PORTABLE GAMING BUILD - Need feedback!

[Trizik]

I've picked out the components listed below to build a portable gaming computer. My budget is around $800. It's been about ten years since I built my last computer, so I'm a bit rusty. I would greatly appreciate any opinions you have about the compatibility, cost, and performance of this system.

ASPIRE X-QPACK-AL/420 Black/Silver Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811144109

MSI RS480M2-IL Socket 939 ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130485

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

ATI 100-435500 Radeon X800XL 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102509

pqi TURBO 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820141154

Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144160

SONY Black IDE Combo Drive Model CRX320E Black - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106819

I'm considering replacing the 7200 RPM hard drive with Western Digital's 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 drive, but my budget is pretty tight and I only want to do it if there is a huge difference in performance. I play Counter-Strike: Source and Battlefield 2.

EDIT: Fixed links.

EDIT 5/17/05 9:20 PM Pacific: The cost for this system is now $200 above my budget!

EDIT 5/17/05 9:45 PM Pacific: Exchanged the Corsair for pqi RAM to cut down cost.

 

[KoolDrew]

Your links do not work.

 

[MitchyMan]

worked for me, and i might steal youre ideas since im lookin to build a new computer myself.

 

[jdogg707]

Don't spend money on the 36GB Raptor, if you really want to splurge, get the 74GB version which is a good bit faster. I would probably look at getting the Hitachi 80GB SATA II HD, as it won't be much more than the one you are looking at now, and will give you a little more upgradeability later on (Even though SATA and SATA II are cross compatible).

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: MitchyMan
worked for me, and i might steal youre ideas since im lookin to build a new computer myself.

EDIT: Fixed links.

He fixed them

 

[w00t]

i like the sff case i wouldnt go with msi has no ocing features look at the other xpress 200 boards get venice core 3200+ i would get x800xl and corsair value ram 1gig 2 sticks of 512mb as for hd's Seagate or Hitachi IMO get a dvd burner there so dang cheap its worth getting NEC 3250A.

after reading bf2 yep getting x800xl.

 

[KoolDrew]

Get a 3200 Venice and a X800XL. Also I would get soemthing other then Rosewill. Such as Corsair or Crucial. Don't even bother with a 36GB Raptor. They are slower then the 74GB onces. I'd also get a Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM.

 

[stevty2889]

Looks good, but I'd recomend getting a better PSU, as aspire PSU's are not the best. I got the antec aria which I am happy with, although the removable motherboard tray that the aspire has would have been nice.

 

[theMan]

venice>winchester

 

[VigilanteCS]

My friends got a rig running that mobo:
A64 4000+
2 gigs ram
x850 xt pe

It's a good board...No overclocking thouhg. It's got some weird boot quirks though. Make sure you disable onboard video and the HDD jumper is on master.

 

[VigilanteCS]

dbl post, sorry

 

[knothead34]

i would ditch the rosewill ram. i would also get the nec3520a for dvd burner. its a little more then the sony you chose.

 

[Trizik]

Thanks for your suggestions!

I replaced the Winchester with Venice.

I also replaced the Sapphire X800PRO with the ATI X800XL.

I already have an external DVD burner (NEC 3520A) that I plan to use with this system. I just want an internal DVD/CD reader for reading and booting, so I figured the $30 Sony would be fine for that.

Replaced the Rosewill with heatsink Corsair.

Also, I'm not terribly concerned about overclocking but it would be nice to have that ability in the future. According to Newegg, the MSI board seems to be my best bet as far as Micro ATX with 1000 FSB and PCI-E goes.

 

[Trizik]

OK, now I changed the 7200 RPM hard drive for a 10,000 RPM.

Looks like this will be my final setup unless someone can convince me to change something.. your opinions have been great I appreciate all your help!