Building Custom Gaming Comp - Need MAJOR HELP

[Arye]

Okay let me say this I am 14 and I have been playing FPS for a couple years and I took a break due to my old dell not doing what I wanted it to do. I don't know most the language of the computer parts, but I know enough. So I need some recommendations on brand names, parts, and anything else I need to have a great gaming computer.

http://www.frozencpu.com/cst-211.html?mv_pc=916
The case I will be using is pretty nice from what I can see. It has a cooling system with LCD screen telling you the temperature and more neat things you can read on the above link.

Now I just need to fill it. The budget doesn't really matter, the higher the budget just means the longer it will take to build. So feel free to name expensive, but well working parts. BUDGET is estimated around $2,000 - $3,000 So have some fun with expenisve parts. Remember this is an estimate so I CAN go over $3,000.

This is My first time thinking about doing a custom computer and I am not a person who knows items information so please excuse and useless junk I am thinkjng about getting. Please help me get what I need.

I WANT A QUIET, POWER, RELIABLE, AND TEMPERATURE COOL SYSTEM.

What I want in general: (the names of the items are as shown in my shopping cart on Newegg.com)

-512MB vdeo card.....not sure what type of video or brand but I want something that is top of the line....what I was looking at was SAPPHIRE 100116SR Radeon X800XL 512MB GDDR3 PCI EXPRESS x16 Video Card...but if there is something better for gaming I would be happy to hear some suggestions.

-I want enough RAM, but I don't want to overkill it, there is no point in getting more than I actually need. I was thinking of getting one A-Data 1GB 240-PIN DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (Pc2 4200) unbuffered System memory. I have 4 slots for RAM I believe so If I want I could get 3 more sticks of 1GB, but I am not sure if that would be overkill. Help.

-Processor. First I am going to say that it will be overclocked to the max for sure. So I was thinking about getting an Intel Pentium 4 Prescott 800Mhz FSB LGA 775 (compatible with my mother board) EMT64T Processor Model BX80547PG3400F. This is 3.4Ghz I believe that will be overclocked to around 4.0. It also is 64 bit and has hyper threading technology with heatsink and fan......

-Motherboard.(Not sure what I should get but this is what i have as an idea)
MSI P4N Diamond Socket T (LGA 775) Nvidia nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard....

-NEED GREAT ROM DRIVES (QUIET AND SUFFCIENT) My idea is a SONY Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - OEM.

and a SONEY Black IDE DVD BURNER Model DWQ28A - OEM. As I said I don't know what I should get but from my baby mind with computers I liked this stuff.

-Power supply can be ordered with case. (Look at add ons on my case for power supply choices.)

-I NEED A FLAWLESS AUDIO CARD! I Have no ideas what I want but I need some ideas so help please!

__________________________

Yeah this is what I was looking at but I am not sure if it is indeed good. So help me. If you reply to this remember I dont know a lot so try to use baby words for me to understand and supply me with links to check out the items! THANKS!

Oh and if I forgot any INFO you need to help me please let me know!

 

[Bateluer]

I think you'd have a better bet going with an A64 based system, it'd cost less, perform better, and generate less heat. They OC quite qell too.

An A64 3200 with a good s939 mobo, with 1GB of RAM, and a 7800GTX would serve nicely as the core of your system. Most optical drives are pretty close in terms of features and performance. The NEC 3540(?) DVD writer is a pretty nice writer, and I love my Plextor 716 drive.

Also, I would not get a case with a PSU included. Its best to buy a case without a power supply and buy the PSU yourself. It ensures you have a good, quality PSU. Look for something in the 400 to 500w range, with 17A or greater on the 12V rail, just to be safe.

 

[coomar]

top of the line right now

processor: 3700+ san diego socket 939 (that p4 will need to reach 4.5 ghz to match this overclocked)
ram: 2x1gb
motherboard: dfi nf4 or the epox socket 939
videcard: there is a 512mb version of the 7800gtx out, I think by leadtek, the gtx is significantly faster than the x800xl
soundcard: creative x-fi (there are 4, choose 1)

any psu on that list except for the x-connect is fine, the super flower is a fortron division, they're fine

 

[nick1985]

you want a cool system, yet you are getting a pentium 4?


also, pentium 4's are not the best at gaming compared to athlon 64's...

 

[Arye]

Thanks for the replies so far. If anyone could give me links to items I would be so greatful. Because I am not the type of person who likes knows the names of items and what the 3 letter abbrievations mean lol so If you can thanks if you can thanks also!

 

[nick1985]

just tell me your budget and ill help you pick out parts

 

[Arye]

Well I think the case is good, please inform me if it isn't a good one to choose. Well my dad told me if I want it by next month the budget will be around $1700 but I told him that I want more lol. He said ok but he said it would take several months instead. So the budget I guess isn't a big deal. Just help me with finidng great parts for good prices.

 

[BigfootsMonk]

Going top of the line is really a waste of money right now since prices change so fast and technology is changing even faster.

 

[coomar]

the case you chose is expensive, you can get a 7800gt for that price

 

[Arye]

well of course i dont want top of the line....my family is the best when it comes to money, but i want something that works well and is fast and reliable when it comes to full on gaming.

 

[nick1985]

That case you have selected is outrageous, $400 is a waste. You would be better off spending that money on something that would give you performance...

PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Case - Cooler Master Praetorian $124.50

DVD-RW NEC $45

CPU - Athlon 64 3800 X2 $399

Hard Drive - WD 320Gb $125 AR

RAM - 2 gigs of OCZ Value RAM $206

Motherboard - Asus A8N-E Nforce4 Ultra $125 (some may argue for the DFI board, both are good though)

PSU - 430watt Seasonic $106

Video Card - Leadtek 7800GTX $504

Grand Total: $1634.50


That fits your budget, and will smash the rig you proposed.

 

[Bateluer]

Processor

BFG 7800GTX 256MB, but very good card.

Mobo 1

Mobo 2
Mobo 3

512x2 OCZ Value Series DDR400

1GBx2 OCZ Value Series DDR400

Antec TruPowerII 550W PSU

XP Pro 64 bit Edition

 

[BigfootsMonk]

If I were you I would get a lower end graphics card like a 6800 Ultra and go for dual raptor HDDs. This is because the videocard will go obsolete much sooner than the HDDs

 

[Arye]

For the power supply someone said it should be around 500? is that a good idea or just waste? also if overclocked will all this stuff overheat or do i need to buy cooling to put into my case?

 

[Arye]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Processor

BFG 7800GTX 256MB, but very good card.

Mobo 1

Mobo 2
Mobo 3

512x2 OCZ Value Series DDR400

1GBx2 OCZ Value Series DDR400

Antec TruPowerII 550W PSU

XP Pro 64 bit Edition

the processer seems kind of slow to be for gaming?

 

[coomar]

199.99 2x1gb patriots 2-3-2@200

 

[coomar]

don't get xp 64, drivers for it are still a hassle and right now the only thing out that uses it is farcry 64 which has some further draw distances and such

the processor Bateluer recommended would be the best performance wise, at 2.6 it equals an fx-55, at 2.8 it equals the best gaming cpu the fx-57, it should be able to hit 2.8

of the 2 motherboards listed there, the dfi or epox are both fine, psu should be over 500 watts for the 7800gtx (as recommended by nvidia)

 

[Arye]

Couple of Q's involving some of the parts listed above by some of you.

-CPU with operating frequency of anything in the 2.0 area? Should it be in the 3.0s? If you over clocked the 2.0 wouldnt it generate more heat then wanted. Making me waste more money on heavy cooling?

-Power Supply 430? Should I get a 500?

-OVERALL. All compatible? reliable? suffcient?

 

[AntiStatic]

Originally posted by: Arye

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Processor

BFG 7800GTX 256MB, but very good card.

Mobo 1

Mobo 2
Mobo 3

512x2 OCZ Value Series DDR400

1GBx2 OCZ Value Series DDR400

Antec TruPowerII 550W PSU

XP Pro 64 bit Edition

the processer seems kind of slow to be for gaming?

Don't be fooled by the megahurtz, that processor will pretty much own any Intel P4 you put against it. It was explained ot me once in this easy to understand fashion:

the Dump Truck and the Pickup.

the dump truck can carry 40,000 lbs @ 100mph

the pickup can carry 1,000 lbs @ 150mph

The dump truck can get a lot more done at a slower speed and while the pickup is running faster it's actually much less effecient and slower.

AMD = Dump Truck
Intel = S10 (keke)

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Arye
Couple of Q's involving some of the parts listed above by some of you.

-CPU with operating frequency of anything in the 2.0 area? Should it be in the 3.0s? If you over clocked the 2.0 wouldnt it generate more heat then wanted. Making me waste more money on heavy cooling?

-Power Supply 430? Should I get a 500?

-OVERALL. All compatible? reliable? suffcient?

1) You should do some reading on the A64. Anandtech has many great articles. Bottom line, even an OCed A64 is going to generate less heat than a stock P4.

2)A high quality 430 will work fine, I just proposed the 550 to ensure you had plenty of power to feed your system. Power supplies are not something you want to cut corners on though.

3) Yes, almost any s939 A64 will work with almost any s939 motherboard. The 7800GTX will work in the PCIex16 slot of the Asus board, the DFI board, or the ePox board.

 

[KoolDrew]

I think the case is a waste of money. Get a cheaper case to make room in your budget for a better video card, more RAM or anything else.

Here are my recommendations.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra
Thermalright XP-120
Yate Loon 120mm fan
Crucial Value DDR400 2GB(1GBx2)
eVGA 7800GT w/ BF2
Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Seasonic S12-600
Samsung P Series 250GB
Antec P180
NEC ND-3540A
Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM
Dell 2001FP
Logitech Z-5300e
Sennheiser HD-280Pro headphones
Logitech MX518
Logitech Elite keyboard
Floppy

I picked parts above that were quiet and will still be very overclockable, but I would highly suggest checking out http://silentpcreview.com since you want your PC to be quiet. You can also post in their forums for recommendations on the parts.

 

[coomar]

or technically

performance is generally clockspeed x IPC (instructions per clock)

clockspeed is calculated by the multiplier x internal clock (which is 200 for most modern cpu's)

so in the case of the 3700+ we have 11x200, the p4 you mentioned should be 17x200

where the athlons shine against the p4's is in IPC, they have a much higher average IPC which lets them run at lower clockspeeds (and thus run cooler)

you should be able to get 2.8 on the stock cooler but an aftermarket cpu cooler like the xp-90 doesn't hurt (and can be had for 30 bucks)

 

[daftpunkit]

First off, that case, wow! $399! LOL. Looks neat and all but, WOW $400 on a case!
I'll put each part in their real name and their '3 letter abbreviation' so you can learn.

Get ready for my long post:

Motherboard (Mobo)
DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI (*he is 14yr old so I don't recommend him modding a UT, and he said $$ doesn't matter?)
CPU Type: Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64
DDR Standard: DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Dual Channel Supported: Yes
ECC Supported: Yes
FSB: 1000MHz Hyper Transport
Maximum Memory Supported: 4GB
Number of DDR Slots: 4x 184pin DDR
PCI-E x1: 2
PCI Slots:2
$198.00 +shipping

Processor (CPU aka Central Processing Unit)
AMD 64 3700+ San Diego
Core Speed: 2.2 GHz
FSB:Integrated into Chip
L2 Cache: 1MB
$283.00
CPU Heatsink
Scythe SCNJ-1000 Ninja (*personal preference)
$48.99 +shipping
Artic Silver 5 Compound
$7.99 +shipping


Memory (RAM aka Random Access Memory)
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) Platinum
Speed: DDR400 / PC3200
Dual Channel: Yes
CAS Latency: 2
Voltage: 2.6
ECC: No
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Timing: 2-3-2-5
$269.95 +shipping

Hard Drives (HD)
SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series
Model: SP2504C
Capacity: 250GB
Cache: 8MB
RPM: 7200 RPM
Average Seek Time: 8.9ms
Average Latency: 4.17ms
Interface: SATA 3.0GB/s
Form Factor: 3.5"
$115 (x2)= $330 +shipping

Optical Drives (DVD/CD)
NEC DVD RW 6X
Model: ND-3540A Black
Speed: DVD family:16x 21600KB/S max
Speed: CD family:48x 7200KB/S max
$44.99


Video Card
eVGA e-GeForce 7800 GTX KO (*out of the box overclock for $50 more so he won't have to do anything)
Core clock: 490MHz
Memory Clock: 1300MHz
PixelPipelines: 24
Memory Size: 256MB
Memory Type: GDDR3
RAMDAC: 400 MHz
Ports
ViVO: Yes
DVI: 2
TV-Out: HDTV/S-Video Out
$579.00 +shipping

Power Supply (PSU)
Seasonic S12 600W
Efficiency: >75%
Dual +12V: Yes
PFC: Active
Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
$159.00 +shipping

Fans
SILVERSTONE FM121 (120mm)
Size: 120mm
Airflow: 110.03 CFM
Speed: 800 ~ 2400rpm
Noise: 17dBA at 800rpm, 39.5dBA at 2400rpm
$15.99 each +shipping
Nexus Real Silent (92mm) (*for the heatsink)
Size: 92mm
Airflow: 27 CFM
Speed: 1500 RPM
Noise: 19.2dBA
Price: ~$10-15 each
--------------------------------------

Find a case that you would like to put all this in. I preferably like the Antec P180 $149.00@Newegg.comcase, but it might be a bit 'boring' to a 14 yr old.
Also these are not the lowest prices, just the easiest place to find most items is Newegg.com, try comparing prices with Zipzoomfly.com or go to price search engine such as: pricegrabber.com or pricewatch.com

And your total comes to about:
$2100-2200
sans (.ak.a without) monitor.

 

[theMan]

cpu: amd athlon 64 x2 4400+
psu: seasoic s12-600
gpu: evga nvidia 7800gtx ko
mb: dfi lanparty UT ultra d
ram: OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) Platinum pc3200
hd: seagate 7200.8
dvd: NEC nd-3540a
cpu cooling: thermalright xp90

that system is a very good overclocking system. if you dont want dual core get the 3700+ san diego core. if you really want, you can get the sli version of the board, and grab a second 7800gtx ko.

 

[Arye]

Daftpunkit, thanks for explaining to me in baby words. I have a good LCD so the monitor is already taken care of. Everyone is suggesting different things and not really agreeing too much with each other. So I guess I will need to try things out I suppose. I just want a quiet machine that won't overheat and can give me great performance and is reliable. Something that will overclock ( if necessary ) to give me great Frames Per Second. All I know is AMD > Intel from what everyone is saying.