Gaming System Help please :)

[SputnikSweethrt]

Hi!
It's nice to have a place to come to whenever I'm upgrading my comp.
This is my second time you guys will be helping me with my configs.

Last time I didn't have the heart to build it from scratch myself but this time I think I'll give it a try with some help from my boyfriend. Unfortunately my bf has blown up a number of processors and mobos in the past so I'm much more willing to trust your advices lol

Here is a list of the options I've been looking at. I will post the shorter summary version here:

MOBO: Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe ATX

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Dual Core Socket AM2 Windsor 2.0GHZ 2000FSB 2X1MB 90NM

GFX card: BFG GeForce 7900 GT OC 256MB SLI Ready PCI-Express x16 Graphics

RAM: Corsair 2Gb PC6400 XMS2 DDR2 Pro Series (TWIN2X2048-6400PRO)

Hard Drive: 300GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10 UDMA-133 7200RPM 16Mb OEM / or /300GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ATA-100 7200RPM 16Mb OEM

Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, DVD-RW, CD-RW: Already gots

My aims are to be able to run Oblivion at decent settings and not get random graphics error messages with every new game I install. I'm also looking to future-proof myself for upgrades that I know are coming ;_; (i.e. Directx 10 GFX card)

Some notes/questions..

• These choices are based on what I can get within Canada (i.e. no newegg) preferably locally around Toronto.
• I went with some uber expensive ram because it was the only one with 800mhz speed. If that speed isn't all that important I'd like to scale it down.
• I have no idea what powersupply I need(watts/voltage..)
• I don't know what case I want : / I like the Antec P180 case a lot of people are getting but I heard it's difficult to install?
• It probably doesn't matter too much but.. Maxtor or Seagate harddrive ?.?
• I have so many processors listed in the link because I'm not sure if I should splurge and go for 4800+ or is 4000+..or even 3500+ fine for gaming? I've always used Intel as opposed to AMD so I'm kind of clueless. So far Canadian stores only seem to have the 3500+ in stock o__o
• Do I need extra cooling ?.?

Thank you so much in advance!

[Kareeser]

Ooh, Toronto, fun.

When I was building my computer (see signature), I headed to the Bloor/College St. area. Most of the stores are seedy, but I picked Canada Computers, as it has a location there. (Plus another in Mississauga, plus another in Kingston...)

They also have a website, so you can peruse all you want before you head out and buy it, with updated inventory stocks.
http://www.canadacomputers.com.

I personally think that the 3500+ is great for gaming. I haven't built any AMD computers, but I'm banking on the assumption that a 3500 runs like an Intel 3.5 GHz processor. Don't take my word on that

The real bottleneck will probably lie with the video card, but the 7900 should be great for that.

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by SputnikSweethrt These choices are based on what I can get within Canada (i.e. no newegg) preferably locally around Toronto. I went with some uber expensive ram because it was the only one with 800mhz speed. If that speed isn't all that important I'd like to scale it down. I have no idea what powersupply I need(watts/voltage..) I don't know what case I want : / I like the Antec P180 case a lot of people are getting but I heard it's difficult to install? It probably doesn't matter too much but.. Maxtor or Seagate harddrive ?.? I have so many processors listed in the link because I'm not sure if I should splurge and go for 4800+ or is 4000+..or even 3500+ fine for gaming? I've always used Intel as opposed to AMD so I'm kind of clueless. So far Canadian stores only seem to have the 3500+ in stock o__o Do I need extra cooling ?.?

Check out www.ncix.com . To give an example of price difference: They have the 3500+ AM2 for $143CAD, instead of $214 at CanadaComputers. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=AMD

That is the proper ram speed for AM2 chips. But again, save a bunch of money with ncix: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=CORSAIR

For your setup, this would be a great power supply: http://search.ncix.com/displayproduc...ufacture=ANTEC 550w will be plenty for your system, and Antec makes high quality units.

I'd pick Seagate, simply for the 5yr warranty, and I would switch to a SATA drive instead of ATA100/133.

All of those CPUs will work for gaming. I would personally pick up a dual core chip. More and more programs and games are taking advantage of them. Buy whichever chip you can afford.

The stock heatsink/fan on your cpu will be enough. And the P180 comes with a fan, so your cooling should be set.

[SputnikSweethrt]

Originally Posted by Alaron Check out www.ncix.com . To give an example of price difference: They have the 3500+ AM2 for $143CAD, instead of $214 at CanadaComputers. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=AMD That is the proper ram speed for AM2 chips. But again, save a bunch of money with ncix: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=CORSAIR For your setup, this would be a great power supply: http://search.ncix.com/displayproduc...ufacture=ANTEC 550w will be plenty for your system, and Antec makes high quality units. I'd pick Seagate, simply for the 5yr warranty, and I would switch to a SATA drive instead of ATA100/133. All of those CPUs will work for gaming. I would personally pick up a dual core chip. More and more programs and games are taking advantage of them. Buy whichever chip you can afford. The stock heatsink/fan on your cpu will be enough. And the P180 comes with a fan, so your cooling should be set.

Thanks Alaron.

Thank you for the ram link and the power supply suggestion. I'll probably take your word for it.
And the Seagate harddrive.. yea I meant to list the SATAII one I'm not sure why I posted the one I did.

I have more questions though >.>

For the CPU.. it looks like the L2 Cache size is 512kb on the one from NCIX, and 1mb on the one I'm looking at from Canada Computers. How much does cache come into play exactly?

And this might be a silly question, but I presume all AM2 sockets are dual-core am I wrong?
EDIT: nevermind I see the 3500+ is not. thanks for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by Kareeser Ooh, Toronto, fun. When I was building my computer (see signature), I headed to the Bloor/College St. area. Most of the stores are seedy, but I picked Canada Computers, as it has a location there. (Plus another in Mississauga, plus another in Kingston...) They also have a website, so you can peruse all you want before you head out and buy it, with updated inventory stocks. http://www.canadacomputers.com. I personally think that the 3500+ is great for gaming. I haven't built any AMD computers, but I'm banking on the assumption that a 3500 runs like an Intel 3.5 GHz processor. Don't take my word on that The real bottleneck will probably lie with the video card, but the 7900 should be great for that.

Yay another Torontonian

Yea I'll most likely be buying some parts at Canada Computers although I've had bad experiences with them in the past. They usually have nice prices and selection.. but they carry a lot of shady grey market crap and tend to put lemons right back on shelves in hopes of some poor customer getting stuck with it unsuspectingly.
Just a warning if you'll be buying from them again : p

[Kareeser]

By all means, don't let my opinion be the deciding factor. I've never bought anything from ncix, although it's starting to look pretty good now If you have had bad experiences from Canada Computers, then it's an indication.

If you're planning on going AMD, I'd suggest an AM2 motherboard, as it seems to be the way of the future (with DDR2 RAM, and the 940 pin AM2 processor [which, by the way, isn't compatible with the 940 pin Opterons])

[glc]

Be careful - the initial indications with AM2 boards is they are VERY fussy about ram. You may want to buy your ram locally with return privileges, compatibility may be a headache.

[SputnikSweethrt]

>< glc. why must you worry me so!
Here's the update on my purchases so far. I'm still waiting on the CPU 'cause AMD keeps delaying their canadian launch.

MOBO: Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe ATX

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Dual Core Socket AM2 Windsor 2.0GHZ 2000FSB 2X1MB 90NM (waiting)

GFX card: BFG GeForce 7900 GT OC 256MB SLI Ready PCI-Express x16 Graphics

RAM: OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-12 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive

PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 TPII-550 Power supply ATX12V 2.01 550 Watt

Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, DVD-RW, CD-RW: Already gots


I got OCZ ram instead of the usual fav Corsair 'cause NCIX had a good deal on it.. but now I'm wondering if it'll work ok with the mobo. If you see any problems with my purchases so far please let me know before my return window is over ^_^

[glc]

http://www.asus.com/999/download/pro...63/1163_10.pdf

If it's not on that list, make sure you can return it.

[SputnikSweethrt]

Not on the list ;_;
And I can't test it yet without the CPU.

..I guess I should return it before my 15 days are up and find a compliant pair.

[glc]

Either that or ask OCZ if they have tested it successfully with that board.

[SputnikSweethrt]

I asked someone at OCZ and he said they've only been having problems with Platinum editions.. and if there turns out to be a problem they'd take it back under warranty.
So I think I'll stick with it for now
.. still waiting on the processor ;_;

Thanks glc <3

[SputnikSweethrt]

update:

Booted it up yesterday with a AMD AM2 4200+ X2.
It worked without a hitch the RAM seems to be working great. I guess I'm lucky like that.

Thanks everyone for your input!

[SputnikSweethrt]

update for anyone planning on using ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe boards:

Be prepared to make room for a sound card in your budget. The onboard sound might cause some trouble.

(sorry for multi-posting but i can't seem to edit my other posts.)