First Time Build

[sailoholic]

I have an ancient Dell Optiplex 170L and have been wanting a gaming rig for awhile.This is my first build and i've looked around and so far this is what i got:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
Retail – $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

Foxconn FV-N84SM2DT GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card
$18.99 after rebate - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814186030

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
91.99 – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
64.99 – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$37.00 after rebate – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590

So far i'm lost as to what PSU i should buy (power needed?). I also need a case with adequate cooling as i plan to over clock, as well as additional cooling options.

Also will all these components fit together with the selected motherboard? And if you see anyway to lower cost without much performance drop it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

-First Timer

[Devastator]

What's your budget?

By what you've picked out so far i'm guessing it's pretty low. That 8400GS won't exactly be amazing at running your games.

Perhaps lowering other parts could help you achieve this. Are you sure you really want to overclock? It means your going to have to buy an aftermarket heat sink and that just adds to the costs.

If you don't want to overclock you could drop it to 667MHz RAM, perhaps drop down to an E6550. Then you'd save a bit more and go for an 8600GT if your budget can do it.

The Antec Sonata III comes with a 500W PSU and I highly reccomend it but you'll have to decide if you like the look of it or not, it's cheap for what it is though.

And yes all components will fit with what you've currently proposed.

[sailoholic]

Im aiming for a around 500 dollar cost. Also my current monitor's native resoloution is 1280x1024 so i won't be running at anything spectacular. I will most likely upgrade my GPU within a year and so just needed something to get me by in the mean time. Also what do you think of the Antec Nine Hundred? with the multiple fans and huge 200mm would that lower the cost of the heatsink at all? The case is also 20 dollars cheaper

[Devastator]

It's good but for trying to stick to a tight budget it's not worth it. It will only cool your CPU by a few degrees. It's the aftermarket heat sink that does the work so you'd still need to pay the same price. Plus it doesn't come with a PSU and the Antec Sonata III does, I know it's not a gaming case but you can't really get a gaming PC for $500. $1000 - $1500 for gaming builds these days.

[sailoholic]

would this be any better?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208008
50 less watts but $25 cheaper and 2 120mm fans and a 80 mm fan.
would 450 watts be enough?

I was also thinking about this DVD Burner Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249018
Any thoughts?

Thanks again!

[Devastator]

I wudn't be too sure on that PSU unit, someone with more experience will probably tell you.

A Lite-On burner will do you fine you don't have to go all out.

[pam123]

It will all work well with your motherboard. but an 8400 GS is an inadequate choice for a gaming rig.
This is the best shot for a budget gamer now : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102714

Since you plan on over-clocking get a decent 500 watt power supply.
This is a good separate power supply : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104034

And that should tell you what's wrong with a case/power supply combo that goes for $65.
If you need a case as well as a power supply look for Antec.

Plextor's are good, and pricey, how about a Lite_On for half that price ?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057

[sailoholic]

Thanks for the tip about the Lite-ON!

Would any of these cases work? i"m trying to get a combo to save some cash to get a decent video card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811162027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144167
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144135

Sorry for all the links!

[Jimmy0]

If you are going to get a case with a power supply in it already; I would get a Antec Sonata III (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024).

[pam123]

Here's the PCMech list of power supplies, what to get and what to avoid : http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[sailoholic]

Thanks pam123 for that site! So here is what my final configuration is:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
Retail – $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

Foxconn FV-N84SM2DT GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card
$18.99 after rebate - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814186030

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
91.99 – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$59.99 – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074R

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$37.00 after rebate – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner
$34.99 – retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057

Rosewill R5604-TBK 0.8mm SECC Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$39.99 – retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147033

COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 550 RS-550-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 550W Power Supply 90 - 264 V Nemko,TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC
$49.99 after rebate – retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171025

If i am missing any components or if there are compatibility issues please let me know. Also if you see anywhere to save money with my configuration please share!

[pam123]

It's all good except for the video card.
That $40 8400 GS is going to let you down for gaming.
If you're really short on cash and have to wait on buying a good card then it can be a place holder but that's all you can do with it.
Don't kid yourself, that card will not do the job.

[sailoholic]

Are there any other good video cards cheaper than the Radeon HD 3850?

[Freakitchen]

This card should give you good results for the price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130091

If you're willing to spend a little more, this is the next step up. The video card is hugely important in gaming performance

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130086

[pam123]

Short reply, no.
My 2600 XT is a place holder till next year when I'll check prices again (also it came with 4 free major games from Valve : HL EP2, Portal, TF2 and DOD) , after that it will serve as diagnostic card.
It's good for that and other games I haven't caught up with yet ( No complaints at all there but I'm not playing Biosphere or Crysis on it, maybe Hellgate if the do something about the in games ads.) and it should run Tabula Rasa if I get it.
The cheapest competent card out now is the 3850 .

Edit : Reality time now.
512 mb cards are becoming the norm, 256 mb game cards are just barely holding on and any with 128 mb bus have trouble running Vista.
You're fixing to buy a card with a 64 mb bus that would have serious trouble running the last generation's games.
It's not going to work for you.

[Khalil]

That Video Card is a bust. I would look into something else. There is a very good reason why it is $18.99 You are better off using onboard video. Foxconn just don't have it when it comes to motherboards and video cards. They make very nice cheap cases though.
My wife's computer has an 8500GT and it rocks with all the new games out there.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130285

[sailoholic]

is the 8600GT shown above pre-overclocked? Also is the $30.00 difference really worth it? Considering the 8500GT has twice the ram.

[The_YongGrand]

If you want to play games on your new rig, an overclocked 8600GT or if you want to spend a little bit more, you can try 8800GT. :)

[Khalil]

is the 8600GT shown above pre-overclocked? Also is the $30.00 difference really worth it? Considering the 8500GT has twice the ram.
It all depends on your budget. Can you afford an 8800? If not go with the 8500GT with 512MB that is a great value for the money and will play all games on the market nicely. Anything higher than the 8500GT is a luxury and not necessary to play games. I am telling this from experience. ;)

[Devastator]

An 8500 GT really isn't worth it, it's like only half there. I'd just go the the 8600GT Superclocked, my friend has one and he's running most new games on high pretty well. That 8500GT will never match it.

[hitchface]

I'd disagree. For anywhere from 20-40 bucks more, you are looking at a marginal increase in framerates. Bang for buck my friend, that is the home of the money-wise user.