Value your input about new gaming system

[respawn]

It has been a while since I built my last system. I don't overclock. I play games like WC3, WoW, and the occassional FPS. This is what I am thinking about putting together, just want any input. I would like to stay under $1000 delivered and I am using my current 21" monitor, kb, and mouse...

These components are from mwave.com::


DYNAPOWER PRESTIGE (black) ATX mid tower w/500w power supply 4x5.25" 2x3.5" 5x3.5"(hidden) w/ front USB connector & 25cm side fan $59.00

WD 250gb WD2500KS / WD2500AAKS SATA300 16mb 7200rpm (bare drive) $52.90

Sony / NEC AD-7200S-0B Black 20X DVD RW SATA w/software $23.90

ASUS P5QL-E intel p43 chipset ATX form factor 1xPCI-E(x16)/2xPCI-E(x1)/3xpci/4xddr2 w/sata2 raid,lan(gb),1394,usb 2.0 & audio (cpu type:intel - socket 775)
CORE 2 DUO E8500 3.16G (1333Mhz)
ASSEMBLE/TEST $305.99

CRUCIAL ballistix tracer BL2KIT12864AL1065 2gb kit (1gb x 2) match pair pc28500 1066mhz 5-5-5-15 240-pin ddr2 dimm w/heat spreader (*Regular $69.99- $30.00 Mwave Instant Discount = $39.99 from 8/09/08 to 8/15/08, While Supplies Last!) $39.99

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB DDR3, Dual Link DVI/HDTV/HDCP/RoHS (Retail) $30.00 Mail-In Manufacturer Rebate Available Till 8/31/2008 $265.90

Total $773.58


I know the case is low end and comes with a 500w PS, but I figure I am not ever going to run SLI, only running 2gb RAM, and only one HD. I know the 500W may not be "true" but I went to http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine and their calculator says I only need 258w...

Any ideas? Anything you would suggest changing? I am listening. Plan on ordering tonight or tomorrow morning.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Juked07]

I think buy.com has the Antec Sonata III (with earthwatts 500) for $80. I have one I bought from Newegg a few weeks ago and I am very happy with it.

Also, not sure if you need 1066 MHz RAM, probably 1000 MHz is better bang for buck, and you could consider moving to 4GB without spending too much more. Actually if you're not going to OC, you could get 2x2GB 800 MHz RAM for probably around $55-65.

 

[respawn]

Thanks for replying!

I saw the Antec Sonata in the builders sticky thread at the top of the forum. It's currently $99.99 with $19 shipping. Is it really worth twice the cost of the Dynapower with same 500W PS?

The RAM is only $40 for 2gb. I thought it was a pretty good deal. I am going to still run windows XP as I have friends that moved to Vista and have driver issues and such playing the same games I do. Personally, not worth the headache. And I know the most I can go is 3gb in XP. Correct? So should I spend another $40 and get 4gb of the 1066 RAM and expect to only use 3bg (and have it there if I do upgrade the OS in the future) ?

 

[Juked07]

The Sonata III is $80 shipped here. I don't know anything about the PSU that comes with the case you were looking at, but yes, I think getting a quality PSU is worth a few dollars.

1066 RAM is not going to be any better than 800 MHz RAM if you're running the CPU at stock speed, and you can get 2x2GB of 800 MHz RAM for ~$60 if you look around. I'm also running 32bit XP, and my computer recognizes 3.5GB of RAM. I think it's worth it, but it's up to you.

 

[respawn]

WOW! Thats a delivered price?! Ok, cant pass that up. Thanks a ton!

 

[DSF]

Without a doubt the Sonata III is worth $20 over a no-name piece of junk. Get it from buy.com.

Juked is giving you good advice. Quantity of RAM >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Speed of RAM. Get 2x2GB of good DDR2-800. 2x2 also leaves you an upgrade path to 8GB, should you ever deem that necessary. I'm also not sure where you're buying the 8800GTS from, but $265 is a terrible price. Newegg should have them for under $200, but the HD4850 or 4870 are really better deals anyway.

Also, the WD 640 GB Caviar is a better drive for only around $30 more. Fits easily into your budget.

 

[z1ggy]

If you are playing WoW...Def. go for the HD 4850 or 70. Also.. why not OC? The Core 2 duo's OC like champs. Its extremely simple with the chips.. I am not sure how great that mobo OC's but im sure you could grab atleast .5 Ghz more out of your chip.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Dude, if you are paying 265$ for a vid card, get the 4870. I've seen some on Egg for the same dollar after MIR...

 

[MarcVenice]

Just go with Vista, your friends shouldn't be having any driver issues. I know I don't, and I know a guy ( on these forums ) with like 400 games installed under Vista, and he has no issues gaming ...

And do NOT buy a 8800gts, buy a HD4850, or a 9800gtx if you are an nvidia fanboy. And yes, do buy the antec sonata, it's so much better then that dynapower crap.