Yet another gaming build topic...sorry!

[Minpin]

Hey guys,

I am looking to build a gaming rig for me. It will be used mostly for gaming but will also hold my music. I am looking to stay under $1000 but my problem is that I need EVERYTHING. I am keeping this one for a different use and will need all new stuff, plus everything on this computer is a POS. I have been reading the other topics and I have a general idea on what I want but I don't think it will fit in my budget. Also I will be going to college in a little over a year and will be living in a dorm and my question is, is it a wise move to be taking a desktop to college or are they ok. Oh, I will be bringing a laptop as well but I don't know if a desktop is just too big. This will be my first build so bare with me guys and thanks a bunch, I know it must get tiring answering topics like these all the time!

Thanks,
Minpin

[whubbard]

Case: LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16811112130

Mother Board: ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131030

Video Card: XFX PVT71PUDP3 GeForce 7900GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 EXTREME Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16814150202

Power Supply: FSP Group (Fortron Source) FSP400-60THN-R ATX 400W, PCI Express Power Supply Note: I went with a 500W FSP Blue II...but this will better fit you budget.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16817104935

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16819115003

Random Access Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Note: I went with DDR2 800...it was only a bit more after the rebate
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16820145098

Hard Disk Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16822148136

CD/DVD Burner: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=82E16827106070


I just put this build together, and it runs nice. also the case is small, so you should be able to bring it to college and it con't clutter your room.

[Minpin]

Thanks a bunch Whubbard. For some reason a few of your links don't work. It takes me to a search function on neweggs site. Appreciate the quick response though!

[Mr.Ferrari]

Your links are broken whubbard.. ;)

-His list looks good, but beware, unless you must have a really small tower, go for a bigger tower such as the Coolermaster Centurion 5. They are harder to work in and have sacrificed cooling. The lian li still makes for a good SFF case.

-Go with a card from evga, bfg, or leadtek.

-This unit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189013) has more power and is more efficient for only $10 more.

-If you want future upgradeability, you may want to consider this board, Asus P5K (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180).

What exactly do you mean by everything? Is the monitor included in the 1k budget? If you have to cut costs then go for a cheaper processor (I.E E6320 or E6420), smaller HDD, and a 7600GT video card.

[Minpin]

Well by evrything i meant monitor,speakers,keyboard, and mouse. But i am thinking now that I will buy those later on and use the ones from this comp for now. But do you have any suggestions for a good monitor? Thanks

[Mr.Ferrari]

It depends on what your budget is really, and if you prefer widescreen to full screen(4:3). But Samsung, Acer, LG, and Viewsonic are all good names. The first 3 making some excellent gaming panels.

[Cricket]

But do you have any suggestions for a good monitor?Check out Acer, LG, Samsung or Viewsonic.

:) Cricket

[Minpin]

Ok so far I have

Motherboard-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180

PSU-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189013

Case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Video Card-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150202

Processor-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003

RAM-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145527

Hard Disk-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136

CD/DVD Burner-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106073

The total comes to $879.83, whcih is good for my budgetDoes this look good enough? Do you think it's worth the upgrade to the 8800GTS? Also on the RAM, it looked like there was another one exactly the same but almost twice as expensive. I want to be able to play the newest games out there, I know it wont be the best, but will it at least be playable? Also on the Hard drive do I really need 500GB or...? Thanks again.

EDIT: This may be a total noob question but, do I need a sound card?

[jer888]

You will want DDR2 at 667 not 533

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098

-Go with a card from evga, bfg, or leadtek.

You might as well go for this, its actually cheaper after the rebate, and will give you DX10 capability.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

The 320GB version of that hard drive is a better value, since you are on a tight budget.

The onboard sound should be fine.

[Cricket]

Does this look good enough? It's decent.Do you think it's worth the upgrade to the 8800GTS?Yes!Also on the RAM, it looked like there was another one exactly the same but almost twice as expensive. Get this RAM. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098) I want to be able to play the newest games out there, I know it wont be the best, but will it at least be playable?As long as you don't turn on all the eye candy you should be fine.Also on the Hard drive do I really need 500GB or...?Get a 320GB HDD. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140)

I wouldn't get a XFX video card, I'd get a EVGA.

To save a few buck (and maybe put it towards a 8800), get this CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115016) instead of the E6600.

Remember, you also have to buy the OS.

:) Cricket

[Minpin]

Ok, Updated list


Motherboard-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180

PSU-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189013

Case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Video Card-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

Processor-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003

RAM-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098

Hard Disk-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

CD/DVD Burner-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106073

Thanks

New Total: $829.99

[Minpin]

So since my current budget is well under the $1000, I'm thinking i can swing http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082.

Is this card compatible? Any better suggestions you guys have? You know way way more about these things than me. :D

[Cricket]

Remember to include the price of the operating system when totalling up your computer.

:) Cricket

[Minpin]

Remember to include the price of the operating system when totalling up your computer.

:) Cricket

Right, I was gonna get the OEM of either Vista or XP. I don't really know which one to get and I figured I could think about that one for a while.

[whubbard]

Vista :) (drivers are fine!!)

Also sorry about the dead links. I actually went with the 8600 from evga, just forgot to say so, and its really great. The Lian-Li case is really amazing, and could not have been easier to work with. I had everything together in about 20 mins. I HIGHLY recommend it, however, if you put the 8800 in the case might be too small for the heat.


Also for the 8800 you might want a little better PSU.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Right, I was gonna get the OEM of either Vista or XP. I don't really know which one to get and I figured I could think about that one for a while.

If your going with a DX10 card and plan to play DX10 games this year, then go with vista, if not, its suggested you wait for Service pack1 to come out, vista is still in its early stages and needs some bugs worked out. You will have a stable, matured, and faster platform with XP if you don't need the capabilities of DX10 right now.

Go with the Corsair HX520W if you go with the 8800.

[whubbard]

once again,

vista seems to work better with new hardward...atleast better than XP.

(I'm seeing some...'trouble installing XP on new build')

P5K will almost certainly have better vista drivers than XP drivers.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Not true, XP has been here for 4-5 years now, theres no arguing whether or not its gonna be more mature or more stable. Definately faster, on his machine.

The team that works on drivers has had more experiance with XP then Vista, its hard to say Vista drivers are going to be automatically better.

Its a personal choice, leave it to the OP.

[Minpin]

I'm thinking that I will buy vista and give it a shot. Can't hurt to try it i guess. It seems that if i get the 8800 then I'll have to buy the upgraded PSU and that adds more money and I think enough to push me over my budget. But if the upgrade from the 8600 to the 8800 (the ones I posted earlier) is that big of a difference I'll do it. So just how much of a difference is it? Also with the 8800 will I have any heat concerns with the current case selection? Thanks a bunch

[whubbard]

With the cooler master, you won't. With the Lian-Li you will.

On how big of an upgrade it will be, it really depends on what type of games you play...and how high you want the settings. If in the end you don't care about the super high settings, you might just want to get the 8600 and save the cash for future upgrades.

Also, if you can, buy the retail version of vista and give 64-bit a try...I use it, and im never going back.

[Minpin]

Ok. I think I will just go with the 8600 for now, I just can't see spending an extra $200 dollars at this point when there are other things i need to buy. (Monitor,Keyboard,Speakers)


And for a noob like me, what's the big advantage to 64-bit? thanks

[whubbard]

not really much.

(enter Mr. Ferrari saying its only good if you want 4 Gigs of Ram)

however, it allows you to take full control of your processor, as the processor is dual core (yes intel put in thing to make them run fast on 32-bit...but 64-bit is still better). I've posted benchmarks, and 64-bit was faster.

Also, apps pretty soon will be 64-bit apps. It's not going to be tomorrow...but sometime decently soon.

The next microsoft OS will only be 64-bit. So by then all new apps will probably be 64-bit.

64-bit drivers for vista are great. Haven't heard people complaining of 64-bit drivers no working.

Now in reality the biggest thing people are ugrading for is so they can have 4Gbs ram, but if everything is compatible...

why not?

[Minpin]

Ok, this is looking to be my final product. Feel free to make any changes you want, I am still a noob. :D


Motherboard-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180

PSU-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189013

Case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Video Card-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

Processor-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003

RAM-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098

Hard Disk-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

CD/DVD Burner-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106073

Monitor-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116065

Keyboard-
I don't really know here. Any good keyboard/mouse combos you guys suggest?

OS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116200 Is this the one I want?


Thanks guys

[whubbard]

Use this OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116153

(....while its an upgrade...you don't actually need XP, you just need to do a clean install)

And this optical drive: (retail comes with nero 7...its worth it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072


You also might want to go ahead and get his PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001
its more...but if you decide to upgrade, it will be well worth it.

[Mr.Ferrari]

however, it allows you to take full control of your processor, as the processor is dual core (yes intel put in thing to make them run fast on 32-bit...but 64-bit is still better). I've posted benchmarks, and 64-bit was faster.
And I did mention what was wrong with those benchmark. In a program that is CODED in 64bit, it is only *logic* that it will perform better, and there are very few natively done so. Besides a few benchmarks. 64bit does however perform better in some cases on AMD cpus. If you really want a true benchmark check out THIS (http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTMzNCwyLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==) and THIS (http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTM0NywxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==). XP performs better throughout the board in gaming enviroments. Vista IS resource heavy, and performance DOES suffer.


The next microsoft OS will only be only 64-bit. So by then all new apps will probably be 64-bit.
The next M$ OS is very far away, way to early to tell whether or not it will be 64 bit. Take a look at XP x64, its been out for a while now, environment is basically the same till vista's release.

64-bit drivers for vista are great. Haven't heard people complaining of 64-bit drivers no working.
Then you haven't seen the broader scheme of things. 64bit drivers aren't horrible now with WHQL, but they are still very immature. Performance is subpar at best.

Now in reality the biggest thing people are ugrading for is so they can have 4Gbs ram, but if everything is compatible...

why not?
Because on a system that is not fully decked out, such as yours, performance, as you see above, is sacrificed. Im not say Vista is bad please dont misunderstand me. Im just saying that its not for everyone. Service Pack 1 should bring a environment that has alot more stability and alot more optimized-hopefully.

Not to mention that Vista is plagued with DRM, on media specifically.

To the original poster, XP or Vista, either is fine, just trying to point out its advantages and disadvantages. And use this burner, it includes nero, the retail version of your current choice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057

[whubbard]

1) Well okay. I have to agree with the data. But you will notice that they benchmarks are much closer...if not equal in the second one compared to the first one. This is because the games are trying to work better for x64 and vista. I know CoH atleast is. But I guess I have to choice but to say that the games will work better in XP. However, I was saying 32-bit vs. 64-bit, I really think vista is better for other reasons.

2) Microsoft has clearly stated the next OS will ONLY be 64-bit.

3) I guess I haven't, but for my build, and for most of us...64-bit is available.

4) Well...SP1 will be free, and I will be very settled in with vista, but I understand those who wish to wait. yeah DRM is a PAIN!

To OP:
Personally I am going to say...make the move to vista. In the end, its your choice, thats just my recommendation. 64-bit, 32-bit...choose what works for you. If you get the retail upgrade, you can try both.

[jer888]

If you go with vista, you may want to get Home Premium, I don't even think Home Basic has Windows Media Player, or the Aero glass.