$2000 Gaming Build

[dlenny88]

Hi. I'm new and I'm going to be building my first computer within the next month or so and I was wondering if everything is good and/or compatable. Here's what I have picked out so far:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - $473.00
GIGABYTE GA-K8NXP-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - $152.00
XFX Geforce 7800GT Video Card - $384.00
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - $283.00
AeroCool AeroPower II+SE 550W Power Supply - $99.00
HYUNDAI L90D+ Silver 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - $339.99
Maxtor MaXLine III 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - $112.00
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value SB0400 Sound Card - $62.00
LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner - $43.99
LITE-ON Black IDE Combo Drive - $32.99
Logitech 2-Tone RF Wireless Keyboard - $49.98
Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - $49.00
SONY Black Internal Floppy Drive - $11.00

Total: $2091.95

I already own the case I'm going to use and I hope to spend around $2000 on the rest of it. Does everything sound like it's compatable and will work good?

[DonVito]

Welcome to PCMech dlenny88,

You need an ATX 2.0 psu with a 24 pin power connector. And if you plan on getting a second video card in the future, you need one that is SLI certified. Here is a list of the SLI certified psu's.
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizon..._powersupplies

Do you plan on overclocking? If not, than Corsair Value Select will perform just the same.

[guruboy]

I think i'd drop the floppy drive unless you really need it. Also you can lose the SLI motherboard if you're not planning on switching to SLI later on. If you are planning on it, get an SLI graphics card-one nice one to start and maybe another identical one when you rack up some more money. Good choice on the processer. If you're going to do a lot of multimedia things like burning cds/dvds, consider getting a litescribe drive. They're the ones that can use a special laser on a flipped-over disc and create a picture for your disc. They're really cool, just a tad on the expensive side. Look at the nice one here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827187035 or any others.

[rspassey]

You do not need XMS ram if you do not plan on overclocking, you can replace it with Value Select instead if you wish. You will need an SLI certified PSU if you are adding a second card later, and I would recomend keeping the floppy drive Guruboy, in case you need to do diagnostics.. or anything in which you need a floppy disk..
You do not need two opticals that each can burn DVDs, one can be used to burn dvds and cds, and the other just a DVD CDrw so you can read your disks, that way the wear and tear is not focused on one optical.

That is a very nice build, and you should get some really smooth gaming out of it.

[Jaggannath]

Is this going to be a gamer?? If so, then you really don't need a dual core processor at this stage, as noone is writing games for them... you could get the same processor single core for cheaper, and then use the money saved to buy a better video card

[Strider]

If the power supply is of good quality couldn't one just use the following ?

PCI Express cable splitter : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812201003

[dlenny88]

Originally Posted by DonVito Welcome to PCMech dlenny88, You need an ATX 2.0 psu with a 24 pin power connector. And if you plan on getting a second video card in the future, you need one that is SLI certified. Here is a list of the SLI certified psu's. http://www.slizone.com/object/slizon..._powersupplies Do you plan on overclocking? If not, than Corsair Value Select will perform just the same.

Thanks for the welcome. I'll look into the SLI certified PSU's. I didn't realize you can't use two video cards without it being certified.

Originally Posted by Guruboy I think i'd drop the floppy drive unless you really need it. Also you can lose the SLI motherboard if you're not planning on switching to SLI later on. If you are planning on it, get an SLI graphics card-one nice one to start and maybe another identical one when you rack up some more money. Good choice on the processer. If you're going to do a lot of multimedia things like burning cds/dvds, consider getting a litescribe drive. They're the ones that can use a special laser on a flipped-over disc and create a picture for your disc. They're really cool, just a tad on the expensive side. Look at the nice one here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827187035 or any others.

Thanks for the comments. I don't exactly need a litescribe drive just yet, but thanks for showing me that.

Originally Posted by ryan124712 You do not need XMS ram if you do not plan on overclocking, you can replace it with Value Select instead if you wish. You will need an SLI certified PSU if you are adding a second card later, and I would recomend keeping the floppy drive Guruboy, in case you need to do diagnostics.. or anything in which you need a floppy disk.. You do not need two opticals that each can burn DVDs, one can be used to burn dvds and cds, and the other just a DVD CDrw so you can read your disks, that way the wear and tear is not focused on one optical. That is a very nice build, and you should get some really smooth gaming out of it.

Oh ok. Then I'll get the Value Select. I wasn't sure what the difference was, but judging by the price I assumed the more expensive one was better. The reason I got the floppy is just because it's only $11 and just in case I need one, it's there. Thanks for the tips with the DVD/CD Burners. I didn't realize the one that I picked for the CD Burner was also a DVD Reader. How's this one then:

LITE-ON Black IDE CD Burner - $20.99

Originally Posted by Jaggannath Is this going to be a gamer?? If so, then you really don't need a dual core processor at this stage, as noone is writing games for them... you could get the same processor single core for cheaper, and then use the money saved to buy a better video card

Well, for the most part. I play a lot of games, but I also do a lot web development too. I won't just be using this for games, but for the most part I'm building this to be able to play most of the newer games out there as well as use it for other things. Should I still go with the dual processor or get a single core instead? Also, isn't my video card good enough? I mean it's the second best Nvidia card out there at the moment.


Thanks everyone for all your help. What do you think of the other parts of the computer such as the motherboard, monitor, hard drive, etc.?

[rspassey]

For the same price as that dual core you can get a single core with higher caches and clock speeds... I would recomend getting a single b/c like Jag said, the games out right now just arent made to run and utilize the dual cores to their full potential. That is just my opinion.

[dlenny88]

So what do you think of this CPU:

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor - $368.00

I also changed my Memory and Sound Card to these:

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Memory - $186.00
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS GAMER Limited Edition - $121.00

I'm still leaning towards the PSU that I picked out because it matches my case perfectly, but if you guys really think I should get a SLI PSU, then I'm leaning towards the Sunbeam NUUO 550W.

[guruboy]

But that doesn't mean there won't be games in the near future that utilize dual core processing. This computer will last a while in the hardware sense. I personally would stick with the duel core. I suppose since floppy drives are dirt cheap anyways you could stick one in, but that's one more 3.5" bay you can't use anymore. I don't know what kind of case you have. I cart my PC around a lot so I like to conserve bay space for things like speakers, resevoirs, HDs, etc etc etc. As usual it comes down to personal preference.

You can also just get a USB powered external floppy drive like the one here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821103510 for maybe $10 more. I use the one in the link when I actually need it, which is hardly ever. They make some sleek and slick external floppies these days.

[dlenny88]

So if I get a dual-core processor, I would most likely not have to upgrade it until a few years, but if I get a single-core, it will be faster now, but I might need to upgrade it later?

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by dlenny88 So if I get a dual-core processor, I would most likely not have to upgrade it until a few years, but if I get a single-core, it will be faster now, but I might need to upgrade it later?

We really cant say, I mean we think that games will be able to one day utilize dual cores, but as of now I dont see that happening in the near future, why - b/c most of the pcs out right now are single core, most of the people who own pcs and game right now own single core, and they wont all be upgrading to a dual core espescially if they paid a lot for their pc.. No matter how good dual cores will play games I wont upgrade for at least a year and a half, I just paid a lot for mine... So why would game producers put out games that only play good on dual cores when not that many people have dual cores. The choice is up to you, you will be able to play games a great qualitly with the dual core you selected, so dont worry about that.

[DonVito]

Originally Posted by dlenny88 I'm still leaning towards the PSU that I picked out because it matches my case perfectly, but if you guys really think I should get a SLI PSU, then I'm leaning towards the Sunbeam NUUO 550W.

That PSU is not suitable for a SLI system, or any system. Its ATX 1.x with a 20 pin power connector, you need and ATX 2.0 with a 24 pin power connector. Its doesnt have dual 12v rails, which is a must with your high performance parts. Go with the SLI certified one.

[blue60007]

Also unless you are an extreme audio junky with 26 surround sound speakers, you're going to waste a lot of money on that audio card. This card that costs half as much should serve your needs just as well...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102175

[dlenny88]

Originally Posted by DonVito That PSU is not suitable for a SLI system, or any system. Its ATX 1.x with a 20 pin power connector, you need and ATX 2.0 with a 24 pin power connector. Its doesnt have dual 12v rails, which is a must with your high performance parts. Go with the SLI certified one.

Well, then what do you think would be the best choice out of these two PSU's:

Sunbeam NUUO SUNNU550-US-BK 550W Power Supply - $79.00
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 550W Power Supply - $100.00

Originally Posted by blue60007 Also unless you are an extreme audio junky with 26 surround sound speakers, you're going to waste a lot of money on that audio card. This card that costs half as much should serve your needs just as well... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102175

Oh ok. I'll probably go with that one then. Thanks for your help.

[freakitchen]

That Antec is SLI certified, if you're running / going to be running 2 cards then it should definitely be that one!

Freakitchen

[dlenny88]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen That Antec is SLI certified, if you're running / going to be running 2 cards then it should definitely be that one! Freakitchen

Both of them are certified, but I like the looks of the Sunbeam one a bit more. Then again, the Antec does have a bigger fan.


On a side-note, which hard drive should I go with:

Maxtor MaXLine III 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - $105.00

OR

Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $122.00

I'm not sure what SATA 3.0Gb/s is compared to Serial ATA150. Would my PC support it?

[freakitchen]

Ooops sorry! They are indeed both certified units!

Freakitchen

[dlenny88]

So should I go with a single-core or a dual-core processor? I really can't decide.

[blue60007]

Go with the single core, it will be quite some time before games will utilize a second core and by then you'll need to upgrade the processor anyways. Games now will run much better on an equal costing single core because the one core will be much faster than one of the cores of the dual cores.

[dlenny88]

What about the motherboard. Is that a good choice or should I go with another brand?

[blue60007]

You're link doesn't turn up your mobo you picked out, infact I can't find it on newegg. Gigabyte is an excellent brand at any rate. ASUS is an excellent brand also, so I think this one should work

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131524

[freakitchen]

I personally use the K8NXP-SLI.

It's a superb motherboard, comes with every conceivable extra too.

Freakitchen

[blue60007]

Either one then will work for you.

[roaming_builder]

what about the OS?

[freakitchen]

XP Home OEM should suit you fine, i believe it's around $90.

Freakitchen

[dlenny88]

I'm already going with Windows XP Professional. I have Home Edition already for my Dell, but I don't think I can use the Dell disc for my built pc. I use Professional at work and I like it better than Home Edition, so I'd rather get it for all the little extras.

[blue60007]

Right, the Dell OEM version won't work. Are you sure you'll acutally use the extras?

[Jaggannath]

If he says he likes it he likes it, it's his choice blue.
I'd get the Western Digital and the Antec personally dlenny

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by Jaggannath If he says he likes it he likes it, it's his choice blue. I'd get the Western Digital and the Antec personally dlenny

True, but I just wouldn't want to see him spend more money, then never use the extras. Of course if you'll be using this stuff, then go ahead!