Building a Gaming Rig... Sound good to you guys?

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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
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So the last time I built a machine was about 4 years ago, and the computer is crapping out on me. I've decided to build a new machine but I'm very rusty, and would like to hear your $.02 on the machine I've chosen to build


SPECS:

CASE - Thermaltake Tsunami
PSU - Thermaltake PurePower 480W
MOBO - DFI LANParty w/ nForce 3 250 GB Chipset
CPU - AMD A64 3400+ (NewCastle Core)
Heatsink - Zalman CPU Cooler (Flower)
RAM - 1GB Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series
HD - 4x 200GB Seagate 7.2k RPM (BOUGHT)
VDO CARD - Was thinking of XFX GeForce FX 6600 (but open to suggestions)
Sound Card - SB Audigy 2 ZS (BOUGHT)
Speakers - Creative T7700 7.1 Speakers (open to suggestions)

Looking to spend $1500 from here on, and would love to hear your suggestions.
 
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Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
I suggest a S939 NForce3 board and a Winchester core 3200+. You will be able to OC and easily surpass the 3400+ Newcastle performance.

Also, you can't relly expect to have a good gaming rig without a high end VC. Get the 6800 GT.

Edit: BTW, I love that case. I wanted it, but I went with the Sonata so I could afford my 6800 GT.:D
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
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Originally posted by: Ike0069

Edit: BTW, I love that case.
Click to expand...

You my friend are very wise and I love that case too, that being said, I'll definitely take a look into the Winchester!
 
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Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
Yea, the Winchester will run slightly cooler than the Newcastle, which definitely helps in OC'ing. Also the the S939 uses dual channel momory, so it performs better than the S754 of the same speed.
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
0
0
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Yea, the Winchester will run slightly cooler than the Newcastle, which definitely helps in OC'ing. Also the the S939 uses dual channel momory, so it performs better than the S754 of the same speed.
Click to expand...

I was taking a look at benchmarks, and it seemed the S939's performance when compared to the S754 is negligible. Once again I'm still rusty and you're probably going to tear me another hole, but thats just what it seemed like. If you can enlighten me and win me over then S939 it is!
 
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otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
i would also suggest a socket 939 board

on top of that i would put that RAM down, for a64 all you need is some good quality Value Ram then with the saved money you can put this towards a 6800gt
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
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0
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
i would also suggest a socket 939 board

on top of that i would put that RAM down, for a64 all you need is some good quality Value Ram then with the saved money you can put this towards a 6800gt
Click to expand...

Yea I was going to drop the RAM down to PDP save a good $50
 
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otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
Originally posted by: callmesteve
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Yea, the Winchester will run slightly cooler than the Newcastle, which definitely helps in OC'ing. Also the the S939 uses dual channel momory, so it performs better than the S754 of the same speed.
Click to expand...

I was taking a look at benchmarks, and it seemed the S939's performance when compared to the S754 is negligible. Once again I'm still rusty and you're probably going to tear me another hole, but thats just what it seemed like. If you can enlighten me and win me over then S939 it is!
Click to expand...


you are correct....A64 doesnt really benefit all that much from dual channel memory, it certainly doesnt warrent 300 extra marks on the performance rating

ie 3200 skt 754 is 2.2ghz with single
3500 skt 939 is also 2.2ghz with dual channel

but either way you'll want a socket 939 board, skt 754 will see no further A64 speed increases, current being A64 3700. i think 754 will be reserved for the K8 based sempron line

skt939 is around to stay, it will support the new cpus from AMD as and when they come, even support the dual core A64's too, dont go 754 it will be a unwise purchase
 
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ciwell

Member
Mar 24, 2004
188
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I would suggest dropping that RAM and getting the PDP Patriot Ram w/ XBL. It performs the same if not better than the XMS RAM and at a much lower price point. The money you save can be allocated to getting the 6800GT.
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
0
0
Originally posted by: ciwell
I would suggest dropping that RAM and getting the PDP Patriot Ram w/ XBL. It performs the same if not better than the XMS RAM and at a much lower price point. The money you save can be allocated to getting the 6800GT.
Click to expand...

It seems this is the general consensus. PDP it is!
 
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otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
Originally posted by: ciwell
I would suggest dropping that RAM and getting the PDP Patriot Ram w/ XBL. It performs the same if not better than the XMS RAM and at a much lower price point. The money you save can be allocated to getting the 6800GT.
Click to expand...


he's got it man, 6600 while a good card for its price simply doesnt have the life span the 6800gt will have. i asure you that you'll be happier with a 6800gt
 
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otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
Originally posted by: callmesteve
So the last time I built a machine was about 4 years ago, and the computer is crapping out on me. I've decided to build a new machine but I'm very rusty, and would like to hear your $.02 on the machine I've chosen to build


SPECS:

CASE - Thermaltake Tsunami
PSU - Thermaltake PurePower 480W
MOBO - skt 939 board
CPU - AMD A64 3200+ (winchester)
Heatsink - Zalman CPU Cooler (Flower)---seen the CNPS7700Cu? 140mm diameter 120mm fan :D
RAM - PDP ram pc3200 1Gig
HD - 4x 200GB Seagate 7.2k RPM (BOUGHT)
VDO CARD - Was thinking of XFX GeForce FX 6600 (but open to suggestions)
Sound Card - SB Audigy 2 ZS (BOUGHT)
Speakers - Creative T7700 7.1 Speakers (open to suggestions)

Looking to spend $1500 from here on, and would love to hear your suggestions.
Click to expand...


should look more like this

also i think u can put the 7.1 down too, who needs 7.1? id say a 5.1 system at the most, and maybes u could get a better 5.1 system for the same money as the 7.1 and enjoy even better sound
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
0
0
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: ciwell
I would suggest dropping that RAM and getting the PDP Patriot Ram w/ XBL. It performs the same if not better than the XMS RAM and at a much lower price point. The money you save can be allocated to getting the 6800GT.
Click to expand...


he's got it man, 6600 while a good card for its price simply doesnt have the life span the 6800gt will have. i asure you that you'll be happier with a 6800gt
Click to expand...

otispunkmeyer, thanks for your input. It is highly appreciated, and looks like I'm reconfiguring the gaming rig.
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
0
0
Originally posted by: Edward Lee
At least get a 6800 NU.

Here's my take on 939 vs 754:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...7500&enterthread=y

Also you better watch out there's some members who'll jump down your throat because the case you wanna buy is called "Tsunami"

quote:
Originally posted by: Amaroque

"Game Rig: AMD 64 3000 "Tsunami" "
That is the most disrespectful thing I have seen in a long time. You are a complete idiot.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Yea, reading stuff like this makes me skeptical about buying the S939, more research is going to have to go into this one
 
I

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: callmesteve
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Yea, the Winchester will run slightly cooler than the Newcastle, which definitely helps in OC'ing. Also the the S939 uses dual channel momory, so it performs better than the S754 of the same speed.
Click to expand...

I was taking a look at benchmarks, and it seemed the S939's performance when compared to the S754 is negligible. Once again I'm still rusty and you're probably going to tear me another hole, but thats just what it seemed like. If you can enlighten me and win me over then S939 it is!
Click to expand...


you are correct....A64 doesnt really benefit all that much from dual channel memory, it certainly doesnt warrent 300 extra marks on the performance rating

ie 3200 skt 754 is 2.2ghz with single
3500 skt 939 is also 2.2ghz with dual channel

but either way you'll want a socket 939 board, skt 754 will see no further A64 speed increases, current being A64 3700. i think 754 will be reserved for the K8 based sempron line

skt939 is around to stay, it will support the new cpus from AMD as and when they come, even support the dual core A64's too, dont go 754 it will be a unwise purchase
Click to expand...

Realize that the S754 3000+ is 2.0 GHz, while the S939 3000+ is 1.8 GHz. They are both 3000+ because the dual channel gives the S939 slightly better performance. Either way, the Winchester is better for OC'ing.
 
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Kishan

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2004
2,580
0
0
6800GT/what are you looking for with regards to speakers? Is this just a computer area, or do you have a TV in there as well? Just a computer get the Logitech Z-5300 ($140), if you want to setup a home theater get the Logitech Z-680 or Z-5500 (680's can be had for around $180, 5500's for $250) or the Klipsch GMX for ($149, but you can automatically make 6 payments on your card for free! Mine worked out to $32 a month for 6 months.)
 
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Kishan

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2004
2,580
0
0
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: callmesteve
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Yea, the Winchester will run slightly cooler than the Newcastle, which definitely helps in OC'ing. Also the the S939 uses dual channel momory, so it performs better than the S754 of the same speed.
Click to expand...

I was taking a look at benchmarks, and it seemed the S939's performance when compared to the S754 is negligible. Once again I'm still rusty and you're probably going to tear me another hole, but thats just what it seemed like. If you can enlighten me and win me over then S939 it is!
Click to expand...


you are correct....A64 doesnt really benefit all that much from dual channel memory, it certainly doesnt warrent 300 extra marks on the performance rating

ie 3200 skt 754 is 2.2ghz with single
3500 skt 939 is also 2.2ghz with dual channel

but either way you'll want a socket 939 board, skt 754 will see no further A64 speed increases, current being A64 3700. i think 754 will be reserved for the K8 based sempron line

skt939 is around to stay, it will support the new cpus from AMD as and when they come, even support the dual core A64's too, dont go 754 it will be a unwise purchase
Click to expand...

Realize that the S754 3000+ is 2.0 GHz, while the S939 3000+ is 1.8 GHz. They are both 3000+ because the dual channel gives the S939 slightly better performance. Either way, the Winchester is better for OC'ing.
Click to expand...

do we even know if the OP will be OCing?
 
K

Kishan

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2004
2,580
0
0
anybody have any experience with that power supply? 4 hard drives, an A64 setup requires quite a bit of juice.
 
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callmesteve

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
690
0
0
I like KPSHAH316 lol, thanks for the info on the speakers I was just about to ask on that subject matter.

Now to answer your questions:

1. Yes I will be overclocking
2. No I do not have a TV, the monitor I'm using is the SAMSUNG 19" LCD 910T
3. I would like a home theater type setup, as well as a good gaming experience

Now, question for you guys, I was even considering going to PC POWER to get a custom made PowerSupply... good idea? bad idea?
 
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otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
well im not sure what the thermal take psu's are like, id shy away from them though usually, but thats just my preference im sure they'll do the job

pc power and cooling (not sold here in the uk i dont think) i understand are a very very good brand PSU, dunno about a custom job like lol, but i dunno a good 400watter maybe more from them will see u sorted
 
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