How's this for a gaming comp? (on a budget)

[Azndude51]

Good choice with the mouse, i love my mx510. why do you still have 2 hard drives though?

 

[Avalon]

You guys are 12V amperage freaks
Remember, he's only building a basic system that he'll be overclocking.
He's not going to be running 6-8 fans, 6 optical drives, LEDs, cold cathodes, and a phase changed A64 overclocked to 3.2ghz, now is he?

If he goes with the 6600GT, keeps both hard drives and optical drives, and goes with overclocking a winchester 3200+ on air cooling...he's not going to need high amps. Granted, there's no harm in having them at all, but those of you recommending 25-30 amps for his 12V line on his PSU are going way overkill.
I've got a system similar to what his will be, except instead of a winchester, i've got a mobile barton at 2.4, and instead of a 6600GT, i've got a 9700 pro. I'm using an Enlight 420W 18A @ 12V PSU. I've used 3 of these PSUs so far, and they do the job just fine. I was able to overclock most of my mobile bartons to 2.6, but couldn't keep them stable due to heat issues (only have a TT Volcano 7+). My lines were always rock solid. Now, I'm not trying to recommend my PSU for him. I like his current choice much better. I just wanted to comment on the overkill of amperage I so often see. The Antec True430 that he has right now will be great for him.


*Edit*
BTW, just out of curiousity. What quality PSU's right now have detachable power leads? I'm looking to get a new PSU when I do an overhaul on my rig in January, and I don't want to have nightmares over all the dangling extra leads that never get put to use, like in my current situation (kills my airflow, not many places to wrap them to).

 

[Omizzle]

Originally posted by: Azndude51
Good choice with the mouse, i love my mx510. why do you still have 2 hard drives though?

Well, I think I was spoiled by my first computer (the one I'm using now). It has a 15 gig and a 40 gig. I use the 15 gig for system things. I use the 40 for games, movies, music, apps, etc. That way, if one drive burns out, I wont lose EVERYTHING.

 

[Andres3605]

dont buy hl2 get it thru steam you woud save the pain of inserting the cd every time

 

[Omizzle]

Originally posted by: Andres3605
dont buy hl2 get it thru steam you woud save the pain of inserting the cd every time

er...whatever. Anyway, I see you have a Thermaltake 480. I was considering getting that PSU. Is it reliable? noisy? tell me about it

 

[Kabob]

As stated many times before, steer clear of Thermaltake PSU's. Really, spend a few bucks more and get an Enermax. It is only 350 watts, but that should dish out plenty of power. (the key is QUALITY!!)

Also, one thing to note, Avalon is running his system fine with that Enlight PSU, but a mobile processor uses less juice, as does the 9700 Pro. I have heard that Winchesters suck up a good bit of power, and you don't want to starve it.

Don't do what I did and buy a cheapo PSU, because you'll regret it Now I've got to buy ANOTHER one!!

P.S. I'd buy HL2 through Steam too, unless you really want to play offline...It really will save you alot of hassle!

 

[Avalon]

I'd think the 9700 pro and 6600GT would be fairly close in power comsumption. That was my premises anyway. I'm definitely not recommending he get an 18A 12v line PSU, please understand that
I just think it's silly that a few people think he needs something in the upper 20s, lower 30s range in amps for a 12V line, when 22A would do him perfectly. I think the Tru430 is 20A, and even that should be plenty.

 

[cremator]

To the OP, you can save 27$ by ditching the Asus Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DVD-E616P1 Black, Retail. The DVD burner will burn regular CD-R's and play DVDs. Just a quick little save.

 

[Kabob]

Wow, now I'd say save up for an X800 XL video card. Looks comparable to the 6800 GT but $50 less

 

[Omizzle]

Just a few more questions:
--Is the stock CPU fan good for OCing? My friend said there is a CPU fan that like $18 that would spin turbo or something like that
--Is the PSU ive picked out ok?

 

[NautikaL 8]

stock anything sucks. period.

 

[Omizzle]

Also, whats the best RAM if I want to OC? nothing over 160 please

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: NautikaL 8
stock anything sucks. period.

...what are you talking about. The only "stock" things in his computer that he'd want to replace would be the HS/F and maybe the thermal compound. What else comes "stock" anyways?? Except for maybe the "stock" PSU that comes in his case, usually when you buy a component there not much to replace.

I suppose that PSU will probably hold you...maybe. Might want to get more juice on that baby though. I really think that 350w Enermax might be a better bet, but then again what do I know...I dunno, what does everyone else think??

You're not going to find "good" Ram for overclocking for under $160...It just doesn't work that well. You could always run your RAM at a non 1:1 ratio. I guess that's up to you though. Performance ram is the way to go if you plan on overclocking though.

Finally, you really ought to get rid of that Maxtor HD. If you need that much storage, then buy a bigger drive...

 

[Omizzle]

Once I put thermal paste on it, Can I take it off and put a new kind on later?

 

[NautikaL 8]

dude. get a seagate 7200.7 120 or 160 gb drive. sata II ncq = FAST. and seagate makes some of the quietest drives.

Kabob: i mean stuff like...stock settings...stock heatsinks...stock paste...
just basically anything un modded . only things that dont fall in this catagory are any drives and pci cards... psu's are "ok" not modded.

you really dont think im THAT stupid do you?

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: NautikaL 8
you really dont think im THAT stupid do you?

Of course I do jk

 

[jterrell]

I'd go with the 75.50 530 watt FORTRON PSU. They are underrated as per wattage on each rail.

Nf4 board will range from 120-250 bucks depending on if you go SLI or basic. My guess is the ones with all the featues EXCEPT SLI will be about 150. Thats what I am planning on getting.

 

[Kabob]

If you're interested (although I'd probably stick with what you've got) the Leadtek 6600 GT is under $200 now at newegg.

 

[Omizzle]

^^ah, but its pci-e