Make me a computer...

bobsmith1492

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2004
3,875
3
81
Ok, so let's say I have about $850 I want to spend on a new desktop. My main goal is to be able to play Oblivion at 1680x1050 as I already have a monitor at that resolution and my laptop's 9700 mobility (basically 9600 pro) just isn't cutting it.

I like to overclock and have several (legit) copies of XP already.

Where to begin?? "Wait for Conroe" doesn't help much, either.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Ok, so let's say I have about $850 I want to spend on a new desktop. My main goal is to be able to play Oblivion at 1680x1050 as I already have a monitor at that resolution and my laptop's 9700 mobility (basically 9600 pro) just isn't cutting it.

I like to overclock and have several (legit) copies of XP already.

Where to begin?? "Wait for Conroe" doesn't help much, either.


If you don't want to do the research throw yourself on the mercy of a local builder and have him build it or pay him for his time to research the components for you.
 

bobsmith1492

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2004
3,875
3
81
Well, I had ideas for a system and had it all planned out, but was wondering what someone else would come up with in the same situation. Otherwise, it's just "No, that PSU sucks... get x1900XTX crossfire instead... get a different this..." and it just isn't helpful.
 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
45
91
i will generalize -

wait for conroe
2GB ddr2
hdd space to your desire, get a good deal and one with a good warranty
either 7900gtx in sli or x1900xt in crossfire
m/b-whatever layout and features you like from a decent manf
psu - 500W good brand

seriously, you ask 20 people you will get 20 answers as to specifics, but this gernalization is the best you are going to get without a flame war
 
Jan 28, 2006
505
0
0
You're probably going to have a hard time getting a complete system for that kind of money that will run Oblivion at any kind of decent framerate at that resolution.

It's a mission impossible kind of thing.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
I have no idea if it will play Oblivion at 1680x1050 (I don't know anything about the game), but this is about the fastest thing you'll get for 850 shipped...

Antec Solution SLK3800B Black Steel ATX w/400W
$92.98
http://tinyurl.com/k8h3p

ASRock 775Dual-VSTA Socket T (LGA 775) VIA PT880 PRO ATX Intel Motherboard
$65.66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157092

Intel® Pentium® Processor 930 3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x2MB Cache, Dual Core Retail
$175.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80851

Corsair VS2GBKIT667D2 2GB Kit DDR2-667 PC2-5300 Value Select Memory Retail
$147.50
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-47

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive
$65.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101208-11

NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A
$34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058

MSI NX7900GT-T2D256E GeForce 7900 GT PCI Express 256MB DDR3 Video Card
$262.68
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...duct_Code=190082&AFFIL=pricewatch&NR=1


Total Price $844.70
 

Loop2kil

Platinum Member
Mar 28, 2004
2,605
21
81
Originally posted by: bamacre
I have no idea if it will play Oblivion at 1680x1050 (I don't know anything about the game), but this is about the fastest thing you'll get for 850 shipped...

Antec Solution SLK3800B Black Steel ATX w/400W
$92.98
http://tinyurl.com/k8h3p

ASRock 775Dual-VSTA Socket T (LGA 775) VIA PT880 PRO ATX Intel Motherboard
$65.66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157092

Intel® Pentium® Processor 930 3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x2MB Cache, Dual Core Retail
$175.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80851

Corsair VS2GBKIT667D2 2GB Kit DDR2-667 PC2-5300 Value Select Memory Retail
$147.50
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-47

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive
$65.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101208-11

NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A
$34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058

MSI NX7900GT-T2D256E GeForce 7900 GT PCI Express 256MB DDR3 Video Card
$259.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321982

Total Price $842.02


Very nice and well thought out post for the OP
 
Oct 4, 2004
10,515
6
81
Very good suggestion by bamacre
OP better thank him.

One suggestion: I would scrap the $175 Intel 930 and stick in an Intel 805. That would save about $70, I think.
Newegg has a Sapphire Radeon X1900XT for $355 ($325 after MIR). The X1900XT would make Oblivion (and gaming in general) a lot better than the better CPU. A 400W Antec should handle an X1900XT with no problems, right?

I would still say wait for Conroe, though. That or the Intel 8xx/9xx and AMD Athlon64 price drop 2 weeks from now. Actually, wait for them both - it's the smartest thing to do.
 

Skeeedunt

Platinum Member
Oct 7, 2005
2,777
3
76
bamacre's rig is pretty solid. Playing oblivion at 1680x1050... isn't easy. Don't expect miracle FPS out a system at this price point.

Also, wait for Conroe.
 

GimpyFuzznut

Senior member
Sep 2, 2002
347
0
0
You need to wait for Core 2 not because you should go out and buy one but because there are going to be crazy price cuts on everything that's available right now in both AMD and Intel camps. So considering you are limited to $850, waiting a mere few weeks could get you WAY more bang for your buck.
 

Noubourne

Senior member
Dec 15, 2003
751
0
76
**wiggles nose** ~~genie nose-wiggle sound~~

POOF! Now you're a computer.

What is your next wish, master?
 

Patarico828

Junior Member
Jul 1, 2006
20
0
0
CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update
SONY 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DWQ120AB2 - OEM
Model #: DWQ120AB2
Item #: N82E16827131031
$35.99 $35.99
ATX Computer Cases
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: VA3000BWA
Item #: N82E16811133132
Remove item from Cart Remove Save Save Move To Wish List
$115.99 -$6.00 Instant
$109.99
Internal Hard Drives
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3120827AS 120GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3120827AS
Item #: N82E16822148039
Remove item from Cart Remove Save Save Move To Wish List
$56.99 $56.99
AMD-compatible Motherboards
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update
Open Box: ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard - OEM
Model #: A8N32-SLI Deluxe
Item #: N82E16813131568R
** This item is an open box item, and bears a limited 15-day return policy through Newegg.com
Remove item from Cart Remove Save Save Move To Wish List
$132.99 $132.99
Memory - System
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 400 (PC2 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model KVR400D2N3K2/1G - Retail
Model #: KVR400D2N3K2/1G
Item #: N82E16820144166
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only. what's this?
Remove item from Cart Remove Save Save Move To Wish List
$85.99 $85.99
Combo
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N554-AX
Item #: N82E16814130017

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
Remove Remove
$274.98 -$10.00 Combo
-$10.00 Instant $254.98
ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: ELT500AWT
Item #: N82E16817194003

Combo
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3800CNBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3800CNBOX
Item #: N82E16819103631
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only. what's this?
Remove Remove
$245.98 -$30.00 Combo
$215.98
COOLMAX CT-550 SILVER ATX 550W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CT-550 SILVER
Item #: N82E16817159010

toatl equals 892 SORRY IM TO LAZY TO LINK
 

imported_fx

Senior member
Feb 4, 2006
290
0
0
Conroe E6300-$183
Conroe P965-$120
G.Skill 2GB-$160
WD 160gb HD-$65
Centurion 5-$50
Forton 450watts-$52
SATA DVD Burner-$35
7900gt-$285

$901.. While you're waiting for conroe, try to save up at least 1k.