Must order all parts today!!! HELP!!! *EDIT**DONE PLACED ORDER*

[imported_w4rr3n]

Here it comes..another noob asking for help to build a new PC...sorry. I've actually built quite a few pc's, like 5 already, but they were on a TIGHT budget and I wasn't able to explore all my possibilities.

Now I am NOT on a tight budget...I can spend at least $1500, and I dont really want to go over $1500 just because...there must be a reason, If I do, OK, if not GREAT

So I've read the noob guide and I've been trying to send this order for the last 3 days...I just can't....everytime I think I have the configuration right I second guess myself. "Im spending too much" "I'm buying the wrong RAM" "I should go PCIe, no, I should stay AGP..." "If I go PCIe I should go SLI..NO..yes..."

SO...Im at a loss and I come to you guys because I've been defeated by this whole process and my brain feels like its going to BLOOOOW!

What I want to do. I'm a big time Gamer mostly. Counter-strike Source is what I play the most. I need to be able to play without my PC hindering my 1337 skills haha. I also use PS, 3DSMAX, Watch videos and burn dvds/cds

So here's what I'm on right now.
AMD athlon xp 1900
1 gig of ram
9800 pro 128mb
epox 8kha+
19" viewsonic Monitor
the rest is not important

What I want is a SAVAGE computer with the number one priority being In game performance, everything else takes a back seat.

I know I want an AMD 64 3800, and I THOUGHT I wanted 2gigs of RAM, but now Im not so sure... So here's what I started with, but now im confused....
AMD 64 3800
DFI SLI-DR (not totally sold on this either)
4x512mb Ballistix (im hearing thats not good)
1x WD raptor 75gig
1x WD 250 gig

Everything else is up in the air...I want to go PCIe...BUT i just bought a 9800 pro like 7 months ago that I hear is fine...I dunno, im confused...

Case <---cant decide, this above all else is making me go crazy... but Im pretty sure I want a window in it..I want it quiet...BLACK and I think I want one of those LCD's.

Monitor, keyboard, mouse isn't a necessity because I can use what I have now, but If I can buy newer/better I will.

The main thing Is that I needed to send this order today because Im going out of town in a week and I want this thing built this weekend. I prefer newegg...

Anything else I need to say, I will be watching this for the rest of the day. Help me out guys..I know you love this kind of stuff

 

[DotheDamnTHing]

wait until amd dual core cpus come out

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

WAIT????

How long? Everyday I use this PC it sickens me...you know what Im sayin?

Like Anakin Skywalker to Obi-wan

"He's holding me back!"

 

[EndGame]

if possible, at least wait a few more days until Venice, or a few more yet til San Deigo. I wouldn't see a reason to wait for D/C chips if gaming is your main use. Do this especially if you want to go with 512X4 ram as the current chips will slow you to 333 speeds.

 

[twitchee2]

i just got my TT tsunami case intoday. its a very nice case. i think its 100ish on newegg.. take a look its VERY shinny black

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

Waiting is simply not an option...I've waited a VERY long time as you can see with my current specs...Also, I wont pay for the LATEST and GREATEST as you can see with my CPU choice, I chose the 3800 because its price is a lot less than the 4000...I almost went with the 3500

As for the case, the TT Tsunami is a good choice...Its on my list of possibilites..thank you!


Come on guys...HELP me SPEND my money, hehe.

 

[mage333]

From another point of view, $1500 = 1,000 tacos + 1000 Jumbo Jacks at Jack in the Box (c).

As long as you know what you're getting into, and what you're missing out on, it's your decision. Carpe diem!

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

Trust me...I'm well aware of what I'm getting...I've been on this XP1900 for ages, and Its done me justice,alas; its time to move on...

RIP
XP 1900

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

Today is slipping away...

 

[EndGame]

Waiting for Venics/San Deigo is more than just an option for the system you're planning.....I mean you are fully aware that with your choice of 4X512mb sticks of ram your ram will default to DDR333 speeds with the current chips correct?

As for your ram, most people seem to choose value ram which is fine in most cases. For my last "rebuild" I reused some Corsair XMS XLL 2-2-2-5 and I have to say, the system is snappier than my systems with lesser ram and also overclocks very well. Not saying you should do this, just giving my results.

 

[biostud]

Get a 6800GT PCIe
a Lian Li case
PSU from Seasonics S-12 line atleast 430W

 

[EndGame]

Cases for you

Video card

Very Nice LCD.....

Don't have to buy at Egg....you can probably find cheaper at places like ZipZoomFly. Egg is just easy to reference! I buy from Ingram so......LOL!

 

[EndGame]

Power Supply

One Option for Ram

Another option for cheaper ram

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think 3500+ is a much better choice than the 3800+ for cost/performance. $100 to go from 3500+ to 3800+? Not worth it in my opinion.

What speed ram do you have now? If it's pc3200, use it again.

Don't get 4x512. You'll take a performance hit with A64. If you think you want 2 gigs, or someday want 2 gigs, get a single 1 gig stick now and add another later.

It would be nice if you could wait for venice though.

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

ETA on those new cores is a month isnt it? At least when they will be available right... When they come out, they will be expensive as well, correct?

As for the RAM, I put back 2x 512mb because of everything I've read about using all 4 slots,I really wanted 2gigs, but I dont want to be foolish. What are the pluses to having the whole 2 gigs?

Cases link doesnt work for me.

That PSU is pretty damn expensive...do I need one that ballsy?
I was thinking
This kind But maybe that brand is no good...ive heard mixed opinions...

Your video card is good, I like it.

Keep it up man, I appreciate your help and anybody else that helps as well. This is a lot of overtime money and I want to make the right decisions because I wont be doing this again for a while.

 

[EndGame]

The Venice cores should be in stock for us late this/early next week according to a friend whom uses Ingram.

The 2 gig advantage would be slim unless you do Photo work at this time.

Case

That case should be close to what you want and reasonably quiet with the right fans.

I chose that power supply because it is PCI-E ready and will afford you plenty of power for future upgrades. Yes, you could easily go down to a 430 if you want, but I'd stay with the brand. Their quiet and very good quality.

This would be another good case.

case

It has 120mm fans so would be quieter still....

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

2 gigs isn't going to get you a whole lot most of the time. It's often recommended for people who are doing a lot of photoshop and rendering work where they're working with huge images. Eventually it's going to be a good idea for gamers, but that time hasn't come yet.

I'm not really sure on venice ETA. I just bought a 3200+ A64, so I'm in no rush to hear something superior came out, or that venice caused a big price drop in the regular A64 line

That 500watt Seasonic (or 600watt one since it's only a couple more bucks) would be a good idea if you're going SLI, but if you're not, you can get away with something for half that price.

The 430 watt Seasonic is half that price and will easily handle that system. I don't know if I'd trust it with SLI though.

I have that one and it's encredibly quiet.

 

[EndGame]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
2 gigs isn't going to get you a whole lot most of the time. It's often recommended for people who are doing a lot of photoshop and rendering work where they're working with huge images. Eventually it's going to be a good idea for gamers, but that time hasn't come yet.

I'm not really sure on venice ETA. I just bought a 3200+ A64, so I'm in no rush to hear something superior came out, or that venice caused a big price drop in the regular A64 line

That 500watt Seasonic (or 600watt one since it's only a couple more bucks) would be a good idea if you're going SLI, but if you're not, you can get away with something for half that price.

The 430 watt Seasonic is half that price and will easily handle that system. I don't know if I'd trust it with SLI though.

I have that one and it's encredibly quiet.

That's exactly why I quoted the 500 since he's buying a SLI board........he may need it in the future....

And in case SLI is a future possibility....nVidia Option Video card

 

[EndGame]

Originally posted by: w4rr3n
ETA on those new cores is a month isnt it? At least when they will be available right... When they come out, they will be expensive as well, correct?

As for the RAM, I put back 2x 512mb because of everything I've read about using all 4 slots,I really wanted 2gigs, but I dont want to be foolish. What are the pluses to having the whole 2 gigs?

Cases link doesnt work for me.

That PSU is pretty damn expensive...do I need one that ballsy?
I was thinking
This kind But maybe that brand is no good...ive heard mixed opinions...

Your video card is good, I like it.

Keep it up man, I appreciate your help and anybody else that helps as well. This is a lot of overtime money and I want to make the right decisions because I wont be doing this again for a while.

Personally......you couldn't give me an Aspire P/S for free.......sorry....

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: EndGame

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
2 gigs isn't going to get you a whole lot most of the time. It's often recommended for people who are doing a lot of photoshop and rendering work where they're working with huge images. Eventually it's going to be a good idea for gamers, but that time hasn't come yet.

I'm not really sure on venice ETA. I just bought a 3200+ A64, so I'm in no rush to hear something superior came out, or that venice caused a big price drop in the regular A64 line

That 500watt Seasonic (or 600watt one since it's only a couple more bucks) would be a good idea if you're going SLI, but if you're not, you can get away with something for half that price.

The 430 watt Seasonic is half that price and will easily handle that system. I don't know if I'd trust it with SLI though.

I have that one and it's encredibly quiet.

That's exactly why I quoted the 500 since he's buying a SLI board........he may need it in the future....

And in case SLI is a future possibility....nVidia Option Video card

For SLI, why not spend an extra $10 then and get the 600watt one?

EDIT: much better deal

 

[EndGame]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: EndGame

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
2 gigs isn't going to get you a whole lot most of the time. It's often recommended for people who are doing a lot of photoshop and rendering work where they're working with huge images. Eventually it's going to be a good idea for gamers, but that time hasn't come yet.

I'm not really sure on venice ETA. I just bought a 3200+ A64, so I'm in no rush to hear something superior came out, or that venice caused a big price drop in the regular A64 line

That 500watt Seasonic (or 600watt one since it's only a couple more bucks) would be a good idea if you're going SLI, but if you're not, you can get away with something for half that price.

The 430 watt Seasonic is half that price and will easily handle that system. I don't know if I'd trust it with SLI though.

I have that one and it's encredibly quiet.

That's exactly why I quoted the 500 since he's buying a SLI board........he may need it in the future....

And in case SLI is a future possibility....nVidia Option Video card

For SLI, why not spend an extra $10 then and get the 600watt one?

EDIT: much better deal

Um, I'm not giving references to purchase........references to view products as Egg is easiest....

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

Originally posted by: EndGame

Personally......you couldn't give me an Aspire P/S for free.......sorry....

Is that right? damn...that psu was sexy....and cheap...and 550 watts..bleh!

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
2 gigs isn't going to get you a whole lot most of the time. It's often recommended for people who are doing a lot of photoshop and rendering work where they're working with huge images. Eventually it's going to be a good idea for gamers, but that time hasn't come yet.

I'm not really sure on venice ETA. I just bought a 3200+ A64, so I'm in no rush to hear something superior came out, or that venice caused a big price drop in the regular A64 line

That 500watt Seasonic (or 600watt one since it's only a couple more bucks) would be a good idea if you're going SLI, but if you're not, you can get away with something for half that price.

The 430 watt Seasonic is half that price and will easily handle that system. I don't know if I'd trust it with SLI though.

I have that one and it's encredibly quiet.

Ok, well I cant really find any super high performing 1gig sticks of RAM that are reasonably priced anyway....so the 2gigs I will wait on for now.

On venice...I read they should be released this month BUT they wont be avail for a month after that...dont know how true that is, but Im really set on building this system on Friday If I can get the order out today...

As for the PSU It's just hard for me to spend so much on those.. If I need to I will I guess, besides, I havent completely decided to go for SLI yet or for even PCIe for that matter...I need some advice in that department...

PCIe? or AGP?
If PCIe, should I go SLI or not?

 

[shoRunner]

are you using this system for gaming?

 

[imported_w4rr3n]

Originally posted by: shoRunner
are you using this system for gaming?

Primarily yes, and mostly FPS Games like HL2,UT2k4,JKA,D3,etc..

 

[EndGame]

Originally posted by: w4rr3n

Originally posted by: EndGame

Personally......you couldn't give me an Aspire P/S for free.......sorry....

Is that right? damn...that psu was sexy....and cheap...and 550 watts..bleh!

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
2 gigs isn't going to get you a whole lot most of the time. It's often recommended for people who are doing a lot of photoshop and rendering work where they're working with huge images. Eventually it's going to be a good idea for gamers, but that time hasn't come yet.

I'm not really sure on venice ETA. I just bought a 3200+ A64, so I'm in no rush to hear something superior came out, or that venice caused a big price drop in the regular A64 line

That 500watt Seasonic (or 600watt one since it's only a couple more bucks) would be a good idea if you're going SLI, but if you're not, you can get away with something for half that price.

The 430 watt Seasonic is half that price and will easily handle that system. I don't know if I'd trust it with SLI though.

I have that one and it's encredibly quiet.

Ok, well I cant really find any super high performing 1gig sticks of RAM that are reasonably priced anyway....so the 2gigs I will wait on for now.

On venice...I read they should be released this month BUT they wont be avail for a month after that...dont know how true that is, but Im really set on building this system on Friday If I can get the order out today...

As for the PSU It's just hard for me to spend so much on those.. If I need to I will I guess, besides, I havent completely decided to go for SLI yet or for even PCIe for that matter...I need some advice in that department...

PCIe? or AGP?
If PCIe, should I go SLI or not?

Number 1.....look at it this way, your power supply is the backbone of your system.....without a good one, your gonna have other, related problems.

Go PCI-E.......if you want SLI, you gotta go nVidia with that board......