Want to build a new Gamer PC for TF2

[AgentUnknown]

Looking to build a computer to run TF2 with all the graphics in high mode. Can anyone recommend me a vid card and cheapest way to build one?

 

[AgentUnknown]

Price range about $800. Anyone recommend Shuttle cases or are they too small?

 

[bamacre]

Here are some ideas...

ANTEC New Solution Series NSK6580 w/ Earthwatts 430W
$110.00 + Free Ship
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006027

GIGABYTE Intel® P35 + ICH9 Chipset DDR2 1066 ATX GA-P35-DS3L
$98.00 + Free Ship
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006307

INTEL Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz FSB1333MHz 4M LGA775
$169.00 + Free Ship
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005520

(2) Super Talent DDR2-667 1GB
$52.00 + Ship
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...ed47e5f20e97640e80b6d4

SAMSUNG HD321KJ 320GB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB
$78.00 + Free Ship
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005377

PHILIPS 20X DVD Burner SATA
$35.00 + Free Ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827248008

XFX PVT80GGHD4 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB XXX
$290.00 + Free Ship - $20 MIR
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=321115

 

[MarcVenice]

Pretty nice, if he's an overclocker though, a e4400 might be nice, or a e6750 instead of the e6550. And I think you can get a antec Sonata III with a antec earthwatts 500w for 100$ or so, if he prefers that case.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Wow, thanks guys. Are you running this?

 

[AgentUnknown]

I saw an ATI 512mb that as around $155. Would it be a big difference? I am coming from a P4 2.4ghZ with 1GB ram, and ATI 9800pro. Yes, it's ancient.

VisionTek 900182 Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
I saw an ATI 512mb that as around $155. Would it be a big difference? I am coming from a P4 2.4ghZ with 1GB ram, and ATI 9800pro. Yes, it's ancient.

VisionTek 900182 Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

The 320MB 8800 GTS would slaughter that card.

Besides, that is an AGP card, and you want PCI Express.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Gotcha, thanks! So does it come with fans the case?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
Gotcha, thanks! So does it come with fans the case?

One rear 120mm fan, which should be fine unless you are going to overclock the cpu. Here is NewEgg's description for the case/psu...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...6811129033&Tpk=NSK6580

 

[AgentUnknown]

this is going to be my first build, How easy is it? Besides KB, mouse, speakers, and monitor, that's all I need?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
this is going to be my first build, How easy is it? Besides KB, mouse, speakers, and monitor, that's all I need?

That and a copy of Windows.

You'll need a screw driver, some scissors, and some thermal paste...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835100007
That may be cheaper to pick up at your local computer shop.

Best guide here...
http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html

 

[AgentUnknown]

If I switch to the antec Sonata III, are those parts compatible?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
If I switch to the antec Sonata III, are those parts compatible?

Yup. ZZF has it too...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005323

 

[AgentUnknown]

Where does ZZF ship from? Are they reliable? I see a PCCLUB.com combo of the GA-p35-DS3L with a INTEL Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33G 1333MHz FSB RTL for $279. I guess that is the same.

Any other cheaper case alternatives?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
Where does ZZF ship from? Are they reliable? I see a PCCLUB.com combo of the GA-p35-DS3L with a INTEL Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33G 1333MHz FSB RTL for $279. I guess that is the same.

Any other cheaper case alternatives?

I have spent more than $150K with ZZF in the past 3 years. Yeah, they are pretty reliable. They ship out of CA.

I don't think there are any cheaper case/psu alternatives because Antec makes not only good cases but good power supplies as well. Pretty much all other case/psu combo's have crappy PSU's.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Does ZZF charge tax for cali ppl?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
Does ZZF charge tax for cali ppl?

Yup, they have to. They are in CA. Same with NewEgg.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Do you have pics of that system setup? I just want to see the case and how it looks. Any suggestions on a cheaper video card? I just want to run Team Fortress 2 max.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
Do you have pics of that system setup? I just want to see the case and how it looks. Any suggestions on a cheaper video card? I just want to run Team Fortress 2 max.

Nope. NewEgg has pics.

I wouldn't go with anything less than the 320MB 8800 GTS. You can wait for new video cards coming in Nov/Dec.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Thanks for your help guys! This will be my setup.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Is this setup still viable? I mean, should I just wait for prices to fall, or have they already fallen on that setup listed above?

 

[reallyfull]

Things have changed a little since this thread was made. That setup is fine aside from the graphics card. The new 8800GT is faster than the 8800GTS and cheaper too.

 

[AgentUnknown]

how long will this setup last? Want to play some of the newer games if I get a better vid card.

 

[Noobtastic]

game isn't that demanding. I have an 8600GT and can run basically everything on high.

 

[IEC]

Just for reference I run:

E2140 @ 2.8GHz
Abit IP35-E
4GB SuperTalent DDR2-667
X850 XT PCI-e

I could run TF2 everything maxed out even before I OC'd my processor. The game runs smoothly on mid-range configs.