Mid-Range Gaming Rig

[jdogg707]

So I have decided to come back to the wonderful world of PC's for my gaming needs, as my MacBook Pro handles everything else. I currently have a 24" LCD, so I won't need a monitor, and my Logitech Z-5500's will handle all audio playback. I will also be using an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and Logitech G7 Mouse that I already have.

I don't plan on doing any crazy overclocks, but if I could hit 3GHz I would be pretty happy around there. Like I said, this machine is simply for gaming, FPS, RTS, MMORPG, etc. I plan on running my copy of Windows Vista Business on the machine. I appreciate all your feedback!

System:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Retail Processor: $314.00

Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Motherboard: $129.99

G.Skill 2GB DDR2-800 (2 x 1GB) Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK) : $189.99

Western Digital 250GB 16MB Cache 7200RPM Hard Drive: $74.99

eVGA 8800GTS 640MB Superclocked PCIe Video Card (640-P2-N825-AR): $379.99 (AR)

Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card: $59.99 (AR)

Lite-On 20X DVD+/-RW DL DVD Burner: $33.99

Antec Sonata II Case w/450W PSU: $59.99 (AR)

Enermax Whisper II EG565P-VE FMA(24P) ATX12V Ver 2.0 535W Power Supply: $74.99

Scythe SCINF-1000 Heatsink/Fan Combo: $57.99

Sub-Total: $1,365.91

Suggestions Welcome!

 

[Boyo]

Everything looks nice except that I would change out that PSU once you place your order. Get a Corsair, or a Seasonic 500W.

 

[Roguestar]

Agreed, I don't like PSUs that come with cases. Get a Seasonic or Enermax. Good choices all around, though, except ask yourself if you really need an SLI motherboard...

 

[Tarrant64]

Everything looks good. Boyo is right, find a better power supply.

Things to note.

Drivers are still flaky with Vista. Double check and make sure you have working drivers for you Creative X-Fi sound card, and also check to make sure Nvidia has decent drivers with the 8800. I know it supports DX10 and all, but Nvidia will need some time to clean up their act with the problems they are having right now.


I just spend just about the same amount of cash as you for about the same setup. I have gone with a lower end graphics card waiting for DX10 cards to come out and down in price.

 

[crimson117]

Setup looks great. Tuniq Tower 120 is supposedly the best cooler on the market right now, for about the same price, but the scythe will also perform very well.

Only thing I'd change personally is the case. To me the Sonata II is a mismatch with your other high end components. I'd spend a little extra and get a PSU that will handle future upgrades like a second video card, and a bigger case that won't be as cramped (considering the large video card and large heatsink).

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: jdogg707
So I have decided to come back to the wonderful world of PC's for my gaming needs, as my MacBook Pro handles everything else. I currently have a 24" LCD, so I won't need a monitor, and my Logitech Z-5500's will handle all audio playback. I will also be using an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and Logitech G7 Mouse that I already have.

I don't plan on doing any crazy overclocks, but if I could hit 3GHz I would be pretty happy around there. Like I said, this machine is simply for gaming, FPS, RTS, MMORPG, etc. I plan on running my copy of Windows Vista Business on the machine. I appreciate all your feedback!

System:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Retail Processor: $314.00

Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Motherboard: $129.99

G.Skill 2GB DDR2800 (2 x 1GB) Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK) : $189.99

Western Digital 250GB 16MB Cache 7200RPM Hard Drive: $74.99

eVGA 8800GTS 320MB PCIe Video Card (320-P2-N811): $279.99 (AR)

Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card: $59.99 (AR)

Lite-On 20X DVD+/-RW DL DVD Burner: $33.99

Antec Sonata II Case w/450W PSU: $59.99 (AR)

Scythe SCINF-1000 Heatsink/Fan Combo: $57.99

Sub-Total: $1,190.92

Suggestions Welcome!

Downgrade your cpu to a e6400 and get a 640mb 8800gts. Prices should offset. A 320mb 8800 gts will choke bad on a 24inch monitor!(don't do it) You will still get a 3.0ghz overclock and have more gaming power.

Yes your power supply is weak too.

The tuniq tower is the best cooler for 50 bucks.

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: happy medium
Downgrade your cpu to a e6400 and get a 640mb 8800gts. Prices should offset. A 320mb 8800 gts will choke bad on a 24inch monitor!(don't do it) You will still get a 3.0ghz overclock and have more gaming power.

Good call. More video MB = handles higher res textures.

 

[jdogg707]

Revised. I would rather have the Tuniq Tower but finding it in stock has been a little difficult. As far as the motherboard, I am looking for a stable board that overclocks decently, not really looking to ever utilize SLI. I like the Sonata because it cools well and is quiet, my friend has one and he really enjoys his. Upon your recommendations I popped a different PSU in the mix which should handle everything nicely. Any other advice before I pull the trigger?

 

[happy medium]

I don't know much about that motherboard, but just make sure its quad core ready. Its a good idea for future upgrades . The rest looks great.

Edit : its quad core ready . Pull the TRIGGER!

here's a tuniq tower in stock

http://www.xoxide.com/tuniq-t-120-hsf.html

 

[lobbyone]

This is mid-range? shoot I wonder how low-range looks like

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: lobbyone
This is mid-range? shoot I wonder how low-range looks like

High end:

680i motherboard
quad core cpu
4gigs dominator ram
duel.... 8800gtx'
30 inch apple monitor
watercooler

5 grand or so?

low end when new games come out in 3 months

amd x2 cpu
1 gig corsair value select ram
any namebrand amd 80 dollar motherboard
7900gt or 1950gt video
19 inch crt monitor
stock heatsink

500.00$

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: happy medium

Originally posted by: lobbyone
This is mid-range? shoot I wonder how low-range looks like

High end:

680i motherboard
quad core cpu
4gigs dominator ram
duel.... 8800gtx'
30 inch apple monitor
watercooler

5 grand or so?

low end when new games come out in 3 months

amd x2 cpu
1 gig corsair value select ram
any namebrand amd 80 dollar motherboard
7900gt or 1950gt video
19 inch crt monitor
stock heatsink

500.00$

You consider that low end? Man a a year ago it was high end. lol