help with components for first real bulid

[forbin]

first time, long time as they say.

im building a new computer, which will be used primarily for gaming and watching dvds. i want to cut costs, but not to the point where im buying inferior components. im looking at the following:

a64 3200+ 90nm link

powercolor x800xl link

Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 motherboard link


desktop (htpc) case cooler master
im pretty open about the case. i kinda want a desktop case so that i can put it on the av rack under my tv. anyone have any good suggestions ? how about the small form factor gaming boxes? im kind of clueless in this area. im willing to spend 100$ on case/ps combo.

im not sure about ram, i want 1gb though, whats a good match with what i have above (pc3200 ?)

200gb seagate sata hd link

16x NEC dvd+r link

i figure i'll stay with the onboard audio at first and see how i like it. I have klipsh 5.1ultra speakers

another thing is that i will be playing all games on a max resolution of 1280x720 so i think the 800xl will hold up pretty well and play games thru next xmas at maxed out settings. most importantly, im pretty sure it will do battlefield 2 with max details and 8x16x at 1280x720. i like the VIVO in the powercolor card, but i may hop on the compusa business deal to get an ATI one and save about 70$, i dont have a video camera yet anyway.

basically im looking for suggestions on mobo, ram, and a sleek looking case. i know you are the guys to ask, and i am very grateful for any input. i'd like to spend <130 on mobo, same on RAM, and <100 on case.

 

[ribbon13]

$116 2x Corsair VS512MB400

 

[forbin]

thanks for the advice. your 2800 posts make me inclined to trust you i appreciate it

 

[ribbon13]

I would get an evercase + seasonic ST400 (very silent combo) but that would be $120
Seasonic ST400
Evercool 120mm
Evercase E4252BB-53

 

[Sqube]

Drop the Athlon to 3000+? I don't know how much money that would save you, but you could always overclock it.

 

[DanDaMan315]

I would just get the built by ATI x800xl.

 

[forbin]

for some reason newegg doesnt have a retail 3000+ 939 listed, but the difference between the oem 939's is only ~25$, so i figured i would kick down the extra 25 for the peace of mind. i understand where youre coming from though

 

[ribbon13]

Save yourself a buck on the cpu
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80701-2

or $37
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-2

 

[forbin]

Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
I would just get the built by ATI x800xl.

yea that might be a good idea. if i can get one for 275 that would be about 80$ saved, i could always buy a capture card in the future, or get a camera with firewire. its just good to see the x800xl at retail price, at 275 it is a steal.

 

[forbin]

thanks for the links, at almost 40$ it is sounding a little better

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Save yourself a buck on the cpu
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80701-2

or $37
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-2

 

[forbin]

how much does xp home cost if you buy a mobo and cpu from newegg ? i cant find a link.

also, does anyone have any experience with windows mce ? ive heard good things, but does it do everything xp does in terms of normal applications such as games. anyone know the price on it when buying a computer ?


so far it looks like i can squeeze in under 1050$ :

2x Corsair VS512MB400 $116
a643000+ $153
Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 $116
seagate 200gb sata $123
x800xl $275-300
16x dvdr $61
case/psu $100
windows $80 ?

is this mobo a POS ? im not a big over clocker but i would like the option in the future

anyone with a good idea for a horizontal case or a cube ? i would really prefer not to get a tower. also, how many watts am i going to need to juice that x800xl, 2 satas hd's and another gig of ram when i upgrade ? am i going to need more than 350W ?

 

[ribbon13]

That mobo gets good reviews from the people I know with it.

 

[forbin]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
That mobo gets good reviews from the people I know with it.

awesome, i just wanted to make sure i wasnt being too cheap on the mobo.

 

[nick1985]

i would get a 6800GT, you are paying almost what it costs for a 6800GT for that x800XL. granted, the 6800GT is only the slightly better card, it is still overall a better card. however, if you found the x800xl for under 300, then i would spring on it

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

microsoft OS products at newegg

I've only used xp home and xp pro... don't know about media center edition.

I was looking for some HTPC cases a while ago too but didn't find any I liked so I'm going to wait a while until I actually want to build one and see what's available.

The HTPC area of AVSforum might be a good place to check out case recommendations.

 

[forbin]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
microsoft OS products at newegg

I've only used xp home and xp pro... don't know about media center edition.

I was looking for some HTPC cases a while ago too but didn't find any I liked so I'm going to wait a while until I actually want to build one and see what's available.

The HTPC area of AVSforum might be a good place to check out case recommendations..

thanks man, so 90$ for home and 131 for MCE. im tempted, very tempted. i think you get a remote with mce too, thats all i need

definitely a good call on the avs htpc forum, im a member and there is sooo much information over there, its my other favorite tech forum. ive been reading that forum almost ever day since last summer when i got my 50" samsung hdtv. adding the badass cpu is the final piece of the htpc puzzle, i cant wait to see how far cry and hl2 look maxed out. (i have a lowly gforce 4200go in a laptop now, cant even run bf42 tricked out)

while over at avs the other day i found this case which people were raving about, it looks sweet but its only 300W power supply Antec Lifestyle ARIA MicroATX Cube for 95$

paired with a MSI "RS480M2-IL microATX 939 ">http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-485&depa=1</a> for 91$

is 300W not enough for the x800xl. its min requirements are stated as 350W, which is confusing because i thought it was supposed to use less power due to smaller chip than the x800pro and xt, which are listed on newegg as requiring 300W power supply. the last thing i want is power issues, ive heard they are really frustrating

 

[forbin]

^ up

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Antec makes some pretty high quality powersupplies.

I think you should probably be alright with only running 1 hard drive, 1 optical drive, and you're not overclocking anything.

I think the powersupplies that come in small form factor PCs tend to be pretty nice for their given wattage.

 

[forbin]

ok just got back from vacation, so its time for me to put my order in.

if i buy cpu, mobo, and ram from monarch i get a good deal, plus HL2, Far Cry and 4 months Napster trial for 415$

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512K 90nm (939) retail 156$
DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) OCZ 112$
DFI Lan Party UT NForce4 Ultra-D Audio/GB $149

I also will be getting the following:
Seagate 160GB Barracuda 7200RPM 8MB Cache SATA 129$
NEC ND-3520A/GNB 16X Dual Layer DVD±RW (Black) (OEM) 64$
windows xp home 93$
SilverStone Lascala SST-LC13-B HTPC Case, Black

looking for a good power supply in the 400W range for around 80$. i think i saw an antec one for 76$ which i may get

where is the best place for me to pick up an x800xl online for under 300$ now, i'd either want a built by ati one or a vivo one


i was going to go with the gigabyte ga-k8nf but i figured the DFI lanparty would be better if i wanted to OC my cpu down the road. only a 34$ difference and ive heard good things about DFI.

also, how are the thermaltake A-1770 heat sink fans , would it be good for keeping the 3000+ cool if i bumped up the speed, as oposed to the retail stock HSF ?


thanks

 

[mcjimbo]

Get the ATI video card from Compusa:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=318335

 

[forbin]

i just bought the x800xl at compusa for 300+tax. the guy tried to sell me on a 2 yr warranty for 45, which i declined. he then offered to drop the card to 280 if i bought the 45$ plan, which is a good deal, but i decided not to get the warranty. heads up to the people who are gonna buy this card and want a compusa warranty