Games-specific PC Build

[imported_Moja]

Hi all. I'm soon going to build my first computer, and it will be a gaming specific computer. Here's what i have come up with. What do you think/what would you change?

Op System: Windows XP Pro
Motherboard: Intel® Desktop Board D925XCV
PSU: TurboCool 510 Deluxe
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz LGA775 Prescott (800FSB) with HT
RAM: 1GB DDR2 533MHz Bus Clock Rate. VS512MB533D2 Crosair
HDD: Western Digital 1x250GB HDD
HDD: 74GB Raptor 10,000rpm
Optical Drive: HP 16x/48x CD-RW/DVD-ROM (Combo)
Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster 6.1 Audi
Floppy drive: Whichever
Graphics card: 6800GT.

Try to keep the computer language to a minumum please Odds are i wont have a clue what you are talking about

Thanks in advance,

Moja

 

[Nickel020]

For a gaming rig you should rather get an Athlon 64. You will also be able to still use DDR 1 memory which is still faster and cheaper. Get an A64 3200+, the DFI LANParty mobo and take a look at Anandtech's 2-2-2-5 RAM round-up.
If you don not plan to overclock it may better to get some value 2.5 CAS RAM and get a 3400+ CPU instead.

 

[BW86]

a64 3200 and a chaintech vnf3 cheap but oh so good

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yep, A64 and DDR1 makes a lot more sense, for both performance and price.

Also PCI-E doesn't offer any real advantage over AGP yet, and by the time it does you would need a new intel system anyway (for higher speed DDR2 support, maybe yet another socket, possibly 2x16 PCI-E slots for dual video cards, etc. etc.)

What you can buy from intel right now for intel LGA775 is like most of their first-generation 1.0 offerings for a new platform, overpriced and slower than the "old" technology it is replacing. It usuallly takes intel at least one revision to get their new platform to offer decent price/performance.

 

[Gurck]

Going to agree on the Athlon 64, they benchmark higher for gaming, are less expensive, and run cooler than Prescotts. Don't skimp on the case & power supply or be fooled by numbers; power supply brand name is usually more important than wattage and a quality case will generally have fewer sharp edges, better airflow, and be easier to work with. I would (and do) go IDE for hard drive(s). Some of the 7200 rpm SATAs are priced competitively but the Raptors aren't fast enough to justify their price unless you really have money to burn. Tests have shown at most around a 10% speed increase, and keep in mind hard drive speed only affects game load times; it has no effect on framerate.

 

[Kabob]

First off, IMHO, you don't need that much HD space for a gaming machine. I'm still using a 20GB hard drive, and although a little more space wouldn't be bad, so I'd go with the 1x74GB 10,000 RPM drive (personally)

For gaming, I'd definately go with an Athlon 64 CPU over an intel. Runs much faster, and the 64 bits will be enabled in upcoming games, which will give them a big boost. Already runs current games much faster than Intel based chips do (in a test by Anandtech, a $165 Athlon 64 3000+ almost beat out a $999 Intel 3.4GHz P4 Extreme Edition playing Doom 3, which is rediculously funny) If you've got lots of money to waste, go for a socket 939 CPU (such as an Athlon 3500+, or the ever so speedy and expensive FX-53)

Also, I agree that the DDR2 is:

A) Overpriced
B) Not all that great
C) Can't really reach it's fulll potential on any systems now

Go for faster DDR1 RAM. I'd do this over lower latency timings especially if you're going for an Athlon 64 (which I would highly suggest over an Intel. Much better for gaming, and the 64 bits will be enabled in games like HL2) where lower latency timings are not terribly important. Get a stick or two of OCZ Rev. 3 PC3700 RAM if you feel up to the task. Lower latency timings never hurt, they just don't help AS MUCH on A64 systems. I know nothing about OCing RAM, so ask someone else (my mobo has a voltage limiter on it)

For the mobo, go with a DFI Labparty (sweeeeeeeeeeet) or (still one of my favs, but probably not as nice as the DFI) Asus K8N-E Deluxe motherboard. Great for overclocking.

Now, with all the $$ you saved from not buying DDR2 RAM and an additional HD, you could:

-Get more RAM (which isn't really crucial. 1 GB is plenty for now, but more never hurts)
-Get a more powerful video card (6800 Ultra/Ultra Extreme, X800 XT Platinum Edition, etc)
-Get a 15,000 RPM Hard Drive (expensive)
-Get an idea from one of these people who knows alot more about computers than I do...

So those are just my thoughts. Good luck with the machine!!

-Kabob

P.S. Feel free to shun me for my thoughts if you feel so inclined!

 

[DaveSimmons]

A second hard drive is nice for storing an image backup of Windows (Acronis True Image, $49), for data backups (anything you'd hate to lose between burning backup CDs/DVDs), and keeping a CD collection in a format like MP3, AAC, or WMA for use with a portable player or for PC playback.

 

[imported_Moja]

Some great suggestions here, thanks a lot! Gonna go look itnto the Ath-64 now, and the mobo you recommended. I will have some more questions no doubt. But thanks up until now (prolly re-post in next 40 mins)

 

[dmw16]

Ok, so I know I have an Intel P4, but that is because every now and again i do work on my computer and the programs benifit from HT. ANyway, for just gaming, go A64. For the kind of cash you are talking about spending, dont get a 3200+ and a vnf3. get a 3700+ and something with an nForce3 Ultra (socket 939).

 

[imported_Moja]

Ok heres what I come up with...

The Processor: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/amd_64_bit.html
That is the one you are talking about yeah? (8th one down) Its a socket 939 so is that going to work with the mobo you said, which is this i think:

http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-...HT_RAM_4x_Dual_Channel

Or did you mean a different model?

As for the 15,000 RPM HDD, any in particular from this list? Or any other model?
http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPP-...-15_000_rpm-40___80_gb

Thanks again, apprecaite this help

 

[Farvacola]

If you can afford a 3500 I would highly reccomend it. I have a 939 fx-53 and i blaze through everything. If not, athlon 64 in any form is good.

 

[imported_Moja]

Yeah, I can afford a higher model, but I think the price gap is quite high for a little extra, and would rather just update it later on, but im confused whether this CPU is gonna go with the LANParty MoBo.

 

[zodder]

Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster 6.1 Audi

Make that an Audigy2 ZS.

 

[zodder]

An equally excellent option to the DFI is the MSI K8N Neo Platinum. Tons of features and stable as a rock. Great overclocker, too.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Moja
Ok heres what I come up with...

The Processor: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/amd_64_bit.html
That is the one you are talking about yeah? (8th one down) Its a socket 939 so is that going to work with the mobo you said, which is this i think:

http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-...HT_RAM_4x_Dual_Channel

Or did you mean a different model?

As for the 15,000 RPM HDD, any in particular from this list? Or any other model?
http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPP-...-15_000_rpm-40___80_gb

Thanks again, apprecaite this help

That CPU and Mobo won't work together. The CPU is socket 939, the motherboard is socket 478 (an intel socket) The DFI lanparty board he was talking about earlier is actually socket 754 (a different Athlon 64 socket) I don't think they make the Lanparty for S939. Another disadvantage of S939 is that your memory has to be ECC registered (this is actually probably an advantage, but for us poor peeps, it's a disadvantage) Here are a few S939 motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...it=property&DEPA=1

As for the memory, go to www.newegg.com, and then go to memory and look for memory that is ECC registered (it's an option to add when searching for memory)

Although honestly if you're going for a Athlon 64 3500+, I'd instead go for an Athlon 64 3400+ w/1MB of L2 cache (runs games a little bit faster)
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-426&depa=1

If you did that, you could go for the DFI Lanparty:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-136-147&depa=1 (out of stock at the moment)

And maybe OCZ Gold Rev. 3 PC3700: (or whatever type you want)

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-843&depa=1

or Rev. 2 PC4000

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-845&depa=1

or something of the sort.

That's just my thoughts in the matter, but check this out if you want (shows why the 3400+ faster than the 3500+, rates all the CPU's while running Doom 3):
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...oc.aspx?i=2149&p=7

Good luck with the purchase!

-Kabob

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: zodder
An equally excellent option to the DFI is the MSI K8N Neo Platinum. Tons of features and stable as a rock. Great overclocker, too.

Steer clear of that board as best as you can. TONS of problems with that board that I've heard about. Asus K8N-E Deluxe is vastly superior to this board.

-Kabob

 

[Frew]

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: Moja
Ok heres what I come up with...

The Processor: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/amd_64_bit.html
That is the one you are talking about yeah? (8th one down) Its a socket 939 so is that going to work with the mobo you said, which is this i think:

http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-...HT_RAM_4x_Dual_Channel

Or did you mean a different model?

As for the 15,000 RPM HDD, any in particular from this list? Or any other model?
http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPP-...-15_000_rpm-40___80_gb

Thanks again, apprecaite this help

That CPU and Mobo won't work together. The CPU is socket 939, the motherboard is socket 478 (an intel socket) The DFI lanparty board he was talking about earlier is actually socket 754 (a different Athlon 64 socket) I don't think they make the Lanparty for S939. Another disadvantage of S939 is that your memory has to be ECC registered (this is actually probably an advantage, but for us poor peeps, it's a disadvantage) Here are a few S939 motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...it=property&DEPA=1

As for the memory, go to www.newegg.com, and then go to memory and look for memory that is ECC registered (it's an option to add when searching for memory)

Although honestly if you're going for a Athlon 64 3500+, I'd instead go for an Athlon 64 3400+ w/1MB of L2 cache (runs games a little bit faster)
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-426&depa=1

If you did that, you could go for the DFI Lanparty:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-136-147&depa=1 (out of stock at the moment)

And maybe OCZ Gold Rev. 3 PC3700: (or whatever type you want)

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-843&depa=1

or Rev. 2 PC4000

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-845&depa=1

or something of the sort.

That's just my thoughts in the matter, but check this out if you want (shows why the 3400+ faster than the 3500+, rates all the CPU's while running Doom 3):
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...oc.aspx?i=2149&p=7

Good luck with the purchase!

-Kabob

Socket 939 DOESN'T need ECC registered RAM. That is the socket 940.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Socket 939 doesn't require ecc memory. Socket 940 requires Registered memory, which most of the time is also ecc.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
Socket 939 doesn't require ecc memory. Socket 940 requires Registered memory, which most of the time is also ecc.

Like I said...I'm not the brightest bulp in the socket (heck, that doesn't even make sense...)

But what do y'all think? s754 Athlon 64 3400+ w/1MB L2cache or S939 3500+ w/512MB L2 Cache?

I'd go with the 3400+ personally.

-Kabob

 

[RussianSensation]

I'd go for the Newcastle 3400+

A64 3400+ @ 2.4ghz 512kb cache - $279
DFI LanParty NForce 3 250 - $130 - this should become available shortly (if not search www.pricewatch.com and i am sure something like GameVE.com will have it)
As for the ram, I think this is a good but cheap alternative:
Kingmax Hardcore PC4000 - $100 x 2 (total of 1 gig)
If you are hesitant about the RAM, here is a review: Kingmax Hardcore Review
Now the timings arent as great as OCZ Gold PC3700 or Crucial Ballistix PC3200 or Geil Ultra X PC3200 or OCZ Platinum Edition PC3200 rev. 2 but each 512mb costs $50 less and offers plenty of overclocking room.
Think of it like this, for close to $80-100 less than those other Rams you can invest that money towards a faster videocard like from 6800GT to X800xt
EVGA 6800GT - $390

These are pretty much the basics. I'd keep just 1 74 gig raptor HDD unless you use need more space.
Also that power supply is overkill in my mind. You can get Antec TruePower 480 for $85 or Enermax Noisetaker 470 with individual 12 V rails for $80 or if you really want to go hardcore, then OCZ 520 - $130 fits the bill. This OCZ power supply was used to set the overclocking world record for a Prescott CPU to get to 6000mhz last weekend. So you know it's not bad.

Get Audigy 2 or even Audigy 2 ZS sound card instead of Audigy 1.
Get 16X Pioneer or NEC DVD-Writer if you plan on burning DVDs.

 

[Kabob]

Here's a BFG 6800 GT for $350. Pre overclocked too. That Kingmax RAM looks pretty nice too...I may buy some (need RAM to finish up my system)

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-156-012&depa=0

-Kabob

 

[S0Y73NTGR33N]

My setup works awesome, plus my mobo has an optical output option and runs 7.1 channels of surround sound. Good for scary ass monsters who sneak up behind you. It runs doom great and every other game I've tried I can max out.

Amd64 3400+
ASUS K8V SE Deluxe w/ 1 GB RAM
Abit Radeon R9600xt-Vio
Samsung 712n
Maxtor 160gig SATA

btw mwave.com has great deals.

 

[TwoBills]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation



Also that power supply is overkill in my mind. You can get Antec TruePower 480 for $85 or Enermax Noisetaker 470 with individual 12 V rails for $80 or if you really want to go hardcore, then OCZ 520 - $130 fits the bill. This OCZ power supply was used to set the overclocking world record for a Prescott CPU to get to 6000mhz last weekend. So you know it's not bad.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those particular Antec and Enermax models are both a little light on the 12v rails. The OCZ and the Turbo cool both have strong rails, but jeez, the cost. Doesn't make any sense to me. I know nobody wants to hear about a $59 350w psu that will do the job just fine, so I'll have to recommend an Enermax 460 Whisper 2. Strong rails and a reasonable price ($75 NE).

 

[effee]

Hmm..I'd get a socket 939 just for its upgradability, there will be an FX-55 and a 4000+ available on it, not too sure about its availability for the 754.

Anyway, like someone said, steer CLEAR away from the MSI board, get either the Asus K8V (VIA K8T800) or the K8N (nForce3 250gb)

 

[Kabob]

I'd go with the Asus K8N-E Deluxe. K8V has no AGP/PCI lock on it, something you'd probably want if you ever planned on overclocking.

-Kabob