Need some input on this build

[Michael D]

Hey there! I?m looking to build a new computer (my Dell is a bit old...bleh). I have never put together a modern computer before, but have assembled an older one (probably something from around 1990). For this I?m looking to do mostly gaming so it needs to be powerful enough to run games like Far Cry and Half Life 2 on medium to high settings. I may do some graphical work with PhotoShop, but that?s quite infrequent and doesn?t matter too much. With these facts in mind, what would you suggest I add or change to this rig? (All items are linked to NewEgg for sake of specs. I will be scavenging for deals when I go to buy this stuff. It may also be worth mentioning that my budget is ~1000)

Graphics card (Already bought. The Best Buy deal [Half Life 2 and the card for $350 with a $100 rebate] rocked ): BFG nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model "BFGR6800OC" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=14-143-020&depa=0

Motherboard: DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-136-147&depa=0

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-483&depa=1

Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power 120mm fan 450W Power Supply With Active PFC, Model "RS-450-ACLY" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-171-001&depa=0

Case: Thermaltake VA3000 Dream Tower Black Tsunami VA3000BWA ATX Case with Transparent X type side panel window -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-133-132&depa=1

Hard drive: Seagate 160GB Barracuda 7200.7 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model ST3160023AS, OEM
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-148-025&depa=1

RAM: Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-145-440&depa=1

CD/DVD Drive (Already bought): Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive, Model SOHC-5232K, OEM Bulk Pack
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-106-932&depa=1

Floppy drive (Already bought): Samsung Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model SFD321B/LBL1, OEM Drive Only
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=21-103-203&depa=0

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=37-102-141&depa=0

What I?m mainly looking for suggestions on is the power supply and hard drive. Is a 450 watt power supply strong enough to run the computer? Is Cooler Master a good company to buy from (if not, please direct me to a better supplier)? On the hard drive, is this a nice fast one that will work with my setup?

Thanks!

 

[st34lth]

What a smoking deal on that graphics card... wished I had snagged it. In any case, I just did my rig and bougt six 250GB HDD's for 150 a piece at ZZF.

Heres a LINK to it

AdamR

 

[kd2777]

I love everything about it. I like the Seagate, though it isn't much more to go for the 200GB. I also like the PSU. MaxiumPC just did a review on that PSU and it was so efficient that they thought their numbers where off and retested it several times. I love you motherboard and CPU if you are for sure wanting to stick with a socket 754, however I would like to recommend maybe going with this Epox board or this Soltek board or this MSI board. Most people like the MSI, but it is a little more expensive. And then get this CPU. If you like the MSI board there is this combo you can get. Or there is always a little more power to be had Linky. I really like the thought of being able to upgrade a piece here and there, and with the 754 socket you have no upgrade path because AMD is making that there cheaper socket and will be making no new "good" CPUs for it. A few people will tell you that you should go with PCIe for your graphics if you want to stay future proof, but they will make AGP cards next year and a couple years for a motherboard is pretty goods these days especially with everything that will be coming out in the next couple of years. But if you leave it the way it is, it will play all your games well for a couple years.

kd

 

[Michael D]

Honestly, I don't think I would ever fill a 250 gig hard drive. I doubt I'll even fill the 160GB I'm planning on purchasing. I want to keep the price fairly low and not buy anything too excessive.

Question to anyone: Would this power supply serve me better than the one mentioned in my first post?

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-908&depa=0

I've heard good things said about Antec, but not much about Cooler Master.

 

[KheeWhee]

Why not look at OCZ power supplies, they are extremely good.
I would also go for 939 socket for possible upgrage in a few years. I know there is not a perfect one available yet, each have some little problems, but you should be able to find one that you can live with.

 

[Mellman]

Originally posted by: Michael D
Honestly, I don't think I would ever fill a 250 gig hard drive. I doubt I'll even fill the 160GB I'm planning on purchasing. I want to keep the price fairly low and not buy anything too excessive.

Question to anyone: Would this power supply serve me better than the one mentioned in my first post?

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-908&depa=0

I've heard good things said about Antec, but not much about Cooler Master.

This has been said countless times...there will be a day when a 250GB drive is small. I remember thinking i'd never need more then a 20MB disk, yes thats MB not GB...when i got a 1.2GB drive i couldn't believe what i was seeing. Point being, windows XP takes up more space on your hard drive now, then what was even possible on a single drive 7-8 years ago(maybe my dates are wrong)


but as far as power supplies. I'd reccomend the Antec Truepower series. i have a TruePower 550 in my server right now, i love the thing.

how MUCh power do you need? http://forums.anandtech.com/me...9392&enterthread=y

that thread will answer your question.

Don't forget, most generic PSU's over rate their wattage, stick to a name brand, true power / real power series and you'll be fine. Give your self some leeway in your power supply wattage, its always better to have too much then not enough, besides, if you upgrade to a power hungry GPU later on (more then a 6800? yes) you will thank yourself rather then kick yourself.

-Matt

 

[Edward Lee]

Originally posted by: KheeWhee
Why not look at OCZ power supplies, they are extremely good.
I would also go for 939 socket for possible upgrage in a few years. I know there is not a perfect one available yet, each have some little problems, but you should be able to find one that you can live with.

Shut up about 939 and upgrading. That's the stupidest reason I've ever heard.

 

[iamskew]

looks like we have similar taste....enjoy

 

[Michael D]

I'm still sticking with the 160 gig HD. If I ever need to expand (which will probably be a long time from now) I have the option of buying another. Like I said, I want this to be as cheap as possible.

I'm really not sure if I'm going with socket 754 or 939. I won't be buying this computer for a month or two, so I'm sure most mobos will be tweaked and perfected by that time. I'll check it out then, but presently I'm leaning towards the ASUS A8V Deluxe.

I'll have to check out some more of Antec's and OCZ's power supplies. I believe I'll need at least 400 watts judging from that website. Thanks for the link, by the way.