Building a System Around X1900XT

[Aepheme]

Ok, so I think I've decided on a video card for a new system build. It's for one purpose: to play Oblivion (and HL2) on my brand, new 2007WFP. This is pretty much the minimum I can get if I want decent graphics, right?

X1900XT just purchased from Dell. -edit 4/19 10:20pm-

So, help me build a system around that part. That's the limiting factor, right? I want a budget system to go with this.

Restrictions:
1. I will *never* be interested in SLI... I mean, seriously, is this *ever* cost efficient?
2. I'm not interested in extreme overclocking.
3. 5% performance gains make me indifferent... yes, i'm looking at you Mr. Overvalued RAM.
4. The case is going in a cabinet... it could be puke green for all I care.
5. I'm not an audiophile... I really can't tell the diff. b/w onboard sound and Xi-Fi.

So, what's the cheapest system I can get that will use the X1800XT to its full potential... and not a dollar more? (I already have a keyboard, mouse, and DVD+-RW).

Thanks so much for your help!

-- EDIT --

As I purchase parts, I'll add them here:

Patriot 2GB PC3200 DDR Kit - $132 AR at Newegg
WD Caviar 3.0Gb/s SATA 250GB - $93 at Newegg

 

[d3lt4]

1. Good choice
2.when you say you're not interested in extreme overclocking, does that mean that you will overclock some or not? Must know before we recommend parts.
3. Again good choice. Just look for some value ram, 2x1 gb or 2x 512mb will probably do fine. Just look around for a good deal
4. Usually cases are for looks, but if this is the case just get a skyhawk aluminumcase or something

 

[Aepheme]

Originally posted by: d3lt4
2.when you say you're not interested in extreme overclocking, does that mean that you will overclock some or not? Must know before we recommend parts.

I'm a "casual" overclocker. I'll do a couple test runs, and if it's stable -- hooray! Otherwise, I'm not going to spend hours running Prime95 benchmarks and tweaking small things to eek out that last 100mhz (which translates into a 5fps gain).

Maybe I'm just bitter. I recently built an awesome computer, and spent a lot of time overclocking and benchmarking and probably didn't get all that much value from it.

In Conclusion: Whatever's cheapest (given that the vid card is the limiting factor). If that means HQ components, expensive HSF, and a cheap CPU -- that works. If it means LQ components, stock HSF, and an expensive CPU -- that works, too.

 

[Bobthelost]

Singe core CPU
2GB value RAM
Epox 9na ultra motherboard (non sli, overclocks well without the fussy nature of DFI, cheap)
X1800XT
Case- generic
Fortron 450W for $50.

 

[Aepheme]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Singe core CPU
2GB value RAM
Epox 9na ultra motherboard (non sli, overclocks well without the fussy nature of DFI, cheap)
X1800XT
Case- generic
Fortron 450W for $50.

I added the cheapest 2GB kit I could find to my specs.

What's the lowest CPU you think would max out my video card? Would an X2 3800+ be sufficient? Would anything less work? Maybe even a 3200+?

As far as the case & powersupply... any combos out there that might be cheaper? I could get a Fortron 450W for $50 and a SLK300B for $50 or I could just get a Sonata II w/ 450W Antec for $100. Anything cheaper still?

 

[aniruddha23]

Not to derail yur well thought of chain of thought but the X1900XT was for around 340 ish with the dell copons and all. all in all not a bad upgrade for 50 bux

 

[LOUISSSSS]

340 is a good price for a x1900xt but if u want the x1800xt i'd go with a 3200 minimum, but you'll see some performance increases in benchmarks with faster cpu's or dual cores.. you must consider air circulation as a closet is a bad place to put your pc

 

[Aepheme]

Originally posted by: aniruddha23
Not to derail yur well thought of chain of thought but the X1900XT was for around 340 ish with the dell copons and all. all in all not a bad upgrade for 50 bux

Not a bad upgrade at all! Wonder how long I'd have to wait to have that deal come up again... and if I'd be lucky enough to get the coupon in my inbox required to get it.

--edit--

Well, I just jumped on a Dell deal and bought the X1900XT. It was a bit more ($380ish with tax), but I couldn't help myself. Probably too much to spend on a video card... Hrmm, buyers remorse already? That can't be good.

Anyway, topic has been updated to reflect that fact.

 

[aniruddha23]

u wont regret it one bit. one look at the image quality in far cry or quake 4 and u will be glad u spent the extra dough.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: aniruddha23
Not to derail yur well thought of chain of thought but the X1900XT was for around 340 ish with the dell copons and all. all in all not a bad upgrade for 50 bux

zahaza --what?! 340 for an XT HOLYSHIZ! WOW. I want a crossfire card for that much :-D

 

[Aepheme]

Do you feel like your X2 3800+ is a limiting factor in your rig? Or does it "max out" the X1900XT?

 

[Bobthelost]

1) Most games aren't CPU depenant for the most part
2) Dual core support in games doesn't make all that much difference

As such you are getting much better bang/buck by getting a fast single core CPU. A Dual core CPU running at the same speed might be a little bit faster, but a fast single core is fast enough. Example: In oblivion it rarely gets a single core to full useage (4400X2 @ 2.5Ghz) let alone taking advantage of both cores.

A 3700 would be a good bet, quick with stock settings and overclocks pretty well too if you want to. An Opteron 144 or 146 would be cheaper and overclock as well if not better, but you said you only want a mild OC. An aftermarket Heatsink is nice, but the stock one is pretty damned good, i'd try it out with the stock one first.

 

[aniruddha23]

Unless you play games 24X7 dual core is definitely and advantage over single. Besides newer games like quake 4 are already SMP aware and utilize both cores. That probably will be the future direction for most games. Go Dual.

I am not sure abt this one but I dont believe that teh 3800 is a limiting factor as Bobthelost mentioned that gaming performance depends more on the GPU. Yeha sure u will get better performance from an FX60 but it wouldnt be substantial enough to justify the cost.

P.S. 3DMark05 is 10410