Gaming Setup...How does this look?

[telegramsam]

I've had my eye on building a gaming machine.

I have a life outside of gaming, so I don't need the best machine in the world, but I do want it to showcase what a mid grade gaming machine should be...

So here goes...please comment on my selections..

Case: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811112116
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817104934
Board: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131045
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003
HSF: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835103001
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814195024
2 GB Ram: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
2 HDD's: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140
Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102005
KBD/Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823126007
DVD R/W: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106043
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824001230

Plus M$ Windows MCE...

I know that's a lot of gear to look at, but thanks in advance for your comments...

[chuck4456]

That looks good. That cooler does work. Got one on here. Usually 34C. I do a little OC, never above 37C. Get a stronger PSU - Seasonic or Silverstone.

Had to add this: I installed my INTEL Fan in the side funnel - snapped right in. Everybody's heard this: The main CPU fan shut itself off one night because the temperature went below my bottom setting! Good luck with your build!

[telegramsam]

Like this one? I LOVE the modular connector thing!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151029

Thanks!!!

[chuck4456]

Get the 600 watt and forget about modular cabling.

[Cricket]

I know that's a lot of gear to look at,Yeah, it is...but I didn't check out your parts because I don't like clicking on links with no descriptions of the parts it links to. It's easier for some of us to critique your build if the make and model of the parts are there in the post instead of just the links.

:) Cricket

[Mr.Ferrari]

Like this one? I LOVE the modular connector thing!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151029

Thanks!!!

Get this one instead:
Corsair HX 520W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817139001)

[telegramsam]

Yeah, it is...but I didn't check out your parts because I don't like clicking on links with no descriptions of the parts it links to. It's easier for some of us to critique your build if the make and model of the parts are there in the post instead of just the links.

:) Cricket


Fair enough. I'll keep that in mind next time.

[telegramsam]

So if I wanted to upgrade to crossfire and and add the second card, the ASUS P5B Deluxe will support that?

[Mr.Ferrari]

No, you need 975x for that.

[telegramsam]

So I've revised it to the P5W Deluxe. That has the 975X northbridge.

Thanks for all your help!!

[Mr.Ferrari]

If plan on crossfire you will also need a much beefier powersupply.

[newbuilder14]

Get a 600-700 watt PSU for Crossfire.

[telegramsam]

Maybe an OCZ GameXstream?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817341002

That is 18A on (3) 12V rails. Will that do the job?
It's on the list of good PSU's too. (Correction, FOUR 12V rails) Wow.

[calmius]

you said you want to show off midrange games, but the video card you picked is kind of waay too good for midrange in my opinion. If you wanted to cut-down on cost you should look for cheaper video card thats under $300. Everything else looks just fine to me

[newbuilder14]

The OCZ GameXStream is a good choice...

[Mr.Ferrari]

The gamextreme is quality, and 700w is more then enough. But it looses its composure when put into high loads. Therefore i suggest this:

Silverstone ST75ZF 750W (http://www.sundialmicro.com/silverstone_power_supply_sstst75zf_1795_735.html)
Or
Zippy 600w (http://store.myaopen.com/gsm6600p.html)

[jfk]

you said you want to show off midrange games, but the video card you picked is kind of waay too good for midrange in my opinion. If you wanted to cut-down on cost you should look for cheaper video card thats under $300. Everything else looks just fine to me

Solid point. What you are building is definately much, much closer to top-end than middle level gaming machine. If you want to demonstrate a mid level gaming machine, look at a 6300 or 6400 Core 2 with a X1950Pro or 7900GS or even 7600GT type card. JMO.

[TimPoet]

If you want to demonstrate a mid level gaming machine, look at a 6300 or 6400 Core 2 with a X1950Pro or 7900GS or even 7600GT type card. JMO.
Yeah, I am going to suggest the SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3. A reviewer said he got great results with Oblivion, a game known for waylaying video cards....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16814102022

For my midrange gamer I'm ordering a evga 7900 gs for $150.

But then if you got the money, then go for it!

[newbuilder14]

Steer away from the x1900gt IMO - out of style in terms of price/performance. Look at the x1950pro and the 7900gs if you want good performance at respectable costs.