building first computer

[Dr2GunzOD]

Want to be able to play newer FPS. do not require max settings. no real plans to OC at this point. The cheaper the better. Really do not want to go over $600.

All from newegg.com


Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, With Window, Model "ATXB4KLW-BK/350"
Item# N82E16811144026
55.99

Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Item# N82E16820141424
79.00

CHAINTECH nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 Athlon 64 CPU, Model "VNF3-250" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16813152043
72.00

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
Item# N82E16819103486
163.00

POWERCOLOR RADEON 9800 PRO EZ Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R98-PC3F" -BULK -OEM
Item# N82E16814131278
155.00

(edit)
CONNECT3D ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL
198.00

(edit)
COOLMAX 400W CX-400B, BLACK, Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply; 1 x 120mm fan, 3 Speed Fan Control Switch ( Auto, Low, Medium).
Item# N82E16817159023
39.99

total is 524.99.
edit ( 607.98)



1. will the stock power supply be enough?
2. anything I have overlooked that is needed? (i have hard drives, optical drives from current comp)
3. bulk oem for the video card indicates plain box with cables etc...correct?

 

[Frew]

I would not risk the it with the power supply from that ugly cheap case.

 

[Algere]

Change the vid card (preferably non EZ/128 bit version)

 

[Dr2GunzOD]

whats the difference between ez and non ez 9800 pro?


better?
CONNECT3D ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL
198.00

 

[Nickel020]

Get a 9800 PRO with a 256-bit memory interface. 128-bit interface cards perform much worse than 256-bit cards.

 

[newParadigm]

Yeah, get 9800256bit, and pick up like an Allied 400-450 PSU.

EDIT: Case is sweet i got teh same one

 

[Kazrath]

Your PSU is fine for what you have indicated.

I would recommend against dumping money into a different PSU.

Your major bottle neck is going to be 512k RAM when you get into the newer games.

Even with my previous system:

AMD T-BIRD 1.33
Geforce 3
512k PC2100
WD 60GB IDE
Sound blaster live 5.1x

I had a major performance boost when i dropped a second 512k stick in the machine.

Your Power supply does nothing. You either have enough power to operate the computer or you don't. 350 watt is more than sufficent for this setup.

My current system:

Has a 350Watt Power supply in it. I get 4200+ scores in 3dmark5
Amd 64 3200+
Geforce 6800gt
2X512 PC3200 corsair xms (dual channel)
Raptor2 10k RPM 74Gb SATA drive.
DVD burner
Floppy

And I have no power issues. People who think the Powersupply does anything for performance has no clue what they are talking about. A high end powersupply gives more options on a fully decked out machine with a ridiculous amount of periphreals.

 

[Comparisonman]

I agree with Kazrath, 512mb ram is one of the most common bottlenecks now. The newer FPSs just run smoother with 1024mb ram. However, I must also agree that the power supply may be untrustworthy. Check out the price of a Fortron Power supply. Those are the best power supplies I have ever seen.

 

[Adn4n]

You don't need an Antec to run that. Your cheapo might do just fine.

 

[Dr2GunzOD]

so basicly if the stock psu boots the computer and it doesnt crash, ive got enough juice?

 

[newParadigm]

You will want to run Prime95 to t4est for overall system stability. This should be run for an extended period (as much as 24hours)

 

[Dr2GunzOD]

so the stock psu may work but this one is a step up and shouldnt cause any problems??

COOLMAX 400W CX-400B, BLACK, Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply; 1 x 120mm fan, 3 Speed Fan Control Switch ( Auto, Low, Medium).
Item# N82E16817159023
39.99

is prime 95 a download ?

 

[Kazrath]

Stepping up is not going to be bad.

The stock one is a more or less Generic certified PSU. And yes if the system boots your fine.

A PSU provides power to the components. If the components as an entire entity do not have enough juice the system will not boot. Or will be highly unstable under a workload.

The reason I indicated a 350Watt is fine. Is because of the system specs I gave you. It will require at least the same if not more wattage to run. I play several of the newer games:

Doom 3, Farcry , CS:S, City of Heros, SW battlefront.

I have yet to have my system crash and i've had the system for about 3 weeks.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Everything looks good, except I would reccomend this video card instead of the "EZ" version 9800 Pro

 

[Machine350]

Originally posted by: Kazrath

Your Power supply does nothing. You either have enough power to operate the computer or you don't. 350 watt is more than sufficent for this setup.

And I have no power issues. People who think the Powersupply does anything for performance has no clue what they are talking about. A high end powersupply gives more options on a fully decked out machine with a ridiculous amount of periphreals.

I disagree. I noticed that when I upgraded from my crappy power supply that came with my case to an Antec, my renderings in 3d max sped up quite a bit.

 

[Dr2GunzOD]

thanks to everyone for their input so far.

i am going to change the video to the better 9800 pro. still undecided about the psu...but probably will...only 40 bucks.

and a bump for the night crowd.

 

[stevty2889]

I really wouldn't take the chances with a weak generic PSU. The turbolink PSU that comes with the case only has 12a on the 12v rail, the cheapo 400w only has 18a on the 12v rail. In comparison, my 350w enermax has 26a on the 12v rail. I had my days when I went with a cheapo PSU, and it turned out to be a very bad idea. You will end up regretting it. Don't get a good system but go cheap on the PSU, or it will give you problems. A 350w NAME BRAND psu will be fine, such as an Antec, Enermax, Fortron etc. I had a 400w Powmax PSU, it was $40. It blew, and took my $180 motherboard with it.

 

[Kazrath]

[/quote]

I disagree. I noticed that when I upgraded from my crappy power supply that came with my case to an Antec, my renderings in 3d max sped up quite a bit.[/quote]

Thats like saying using a Generic same AMP generic battery from walmart. Vs a same AMP DieHard battery from sears is going to start your car easier and make you have more horsepower. (It won't)

The powersupplies have the EXACT same rating. If they did not they would either 1. Not work. Or 2. Fry your components.

A higher end Powersupply generially offers more options, is quieter, or it lasts longer.

A big huge powersupply will just sit there doing nothing. If you have an inadequate powersupply you will have issues when intensive processes are occuring on your system.

As you indicated you were video rendering. That is probally the single largest burdon on a computers resources. You most likely just had an inadequate powersupply for your setup.

The gentleman who is building his computer. With the specs he has provided a 350 Watt is MORE than adequate.

 

[Pythias]

I wouldnt trust the generic psu, either. They rarely run at what they're rated for. It true, 350 watts will be plenty but get a reliable brand. Actually this nice fortron 300w will carry that system fine and its rated at
50c as opposed to most brands you get that are rated for 25c ambient temp. Its a workhorse and its
inexpensive. check it out:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-104-937&depa=0

Nice review of it at Toms Hardware http://www.tomshardware.com/ho..._source_fsp30060gre_pf



:thumbsup: