Gaming PC around 1.5k?

Caly · Feb 24, 2006

This is an upgrade- monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. not needed.

Cooler Master CAV-T03UW Cavalier $61.78
PS 520W - OCZ ModStream ATX 2.01 Power Su $99.82
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI Audio/GB- $159.68
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 512K 90nm Rev. E Veni $173.89
DDR (400) 3200 - 2 GB DDR (2 pcs 1GB) OCZ $184.66
SATA3G - Western Digital Caviar SE 160 GB $88.71
BENQ DW1640 16X DVD±RW DL (Black $51.85
Lite-On SOHC-5236K 52x32x52x16 DV $41.00
Sony 1.44MB 3.5" (Black) Floppy Drive $19.66
Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 24-Bit $113.62
eVGA GeForce 7800 GT CO 256MB DDR3/PCI-E/ $333.99
Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/Servi $165.72

Bobthelost · Feb 24, 2006

Why the SLI board, think about saving a bit of cash on that there. A8N E is fairly good if you like Asus, otherwise DFI is top notch.

Also if it's for gaming alone then ditch the XFI, that money would be better spent elsewhere.

Looks rather weak for a 1.5k build.

keeleysam · Feb 24, 2006

Get an Epox 9NPA+Ultra Motherboard.

Take the money you saved there, and upgrade the CPU to a 3700+ San Diego.

Oh, WTF are you doing spending 20 bucks on a floppy?

Also, get an Antec 550W ATX2.0 PSU. It's like 10 bucks less than the one you have picked out, and a bit better.

Lastly, unless you need Remote Desktop or Group Policies, get XP Home.

imported_electron · Feb 24, 2006

Yeah, I would change all that for what's in my sig.....Oh wait I did!

TheRyuu · Feb 24, 2006

If your going to go for an SLI board then get the A8N-SLI Premium or the DFI one (forgot the model #)

Caly · Feb 24, 2006

Is there a similar already-built DELL in the same price range?

jlbenedict · Feb 24, 2006

lets see...

Power supply.. get rid of that.. cut that price in half by going with the Forton 450W power supply..
Motherboard.. as others have stated.. there are quality motherboards way under that price range..

With those savings.. get a dual core X2 3800+

You do not need two optical drives
You can drop one of those, and add it to the hard drive purchase to get a bigger hard drive.. such as the 250GB version of the Western Digital that you are initially going to go with..

Sound card.. you could probably go cheaper.. hell.. I bet an Audigy 2ZS would do just fine.. and be under $100

Cooler · Feb 24, 2006

if you have exta $100 get a 3800 X2 for dual core goodness.

xtknight · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: Caly
Is there a similar already-built DELL in the same price range?

We can't have you go over to the dark side.

Let me see if I can select some components for $1500. First: are you going to be overclocking?

Dman877 · Feb 24, 2006

There's enough fat to cut from that build to easily upgrade to a X1900XT. The soundcard, mobo, floppy, and dual opticals (unless you do a lot of copying) should be re-evaluated.

Caly · Feb 24, 2006

No overclocking.

Just want something decent for now with upgrade paths for future.

Stumben2 · Feb 24, 2006

Is a floppy drive even needed these days?

Cooler · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: Stumben2
Is a floppy drive even needed these days?

My raptor needed a flopy for drivers =p

Caly · Feb 24, 2006

This PC is not for me (I like my rig as it is atm), I'm helping my BF upgrade by doing the research and then he'll buy.

(I had researched/bought him his last PC a few years ago)

Since his old build was AGP I wanted to be sure to get PCI and to get SLI in case he wants to go that route in the future.
He has a 160 GB HD and has lots of space available. He doesn't keep saved games around long so he always has plenty of room and that's why I was just going for another 160GB HD instead of something larger.

He has really nice speakers already, so he wants a decent new soundcard, and does occasionally watch DVDs on his PC.

I will cut out one DVD drive and look at the A8N-SLI Premium MB and the DFI LanParty, thanks.

The reason I was wondering about a similar DELL is because they sometimes have insane deals with a great monitor that's bundled in. He has a 19in LCD and if could find a larger bargain he'd be pleased.

jlbenedict · Feb 24, 2006

Newegg has an Audigy 2ZS for $69
I think I'm going to pick up one as well.
This soundcard is more than decent, and would do well with your BF watching movies on the PC

xtknight · Feb 24, 2006

Non-OC (fast at default) $1500 Gaming PC (Newegg):

(Prices listed are after any instant rebates)

$59.99 - COOLER MASTER CAVALIER 3 CAV-T03-UW

$49.99 - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN

(support for X2 3800+ since BIOS 1007)
$96.99 - ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

$297.00 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+

$163.44 - pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB)

(Maxtor DiamondMax 10/MaxLine III not chosen because it has nForce 4 compatibility issues)
$96.00 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

(do you need 2 DVD drives?)
$38.99 - NEC Black 16X DL DVD Burner

$7.99 - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive

$121.99 - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic

$434.00 - eVGA 256-P2-N527-AX Geforce 7800GTX

(may want to read-up on OEM/motherboard switching dilemmas)
$87.95 - Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM

---Subtotal: $1,454.33
---Shipping (UPS 3 Day; may vary per zip code): $54.51
---Gift Certificates: $0.00
Total: $1,508.84

(As of 02/24/06 1:55 PM EST)

Wish list saved here: Newegg Wish List

Edit: fixed graphics card link, spelling error, more specific on shipping, and added date/time of price.

jlbenedict · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: xtknight
Non-OC (fast at default) $1500 Gaming PC (Newegg):

(Prices listed are after any instant rebates)

$59.99 - COOLER MASTER CAVALIER 3 CAV-T03-UW

$49.99 - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN

(support for X2 3800+ since BIOS 1007)
$96.99 - ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

$297.00 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+

$163.44 - pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB)

(Maxtor DiamondMax 10/MaxLine III not chosen because it has nForce 4 compatibility issues)
$96.00 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

(do you need 2 DVD drives?)
$38.99 - NEC Black 16X DL DVD Burner

$7.99 - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive

$121.99 - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic

$434.00 - eVGA 256-P2-N527-AX Geforce 7800GTX

(may want to read-up on OEM/motherboard switching dillemas)
$87.95 - Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM

---Subtotal: $1,454.33
---Shipping: $54.51
---Gift Certificates: $0.00
Total: $1,508.84

Wish list saved here: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=1917461&WishListTitle=xtk1500gamingpc%2D1">https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion......&WishListTitle=xtk1500gamingpc%2D1</a>

There is a winner right here..

Oh.. XTNIGHT.. check that link on the eVGA 7800GTX card you have listed.. you have the link pointed to the 160GB Western Digital hard drive..

xtknight · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
There is a winner right here..

Oh.. XTNIGHT.. check that link on the eVGA 7800GTX card you have listed.. you have the link pointed to the 160GB Western Digital hard drive..

Oops...thanks for catching that...fixed.

jlbenedict · Feb 24, 2006

This rig proposed is as solid as you can get for $1500

robertk2012 · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: xtknight
Non-OC (fast at default) $1500 Gaming PC (Newegg):

(Prices listed are after any instant rebates)

$59.99 - COOLER MASTER CAVALIER 3 CAV-T03-UW

$49.99 - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN

(support for X2 3800+ since BIOS 1007)
$96.99 - ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

$297.00 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+

$163.44 - pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB)

(Maxtor DiamondMax 10/MaxLine III not chosen because it has nForce 4 compatibility issues)
$96.00 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

(do you need 2 DVD drives?)
$38.99 - NEC Black 16X DL DVD Burner

$7.99 - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive

$121.99 - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic

$434.00 - eVGA 256-P2-N527-AX Geforce 7800GTX

(may want to read-up on OEM/motherboard switching dilemmas)
$87.95 - Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM

---Subtotal: $1,454.33
---Shipping (UPS 3 Day; may vary per zip code): $54.51
---Gift Certificates: $0.00
Total: $1,508.84

(As of 02/24/06 1:55 PM EST)

Wish list saved here: Newegg Wish List

Edit: fixed graphics card link, spelling error, more specific on shipping, and added date/time of price.

Maxtor DiamondMax 10/MaxLine III compatibility has been fixed.
I might would recommend a bigger PSU but probably not needed with this config.
Also I would go with the 1900xt. At least with the evga you can step up to the 7900 when it released in march.

xtknight · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: robertk2012
Maxtor DiamondMax 10/MaxLine III compatibility has been fixed.

Not for me. I have an A8N-SLI Deluxe with latest BIOS, and my PC will only detect the DM10 250GB in every 2 start-ups or so. If you reboot a lot, this can be very frustrating, but fortunately I don't. Also Maximum PC reported the same problems with new Diamond Max 11 drives and counted that against it in their rating.

robertk2012 · Feb 24, 2006

There was an update released by maxtor about a week ago that I thought solved all of these problems. Maybe it was other issues.

xtknight · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: robertk2012
There was an update released by maxtor about a week ago that I thought solved all of these problems. Maybe it was other issues.

You are probably speaking of a firmware update, which has actually been around for months. I just don't want to risk my drive by changing its firmware. I'd appreciate it if you had a link to the news though. I also have the Western Digital 250 GB WD2500KS SATA and it is still a great drive, albeit just a tad slower.

Bobthelost · Feb 24, 2006

Wouldn't a single core 3800 perform better for gaming than the 3800X2 on non SMP games, and even for SMP ones turn out a very respectable performance? Also allowing the OP to sidestep the still present (if non life threatening) dual core problems?

xtknight · Feb 24, 2006

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Wouldn't a single core 3800 perform better for gaming than the 3800X2 on non SMP games, and even for SMP ones turn out a very respectable performance? Also allowing the OP to sidestep the still present (if non life threatening) dual core problems?

These days games are primarily GPU-limited. The dual-core 3800+ X2 CPU (same arch; operates at 2.0 GHz) has twice the L1/L2 cache as the single-core 3800+ (2.4 GHz). That may help cancel out the difference but I'm not certain if only the dual-core can access that secondary half of cache. Regardless, given that games focus on the GPU more, and that the amount of SMP-aware applications is growing, the dual-core 2.0 GHz is the best balance at this point. Most of the issues are solved by:

Using the correct motherboard BIOS
Installing hotfix
Installing A64 dual core driver
Limiting affinity to 0x1 for the few select apps that are impacted negatively by dual-core

Gaming PC around 1.5k?

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