) warranty.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: JBDan
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-129-140&amp;depa=0 CASE and PSU $73 ANTEC Solu Series 350W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-123-230&amp;depa=0 MOBO $99 EPOX 939 Nforce
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-499&amp;depa=0 CPU $152 OEM AMD64 Win 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-148-019&amp;depa=0 HD $66 SATA Seagate 80 GIG
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-152-032&amp;depa=0 Optical $63 OEM NEC Dual layer combo all-in-1
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=21-103-203&amp;depa=0 Floppy $7 Samsung
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-122-201&amp;depa=0 GFX $197 Leadtek 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-299&amp;depa=0 Mushkin $130 2x512MB pc3200
Total =$787 + shipping (and tax if it applies to your state) NOT BAD and a very nice performer in my opinion.

That setup won't even power up. First off, the CPU would fry and the video card won't even work with that motherboard. You linked a PCI-e graphics card and are trying to pair it with an AGP motherboard. Plus, your CPU has no heatsink!

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ s754 - $149 shipped
Mobo - Epox 8KDA3J s754 - $72 shipped
Case/PSU - Antec Sonata - $99 shipped
Memory - Mushkin dual pack 2x512MB - $135 shipped
Optical - Nu Tech 16x DVD+RW/-RW, no DL - $61 shipped
HD - Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM SATA OEM - $66 shipped
Floppy - Samsung SFD321B/LBL1 OEM - $11 shipped
Video Card - eVGA 6600GT - $223 shipped

All from Newegg...total price shipped = $816
Went over the budget by $66, but here's the thing...Newegg does not have the best prices for everything. Other reputable dealers carry some of these parts for a few dollars less, and as you start shaving that off the price, you'll see that it will add up. Not to mention, there are PLENTY of hot deals out there for cases and hard drives, as far as rebates go, so you've got your options.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ or the Chaintech VNF-350. My brother and I got the Chaintech and A64 2800+ as an xmas gift to upgrade mom's P4 1.6 GHz, and it's a very nice package for the price.

I'd probably also spend $10 more and get the NEC 3500A / 3520 with software instead of the Nu Tech.

Now...If someone had a s754 A64 3000+ what would be its pentium equivalent?

P4 3.2 GHz in most games, much better than that for Doom3.

 

[TimboAA]

Thanks Dave, for answering the pentium equivalent question. Unfortunately the requirements on the back of the box usually say "Intel Pentium blah blah or higher or AMD equivalent" And now that processors or starting to finally stray away from ghz speed and focusing more on what they can actually do.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: JBDan
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-129-140&amp;depa=0 CASE and PSU $73 ANTEC Solu Series 350W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-123-230&amp;depa=0 MOBO $99 EPOX 939 Nforce
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-499&amp;depa=0 CPU $152 OEM AMD64 Win 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-148-019&amp;depa=0 HD $66 SATA Seagate 80 GIG
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-152-032&amp;depa=0 Optical $63 OEM NEC Dual layer combo all-in-1
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=21-103-203&amp;depa=0 Floppy $7 Samsung
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-122-201&amp;depa=0 GFX $197 Leadtek 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-299&amp;depa=0 Mushkin $130 2x512MB pc3200
Total =$787 + shipping (and tax if it applies to your state) NOT BAD and a very nice performer in my opinion.

That setup won't even power up. First off, the CPU would fry and the video card won't even work with that motherboard. You linked a PCI-e graphics card and are trying to pair it with an AGP motherboard. Plus, your CPU has no heatsink!

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ s754 - $149 shipped
Mobo - Epox 8KDA3J s754 - $72 shipped
Case/PSU - Antec Sonata - $99 shipped
Memory - Mushkin dual pack 2x512MB - $135 shipped
Optical - Nu Tech 16x DVD+RW/-RW, no DL - $61 shipped
HD - Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM SATA OEM - $66 shipped
Floppy - Samsung SFD321B/LBL1 OEM - $11 shipped
Video Card - eVGA 6600GT - $223 shipped

All from Newegg...total price shipped = $816
Went over the budget by $66, but here's the thing...Newegg does not have the best prices for everything. Other reputable dealers carry some of these parts for a few dollars less, and as you start shaving that off the price, you'll see that it will add up. Not to mention, there are PLENTY of hot deals out there for cases and hard drives, as far as rebates go, so you've got your options.

Srry bout the pci-e gfx card it was late at night just substitute an AGP card of = price. Think Timbo knows what I was gettin at. As far as the cpu "frying" you would have to get an aftermarket HSF for that OEM processor, but agn Timbo has experience building so he would recognize this. I prefer Newegg myself, but Timbo has built b4 so he knows where to go obviously. Many "opinions" as to what he "should" get but only ONE matters>HIS. G-Luck with your build and agn I'm srry bout the pci-e post.

 

[smthmlk]

the PSU's in the sonata's are *NOT* solid. throw any load on them (more than 1 or 2 ide devices) and ive witnessed them smell of burning rubber/plastic, with extremely hot air coming out (as opposed to cool air inside the case itself) on 3 different sonata case/psu's bought from Frys. This seems to be a new trend with antec psu's..... just my own experience with this case to help your decision.

 

[coejus]

I have an Antec True380, the same model that's in the Sonata, and I've never had a single problem. It'll run all but the most hardcore workstations.

That said, Antec seemed to have a rash of bad PSUs this summer. I imagine it was a bad lot of faulty components or something, but until I start seeing widespread complaints lasting more than just a month or so (or problems with my own unit), I'll still consider Antec's TruePower line quality components.