building first computer, appreciate help

[wemogil]

Hi folks,

I am upgrading from my Dell 4600, P4 2.66 with 512 ram and Geforce 5200. I would like to be able to casually play high end games like F.E.A.R. and BF2 with friends, and I am guessing I'd be better off investing in a new AMD system than pouring more money into this one. This will be my first rig.

I'd like to keep costs (after scavenging my drives, which I think is all that will transfer?) around $500, but want to make sure that is enough to get something significantly better than what I have now. I'd like to go for a 939 set-up that is SLI ready, but start with one card. I was thinking...

AMD 3700+
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe or MSI K8N Neo4-F (got a separate firewire card)
XFX 6600/256 mb

Can anybody comment on if this is a good combo for my requisites, if there are better alternatives in the same price range, any way to shave costs, etc.? Also, memory and case/PSU suggestions, considering there might be a second graphics card in there in the not too distant future?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks,

wemogil

[Dark Nova]

well A8N-sli deluxe is a good board, dont go with MSI, i had too many problems with that company, you could lower the cpu and get a better video card, for instance get a 3500+ like me and a 6800.

for memory, either corsair or kingston
PSU: youll need a sli certified powersupply
case: Antecs makes very good cases, and comes with a good PSU but its not sli certified

[wemogil]

Thanks for the reply.

Price difference between 6600 and 6800 is kind of steep...What would the trade-off be if I went for say a 3200+ and a 6800 versus a 3700+ and a 6600?

Seems like there are so many different types of even those brands of memory, after deciding brand and 512 or 1024, how do you choose?

Considering that I will eventually add another card, how high a PS do I need, what's a good budget PSU that it SLI certified?

[freakitchen]

Your gaming performance is largely dicated by your graphics card - reducing/increasing the processor will have little effect in this regard.

Consider your minimum - for a gaming system - a 6600GT. It will play current games on mid-mid/high settings. If you can afford, get the 6800GT or higher

For memory, I'd recommend 1GB of Corsair Value Select, if you are not overclocking your system.

You are right to purchase a SLI-Certified unit at this point. The list of units are available at www.slizone.com (check the FAQ). Probably the most popular is the Antec Truepower II 550w. I know you said 'budget' PSU, but it's very important to purchase a good one.

Freakitchen

[yeoamuca]

i have the 3700 and the msi neo4 platinum
msi makes very good boards
we mainly use msi and asus boards where i work and rarely have problems with either
i personally prefer msi boards they seem to have more options

my processor and board work very well together
i have had no problems whatsoever
also i have the 6600gt
i dont do any heavy gaming but it has been able to handle very well everything that i have thrown at it
if you want to add another graphics card that board (msi neo4-f) is not sli
you would have to get the sli version

[yeoamuca]

hmmm somehow that posted twice

[jayb1234]

Antec has several cases without power supplies that you can put an SLI PSU into.

For selecting memory, go to the motherboard makers page for that board and there will usually be a link to a list of tested memory for it. It might say QVL download. Or use the RAM manufacturers configurator to be sure you order a compatable part number.

[wemogil]

Thanks for all the input! Based on what I've heard, I've reconsidered the SLI option and decided to stretch the budget a bit, how does this sound instead?

7800 evga GT CO - $300
2 x 512 Corsair valueselect - $80
AMD Athlon 3200 - $165
ASUS A8N5X 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX - $90
Antec smartpower 2.0 500W - $70

Is that Antec sufficient, are there any good alternatives in the same price range? How much more would it cost to step up to an equivalent SLI-approved PSU, in case I decide to upgrade later?

Re: the case...if I don't mind how difficult it may be to get in and out annd such, how much difference does it really make, i.e. can you afford to buy based on looks?

[blue60007]

That's not a SLI board, but a good SLI power supply is the Antec Truepower II 550

Honestly, I think I'd go with a 3500+ and a 6800GT.

[wemogil]

A 3500+ and a 6800gt wouldn't really outrun a 3200+ and a 7800gt co, would it?

[jayb1234]

It's OK to base case choice on looks up to a point. You still wan't to check for things like whether the front panel connectors will match up with your motherboard and more importantly whether the case has good airflow and cooling options.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by wemogil A 3500+ and a 6800gt wouldn't really outrun a 3200+ and a 7800gt co, would it?

I suppose it really depends...The former setup might on more CPU dependant games...such as RPGs.