opinions needed on new build

[dm9719]

Hello everyone,

Just my luck I discovered your great website/forums AFTER I've already finished my latest build I'm a pc tech/lan admin and I've been building my own pcs for about 10 years. Unfortunately, my builds are always limited by small budgets and I've had to sacifice performance in favor of lower price on many occasions; but all of the builds have gotten the job done.

I don't really keep up with the specific component manufacturers/retailers' product offerings like I should, so although I understand what DDR RAM is, for example, I wouldn't have a clue what brands to buy and which to avoid. That, and I'd like to expand my pc gaming into some FPSs; right now, I just do Sid Meier's Civilization 4 (an excellent game, btw), and I don't know what hw requirements the latest FPS games need these days... so I need your help and expertise.

If any of you kind folks could take a moment to eyeball my specs and give me some feedback, I would greatly appreciate it. Do I have enough horsepower for FPS gaming? And, can I get a warm-fuzzy that I did not buy and problematic or very over-priced compnents? Did I build myself a Corvette or a Chevette?

Any advice, comments, suggestions would be welcome and appreciated! Thanx for your time.

Dave


The specs:

New parts:
Intel D945PSNLK Socket 775 Motherboard
Intel P4 519 3.06Ghz 1MB Cache 533fsb Socket 775
Intel Original Socket 775 Prescott Cooling Fan
Ultra 1024MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz (x2)
Radeon X700 512MB PCIe w/DVI/TV-OUT
JPC 779 Black Mid Tower Case w/ 485W
WD Caviar 120GB Serial ATA HD 7200/8MB/SATA 3G (my system/boot drive)
NEC ND-3550 Black 16x DVD Burner in Retail Box

Reused parts:
Adaptec AHA-2940U2W - Ultra2 SCSI
Silicon Image SiI 0680 Ultra-133 Medley ATA Raid Controller
Seagate 80GB ST380021A (x2)
Western Digital 200GB WD2000JB (x2)
Western Digital 80GB WD800BB

[glc]

The video card is a bit weak for intense gaming. The 533 FSB processor may hold you back somewhat - a 800 FSB would have been better. I'd also be concerned about that power supply - Just PC is a low end brand and if it doesn't have a 24 pin ATX connector, you may have problems. The 2 things you don't want to cheap out on are motherboard and power supply - you did well getting an Intel board but you kinda struck out on the power supply. You definitely don't have a Corvette there, but it's better than a Chevette.

[dm9719]

Thanx much for the input, glc! Could you recommend a better case/ps combo? I usually get these together in one item; would it be better to buy them separately?

[not important]

If you want a good case/PSU combination.......look at this Antec
You can also save a few dollars on the NEC DVDRW by going OEM, unless you need the software that is included in Retail.
I also don't see any RAM listed in your post. Corsair ValueRAM is a good choice.

[dm9719]

Thanx for your reply! I did need the NERO sw that came w/ the retail DVD.

The RAM is:

Ultra 1024MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz (x2)

Thx.

[jfk]

If you are interested in gaming, and you're building this PC to be a FPS gamer, it is all about the video card. Others have made good suggestions above. I'm not as confident talking about Intels as AMD's, so I'll leave that to the more experienced. For a gamer, if you're going to sacrifice to save money, you cut the CPU first, ram second, and the video card last. You cut EVERYTHING else before the video card. For about $200, you can get a 6800GS, it comes in both AGP and PCIE and is a VERY good gamer in that price range. It will play all current games out pretty well, though some of the more intense games WILL need the settings dialed down. I would replace your X700 choice with that. Not saying you will wind up with a world class gaming rig, but it will be capable and upgradeable. Follow the other suggestions as far as mobo, CPU and ram. JMO.

[glc]

If you have return privileges - use them - and please don't use Tiger Direct any more. You can replace just the power supply in that case if you like the case - I'd get a 400+ watt ATX 2.0 unit from Fortron/Sparkle (FSP/SPI), Antec, or Enermax - and think about replacing that processor with a 630. Concur with a 6800GS or better.

[dm9719]

Thanx, GLC! I've been using TigetDirect for years; do they have a bad rep I don't know about? And how did you know I use them? I don't think I mentionned that; maybe the crappy case/ps gave it away

I like the Antec case recommended by the previous post; I think I'll start w/ that and follow your other advice as $$$'s permit.

Many thanx to all for your input!

D

[glc]

They have lousy customer service, sell a lot of crap, their product descriptions are filled with errors and are all hype, their quality stuff is all overpriced, and the real clues were they are the only vendor I could find that sells that specific case - and Ultra is their house brand ram.

That case is actually a nice case, but the power supply is very suspect. You just don't get a good 485 watt power supply AND a nice case for 70 bucks - something is lacking there. That's the only reliability issue I see with your build - my other comments are strictly performance oriented.

Check out Newegg and Zipzoomfly for future parts purchases.