Building a New Gaming computer.....

[kemo646]

Hi, I am building a new computer mostly for gaming, and I thought you guys can check it out. I'm pushing it with the price here, so I can't afford anything more then what I have picked out Here are the specs....I already have the case/powersupply/keyboard/mouse/cd drive....this is just for inside teh case......

Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
CORSAIR XMS 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 PRO series with activity LEDs
MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X800 PRO Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-bit, DVI/TV-out, 8X AGP

Thats basically it for the inside? How are all of these parts, and how long will this last before NEEEDED upgraded again? I have Doom 3/ Half Life2 and I want to run these games all on high. Will this system work? Thanks for all the info in advance.

 

[Kccdx2]

go 939

 

[Farmer]

I would highly recommend against the usage of a MSI brand motherboard, despite (and because) of the fact that I own the exact same model motherboard you mentioned.

I agree with socket 939. Try getting 1 gig of RAM if you can afford it.

 

[Edward Lee]

Originally posted by: Kccdx2
go 939

Don't listen to him. Looks like a great set up. There's no cost/performance benefit from getting a 939.

 

[SonicIce]

1. Do you really need SATA? (I'm not expert on this, but the speed is the same as IDE?)
2. Don't waste money on fancy memory. Just get 1GB of cheap PC-3200.
3. You don't need to waste money on 939.
4. Would you consider a 6800GT instead of the X800 Pro?
Do you have a budget? Maybe get a cheaper mobo like the Epox 8KDA3J, it's only like $75.

 

[ts3433]

Don't waste your money on fancy RAM like that. A gig of Corsair Value will be better than half a gig of "fast RAM." You can probably get a better deal on a mobo with a Chaintech VNF3-250 or Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR. A better graphics card choice may be the 6800GT, or the 6800 if you want to save a little money.

Also, make sure your power supply is of good quality before you build that. You don't want to know what can happen when you trust lots of expensive components to a generic $7 unit.

As for upgradeability, this system should last you a while, but when newer graphics cards become necessary you may have to do a complete rebuild for PCIe (unless a board with it comes out for S754, which is still a possibility).

 

[Farmer]

Edward Lee:

Yes, let's all just listen to you. Do note that dual channel DDR is not available on S754 AMD platforms, and that most performance processors now are being released in S939. This is like getting a Slot 1 PIII when you could get a socket.

I do agree that you could do some overclocking with something like a DFI board. You would then need a nice PSU and a good HSF.

ts3433:

I highly doubt his X800 will need upgrading before he decides to swap motherboards. But, its a $100-$150 investment versus a $400 investment; I see your point.

 

[Edward Lee]

I agree with the RAM analysis. Unless you plan to overclock a lot you wont need expensive RAM. (Fast RAM makes less than 1% difference in performance but is 200% more expensive) I prefer the 6800 GT over the X800 but that's your call. I recommend the Soltek SL0K8AN3E-GR I own one. Good power is good. Another Board I recommend is the DFI lanparty.

 

[Edward Lee]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Edward Lee:

Yes, let's all just listen to you. Do note that dual channel DDR is not available on S754 AMD platforms, and that most performance processors now are being released in S939. This is like getting a Slot 1 PIII when you could get a socket.

I do agree that you could do some overclocking with something like a DFI board. You would then need a nice PSU and a good HSF.

ts3433:

I highly doubt his X800 will need upgrading before he decides to swap motherboards. But, its a $100-$150 investment versus a $400 investment; I see your point.

Cost/Performace benefit?

 

[Farmer]

Once again, we are defending our own systems, aren't we?

I just see no point in getting Socket 754 when Socket 939 is available for a few bucks more.

 

[shinotenshi]

Don't listen to them, you need to go 939. AMD has made it clear that 754 is going to be its value brand. going 754 now makes no sense esp for gaming computer, you will be trapped from ever upgrading again.

2. your spending too much on ram, you don't need anything special, just somthing stable.
kill the ati card, no sm. 3.0. get a nvidia 6800 or 6600, that will delay upgraded longer than the ati card.

you can get one those plain jane nf4 motherboards.

 

[Edward Lee]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Once again, we are defending our own systems, aren't we?

I just see no point in getting Socket 754 when Socket 939 is available for a few bucks more.

Cost/Performace benefit?
Cost/Performace benefit?
Cost/Performace benefit?
Cost/Performace benefit?
Cost/Performace benefit?
Cost/Performace benefit?
Cost/Performace benefit?

 

[Farmer]

Upgrade path, dual channel DDR, upgrade path, not getting 1st gen A64 technology when there is 2nd gen. Did I mention upgrade path?

I envy your MX Duo. I'm stuck with this crap wired keyboard.

 

[Edward Lee]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Upgrade path, dual channel DDR, upgrade path, not getting 1st gen A64 technology when there is 2nd gen. Did I mention upgrade path?

I envy your MX Duo. I'm stuck with this crap wired keyboard.

What does upgradability have to do with performance and cost?

Cost vs Performance benefit. Simply stated for those who don't care about upgrading every 6 months there is no immediate benefit from spending $100+ for a socket 939

Thanks I like my keyboard too

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: Farmer
ts3433:

I highly doubt his X800 will need upgrading before he decides to swap motherboards. But, its a $100-$150 investment versus a $400 investment; I see your point.

I highly doubt that too--I was just throwing that out there. If the plan is not to upgrade for quite a while (and he really won't have to), S754 makes a great choice.

 

[Tea Bag]

quote:
Cost/Performace benefit?

Hmmm..

This and this.. REAL big price difference. The boards are similar in price brackets now too.

Go 939 for the reasons stated above.

 

[Edward Lee]

Originally posted by: Tea Bag
quote:
Cost/Performace benefit?

Hmmm..

This and this.. REAL big price difference. The boards are similar in price brackets now too.

Go 939 for the reasons stated above.

And what are the prices of 939 mother boards? And what are the real performance benefits in numbers? How long do you have to wait for the manufacturers to get all the bugs out of the 939 chips?...

Bottom line is 1 + 1 - 2 for 754 and 1 + 1 does not - 3 for a 939
Newer doesn't mean better.

I see 1968 Dodge Hemi engines that are just as good as anything you'll find today.

 

[ts3433]

You can get some good 939 AGP boards for $100-120, but good 754 ones are often $70-$100.

 

[Farmer]

Edward Lee:

Well, perhaps the performance benefit is not that great, however, 'upgradability' is without a doubt a benefit. But, like ts3433 says, if he doesn't plan on upgrading within say a year (most likely he doesn't) and doesn't mind not having dual channel DDR, than a S754 mobo OTHER THAN MSI would be great.

But, the price difference is too small for this to warrant argument, unless this guy is dirt poor, and if he is, he wouldn't be building this computer so that's it.

 

[ts3433]

Not necessarily other than MSI--I'd certainly recommend against the VIA chipset in the K8T, but the K8N Neo Platinum is still a good choice for S754. With cheaper boards like the Chaintech and Soltek out, though, it's a little harder to recommend on 754 than it is to recommend the 939 variant, the Neo2, among 939 boards.

 

[Farmer]

ts3433:

I was actually concerned about MSI's quality control. I got a bad board my first time for this 1 year old A64 rig, should have exchanged for an ASUS, but hearing rave reviews, RMAd, and got one with a defective floppy drive controller. I assume it will die withing the year.

Very dissappointed.

 

[Tea Bag]

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
And what are the prices of 939 mother boards?

If he's gonna drop almost 400 bucks on a video card, I highly doubt that an additional 25-30 for future upgradablility is a big deal.

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
How long do you have to wait for the manufacturers to get all the bugs out of the 939 chips?..

I was unaware that AMD, the only manufacturer of "939 chips", had faulty samples.

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
Newer doesn't mean better.

In the hardware industry, 99.99999999999999999% of the time, it does.

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
I see 1968 Dodge Hemi engines that are just as good as anything you'll find today.

Stop posting©.

 

[KayKay]

i went over to monarch computer's mobo cpu combo section, and took 754 3000+ and Asus K8N deluxe mobo, and you get roughly $281.

again at monarch's mobo cpu combo (this time 939 configuration), 939 3000+ and MSI K8N neo 2 Platinum is only $294.

both quotes have retail heatsink.

It's about $13, which is not really that big of a difference

754 here:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com...amp;Category_Code=AMDC

939 here:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com...amp;Category_Code=AMDC

 

[kemo646]

Well, I am going to stick with 754....can't budge me....anyways thanks for all the info....Also, what kind of ram should I get then? Please give me a link from Neweg...Thats where I am ordering all of my stuff. Also give me a mobo to buy then....And Yes i have a budget...around 870 tops with monney. I am going to stick with the video ard I think, just find me a better pair of ram/mobo I gues...mobo has to equal socket 754 though...thx...

 

[Farmer]

With such a small price difference, I find it difficult to continue recommending the older model. What do you think, EdwardLee?

$870 is simply not enough if you want a AMD64/X800 setup along with a monitor. $870 barely gets you a dell.