Advice Needed

[Stavros]

As I've said in a few other posts I'm either going to be building or buying a computer. I want a computer for gaming and would prefer AMD over Intel if possible. I have a 1300-1400 dollar limit. Any ideas on hardware?

[ckj]

Well of course AMD 64 939... and for gaming you're going to want a 6800 graphics card of some kind. What exactly do you need? Does this include monitor, keyboard, mouse, case?

[Stavros]

Well of course AMD 64 939... and for gaming you're going to want a 6800 graphics card of some kind. What exactly do you need? Does this include monitor, keyboard, mouse, case?

Basically I need the Case and all the hardware inside the case. I'll go to Best Buy or somewhere like that and get the monitor, keyboard and mouse. I already know I want 939 Socket.

And I've thought of using the NZXT Nemesis case and Athlon 64 3200+ Venice CPU.

[1cem4n]

so does the $1300-400 budget cover mouses and monitors?

-1cem4n

[Stavros]

No. I said I'd get them seperate at Best Buy or somewhere like that.

[MaTT^]

You could build a really nice PC with that budget. Will you be overclocking? Your an avid gamer, so you would probably want a 6800 GT or 6800 Ultra. Maybe if you have extra cash, you could put in a nice 74GB Rapter. Maybe getting a faster processor if you don't plan on overclocking.

-MaTT

[BrutalDrew]

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539) - $325
DFI NF4 Ultra-D (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152) - $129
ThermalRight XP-90 (http://heatsinkfactory.com/cgi-bin/HFAstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=HS-008) - $29.99
Panaflo 92x25mm Ultra High Speed (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/pa92ulhisp.html) - $8.95
Mushkin Enhanced Dual Pack 1GB PC-3200 (http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3602905?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) - $119.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148065) - $123
ATI Radeon X800XL (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190527) - $249
Antec P180 (http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=B73523&src=PG) - $106.30
Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 (http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/Antec_SmartPower_20_SP_500/SP500/F09966/) - $67.14
Total ~ $1,150

I think actually buying a 7800GTX would be better though. Just buy a cheaper CPU such as a 3200+.

[Stavros]

Well, I'm going to be transporting it once a week between my parents houses (their divorced) and on five hour trips (not as often,to my dad's fiancee's house). I'm not going to be overclocking. I have no experience with building PCs, but I do have MaximumPC's Guide to Building a Dream PC. It has step by step instructions on putting all the hardware togeather, so I'm not so worried about building. I'm considering a SFF box. I'm not so sure about the raptor. I'll probably wait until they have larger storage space. I've thought about going with the DiamondMax Plus 10 that MaximumPC claimed to be just a notch or two under raptor performance and still having 7,200 RPM.

[1cem4n]

Since you're getting an SFF:

-Shuttle XPC SN25P
-3500+ Venice
-BFG 6800gt
-OCZ 1gb(512x2) PC3200 Platinum Revision 2
-500gb Hitachi Hard Drive

The Raptor is WAY outdated and the 500gb drive beats it because of the density.

-1cem4n

[BrutalDrew]

1cem4n, he is not overclocking so the RAM you chose is a complete waste of money. Your better off just getting cheaper RAM. Newegg has some PQI RAM $33 a 512MB stick. You could get 2GB too since you have enough money. Get 2 Corsair Value select 1Gb sticks.

[Stavros]

I was considering an SFF step up like this:

-Shuttle ST20G5 (Barebone (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856101470)-$323.00
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535)-$190.00
-250GB DiamondMax10 (16MB Cache) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144358) -$126.00
-NEC Dual Layer DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152047)-$44.00
-2x 1GB Mushkin RAM sticks (value) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820146190)-$90.00 (each)
-Geforce 7800GTX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130234)-$600.00


Total:$1463.00

Or:

-Shuttle ST20G5 (Barebone (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856101470)-$323.00
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535)-$190.00
-250GB DiamondMax10 (16MB Cache) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144358) -$126.00
-NEC Dual Layer DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152047)-$44.00
-2x 1GB Mushkin RAM sticks (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820146190)-$90.00 (each)
-SAPPHIRE Radeon X850XT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102483)-$439.00

Total:$1302.00

[Tyreal]

Hmm. Even though your not overclokcing, i HIGHLY suggest you do. With the 6800 Gt. You should/would easilly reach Ultra clock speeds with the stock cooler.
Other than that.... 1cem4n's build with cheaper ram seems about right.
But think about overclocking, it can save you money and is generally, safe, if you do it right.

[1cem4n]

It is really good ram either way. You don't have to overclock. Corsair Value Select is good but OCZ will beat it any day. 2-2-2-5 timings are better than 2-4-4-8.

-1cem4n

[BrutalDrew]

It is really good ram either way. You don't have to overclock. Corsair Value Select is good but OCZ will beat it any day. 2-2-2-5 timings are better than 2-4-4-8.

-1cem4n

The difference in real-world performance would be really small. Definitely not worth the extra cash the OCZ costs. Last time I checked that RAM was a little under $200. fFor the same price you can get 2GB of Value RAM and it would be much more benefitial.

As for your choices they look good. I know nothing about SFF cases, but everything else looks good. Your RAM link does not work though.

[Stavros]

So stay with the Mushkin Value RAM or what? I'm a little comfused.

[BrutalDrew]

So stay with the Mushkin Value RAM or what? I'm a little comfused.

Yes, unless there is something cheaper.

[Stavros]

One more question. Is there a major difference between the Geforce 7800GTX and the Radeon X850XT? If there isn't I'm going with the cheaper option. I'm not the most demanding Hardcore Gamer, but I'd like a good video card.

[1cem4n]

the 7800gtx is the newest generation and would be the best if you're looking into newest technology and performance. If I were you though, I'd wait for the new ATI cards and then read some reviews and see how they compare and then if you'd rather go with a this(soon to be last) generation card which will be cheaper or the new generation.

-1cem4n

[johan851]

Wow - there's a lot of misinformation regarding the Raptor in here. If you haven't experienced 10K RPM, you can't express how much of a difference it makes. This is a good read:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=394762&page=2&pp=30

Especially this post:

http://www.ocforums.com/showpost.php?p=3786267&postcount=37

[BrutalDrew]

One more question. Is there a major difference between the Geforce 7800GTX and the Radeon X850XT? If there isn't I'm going with the cheaper option. I'm not the most demanding Hardcore Gamer, but I'd like a good video card.

In that case you would probably be fine with a X800XL. It is ~$250 and performs extremely well. Your games will look no different between this and a 7800GTX.

[johan851]

/\ Agreed - I think an X800XL is a good choice for your setup. There's no point in spending a couple hundred more to get a better video card if you're not a very demanding gamer. An X800XL is a great performer, and games will look very nice.