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Mid-range gaming PC config: need advice!

L

Leshtricity

Junior Member
Hey folks! So, I think I've got the rig planned out. I've only built a few computers before, but I just want to get some input from some more knowledgeable folks about any compatibility issues or hardware problems I might run into. As far as I know, everything should 'fit'.

I'm getting an SLI mobo, but only one GPU for the moment. I like having the option of buying the same card down the road once the price comes down to get a bigger boost.

Any and ALL comments/recommendations are most certainly welcome and appreciated! 🙂


Case: RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W PSU
Mobo: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Windsor 2.8GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor
GPU: XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
OpSys: Vista 64-Bit Home Prem.

Again, any input whatsoever is welcome! This all worked out to be very affordable- I just want to make sure it's going to work!

Thank folks! <3

Edit: I don't really plan on O/C either. I'm afraid I'd fry something!
 
Thanks for the reply!

So, with the SLI-capable motherboard, am I paying extra for that? If I don't plan on using it, is it a waste?
And does anyone else have any input? As silly as it sounds, I just want to be able to play Warhammer Online (i'm in the beta) at max settings with 30+fps. The performance of the beta leaves a lot to be desired on my current setup (its pretty old). So any additional advice is certainly most welcome!
 
Dang, I like to think I have a mid-range gaming system with a single core A64 4000+ & x1950 pro... 🙂

Anyways, regards to SLI, if you're not running it with the fastest single slot cards available, it's better to not buy two, instead just get the faster single slot card, much better value. I'd personally save the $100 and get one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130123 but that's because I'm cheap. 😉 Save $100 on the motherboard, put that towards a better psu, or faster video card / cpu.

Of course the motherboard you want could all change depending on if you plan on overclocking.
 
Well, O/C is an option- but I'm not very knowledgeable about it, so until I read up, I would say it's not a high priority.

I'm still confused about what you said regarding the SLI. I don't plan on using it whatsoever. So you think I should get that mobo over the ASUS for that reason? That ASUS is only about $20 more than the MSI one you linked to.
 
There are a few different Asus boards out there, in your initial post you listed the M2N-SLI Deluxe. I'm going by Newegg's pricing, sounds like you priced out the regular M2N-SLI board.

Anyways, if you want the cheaper SLI board, go for it. Then you've got a 16x slot in case you ever find you want to use another pci-e card, be it 1x, 4x, or 8x, it'll fit in the second slot. Actually, don't quote me on that, I know the first 16x slot is a general purpose slot that fits everything, but I'm not positive how the second 16x slot gets used.
 
Originally posted by: Leshtricity
Edited the OP with specific...specifications.
Click to expand...

If you aren't going to OC I'd get the latest deal-of-the-moment Dell ($440 or so buys a QUAD CORE Dell.....), slap an 8800GT in there for $220 or so, slap in some more RAM for $50, and call it a day...it will work, someone else will guarantee it, and plus you'll get fast quad core out of the deal (and the 8800GT too, naturally...)

(Dell deal found in a variety of forums...)
 
Well, I've had a really bad experience with a Dell machine. I don't plan on giving them my business.

The specs I have up there though, is that a system that would work? Will I have trouble with Vista 64 recognizing the hardware? Is everything else compatible?
 
Then get it from HP...you'll pay 50% more for exactly the same thing, but you won't need to worry about hardware support, compatibility, or anything (it sounds like that's a concern.) Personally I'd just get it from Dell - $440-ish for *quad core* Q6600 @ 2.4 is impossible to beat.

The current sweet spot on the performance curve is owned by Intel, so I'm surprised at the interest in AMD.

With only 4GB, I question if it's worth the bother to jump to 64 bit Vista, but that's certainly a subjective thing....
 
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