for the gamer, which is better?

[AliasX]

So, I am a gamer. I am not too hardcore, mainly because my system can't handle it, but I still enjoy gaming.

I have chosen all of the parts for my new gaming computer, and they are as follows:

AMD Athlon X2 4400+ - About $466
2gb of OCZ RAM - About $240
nVidia eVga 7800GT - About $360 (It comes with an eVga motherboard)

I have my case, I will be taking the hard drive from my current computer, and I will be taking the optical drives from this computer as well.

There are 2 things I need to know. First, with AMD releasing a new socket type, and all that, will the X2 stay around the same price range, and also stay up to date? I was considering for a while just going with an AMD Athlon 4000+, but the Dual Cores seemed like they were the future. I still like the idea of dual core, and they seem to run games fine, but should I get a 4200+ instead or something? I sort of feel like getting the 4400+, as an attempt to stay up to date, but I don't want it to be shoved under the carpet, and be one of those things technology passes.
With CPU's, my basic needs are
1. to be able to run intense games such as FEAR
2. to be able to hit the windows key while in a game, and it immediatly minimizes and the start menu comes up
3. I can run a shitload of programs in the background while playing a game

So I really want to get the 4400+, I just want some assurance it is money well spent.
Also, I am a little worried about plugging this expensive stuff into my motherboard, but motherboards cant screw up the hardware plugged into them, can they?

Power supply. My budget is already way over, so I really would like input on a good power supply that can handle all this ****** for under $100. I have a generic PSU (420 watts) that came with my tower c ase, and it has good reviews, but I don't want a power surge or something to blow up all the expensive hardware.

Also, now the vid card plus free motherboard combo deal from newegg is gone. Do they do these deals often? or do they end them and that is it? I really wanted to order today, now I am wishing I had ordered yesterday.

 

[AliasX]

Ok, so I found the mobo + vid card combo again on this site
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...ails.asp?EdpNo=1644233&Tab=11&NoMapp=0

2 of 10 reviews said it overheated, which none of the reviews on newegg said. Is it the same eVga 7800gt (518) that I was looking at on newegg?

Also, would you buy from tigerdirect, I heard newegg is better.

the card on newegg I was looking at is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16814130238

 

[Pyrokinetic]

Well, alot of what you are asking depends. First, what motherboard are you currently using (I'll assume you have some sort of AMD socket 939 based on your processor choice), and have you (or do you) plan on overclocking.

I would recommend the X2 3800+ Manchester core chip cause it is roughly $160 cheaper and only varies from the Toledo cores in the amount of L2 cache in the core. For the average user, whether the L2 is 512MB or 1GB will not be readily noticeable (if at all).

The OCZ memory seems ok, but again, do you plan on overclocking your processor? Overclocking will future-proof (performance-wise) your purchase. The 3800+ easily overclocks to 2.4Ghz (4600+ performance), and some have got it even higher with better cooling. What memory you use depends on how you go about overclocking.

As for a power supply, Antec makes some good solid performers, and I own the Truepower II 550W. This one is currently only $80 at Newegg. If you feel you don't need 550W, then lower-powered models are available for even less money. I bought mine when it was fairly new to the market, so I spent roughly $120 on the thing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931

Also, power supplies do not protect against power surges. You should have your computer plugged into some sort of surge protector or better yet, a battery back-up like an APC.

The eVGA 7800GT is a great value, nuff said. Which should also run FEAR nicely.

As for being able to hit the windows key and run alot of stuff at the same time, any AMD X2 chip should meet your needs. The new upcoming AM2 socket will allow newer next-generation processors, but the first batch of AM2-compatable processors will be repackaged socket-939 chips, so your system now should not be outdated for at least a couple of years.

 

[Bobthelost]

I'd think about going to a 3800X2, most games aren't CPU bound at all. The bit that will hold you back is going to be the graphics cards.

If you go for an eVGA card they should come with a warranty that covers 3rd party heatsinks, rip the stock one off and stick a NV silncer on it.

Nothing wrong with a TruepowerII, but my preference is for the seasonic s12 range, 500W would be plenty.

 

[McRhea]

tag

*EDIT*: tagging for viewing later

*EDIT2*: sweet, I didn't notice that before, thanks Yoss

By the way, I can't believe my account is still active after all these years. Crazy!

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: McRhea
tag

*EDIT*: tagging for viewing later

to help you keep your post count low, I would like to point out the "star" icon at the top right that marks the thread as a favorite

 

[AliasX]

I have zero experience overclocking, and wouldn't really want to do it to a processor for fear of making a mistake. Not only that, but I heard it shortens the life of the processor.

This is the ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227210

I am a little depressed because the deal where the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813188002 came free with the vid card I am getting is now gone. I saw it on tigerdirect.com, but I heard they have junky shipping and stuff. Also, I might not put it all together for a few weeks, is their policy for RMAing and returns/exchanges as good as neweggs? Have you had good or bad experiences with them?

 

[Bobthelost]

Shortening life span = true, a fairly hefty overclock might knock the lifespan from five years to four.
Might kill the PCU = true, but only if you really push it, a modest 200mhz clock is fairly safe and very easy.

But if you don't want to then you don't have to.

Don't worry about special offers all that much, more will come in time.

 

[Pyrokinetic]

Yes, overclocking may shorten the life span, but it still will probably be obsolete long before it goes belly-up. What shortens the life span? Heat. That is why most of us who do overclock do not use stock heatsinks. I use an XP-120 with a 120mm Panaflo. With such a heatsink and good airflow in a case, I'll bet my overclocked processor would last as long (if not longer, given my way better cooling than stock) than one not overclocked. I say that because with the stock heatsink and stock settings, my processor ran hotter than it does now.

However, if you are not comfortable overclocking, then whip out a few extra $100 bills and go with the faster processor and the peace of mind. I just think overclocking makes more value sense than not. Not to mention that many here could and would teach you how to do so safely.

Your memory choice is superb. Expensive, but good.

But what of your motherboard?

 

[stelleg151]

Originally posted by: Pyrokinetic
I would recommend the X2 3800+ Manchester core chip cause it is roughly $160 cheaper and only varies from the Toledo cores in the amount of L2 cache in the core. For the average user, whether the L2 is 512MB or 1GB will not be readily noticeable (if at all).

SWEET 1GB OF CACHE I WANT!!!

Jk, good post, just felt like poking fun.

 

[Nathelion]

yeah 1GB of cache would be nice. Based on the current technology progression rate, when do you think we would see that?

 

[djnsmith7]

For $1260 you can get this... 2 Evga 7800 GT's ($314 ea.) , an Asus A8N-SLI-Premium ($167) , AMD A64 X2 3800+ ($301) & Corsair (2x1 GB) VR ($164).

If $1260 is too far out of your range for now, get 1 7800 GT now & get the other later...

 

[alimoalem]

maybe in the socket m7's .

OP: i'd go with an 3800x2 + 7800GTX over a 4400x2 + 7800GT. you can get the OCZ value ram too if you want to stick with OCZ (or get corsair or other reputable value ram). you don't need expensive ram if you won't overclock

i've heard bad things about the combo deal for the 7800gt and mobo. i'd get an asus or epox motherboard instead