Need a new Gaming Computer

[dalenorth]

I have a budget of $2250 and I'd like to get the BEST GAMING computer I can get.
I have a nice budget so I'm not too bothered about prices, I just want to get the best around. I don't need to buy these parts asap. I'll probably make this computr just before Christmas.
Processor: I'd like Dual Core, not bothered between AMD and Intel. You decide.
HD: I'd like at least 180GB

[Cricket]

AMD or INTEL?

Does the $2000 have to cover everything (monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS plus everything in the case)?

Cricket

[dalenorth]

What's the difference between AMD and Intel? Which is better?
Actually my budget is $2250, this includes everything except printer, scanner, keyboard, mouse and joysticks, etc.

[blue60007]

Nothing much...either one will be great. Keep in mind with Intel's Core 2 Duo coming out in a month or two, you may consider waiting for that. Speculation is they'll be good for gaming....

[dalenorth]

I'll probably go for AMD

[Cricket]

Were you looking to build a SLI rig?

Did you want to get a Dual Core processor?

Did you need any specific feature or option like FireWire, dual NIC/ethernet, etc...?

Cricket

[dalenorth]

What's an SLI Rig?
Yes, I want Dual-Core
No, I didn't need any specific things really.

[SputnikSweethrt]

Originally Posted by dalenorth I have a budget of $2250 and I'd like to get the BEST GAMING computer I can get. I'd prefer an AMD Any advice or parts I should get? Is this processor worth buying? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-Athlon-64-...QQcmdZViewItem

With your budget I wouldn't get Socket 939.
I would get a AMD with AM2 socket 5000+ (after July 24th price cuts) or wait for Intel Core 2 (Conroe).

[dalenorth]

Why shouldn't I get this with my budget? Is the processor too expensive or can I get better with my budget?

[SputnikSweethrt]

Originally Posted by dalenorth Why shouldn't I get this with my budget? Is the processor too expensive or can I get better with my budget?

You can get better.
Well.. actually. You can get socket 939, there's not much difference in performance between the sockets, but it's an older socket that AMD is phasing out. Some still prefer it because AM2 is too new.

But I still think you can go up to 4800+/5000+ with your budget after price cuts.

[MakeYourslf2012]

SLI is a tool that squeezes every drop of performance out of a PCI-Express PC.

It uses two graphics cards bridged together to increase performance, sometime the picture is split between top and bottem to be rendered by the two cards. However, you will not get double the performance, SLI usually just boost the AA and AF. for an SLI rig, you need: and SLI capable motherboard, SLI-certified PSU, and two SLI PCI-E graphics cards - it can get pretty pricey if its done right. Using two lower cards will not get you better performance then a sinlge card from a hgiher generation.

Its available on both AMD and Intel platforms, but it only uses nVidia graphics cards.

read about it here:
www.slizone.com

IMO, it would probably just be best to forgo the SLI and get a beefed-up single card with a nice dual-core. This configuration would be the best future-proof option.

If you were to go the AMD route, 939 pin is not the way to go. AMD's new socket, the AM2, was released recentley and is basically the same as 939 socket, except it can now utilize DDR2 RAM. And of course, if you were to take the Intel path - it's highly suggested you wait for thier new Core 2 Duo architecture.

[786ARS]

as for your computer, are you going to need a lot of HD space, if not, or as you have a big budget, you could get away with a raptor for a gaming primary HD, and a 250GB storage drive.
also do you have any preferences, ATi or Nvidia? I;m not too sure about ATi, but for nvidia i would suggest 7900GT/GTX 256mb.

[blue60007]

If AM2 - you MUST get DDR2-800 RAM, anything less hurts performance over 939 counterparts. Also check with the motherboard's website and check the QVL (or similar) (Qualified Vendor List) and make sure the RAM is on the list. It is RAM that the manufacturer has tested to work with the motherboard. AM2's a bit picky when it comes to RAM.

The ATi side would be a X1900XTX. That or the 7900GTX would be excellent options to go with.

[SputnikSweethrt]

Originally Posted by 786ARS as for your computer, are you going to need a lot of HD space, if not, or as you have a big budget, you could get away with a raptor for a gaming primary HD, and a 250GB storage drive. also do you have any preferences, ATi or Nvidia? I;m not too sure about ATi, but for nvidia i would suggest 7900GT/GTX 256mb.

If you want the "BEST" step it up to a 7950GX2!! ..drool.
(And please send it to me when you need to upgrade again for DirectX10 in a few months )

[dalenorth]

Should I go for

Processor; the 2.40Ghz one
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...Core_Duo2.html

Motherboard; which is better???
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...me=GA-965P-DQ6
or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/DFI.html

RAM; the 2x1GB 800 Mhz
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...stix_Kits.html

Hard Drive; the 320GB one
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Seagate_IDE.html

Would this setup be brilliant? What could be improved?

[blue60007]

Of course, none of those are available yet...but yeah, that sounds like a nice setup.

[dalenorth]

Would the 3 in my last post work well together? Any improvements I can make with them?

[MakeYourslf2012]

One question I have though; do you really need two PCI-E slots? That board is not an SLI board, so dual PCI-E slots is pretty much useless, unless you want to use 4 monitors.

If you want to go with Intel's Core 2 Duo, then you should proabably wait untill a couple weeks after it's release incase there are any problems with compatability. It happend with the AM2 launch, and it can certainly happen here.

Also, try checking out a HD from Western Digital or Seagate - the ones with a 16mb cache instead of 8mb.

[dalenorth]

I will be waiting a few weeks after launch as I won't even have the money to buy all the parts then anyway.
I think the Motherboard let's me down atm, am I right? If so, which one will suit me?

[blue60007]

The DFI supports Crossfire. Also, unless it was specifically designed for Conroe, it *might* be a gamble to whether the one you get supports it. Example: Intel's D975XBX board requires a certain revision number. Places like Newegg still have the old versions in inventory, so it'll probably be a gamble if you get the right one or not. Your best bet: buy it in a store (Compusa, Fry's, etc) and you can check the box before buying, OR get a board made for Conroe from the start, like boards with a 965 chipset.

The Gigabyte has a second x16 slot, but is electrically a x4 slot. It'll physically support any PCI-E card up to x16 cards, but will run at x4 speeds, so keep that in mind.

I think that Gigabyte or ASUS's P5B (Deluxe or not) will be your best bet...they both are designed around Conroe with the 965 chipset.

[dalenorth]

Are all of these components compatiable with eachother? Will it work? Is it an excellent set-up?

Processor; the 2.40Ghz one
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...Core_Duo2.html

Motherboard; which is better???
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...abyte_179.html (The top one)
or
http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l...98&modelmenu=1 (I think this one is better for me, am I right?)

RAM; the 2x1GB 800 Mhz
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...stix_Kits.html

Hard Drive; the 320GB one
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Seagate_IDE.html

What could be improved?

[jayb1234]

Since you aren't planning on building this until the end of the year, hold off on the motherboard untill you can get an Intel or Asus board with a 965 chipset.

They will be designed specifically to work with the Conroe processors and should hit the market at the same time, if not a little earlier.

When they do come out wait a few weeks to see what the early feedback on them is before you pick one.

Also same thing with the video card, there are likely to be 2 or 3 newer more powerfull ones released by then.

[glc]

Just wait till you are ready to build. The picture will probably be totally different then. Hopefully the AM2 memory issues will be sorted and Core 2 will be out and all sorted by then, and you can make a MUCH better decision at that time. The video card scene will probably be a bit different too and we will have a better read on the reliability of perpendicular recording technology hard drives.

Planning a computer build 6 months in advance is like trying to plan what car to buy 5 years before it comes out.

[dalenorth]

It's not gonna be 6 months, I will have $1700 in 2 months so I'd like to get the parts in August/September.

[Ghost(BOO!)]

It's a good idea to wait until august/september to look because something might come out that you would rather have or prices in most cases will go down. If you find a bunch of stuff now that you want, by august your list might have big changes (or even different components all together)