• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Building my first computer in 4 years

C

craniumdesigns

Member
hey guys. i want to have a nice brand new setup for when Age of Conan comes out. i dont need anything over the top, just a mid grade machine that can run the game smooth enough and also be enough for all my web/multimedia development needs.

i'm currently still running an athlon xp 1800 with 2 gigs of SDRAM, 660 gigs of HD space, a radeon 9600, and an asus mobo.

i want a desktop pc with win xp. no mac. what brand should i get and what essential parts and specs should i get? i am thinking an intel c2d or quad cpu, asus mobo, 2-4 gigs of nice ram, a geforce 8800, decent PSU, etc...

i haven't built a computer since 4 years ago when i built my current one and its still running fine, but is starting to lag on the newer games/applications.

anyone got any suggestions on parts/brands? I'm kinda out of the loop since I haven't kept on it. not sure if i should build it myself like always or just buy a system from dell or something. what would you do given my needs and budget???

Details:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for: Gaming and Web Development

2. What YOUR budget is: $1200

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from: USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference: Intel & Nvidia

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts: Just Hard Drives and maybe fans.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads: YES

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking: NO

THANKS!

 
If yah can hold out for 60-90 days . . .

1) Prices will be cheaper;
2) New roll out of ATI/nVidia products possible;
3) Phenom may be out - Penryn soon to follow; and
4) It would make a nice holiday present for yourself!
 
here goes:

memory: shoot for 2 gigs of whatever, unless you use a program that actually utilizes 3+ gigs. Any more than 3 requires 64 bit vista, which is a bit of a headache. Better off using just 2 and saving the money, until something comes along that requires 4 gigs. As far as brand, I've always liked crucial for higher end ram, but honestly there's not much of a difference between brands.

cpu: the 300$ quad core from intel is very attractive; as games become more core dependent I think it will be worthwhile to have the quad core.

motherboard: asus, gigabyte, whatever, if you're not over clocking it doesn't really matter. Look around on the internets and see what people have had good experiences with. Make sure you buy one with enough sata connectors for your hard drives/optical drives.

geforce 8 series is a winner. Buy the 320 MB 8800 gts, best bang for buck.

PSU i'd recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139004
It's quality, it'll run your system without a hitch.

Case:

buy whatever fits your budget. I'd suggest a coolermaster centurion, they are a great value.
something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119068



 
thanks for the input. per your suggestions:

Video Card: I don't need anything that crazy. I think I'm going with the Geforce 8600 GTS. Don't feel like spending $300 on a video card.

PSU: What wattage should I look for? You recommended the 550W from Corsair.
 
so here's what i've put together on my wishlist on newegg... opinions please...

  • CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel
  • MOBO: ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 Processor
  • VIDEO CARD: EVGA 256-P2-N765-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3
  • PSU: Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
  • RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
  • HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

Total comes to about $980 plus tax.
 
Qaud, if you up the FSB to 333 it runs at 3ghz. All you need is a 15$ aftermarket HSF, arctic freezer 7 pro. If you don't feel comfortable overclocking, then hold of for a little while till you've got everything set up and running 100% fine, read up on overclocking, then overclock it 😛

I'd also not buy a neoHE, the only antec PSU's I've heard good things about are the earthwatts. I'd much rather get a earthwatts psu, or a corsair 520hx. I'd also not buy the ddr2 1066 ram. Some value ram from corsair, 65$ for 2gb, ddr2 800 will be just fine. In fact, if you never intend to overclock, most ddr2 667mhz ram will be just fine. ddr2 1066 is just waste of money. Invest the saved money on a real videocard, 2900pro or a 8800gts 320mb.
 
revised...

  • CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel
  • MOBO: ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
  • VIDEO CARD: EVGA 256-P2-N765-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3
  • PSU: Antec earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply
  • RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
  • HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

Total comes to about $900.

considering upping the video card, but that's gonna be at least another $100. anyone recommend a certain 8800?
 
Looking better, between the e6850 and the q6600 it's a tossup. Personaly I'd prolly rather go for a e6750 and buy a qaudcore penryn in a year, year and a half. If you go e6850 you might as well go qaudcore if you ask me. And yeah, I'd still buy a 8800gts 320mb. 8600gts is NOT going to cut it in dx10 games.
 
ok, switched to the e6750 and added an EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card.

total at $940.

thanks for the help folks. i think i'm good now.
 
Looks good! You won't regret getting that GPU, I just upgraded my sons machine with that exact model and it is a beast. It easily overclocked to 650/950, but not really neccesary as the stock speed of 576/850 is plenty fast.
 
I seriously recommend you reconsider your CPU. If you get the Quad core, its still in your budget. And its a much better match for the video card. Also consider a different MB. I recomend the ABIT p35-E or the Gigabyte P35-DS3R. Both are amazing boards with no frills, well, the gigabyte is loaded actually and a lot of fun, pretty too. Also, looks like you have some money to play with. If you are going Vista, then you might consider Vista 64, with that quad (will play that next gen game your going to play, much better) Almost same price as Vista 32. AND, if you go with that, then consider 4 gigs instead of 2, and you can go with something like Corsair value fo those for gigs, since you will not be overclocking. You system will fly. Have fun, just some suggestions.
 
I'll tell you what, I just built a q6600 + 2x2GBPatriot +CorsairHX620+AsusP5KD wifi today. It was about 700 after rebates. I can't complain, the Asus motherboard has been a pleasure, just take your time. It will work well ,whatever processor you choose.

I just built my system today and methodically planed it . I am really impatient at wire management .So I bought a CM 690 , now I'm impatient to sound.....

Take your time.....
 
Originally posted by: boglwe
I seriously recommend you reconsider your CPU. If you get the Quad core, its still in your budget. And its a much better match for the video card. Also consider a different MB. I recomend the ABIT p35-E or the Gigabyte P35-DS3R. Both are amazing boards with no frills, well, the gigabyte is loaded actually and a lot of fun, pretty too. Also, looks like you have some money to play with. If you are going Vista, then you might consider Vista 64, with that quad (will play that next gen game your going to play, much better) Almost same price as Vista 32. AND, if you go with that, then consider 4 gigs instead of 2, and you can go with something like Corsair value fo those for gigs, since you will not be overclocking. You system will fly. Have fun, just some suggestions.
Click to expand...

sorry man, but i'm gonna listen to the folks with much more posts than you. i will not use vista. vista bites ass and im sticking with xp. i've had an asus motherboard for years and it's never crapped out on me. i love asus. and i've also been running 2 gigs of ram forever. i don't need 4.

LISTEN TO ME: i am not building some overkill gaming machine, just a decent machine that can run games at 1280x1024 at a good FPS and can handle my web development needs. not everyone needs a super powerful machine.
 
Vista doesn't suck that bad though, but 4gb isn't really necessary unless your a photoshopper and whatever. Most games if not all will be perfectly satisfied with 2gb of memory, especially in XP.

The rig he is going with now btw, is PLENTY fast. Don't underestimate the e6750, it's only second to the e6850 in terms of corespeed. And it doesn't have four cores like the quad, but most things don't use qauds and it looks like he isn't using or will be using applications that are going to use qauds anytime soon. As for a qaud being the right match for a 8800gts 320mb, bullshit 😛 A 2.4ghz amd x2 is allready a good match for the 8800gts, let alone a e6750.
 
It will help, but you do need Vista 64x to make full use of it. In XP you will only see 3-3.5gig of the ram, not to big of a deal if you can use 3.5g instead of 4 if you ask me though.

Photoshop can also use 4 cores, it will run faster with a qaudcore. I'm no photoshopper myself though, and I do realize you can do various things with photoshop. I've seen my little brother use it, and if you use it for 'small' images, backgrounds, banners, and what not, and don't process a lot of data, then I'm not sure how much use a qaudcore and 4gb of ram will be.

Do realize you can always upgrade to 4gb later if needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top