My new gaming computer *Need Help*

[imported_Xtreme]

As of right now, the only computer in my house (family computer) is not close to being able to play any of the new games out today. The specs for it are...

Dell Dimension XPS R400 (I think its 7 years old now)
Processor: Intel Pentium II 400mhz
Ram: 384 mb
Video Card: GeForce MX 440
HD: 80gb

I can barely run CS 1.6 and I run it at 10-20 fps (lag). I have been saving my money up for a new computer and I finally have enough to buy my own. I have picked out some parts off of newegg for my new computer but I need some suggestions on a good gaming computer for under $1500. I built one that has...
http://secure.newegg.com/app/W...dd&item=35-100-009
Case: ASPIRE X-Navigator Silver Aluminum ATX Mid-Tower
Motherboard: ASUS "A8N-SLI Deluxe" nForce4 SLI Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU
Video card(s): EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video (two of them)
Processor: AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 3500+, 90nm, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache
Ram: Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
Hard Drive: Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM SATA
CD/DVD drive: NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3520A

the total came to $1442.98 but I have been having second thoughts on it. The motherboard is very expensive and I am considering getting the Chaintech NF4 Mobo instead. If this is a good move, what video card should I get in place of the 2 6600gts? Also I need helping picking out a heatsink. If there are any better cases for less, I'll get it instead.

Post suggestions please and make a $1500 computer if you would like. Thanks!

 

[TheGreenGoblin]

You pretty much answered your own question. 2 6600GT's in SLI is definitely not a good move considering you can get better performance with a single card.

Get yourself a 6800 GT or whatever you can afford after everything else is considered. Avoid the SLI board for now , that should save you some money as well.

I don't know how much that RAM costs , but unless you're doing some serious overclocking , it's a waste. Paying double the price of "value" sticks for a 2% real world performance boost isn't a good buy IMO.

Unless you're oc'ing the stock HS+ Fan will be enough for you.

And don't skimp out on the case and power supply , get yourself something from a reliable vendor. Avoid the cheap case and PSU combos.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

Im going to take off the SLI board. The only 6800gt PCI-E video card on www.newegg.com is the XFX one for $495. Should I get this one?

 

[JBT]

I'd have to agree with the goblin

1. don't get two 6600GT, thats a waste considering a 6800GT is the going to be just as fast.
2. Get value RAM its a much better value and is going to perform pretty much just as well as your Xterme ram at half the cost.

If you are going with the 6800 GT is might be a better idea just to skip on the SLI board all together.

Also do you have a resonable monitor??? there is no point in having such a system unless you've got a nice monitor to go along with it.

500 for a GT??? ouch. If I were you id go with AGP and knock 100 off that.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

that brings up another point. I need help picking out a good CRT monitor. I "have" one, but it isn't new and is kind of old. My school can sell some of their extras for $5 but they are very small and must suck.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

also, what brand of value ram should I get and what latency do I want to look for?

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: Xtreme
also, what brand of value ram should I get and what latency do I want to look for?

Corsair/Mushkin/Crucial; latencies mean nothing. 2x512MB should run you $140. These are fine even when overclocking--see the 939 Memory Matrix in the CPU/OC forum.

Downgrade to a 3200+ or 3000+ with a good board like the Epox EP-9NDA3+ and just overclock. All three 90nm Winchester procs hit about the same speeds on air, and you can get really good results with the stock cooler.

I'd also go AGP right now. A 6800GT (eVGA's AGP one is $388) will probably last you quite a while, at least as long as the 9700 Pro has lasted.

As for a good CRT, look at NEC Diamondtrons.

 

[grohl]

I'll second and third what was posted above. Go with the single 6800GT solution.

Sony also makes a nice monitor, don't forget any of their Trinitron series. Some would say overpriced but useful for the photo editing I do a lot of.

As far as monitors go, go big. 19 or 21 inch, for gaming there is nothing like it. LCDs are the "in" thing but I wouldnt trade mine for a slow response LCD.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

I am not really interested in OC'ing. I feel that it is too risky. Thanks for the help guys!