Need a AM2 System for under $800.00

[Extreme42583]

Hello Everyone and thanks in advance to any and all advice you give. I am looking for a good system for under $800.00 I would like to be able to upgrade in the future but want something nice for now. The only game I play that my current pc wont handle is Flight Simulator X. Would also like to upgrade to Vista sometime in the future. I have picked out a system to build but would like some input. Thanks Again.

MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131013

VIDEO CARD
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814127218

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103759

DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

I already have a case, power supply, Hard Drive, and Monitors.

Thank You Once Again for your advice.

[glc]

Is your power supply ATX 2.0 from a quality manufacturer with enough power to handle that card? Do you need SLI?

[Extreme42583]

Here is the case I have...this was given to me a few months ago.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4638508?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

As far as SLI....not quite sure. This is my first build, so I am not sure what is good and waht isn't. Thanks for your fast response.

[Alaron]

Yikes, Aspire power supplies are total junk. Do not use it for your build. You can save on the expense of a new power supply by dropping SLI. It is not a good idea for budget builds, or even some high end builds. Investing in one powerful video card is a much better investment then SLI-ing two lower end cards.

Drop back to the M2N-E: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022 and pick up this FSP power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

[Extreme42583]

Thanks for the input...so what exactly is SLI??

[Alaron]

SLI is the name of Nvidia's technology for using two video cards at once for more power. While this is true, you can get more power for your money out of one mid-range or high end card, such as the 7900GT you chose, then buying two lower end cards and connecting them with SLI. Thats why we discourage the use of SLI, along with the need for SLI certified PSUs and more expensive SLI motherboards.

[YukonMaster]

Hi,

Check this out if you want to learn about SLI,

http://www.slizone.com/page/slizone_learn.html

YukonMaster

[Extreme42583]

OK, I understand now. So no need to get the SLI motherboard if you get a good video card. Anything else anyone would suggest?? Everything else is good with the build?

[newbuilder14]

I would not invest that much on a previous DirectX technology-based card. Drop back to a maximum 7900GS from eVGA and spend the rest of the money on a quality power supply, etc.

[Khalil]

I would not invest that much on a previous DirectX technology-based card. Drop back to a maximum 7900GS from eVGA and spend the rest of the money on a quality power supply, etc.
Great advice. The most important component in any build in my opinion is the power supply. The 7900GS is a quality powerful video card that is very reasonable. You can always upgrade later to the next generation of DX10 cards when you are ready and vista is no longer bugged.
:)

[Extreme42583]

OK, so what brand 7900GS Should I go with?? I just checked newegg and there are a-lot. Will SLI-ing be good in the future or just a plain waste of money?

[Katreat]

SLI is potentially great for the very top end machines. If you are using two of the top video cards available it will boost performance over just using one. The problem is that as an upgrade path it is expensive. It requires more expensive mother boards and SLI certified PSUs upfront. Then you have the added cost of a second identical video card, which you may or may not be able to find a year from now when you want it. When you consider that history has so far shown that the next generation video card is almost always more powerful than two the previous generation cards the general consensus is to skip SLI and just upgrade to a new card down the road when you are ready for a performance boost.

[LeftyAce]

Agreed. It's only a performance boost if you get two of the newest cards, and at that point there's usually no games that need that level of power. (Unless you're running four monitors or something :-)

[glc]

You can only run SLI on one monitor anyway. To run 4 monitors, you need 2 cards in independent mode.

[LeftyAce]

Agh, ur right. I was referring to the amount of resolution.

[Extreme42583]

OK, Thanks for the great advice so far!!! As far as the Video Card...what should I go with??

[Mr.Ferrari]

7600GT and up. As much as you can fit in the budget after you spec it out with quality parts.

[flanzig1]

Evga is a good brand. Here's a 7600GS for $70 with MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130075

[Extreme42583]

Ok, as far as having four monitors. Will this motherboard be ok?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

Also, do I have to have 2 of the same video cards or can they be different? 500W power supply going to be enough?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks

[glc]

Your link is broken.

[Alaron]

Fixed your link. :)

The M2N-E is a solid board. It only has 1 PCI-E slot, so if you plan on more then two monitors, the second video card will need to be PCI card. And yes, you can have two different types of cards. You only match them with SLI/Crossfire.

A quality 500w PSU is plenty for a 7600 or 7900 card and an extra PCI card.

[Extreme42583]

Thanks for the Fix!!

OK, so last thing before I order my system and blow $800.00

Is AM2 a good system to go with? I have read that some people have had problems and maybe you guys know if they have been fixed? I really want something for the future since tech. is always getting updated.

Thanks

[glc]

AM2 has performance issues with the memory controller. AMD is going to be bringing out a new socket and series of processors soon that takes care of this. For current performance and future upgradability I have to recommend Intel right now, 775 and Core 2 is going to be around for quite a while. If you want AM2, you need DDR2-800 ram for optimal performance.