Decent performance for under $1000?

[Sean D]

Okay, so I have decided to build myself a pc for Christmas. I have been researching these boards, Newegg, etc. for a couple weeks now. I have compiled a list, which has changed quite frequently, and I would like to hear some input, as most of you know what you are talking about.

I play games only occasionally, so a high-end video card is not a necessity. I mostly play poker online, web browse, mp3s, etc. Nothing too intensive. I am interested in overclocking, but since I would probably stay on the stock cooling, nothing too crazy. But if the OC'ing bug does bite me, which is a strong possibility, I'd like a solid base for some nice OC'ing in the future.

I already have new Samsung monitors, so I'm not worried about that. I also have Logitech 5.1 speakers, keyboard, mouse, etc, so no need to worry about those either. I have already ordered an Opteron 144, which I decided to jump on while they were in stock. So here is what I had in mind:

Thermaltake Soprano VB1000SWS Silver Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard

MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply

OCZ Performance Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SOHW-1693S Black


Does this look decent? Any weak spots in the build? I'd like to keep it under $800 for the components listed. Any input is appreciated.

 

[TSS]

the case is really to your own liking, as most cases have a decent enough airflow, but a thermaltake is good

how much will that setup cost you? its looking pretty good so far, the PSU looks to be a bit overkill, but with OCing in mind and maybe a graphics upgrade later on definatly a wise decision. i'd say thats a pretty good setup if it leaves you below $1000 good choice on the CPU aswell.

though, you might want to consider getting value ram instead and getting a that much better video card. faster ram with what you want to do with the PC wont really help that much, though if you wanna play games, even if its even once in a while, you'll see a difference with a better card. that and you wont need to upgrade in too long if you want to play games a year from now. the sweet spot for vid cards around now is a 7800GT. if you buy a 6600gt you will have a good card for games now, but in a year youll need to upgrade that card again to play anything decent again, so you'll pay that 200 then. wether you do it is up to you, but with the 7800gt you can atleast enjoy games like F.E.A.R. in high quality + AA and AF now, instead of playing medium now then later upgrading to play medium again.

otherwise, maybe have you thought of a sound card? a audigy2 ZS might be right for you. not as good as a X-FI, but definatly better then onboard audio. should be around like 70-80 if you can fit it in your budget.

otherwise, i say again, it is a nice system that you've put together for that a price

edit: also its a good base for OCing, though you might wanna get a good heatsink then. the XP-90 with a panaflo fan is highly recommended around here, cheap too can always run memory with a divider. but do realize that with what you've got in mind for doing with a computer, the OC will only be for kicks and wont really see any improvement in anything (still justify's doing it IMO)

 

[kamranziadar]

Decent performace for under $1000, cmon man dude you can have hell of a performace for under $1000.

1. Refurbished MSI NEO4 PLATINUM SLI from Newegg $99
2. Opteron 165 for $300
3. EVGA 7800GT for $275
4. Ultra X connect Powersupply 500Watts for $15 (BEST POWER SUPPLY!)
5. 2 Gig of A-DATA PC3200 RAM from newegg for $135 AR.
6. 250GB HARD Drive for $59 from CompUsa
7. Thermaltake Big Water SE for $115 shipped from ZipZoomfly.


Total = $1000

Can you beat this

 

[fierydemise]

Kamranziader, where can you find an opteron for 300? The lowest I found was 325. Same with the 7800GT, lowest was 299 with MIR. He doesn't need a watercooling set or 2GB, he needs a case floppy and DVD burner, none of which you list. Finally how can you recomend a 15 dollar no name PSU for a system as power hungry as you recommend.

 

[kamranziadar]

Originally posted by: fierydemise
Kamranziader, where can you find an opteron for 300? The lowest I found was 325. Same with the 7800GT, lowest was 299 with MIR. He doesn't need a watercooling set or 2GB, he needs a case floppy and DVD burner, none of which you list. Finally how can you recomend a 15 dollar no name PSU for a system as power hungry as you recommend.

You see my system i am running on this PSU, you should do some search about it on google and you will know this is not a no name brand it is one of the best PSU in the market right now.

You should also check the HOT DEALS and find out that 7800GT is going for this price.

Opteron 165 is hard too find but check the HOT deals it is available at some retailers.

Well you can add a DVD Burner for $39 and you can take out the 1GB memory.

 

[kamranziadar]

Ok here is the complete system yeah i forget about the Case.

1. Opteron 144 for $165.
2. Refurbished DFI Lan party Ultra D for $85.
3. 1GB A-DATA PC3200 $65AR or 1GB PQI Turbo PC4000 $100AR
4. Computer Case $60
5. Ultra X connect Powersupply 500Watts $15AR
6. XP-90 $31 or Thermaltake Big Typhoon $51
7. DVD Dual layer Write $40 shipped.
8. 250GB Hard drive from compusa $59AR
9. XFX or EVGA or any 7800GT $275.

Total = $795 with XP-90 and A-DATA 1GB

Total = $850 with Big typhoon and PQI Turbo 1GB

You can add $5 floppy to any of these.

What do you say now?

 

[dunno99]

I have to say, kam's got that down flat. If I were to go with this setup, I personally would add another stick of 1GB RAM and if you're afraid, change the PSU to something else. That'll still let you sit below $1k, but guarantee more safety, reliability, and performance.

 

[TrueWisdom]

Get BenQ?s DW1640 instead of the lite-on you have listed--it may be a bit more expensive but it's the best DVD burner out there currently. You can get it for 51+shipping at Monarch. I would echo earlier sentiments as per your RAM and your video card--you should ask yourself what is more important, gaming or overclocking? Some value RAM has trouble overclocking high (even with dividers) but the performance difference between a 6600gt and a 7800GT is astronomical. If you're building this rig to game, grab the 7800GT and enjoy yourself; if in the future you want to OC, give your value RAM a whirl first.

 

[kamranziadar]

Originally posted by: dunno99
I have to say, kam's got that down flat. If I were to go with this setup, I personally would add another stick of 1GB RAM and if you're afraid, change the PSU to something else. That'll still let you sit below $1k, but guarantee more safety, reliability, and performance.

Dude trust me this PSU is the best, i have been using it for almost an year and there is not a single problem with it.

I have few reviews for you guys.

9/10

9/10

 

[leigh6]

Kam wrote "2. Refurbished DFI Lan party Ultra D for $85."

Why oh why would you recommend a refurb motherboard for a $1000.00 system. To save $40.00????

Eventhough my luck with Newegg refurb motherboards is 8 of 9 I would NEVER EVER EVER recommend it.

 

[kamranziadar]

Originally posted by: leigh6


Why oh why would you recommend a refurb motherboard for a $1000.00 system. To save $40.00????

Eventhough my luck with Newegg refurb motherboards is 8 of 9 I would NEVER EVER EVER recommend it.

The simple answer to your question i never had a single problem with refurbished motherboards from newegg.
Well MSI NEO4 PLATINUM SLI is really worth getting refurbished because new is $175 so you will save $75, and you are right you can buy a new DFI LAN Party Ultra D for $113.

To add some stuff to my upper system here is a great deal which include

7800GT + ULTRA 600watts X-Finity Power Supply SLI ready (NEW VERSION better than ever) + COD 2 for $299AR

Text

 

[leigh6]

It is irrelevent what your own personal experience is with refurbished products. Tons of people have problems with refurbs. It depends on skill and LUCK!!!

To RECOMMEND a refurb is NUTS!!!!!

 

[kamranziadar]

Originally posted by: leigh6
It is irrelevent what your own personal experience is with refurbished products. Tons of people have problems with refurbs. It depends on skill and LUCK!!!

To RECOMMEND a refurb is NUTS!!!!!

LOL well like i said if you don;t wanna buy refurbish buy a new one which is $113 ULTRA D.

For your information all the refurbished motherboards means they are returned because people did not expect what they were looking for or changed their mind.
And in case of ULTRA D and NEO4 platinum the only people return them who don;t know how to overclock or their other hardware might be holding them back, and they held motherboard responsible for.
And over the top if you get burned Motherboard which is totally impossible you have 15 days to return to newegg with out any shipping charges.

 

[Sean D]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have checked into the PSU you recommended, and it looks good. But where can I find it at that price? Also, the HD you mentioned, is that the Maxtor 250gb on compusa's page? I noticed its not SATA, is this going to be a big difference? I'd almost rather buy the Seagate for $100 and be sure that I am buying a reliable, fast HD.

If I can get the PSU, and the ram for cheaper, then I could probably swing a 7800gt. Also, I will probably just stay on the stock cooling for now. In a couple weeks when I get everything set up, and start tinkering with OC'ing, then I will look into cooling options.

 

[kamranziadar]

Originally posted by: Sean D
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have checked into the PSU you recommended, and it looks good. But where can I find it at that price? Also, the HD you mentioned, is that the Maxtor 250gb on compusa's page? I noticed its not SATA, is this going to be a big difference? I'd almost rather buy the Seagate for $100 and be sure that I am buying a reliable, fast HD.

If I can get the PSU, and the ram for cheaper, then I could probably swing a 7800gt. Also, I will probably just stay on the stock cooling for now. In a couple weeks when I get everything set up, and start tinkering with OC'ing, then I will look into cooling options.

7800GT + ULTRA 600watts X-Finity Power Supply SLI ready (NEW VERSION better than ever) + COD 2 for $299AR
Link

This will take care of your 7800GT and PSU.

I bought the 1GB A-DATA PC3200 from newegg for $65 AR, i will let you know how it overclock because i am assembling a new Computer for my uncle with Opteron 144.

 

[Sean D]

Thanks. I guess that takes care of just about everything except for the RAM. I'll be ordering in the next couple days, so if anyone could give any more suggestions as to what would go best with my setup, I'd appreciate it. Once again, I don't do anything too intensive on my comp, but would like to overclock a bit. I would spend up to $120 or so on some good, reliable 512mbx2

You recommended some PQI turbo that looked pretty good. Can anyone else verify that this will suffice for my purposes?

 

[leigh6]

Just one suggestion. If you havent figured it out yet. DO NOT GET AN ULTRA POWER SUPPLY!!!!!

 

[Sean D]

Originally posted by: leigh6
Just one suggestion. If you havent figured it out yet. DO NOT GET AN ULTRA POWER SUPPLY!!!!!

Hmm actually I was thinking about buying the 7800gt+Ultra PSU deal. While they aren't very popular on these boards, they actually received some pretty good reviews from what I saw. Is this a reliability issue that you are worried about? I am ordering in the next couple days so I wanna get this sorted out. The main reason I was gonna go with the 7800gt is because I could pretty much get the PSU for free. My budget is slowly but surely getting overrun . Is there anything you can recommend for my setup that won't kill my wallet?

 

[leigh6]

There is a reason Ultra power supplies are $15.00 at Outpost and have been for 2 months.

You are spending a $1,000 dollars on a system. The only part of the system that could destroy everything is a bad power supply.

Here is a power supply that is recommended by many. Have never heard a bad word about it and will be plenty for your system without breaking the bank

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003#DetailSpecs

Oh, I am using the the Antec that you have on your list and I have had zero problems with it.
As I said before. The only change I would make would be to get the NEC 3550 dvdrw instead. The BenQ that was suggested is terrific but I dont know if you can find it anywhere. The 6600gt will be fine for occasional gaming.

If you find at a later date you want something better it is much easier to upgrade than to downgrade. So I would stick to the this configuration for now.

 

[klocwerk]

I love antec PSUs. some people on this forum constantly dis them, but I've never had one fail.

Your system as posted now looks beautiful.
Go for it.

 

[Sean D]

Well, after more research, and deciding to spend a little more dough on the build, I've come up with an *almost* final list. I'm fairly set on everything listed, but could still be convinced otherwise. All in all, this puts me at about $1150 for everything. Any input is appreciated once again.



AMD Opteron 144- Already ordered

Antec SUPER LANBOY Silver anodized aluminum ATX Mini Tower Computer Case

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard

eVGA 256-P2-N515-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Desktop PC

Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply

G.SKILL Extreme Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBZX

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

NEC Silver IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3550A

Arctic Silver Ceramique Thermal Compound

ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan/Heatsink

 

[Sean D]

I have heard good things about the RAM, but should I go with the PC3200, or for $17 more go with the PC4000?

Also, am I gonna have problems with the Zalman 9500 heatsink and my RAM placement?