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This System Configuration: Good or Bad?

S

Shadow Conception

Golden Member
ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569
($80.99)

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103572
($166.00)


1536MB RAM from Current System
N/A
Free?

Sound Blaster Live! Audigy 24-bit from Current System
N/A
Free?

80GB IDE HDD from Current System
N/A
Free?

DVD-+RW and DVD-ROM from Current System
N/A
Free?

eVGA Geforce 7600GT 256-P2-N553-AX Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283
($189.00)


RAIDMAX Horizon ATX-287WB Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156041
($39.99)

Thermaltake TR2 W0070 430W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023
($39.99)

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 ? OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059
($93.95)

Grand Total = $609.92


So, my grand total comes out to around $700, plus shipping, and tax, if applicable on NewEgg. Is it a cool configuration for current generation games? For the RAM, I have x2 256MB chips, and x1 1GB, totaling out to 1.5GB of main memory. So... good or bad?

Heh, my first post. I guess this would also work as an introductory topic. Hey, everybody! 😀
 
I recomend getting a 400W Fotron over the 430W Thermaltake for the power supply(they are the same price, and the Fortron is much higher quality, and doesn't have a pathetic 12v rail like the thermaltake). Or for $10 more you can get the 450w Fortron.

As for your memory, with 3 sticks of ram, you are going to run single channel and 2T timings. 2T is about a 3-5% performance lost, and running single channel will be around another 5% performance loss. I suggest getting another 1gb stick of what you already have, and run 2x1gb sticks in dual channel.
 
Welcome to the forums!

At first glance,

I'd rather have the cooler master centurion for the same price point.

I'd invest more money into the PSU as it would be one of parts that should not go through a lot of upgrades. consider antec truepower 550.
 
Originally posted by: stevty2889
I recomend getting a 400W Fotron over the 430W Thermaltake for the power supply(they are the same price, and the Fortron is much higher quality, and doesn't have a pathetic 12v rail like the thermaltake). Or for $10 more you can get the 450w Fortron.

As for your memory, with 3 sticks of ram, you are going to run single channel and 2T timings. 2T is about a 3-5% performance lost, and running single channel will be around another 5% performance loss. I suggest getting another 1gb stick of what you already have, and run 2x1gb sticks in dual channel.
Click to expand...

*Crys and points down to his signature*
 
Is there any reason you want the BFG 7600GT? You could get a higher clocked XFX 7600GT for $200 at the egg. Or go with the evga.
 
If you could find 80 more dollars than from the BFG you could get a 7900GT, but I bet your already strapped for cash.

That was a pretty good pick of a card in that price range, though. You might try to find a 7800GT for around that price too. I think ebay had some pretty low prices.
 
dont buy thermaltake psu's, they are unstable and loud. perhaps from all that money u saved from salvaged parts u can fork out $150 and get the OCZ 2 x 1gb Platinum ram, or for $120 corsair valueselect ram
 
Originally posted by: Tsuwamono
Originally posted by: stevty2889
I recomend getting a 400W Fotron over the 430W Thermaltake for the power supply(they are the same price, and the Fortron is much higher quality, and doesn't have a pathetic 12v rail like the thermaltake). Or for $10 more you can get the 450w Fortron.

As for your memory, with 3 sticks of ram, you are going to run single channel and 2T timings. 2T is about a 3-5% performance lost, and running single channel will be around another 5% performance loss. I suggest getting another 1gb stick of what you already have, and run 2x1gb sticks in dual channel.
Click to expand...

*Crys and points down to his signature*
Click to expand...

I'm using a thermaltake PSU myself, but it's my second one, the first one died for no apparent reason, and 18A is pretty weak for a 12v rail on a 400W + PSU. Even my 350W enermax had 26A on the 12v rail. I just would never use one for my main rig. Mine gets pretty hot if I try and run a decent video card from it, and it limits my overclocks as well. I'll never get another one.
 
Originally posted by: LW07
Get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

and this video card when it comes back in stock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102007

X1800XT 256mb

and make that CPU a 3200+ instead of a 3500.
Click to expand...


Alright, I've made the CPU a 3200+ and made some other varying changes, so the price comes down to $609. But I'm still not sure about the suggested video card. I'd stick to the current price. Any reasons I should go for the x1800 instead of the 7600?
 
Dont forget the 7900GT.

The x1800 and 7900GT are both better video cards than the 7600. They are around the same performance and price wise.

If your not gonna be gaming, go ahead with the 7600. But the x1800 or 7900 will offer better performance gaming.

If you do choose to go higher on the video card chain, its up to you to choose which one.
 
Originally posted by: Cabages
Dont forget the 7900GT.

The x1800 and 7900GT are both better video cards than the 7600. They are around the same performance and price wise.

If your not gonna be gaming, go ahead with the 7600. But the x1800 or 7900 will offer better performance gaming.

If you do choose to go higher on the video card chain, its up to you to choose which one.
Click to expand...


If you decide to jump up to this, I recommend that you get the X1800XT.
 
So the 7600 isn't exactly ideal for gaming? I want to save as much money as possible but still have good enough configurations to play games like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Quake 4, Doom 3, Battlefield 2, etc. Mainly, graphics intense games, at pretty good quality and frame rate.
 
It's OK. I mean it's a midrange card and it's going to offer good performance on today's games, but I would jump for the X1800XT as it would offer a bit more performance when tomorrow's games come out.
 
You can play any game with a 7600GT, the issue is how much eyecandy and how many fps you get.

The 7600GT will also be able to play games for a couple of years before you start getting DX10 issues (which you'll get with any graphics card currently made).

A better card will let you run the games with better graphics, which does make a hell of a difference to the experience, but tbh it's not the end of the world if you have to drop using AA and AF.

The X1800XT is a great card, but they do run hot and loud. If that's not a problem for you then by all means buy one, if noise is an issue then look at nvida cards instead.
 
the x1800 is no loud. it is no louder than a stock cooler from 6800 series or 7800series, coming fron an owner of a 1900xt with the same cooler as the 1800
 
Well, as I'm trying to save as much money as I can right now, wouldn't it be smarter to go with a cheaper video card now, and wait until the DirectX 10 video cards come out? I sure hope PCI-Express x32 doesn't come out by then... if so, I'm jacked.
 
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