Mid level gaming rig...any advice

[longaadoc]

Hi all,

My first post on this forum. I am planning to build a mid level gaming computer for the first time ever. I have average level of knowledge about computer hardwares. This is my first ever attempt at building a gaming rig. I am doing it for the experience and it comes out cheaper this way.

My budget is about 1100-1000$ and I hope to OC the system in the future (but not now as I think this will play all games without OCing).

I mainly play real-time streatgy games like Age of Empires and hope to play starcraft 2 on this rig flawlessly.

Here is the configuration:

E8400 wofldale - 200$
G-Skill 4 GB DDR2 1000 RAM -- 90$
Antec Earthwatt 430W PSU - 35$ after MIR
NZXT case (45$ after MIR) or Antec one case (35$ after MIR)
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L - 90$
EVGA 8800GT 512MB - 160$
Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM OEM (90$ from newegg) or Segate Barracuda 500GB 7200.10 OEM (77$ from zipzoomfly.com)
Samsung optical drive - 27$
Logitech G11 keyboard - 59$

Parts I already have:
Logitech G9 mouse
Speakers
Windows vista home premium 32bit (will get 64 bit later)

Questions I have:
1) Do I need CPU fan if I am not planning to OC in near future?
2) Will this PSU be enough to run this system?
3) Will the RAM be compatible with this mobo and cpu?
4) What will be a good monitor at about 200$ price range (to keep total rig at about 1100$)?

Any other suggestions are really appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[j0j081]

The build you have there is almost exactly what I would have recommended if you didn't list anything. You may want a slightly larger psu just in case you upgrade your video card down the road. I do think the 8800gt will run on 430 watts as my 9600gt does easily but anything more than that would be pushing it. The ram is fine, you might want to get a cheap cooler for the cpu. I use the Arctic Cooler 7 and it is amazing for the ~20 it cost. Keeps my ocd cpu at around 30 C idle and is barely noticeable noise wise. As for the lcd if you aren't picky I would suggest waiting to see a good deal on a 22 inch at Best Buy or soemthing. You could pick one up for around $250. It would be a waste to only have a 19 on a system like that.

If you need to cut some money off to make the changes I said ditch the g11 keyboard and get the cheaper hdd or a smaller one altogether.

 

[longaadoc]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking of arctic cooler 7 too. I was not sure if I should buy it now (i.e. I must have it) or I can buy it later when I decide to OC the system.

I already have 500GB external HDD to store my music, photos and other stuff. So I guess I can go for smaller HDD. I don't know what is the minimum size HDD I need to install Vista 64 bit and run it smoothly along with other games.

Do you think, 8800GT will be able to handle the full resolution of 22" monitor? (especially considering that I play RTS games and have lot of 3D units on the screens and have big battles which are GPU intensive).

For gaming, is widescreen monitor better or worse? Any experience?

 

[j0j081]

I would just get the AC7 now so you don't have to install the cpu twice, it really doesn't add too much price wise for how good it is. Sometimes newegg has it on sale in combo deals with cpus for much cheaper but probably not right now else I'm sure you would have noticed. The 8800gt should easily be able to power MOST games at 1680x1050. Maybe you can look up the exact games and how they perform at that res. Even if you have to lower the res or settings a bit in one game it won't be the end of the world, the ton of extra space you get on a 22 will be worth it for everything else. As for ws gaming most people love it once they get started. A 4:3 monitor feels so cramped in comparison.

 

[chinaman1472]

Pretty solid build.
The 8800GT might struggle a bit on a 22" with newer RTS games coming out in the future but it's tough to say how much and based on what detail settings. It should handle anything currently without too much trouble. If you're getting eVGA's, consider the step up program that lasts for 90 days if you find yourself without enough power.

Get a 500GB hard drive. Once you start getting a smaller one, you're really overpaying (like $60-70 for 250)

Get the AC7 now. It's a pain in the ass putting in the heatsink a second time.

 

[imported_wired247]

I usually prefer to get beefier PSUs in case you decide to upgrade the video card later. Makes things easier.

 

[PClark99]

Deep six that PSU.

Get something like a Corsair HX520.

I would spend a couple extra bucks and get an 8800GTS G92. Its worth it for the extra power and for the better cooler that exhausts the heat out of the rear of the case.

 

[longaadoc]

I will consider changing the PSU and possibly upgrade to 8800GTS G92 if I find a good deal.

I just read that G-skill DDR2 1000 RAM has problems with this mobo....is it true? Should I just buy DDR2 800? How much of a performance difference between 800 and 1000? And finally, if DDR2 800 is ok, any good DDR2 800 RAM you guys will recommend that can be OCed nicely in the future?

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: longaadoc
I will consider changing the PSU and possibly upgrade to 8800GTS G92 if I find a good deal.

I just read that G-skill DDR2 1000 RAM has problems with this mobo....is it true? Should I just buy DDR2 800? How much of a performance difference between 800 and 1000? And finally, if DDR2 800 is ok, any good DDR2 800 RAM you guys will recommend that can be OCed nicely in the future?

where did you read that?

 

[TidusZ]

An 8800GT will most definitely run any current or upcoming rts (including starcraft 2) perfectly well at max resolution on a 22" lcd. I've ran my 8800GT stock and overclocked in Supreme Commander at 1920x1200 and nearly max details with smooth frames. Any slowdown was caused by the cpu (e4300 @3.2).

Played a bunch of other fps and such and the only one I can't run at 1920x1200 on high is crysis, but its more than playable at 1680x1050 and medium settings.