Need some help

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

I was sent to this forum by a friend of mine to get some help on building a new computer. To be honest, I know next to nothing about computer parts. I really dont know what any of the specs mean so when I started to build this computer I just went off of advice from friends and kind of threw together a machine.

First off here is what I want in a computer. I just want something is going to run smooth to be honest. I play some games (Half Life 2 is a big one which is why I need a better video card) but other than that I just want a nice computer that isn't going to give me much trouble. I want alot of RAM and a big HD so that I can won't have a problem in that department.

Here is what I decided to buy so far...

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-486&depa=0 ]
- $150.00
GIGABYTE "GA-K8NS Ultra-939" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-128-263&depa=0 ]
- $115.00
Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-480&depa=0 ]
- $146.56
Lite-On Black 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive, Model LTR-52327S, OEM
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-106-197&depa=0 ]
- $20.00
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value Sound Card, Model "SB0400" -OEM
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=29-102-179&depa=0 ]
- $49.99
SAMSUNG 793S 17" SyncMaster CRT Monitor -RETAIL
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=24-001-170&depa=0 ]
- $125.50
Seagate 120GB Barracuda 7200RPM SATA II with NCQ Hard Drive, Model ST3120827AS, OEM
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=22-148-039&depa=0 ]
- $99.50
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "100578L" -RETAIL Lite Box
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=14-102-453&depa=0 ]
- $200.00

Total : $ 906.55

I included all the links to make it easier for you to get a closer look at the stuff Im planning to buy. I've heard that newegg if kind of pricy but I've bought from them before and their customer service is really good. If you can give me any other good websites to buy off of that would help too.

Some things to know.. I plan to use my old case and old power supply since I just recently bought them about a month ago and I don't need new ones. I have a budget of $1000 including shipping so if you give me any suggestions on what to change make sure they stay in my price range. Also, if you think anything I'm getting is unnecissary and there is something I could buy that is cheaper for the same quality product then please tell me.

Thank you for any help in advance.

SrGuapo · Dec 22, 2004

You may want to get a DVD player (not necesarily a burner) instead of just a CD-RW. Newer games are going to be running off of DVDs (doesn't HL2?) and not CDs. Thgey are dirt cheap now, so it shouldn't be much of a stretch.

Edit: Newegg has DVD players/CD-RWs for less than $40.

Aslo, $200 sounds like aslot for a 128 bit gfx card... I would go for a 9800 Pro. It is only a few bucks more and only has 128 MB DDR, but the 256 bit architechture will speed it up quite a bit. A 6600gt may also be a good choice, though they are a bit more expensive currently...

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Sorry for bumping my own thread, but I just need some help on this.

meltdown75 · Dec 22, 2004

Everything looks fine. The only quip I have would be about the power supply. It doesn't make sense to get all that stuff and use an old PSU. You would want all your new stuff to be running off clean, reliable juice. It isn't anything these days for a PSU to be one of the more expensive parts in a new build... it is worth it though, and shouldn't be overlooked. tres importante... good luck with the build, it is a nice system.

edit: oops your PSU isn't even old. sorry for not seeing that the 1st time

Anubis08 · Dec 22, 2004

Hey man, you look like you have more than a lttle money to spend on this system. My suggestion is get a Viewsonic P(whatever is their seventeen inch monitor) should be something like P75f, and tot he money comment. Never ever EVER scrimp on DVD drives or CD drives for that matter unless you need coasters for the restaurant you plan to open. My suggestion is Plextor 712A, I have found this drive as low a $100 with a rebate at newegg and I have one now. I have burned over 100 CDs and several DVDs at around 40x for a cd and 8x for DVD (never got higher speed media for dvd only 4x). It comes with excellent software and Roxio 6, if you get the 716a which is only slightly higher than the 712 last time I checked, it comes with Roxio 7 which is great (Just never install any other burning software like Nero in the same system. For some reason Roxio likes to play alone). I'm with ^ on the video card, and I have that HDD in my computer now and it works awesome. Good luck, hope this helps, and I am sorry it is so looooooonnnnnnggggggg.

Anubis08 · Dec 22, 2004

Sorry, forgot to mention no coasters yet with that burner.

nick1985 · Dec 22, 2004

you have a socket 939 motherboard, and socket 754 CPU. they wont fit. also, dont get a 128 bit video card. get a 256 bit 9800pro. the 128 bit is a scam

NarcoticHobo · Dec 22, 2004

You can't use the NCQ or SATA II features of that hard drive with the motherboard you picked, so you might can find a cheaper one that doesnt have those features.

Second, definitely go with one of the newer video cards, either something in the x700 lineup or a 6600GT AGP. It'll be worth the extra money... I'd reccomend the 6600GT.

Also, like one guy said, get a slightly better PSU. You won't need top of the line OCZ or something for $140, but look around you can get a good one for $60-$70.

VictorLazlo · Dec 22, 2004

I would be tempted to skip the audigy, and put that cash toward a better video card.

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Ok I've made a few changes please give me your opinion on this stuff. Here is my new machine -

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-486&depa=0 ]
- $150.00
GIGABYTE "GA-K8NF-9" NVIDIA nForce4 4X Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=13-128-268&depa=0 ]
- $129.00
Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-480&depa=0 ]
- $146.56
Lite-On 16X DVD Dual Drive, Model SOHW-1633S Black, Retail
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=27-106-962&DEPA=1 ]
- $67.00
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit PCI Sound Card (SB0410) -OEM
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=29-102-177&depa=0 ]
- $29.99
SAMSUNG 793S 17" SyncMaster CRT Monitor -RETAIL
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=24-001-170&depa=0 ]
- $125.50
Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200BB, OEM Drive Only
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-144-107&depa=1 ]
- $74.00
ATI AIW RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/CATV/VIVO, 8X AGP, Model "ALL-IN-WONDER 9800 PRO" -RETAIL
[ http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-102-297&depa=0 ]
- $239.00

Total : $961.05

A friend of mine told me the nForce 4 was a pretty good mobo so I switched it to that, any problems with that? I got rid of the Seagate SATA drive and got a 120GB HD since someone said the SATA wouldnt work. I dropped the Audigy 2 and got a Sound Blaster Live card.. I have no clue about that card is it crap or will it be fine? I also dropped the 128 bit video card and got the 256 bit, but what is this "All-in-wonder" stuff? Do I really need that or does it come with it no matter what? I also heard from a friend that AIW is kind of a pain.. any comments on that??

Thanks again.

nick1985 · Dec 22, 2004

for the price of that 9800pro, you can get a 6600GT

Astu222 · Dec 22, 2004

that video card wont work with that motherboard, buy this: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-130-214&depa=0

EDIT: drop the soundcard all together, the onboard on that motherboard would be more than enough, and that processor isnt showing up, buy this one: http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=19-103-501&depa=0

ponyo · Dec 22, 2004

AIW 9800 Pro > 6600GT

EDIT: It's PCIe mb. you need to get PCIe card. 6600GT pci will do I guess.

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Ok if I get the 6600 GT that astu referred me to my total comes to 917.05. That might leave room for a small upgrade of some sort. Any suggestions?

And what about the new mobo I chose, is that a quality mobo or should I maybe get an asus / abit?

Astu222 · Dec 22, 2004

Naustica> depends, the 6600GT will be better for games but the AIW 9800 pro has more multimedia features, which he probably wont need, still go with the 6600GT

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Ok now you say the 9800 Pro is better than the 6600GT.. which one is it???

If the Pro is better, but I need a new mobo for it then what should I be getting?

Astu222 · Dec 22, 2004

that motherboard sounds fine, what about case/psu? what are you going to use? that 6600GT is faster than the 9800pro if you go with that giga-byte motherboard, go with that 6600GT i showed you

ponyo · Dec 22, 2004

Originally posted by: Astu222
Naustica> depends, the 6600GT will be better for games but the AIW 9800 pro has more multimedia features, which he probably wont need, still go with the 6600GT

gaming isn't everything and 9800pro is pretty close performance wise.

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Thank alot guys.. anything else?

What about that sound card... will that do?

meltdown75 · Dec 22, 2004

well, since no one has really critiqued your mobo choice, i will... just based on the system builder's guide which is an excellent starting point, we have the following breakdown - in terms of manufacturer only - for the 6 builds that are presented:

MSI - 3
Asus - 1
DFI - 1
Chaintech - 1

Not conclusive by any means, but all I'm saying is I don't see any Gigabyte boards. Now everyone knows Gigabyte is reputable and probably preferred in some circles. And I'm not saying go out and buy MSI either. But if I were you and I had that money to spend anyway, I'd probably go with the DFI board simply based on the incredible amount of great praise & reviews it has been showered with. they are both nforce3 boards too. anyhoo good luck with the purchases & build. looks good.

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Would you recommend this one?

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-130-463&depa=1

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Ok now Im in a mobo problem. Do I get the

MSI "K8T NEO2-FIR" VIA K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-130-463&depa=1

Or the one I was considering earlier

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NF-9" NVIDIA nForce4 4X Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=13-128-268&depa=0

And whatever one is better, what video card would I get with it?? Someone said the 128 bit 6600GT was a scam and to get the 9800PRO. Im guessing its either a MSI + 9800PRO combo or a GIGABYTE + 6600GT combo. Which would be better?

And do both have good on-board sound cards?

EDIT : Will the cosair value select have any problems with these mobos? I had a problem with that on my old mobo and I dont want to go through that again

meltdown75 · Dec 22, 2004

Originally posted by: nick1985
you have a socket 939 motherboard, and socket 754 CPU. they wont fit.

don't forget about this little tidbit either

imported_blix · Dec 22, 2004

Yea sorry forgot to mention I changed that. Same thing but in the 939 socket

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-501&depa=1

imported_blix · Dec 23, 2004

Need some help

Junior Member

Golden Member

Junior Member

Lifer

Senior member

Senior member

Lifer

Senior member

Senior member

Junior Member

Lifer

Senior member

Lifer

Junior Member

Senior member

Junior Member

Senior member

Lifer

Junior Member

Lifer

Junior Member

Junior Member

Lifer

Junior Member

Junior Member