My Gaming Computer

[danklumpp]

Feel free to point out anything on my future gaming computer that looks out of place. I got all of this for around $1300.

AeroCool Magic 3D Computer Case - 2 120mm Turbine Fans
AeroCool Turbine Power 550 Watt Dual 12V Power Supply
BFG nForce4 Ultra 939-pin Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3800
Corsair XMS 1 GB PC3200 RAM
BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT OC - Lifetime Warranty
Western Digital 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

Bunch of other stuff that doesn't affect performance...

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Here.....
Instead of the BFG board I recommend the EPOX 9NPA+Ultra. It'll overclock better and it's the same price. Depends though, BFG's got the warantee and the excellent tech support if you need it.

"Future Gaming Computer" you say..... I'd say wait a bit for the next gen cards to come out (rather soon) and get an X900 or a 7800. It'll perform better and have the latest technology.

If you're getting the BFG motherboard, this probably means you're not going to be overclocking that much, so no need for the XMS (it'll offer you a 2-3% performance boost over Corsair Value Select RAM, that's all).

Also, if this is a "Future Gaming Computer" ----> shell out some cash for a 4200+ X2, the price will start reducing soon.

 

[aprocha2]

Wow, your computer really sucks man.
You might be able to run an old game like Half Life 1 if you turn the video settings and resolution waaaaaay down.
I haven't a computer that crappy in a long time. Thanks for the laugh, man.

Your deepest friend,
--Al

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Just as Pentium guy says:

Epox instead of BFG
Corsair VS instead of XMS

And I would also add

AMD 3000/3200 instead of 3800
The lower end venice chips will clock just as high as the 3800 for alot less $$$

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: aprocha2
Wow, your computer really sucks man.
You might be able to run an old game like Half Life 1 if you turn the video settings and resolution waaaaaay down.
I haven't a computer that crappy in a long time. Thanks for the laugh, man.

Your deepest friend,
--Al

Ignore him, he's probably still trying to convince himself that the $650 he spent on a 7800gtx was justified by getting a few more FPS in a $50 game

 

[danklumpp]

Will the 3800 (Venice) overclock to 2.7-2.8 GHz? That would be better yet. I might invest in a better video card if it will overclock that far.

 

[Waylay00]

I would grab a 3200+ and use the extra money for a 7800GTX or more RAM (esp. if you want to run BF2 at highest settings without stuttering).

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: danklumpp
Will the 3800 (Venice) overclock to 2.7-2.8 GHz? That would be better yet. I might invest in a better video card if it will overclock that far.

Drop down to the 3700+ San Diego. It will overclock to 2.8, plus you get the added benefit of a 1MB L2 cache.

Also, get a DFI Lanparty board if you're gonna overclock. Ain't nothing better

And...hold off on the entire purchase until the 7800GT line comes out.

 

[coomar]

a 3000+ will hit 2.6 with ease, you have a reasonable chance of hitting 2.7-2.8
3200, pretty much the same thing
3500/3800, a bit higher potential, should hit 2.7-2.8 on air
3700 san diego should hit 2.7-2.8 and it will then be the equivalent of a fx-57 since it matches it clock for clock (has the 1mb l2 cache compared to the others)

so either a 3000/3200 or a 3700 and if you can afford it a 7800gtx, otherwise a 6800gt is cost effective

 

[danklumpp]

How does my new system look? It's even a bit cheaper than my first one. Thanks for everyone's advice.

AeroCool Magic 3D Computer Case - 2 120mm Turbine Fans
AeroCool Turbine Power 550 Watt Dual 12V Power Supply
EPoX Nvidia nForce4 Ultra 939-pin Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3700 (Will OC to about 2.5 GHz if possible)
Corsair ValueSelect 2 GB PC3200 RAM
BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT OC - Lifetime Warranty
Western Digital 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

 

[BOLt]

Originally posted by: danklumpp
Feel free to point out anything on my future gaming computer that looks out of place. I got all of this for around $1300.

AeroCool Magic 3D Computer Case - 2 120mm Turbine Fans
AeroCool Turbine Power 550 Watt Dual 12V Power Supply
BFG nForce4 Ultra 939-pin Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3800
Corsair XMS 1 GB PC3200 RAM
BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT OC - Lifetime Warranty
Western Digital 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

Bunch of other stuff that doesn't affect performance...

Case is up to you; 120mm fans are an excellent choice.

PSU should be okay -- it certainly has enough power.

Good motherboard choice. Might want to consider the DFI LANParty UT Ultra-D if you're into OC'ing. It's like $110 from monarchcomputer shipped free last I checked.

If you like to multitask, wait for the AMD64 x2 3800+ as it'll only cost about $350-360 from what I've heard. If you don't need dual core, just make sure you get a San Diego core. A 3700+ will also work.

Good RAM choice, but if you multitask, step it up to 2GB. If you go with DFI, get OCZ EL Platinum Rev. 2!

Good GPU choice. I have that card and it's great. BFG is excellent for tech support and warranties. I'd also suggest the 7800 GTX if you can shell out the cash for it. It can be had for ~$520 from some vendors. Look around.

Good HD choice. Might I suggest Seagate's Barracuda line?

Good start and good luck!

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Drop down to the 3700+ San Diego. It will overclock to 2.8, plus you get the added benefit of a 1MB L2 cache.

Also, get a DFI Lanparty board if you're gonna overclock. Ain't nothing better

And...hold off on the entire purchase until the 7800GT line comes out.

I've been looking into this a bit, and while the DFI is a nice board it seems pickier than most with the rest of the components, namely memory and the power supply...the Epox will be able to overclock almost as well as the DFI and appears a bit more stable...plus you won't get bogged down with too many settings and configurations and have an extra $30 to play with...

personally I am going with this as my system:

evga 6800GT
Antec 500w modular power supply
Coolermaster Centurion Case
2x1gb sticks of OCX value memory paired
AMD Athlon 64 3000 or 3200
Epox 9NPA Ultra
Western Digital 80gb SATA drive.

 

[danklumpp]

Thanks for the advice BOLt. Maybe I'll go with 2 GB of Corsair ValueSelect. I am partial to US companies like eVGA and BFG- they actually have tech support.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Nice.

 

[danklumpp]

I noticed on the EPoX board that there is an IDE cable connection right in line with the video card. With that be in the way of a longer video card, like the 7800 GTX?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: danklumpp
How does my new system look? It's even a bit cheaper than my first one. Thanks for everyone's advice.

AeroCool Magic 3D Computer Case - 2 120mm Turbine Fans
AeroCool Turbine Power 550 Watt Dual 12V Power Supply
EPoX Nvidia nForce4 Ultra 939-pin Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3700 (Will OC to about 2.5 GHz if possible)
Corsair ValueSelect 2 GB PC3200 RAM
BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT OC - Lifetime Warranty
Western Digital 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

:thumbsup:

I have the 3700+ and it rocks at 2.8ghz