Opinions on a system build

[Atvar]

I am trying to build a decent gaming system for around $1000 or less. I don't have a ton of cash to spend but I think I have hit on something decent. Let me know what you think, changes I should make, cheaper parts that might be better that I have overlooked etc...


CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$93.00

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
$114.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
$80.00

OCZ ModStream OCZ45012U ATX 450W Power Supply - Retail
$85.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
$192.00

eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - Retail
$359

Total Price: $923.00 shipped from newegg

I can continue using my current antec case for the time being. I am not a hardcore gamer but I would like to have the ability to play games if I choose.


Any input is welcome. Thanks

 

[Waylay00]

Looks pretty good. However, the video card seems a little high.

 

[indianduddawg47]

drop the video card down to a geforce 6600 gt and get a athlon 64 3700+ san diego core. the san diego core has 1 mb of cache.

www.monarchcomputer.com has some really good deals.

Also, not sure if your set on the motherboard, but I really like my MSI K8N Neo4-F ($88).

 

[Sqube]

Yeah, if you're only gaming every now and then, the 6600GT/3700+ combination will probably serve you better.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: indianduddawg47
drop the video card down to a geforce 6600 gt and get a athlon 64 3700+ san diego core. the san diego core has 1 mb of cache.

www.monarchcomputer.com has some really good deals.

Also, not sure if your set on the motherboard, but I really like my MSI K8N Neo4-F ($88).

good suggestions

 

[theMan]

yeah, a 6600gt will hold you over for a couple years if you do a bit of gaming, however, the 3700 SD will be very good for other apps. and it overclocks well. go for the neo4-f.

 

[Stokes]

I like your setup except the motherboard for overclocking. The MSI Neo4 suggested above would be an excellent replacement.

I do not agree with going to the 3700+ just for the 1MB of cache. Video card should come before your processor. The 6800GT is a fantastic card and I would highly suggest keeping that. The 3200 Venice can overclock extremely well too; I'm seeing more and more people reporting getting it on air in the 2.6ghz-2.8ghz range.

The 1MB of cache will not help you with gaming. You will see minimal (zero to none) increase in performance from it. All it really helps is in applications for video editting or maybe office. But what does it matter if you can complete something 5 seconds faster (Don't quote me on that time).

But otherwise, great setup.

Another route, if you want to save money and don't care about upgradability as far as video card goes. You could go AGP and get a 6800GT for $285 from monarch. And get the MSI Neo2 Platinum, which is THE motherboard s939 AGP route. You might end up saving a little money that route possibly. But you probably lose the ability to upgrade that AGP card in a year plus from now. Although, I believe the next gen cards that are coming out will be AGP. That 6800GT will hold you for 2-3 years for sure and at that time you will probably want another motherboard anyways.

 

[Atvar]

Thanks for the replies. I should have pointed out that I have no interest in overclocking the computer. Never really gotten into overclocking. Plus I doubt my corsiar value ram would handle it very well hehe. Maybe I am wrong.

I'll look into the agp route. That is a possibility. Like I said, I am a casual gamer but I want to be able to play newer games from time to time. I am currently using an athlon xp 2100+ 512 megs of ram and a geforce ti4200 so just about anything will be an upgrade lol.

Also, what about wireless networking cards? I currently have a dlink wireless g pci card but I have been having issues with the comp hitching and some have suggested it is most likely due to the card.

 

[indianduddawg47]

I would consider myself a non-overclocking casual gamer. Heck, in a couple of weeks, I'll be running linux full time (not many games run in linux). Anyway, I like the MSI board a lot, it offers lots of features - I had to email OCZ to figure out what my optimal memory timings were - MSI has 20 memory timing options - 16 more than your standard 2-2-2-5. From what I understand, the performance differences between the 6800gt and the 6600gt are fairly minor. Plus, you can get a 6600 gt for $164 shipped. With my xfx geforce 6600 gt, my cpu is the bottleneck in most games. For example, in far cry, there is a level with lots of enemies. Before the enemies are detected, my framerate is soaring - 50-60 fps (1600x1200, 2x AA, settings maxed out). As soon as the enemies are detected, my framerate drops to 7-9 fps. I've downgraded to low settings, 800x600, no AA, but the frame rate remains 7-9 fps.

Anyway, really check out monarchcomputer - great prices, free (if not, cheap) shipping, no taxes, great customer service... Also, if you get a mobo/cpu combo, they'll throw in far cry and half life 2. I bought my mobo, cpu, video card, hard drive and ram from them.

 

[Atvar]

Checking out monarchcomputer.com now

 

[Atvar]

Ok here is what I came out with at monarch computers based on suggestions in this thread. Let me know how it looks and what should still be changed/swapped:

Seagate (ST3200826AS) 200 GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA
$128.00

OCZ OCZ45012U ModStream ATX 2.0 450W Power Supply
$75.00
190325 eVGA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/DVI (Retail Box)
$173.00

80152 Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64/FX (939) Combo

Motherboard: 110299 - MSI K8N NEO4-F Audio/GB-LAB/PCI-E/USB/SAT $87.00
Processor: 120273 - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1MB 90nm Rev. E San D $339.00
Memory: 140345 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) OCZ (OC $96.00

Order Total: $898.00

 

[furballi]

You can pickup a 160 GB Seagate PATA hard drive with 5 yr warranty for about $50 after rebate (Circuit City or Outpost). It's just as fast and quiet as the SATA version (I have both).

Go with the Enermax 495 V2.0 for $80 at 3G. The OZC is a rebadged Super Flower...good but not at the same level as the Enermax.

You can overclock the 3000 Venice up to about 2.3 or 2.4 GHz (+3700 speed). If you're using Value RAM, then set the RAM to 333 MHz speed (5:6 memory divider), LDT multiplier to 4x, and FSB to 250 MHz. This will give you +3500 speed will superb stability.

 

[indianduddawg47]

Here is what I got:
Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64/FX (939) Combo
$0.00 $0.00

Motherboard: 110299 - MSI K8N NEO4-F Audio/GB-LAB/PCI-E/USB/SAT $87.00 $87.00
Processor: 12A207 - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1MB 90nm Rev. E San D $310.00 $310.00
Heatsink Fan: 800083 - None - Fan REQUIRED - except with RETAIL
Memory: 140722 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) OCZ $144.00 $144.00
2nd Memory: None
Round Cables: None
Warranty: 800056 - Motherboard-CPU Warranty - 90 Days
Far Cry Promotion: 270846 - FREE Full DVD Version of Far Cry - 39.95
Napster Promotion: 270136 - FREE Napster Music Download for 4 Months
Half Life 2 Promotion: 27F854 - FREE Half Life 2 Full Version Coupon with
Cool Sticker Set: None
Subtotal for 80152 with your selected options: $541.00
190325 eVGA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/DVI (Retail Box)
$173.00 $173.00

Warranty: 800011 - Manufacturer Direct Warranty
150239 Western Digital 74 GB SATA 10K Raptor (WD740GD)
$189.00 $189.00

 

[indianduddawg47]

oh, the total was $903 without a psu. The 10k raptor's are a faster drive than a 7200 rpm drive. I would get the OEM version of the CPU and buy your own cpu cooler. I recommend arctic cooling's freezer 64. you can pick one up for roughtly $20-30.

 

[Atvar]

Thanks guys. This is great actually. Never posted one of these threads before. Anymore ideas keep them coming hehe. Any ideas on a good wireless card? Beter than my dlink wireless g anyway

 

[indianduddawg47]

i've heard good things about orionco cards.

 

[KoolDrew]

Everything looks good, but you may want to consider getting a X800XL. It is $100 cheaper yet performs about the same as the 6800GT.

 

[Atvar]

good call on the x800. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Brain fart I guess.

You are the second person to mention orinoco to me Indian. As long as it doesn't make my computer hitch I will love it lol