im a noob to hardware and im building my own pc...will this set up work???

[Chazell29]

ok so i know some info about hardware, but i don't know a hole lot, and i wnat to build a computer for games, but not a super gaming computer. just a computer good enough to run battlefield 2. but here is the hardware i chose:


As per member request, see post below for updated specs

[Chazell29]

also a couple quick questions:
1) i listed on there a usb drive thing lol...do i need that, or do the usb drives on the case attach to the motherboard? how does that work?

2) the motherboard has an onboard audio card, but i listed a new sound card...should i buy the new sound card for games? or is the onboard one good?

[andper10]

I am still somewhat new to this, but here are my suggestions.
Get an 80GB hard drive (they are the same price as the 40GB). Get a sata2 hard drive since your motherboard supports it. This coupled with your motherboard will give you blazing fast data read/write. And, it is only $44.

You didn't list Windows XP home. That will add $90 (unless you already have a copy).

Your case looks cool, but I will let other more experienced users judge its function.

For $21 more you could get this processor. It has HT technology, is 3.2Ghz, and has a faster fsb (800mhz).

You shouldn't need that USB 2.0 Card because your motherboard has 6 USB 2.0 ports on the back. Is doesn't come out and say it in the specs, but nearly all motherboards have headers for you to hook up your front USB 2.0 ports (and headphone jack). However, if you want firewire (IEE1394), then you will need to get a firewire card.

Onboard sound should do just fine, especially considering your relitavely small budget. You might want to use the money saved there to upgrade your video card. However, I don't have any experience with Geforec 6600's, so other users can help you out with your video card choice.

I don't think that power supply is a good idea. You should get one from the good secton on this list.

Liteon CD/DVD Drives are recommended by nearly everyone on these forums. Just be sure to buy an audio cable seperately. (this one will work fine, except that it is currently out of stock)

As far as ram goes, you should get at least 1GB for games. Your mobo supports DDR667, so try to get that speed. Whatever size you get, be sure it is a matched pair (e.x. 1GB = 2x 512 sticks). This will allow it to run dual channel mode.

Also, don't forget about a monitor and speakers. Hope this build goes well.

[sacred cow]

The case is good if your spending 80 bucks i would consider this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811166027
has 2 more 120mm fans great cooling and comes with a 450 PSU saves you 30+ $ right there clear side panel with a blue led on the side fan.

I agree i would move up to a 80GB for some extra space for music and stuff what ever you wanna put on it and its the same price.

I would consider using a DVD/CD RD/W its only about 20 bucks more

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116001
I would consider this processor since its dual core and only a few bucks more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Custra...82E16814130009
If you get the case i suggested i would consider this card since its better , cheaper and i wont get as hot becaseu the case is so good XD

I would see how it sounds with out the sound card before you bought it i listend to the ppl advice on here and it saved me $100 because the onboard sound on my mobo was perfect

u might want to get the card since this case has less ports but it depends on how u feel

Great chocie for the mouse and keyboard but you might want to buy a new mouse when you get more money.

Well i hoped this helped let me know how it goes

Sacred Cow

[sacred cow]

i would also consdier dishing the extra 20-40$ to buy a new PSU unit and go with a company like antec

Sacred Cow

[minsonngo]

The case you picked isn't bad.

Go with a bigger SATA (Serial ATA) hard drive. 250GB is the best bang for the buck right now.

Chunk the optical drive you picked and go with a Light-On DVD writer.

You may want to go with a better processor too. Here is a better suggestion in the same price range as the one you picked out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116001

Your forgot the memory. The board you picked out takes DDR2-667 memory modules. Cosair is a nice brand to go with. Get the dual channel kits.

You probably need a better PSU. Go with a ATX 2.x PSU with over 450w of power minimum. Go with a good brand from this list: http://www.forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

You also don't need to waste you money on another sound card. The onboard sound on the motherboard is more than enough for your purposes.

Your motherboard also has 6 USB 2.0 ports already. 4 in the back and 2 for the front of the case. So if you don't plan on using more than 6 USB ports, you DON'T need the USB controller card.

[Cricket]

That case is probably fine but you really don't want to get that CoolMax power supply for your new gaming rig. CoolMax power supplies are rubbish. I'd look at Fortron Source or Sparkle Power to ensure you get a good quality power supply.

A 40GB hard drive is just too small by today's standards. Consider getting at least a 120GB HDD or larger one if your budget allows. If you run out of space on the 40GB HDD, Windows will become unstable. A 120GB HDD will give the swap file room to expand if necessary.

If you're only going to have 1 optical drive you don't want a CD-ROM drive. Get a DVD burner to keep all your options open.

That processor is sort of dated. Since you're on a budget but want performance, take a look at this P4. The 800MHz FSB speed will really help performance.

Don't get a SLI motherboard if you're on a budget and will never use the SLI capability. Get a good motherboard with a Intel chipset for stability and performance. Take a look at this motherboard or this one.

Try the on-board sound first before you buy a separate soundcard.

No need to get a USB PCI card, most modern motherboards already have 4 USB ports on the back with provisions to add at least 4 more.

Since you're getting free RAM make sure it's the right type and speed and compatible with the motherboard you decide to use.

Building a budget gaming rig isn't easy (heck, building a regular PC for $600 is pretty hard) and it would have been nice if you had twice the budget to build a decent gaming rig.

Cricket

[Chazell29]

OK OK OK THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT HELP!!!
I have taken all of your suggestions into considerations and heres my input:

1) you said the case isn't bad, but you'd recommend other ones. I REALLY like the case, so will it work for my computer well?
2) I picked the new Pentium D processor, its better than what I had before
3) the power supply unit, i wanted to stay around the same budget, and i found on that was on the list for only 10 bucks more, so is that a good one and will it work?
4) someone recommended another motherboard, but it was more expensive. Some of you said my motherboard is good. Is the motherboard i have listed good for me?
5) my video card, its a GeForce 6600GT 256mb PCI-e, i don't have any expierence with these cards, what is the BEST gaming video card i can get IN THE SAME price range???
6) I put **UPDATED** next to everything i upadated, so if you could please double check my set up again

again i thank you =)

[Mr.Ferrari]

Epower is not one of the better Topower units. Get this one instead, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

Skip that motherboard and get something with a 945p chipset or above, preferably asus. Intel+nforce4 is a big no no.

I would really suggest you get the Pentium D 915 or 930 over the 805, runs cooler, higher fsb, and more cache.

And get this video card instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102657
Way way better card for the price.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Chazell29 1) you said the case isn't bad, but you'd recommend other ones. I REALLY like the case, so will it work for my computer well?

If that's the one you want, go ahead and get it...it's fine. You're the one who will be looking at it all the time, get the one that appeals to you.

Originally Posted by Chazell29 2) I picked the new Pentium D processor, its better than what I had before

I agree with Mr.Ferrari, if you're going to get a Dual Core processor get one of the 9xx series.

Originally Posted by Chazell29 3) the power supply unit, i wanted to stay around the same budget, and i found on that was on the list for only 10 bucks more, so is that a good one and will it work?

The power supply is basically the heart of the computer and you should never, ever go cheap on this very important component. The Fortron Source Mr.Ferrari linked to is an excellent power supply.

Originally Posted by Chazell29 4) someone recommended another motherboard, but it was more expensive. Some of you said my motherboard is good. Is the motherboard i have listed good for me?

Intel processors work best with motherboards that use Intel chipsets. And since the motherboard is like the backbone of the system you really should get a good one like the ASUS P5LD2 I linked to. It cost more but it's a proven motherboard. Since you're not getting the soundcard and USB expansion card now can't you increase the motherboard budget? I would.

Cricket

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Cricket Since you're not getting the soundcard and USB expansion card now can't you increase the motherboard budget? I would. Cricket

yeah but i had to get other stuff i forgot (memory, which i might be getting for free now i dunno, and windows xp, thats more than those 2 were. Im alrady $87 over my budget...)
ill look around and update my list

ALSO
with that motherboard you listed, will everything i have listed above still work with it?

[Chazell29]

shoot the links are all messed up?
well you can copy paste the name, ill get to work on fixing those links

[Chazell29]

i can't edit my first post ne more
what the heck!!??

what is rong with this???
i cna edit like this post and the last couple of posts, but i can't edit my first post to fix the links or edit the hardware...

[blue60007]

Can't edit posts older than 12 hours.

[Chazell29]

thats gay

OK SO HERE IS THE LIST AGAIN, DO NOT USE THE LIST ABOVE, ILL BE UPDATING THIS ONE AS I CANNOT EDI THAT ONE NE MORE

ok so i know some info about hardware, but i don't know a hole lot, and i wnat to build a computer for games, but not a super gaming computer. just a computer good enough to run battlefield 2. but here is the hardware i chose:


XG Viper CA-V2-WOP-R Red Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case- $80
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811106012

**UPDATED**
Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive- $44
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

**UPDATED**
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE Combo Drive- $25
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106029
(That will play both cd-roms and dvd's right? thats what i need right?)

**UPDATED****UPDATED**TWICE**
Intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 800MHz FSB 2 x 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor- $116
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213
(DOUBLE CHECK THIS WILL WORK. IS IT BETTER TO GET THIS THAN THE 533MHZ???)

**UPDATED**
ASUS P5LD2 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard- $110
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131538

**UPDATED**
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply- $52
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

**UPDATED**
SAPPHIRE 100146L Radeon X1600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card- $112
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102657
(Will that be a good gaming graphics card?)

**REMOVED SOUND CARD**

**REMOVED USB DRIVES**

Logitech Internet Pro Desktop Standard Keyboard Mouse Included- $17
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126152

**UPDATED**
GENERIC 24" 3-pin & 4-pin Connectors Audio Cable Model 11A1-10425- $3
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812102107

**UPDATED**
Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2- $90
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

**UPDATED**
G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory- $90
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231050

TOTAL-$739
OVER -$139
(Is there anyway to bring down the price?)

if there is anything i don't need that i listed, please tell me.
if there is anything i need that i did not list, please tell me.
also, if you could please view each page and double check that everything will work.
if something will not work, or you want to recomend something else, please tell me!!!
im open to anything!!!
(note: i don't want to spend more than $600)
I MIGHT be able to get free RAM, I'm really hoping I can, but i dunno. As of right now i have to buy it.

[Mr.Ferrari]

I really suggest a littlemore the 80gb, but if your confident you dont need much more then that then its fine.

Skip the 820 and go for the 915 or 930, much much better processors and totally worth the price.

Otherwise everything is good.

X1600XT is very decent for the price.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari I really suggest a littlemore the 80gb, but if your confident you dont need much more then that then its fine. Skip the 820 and go for the 915 or 930, much much better processors and totally worth the price. Otherwise everything is good. X1600XT is very decent for the price.

alright thanks man ill goo look at those processors and post back in a sec

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Chazell29 alright thanks man ill goo look at those processors and post back in a sec

what is better? all the specs look the same...cept the L2 Cache is 2x2mb instead of 2x1mb (what is that ne ways, the L2 Cache?)

[Mr.Ferrari]

9 series run cooler and have more cache. L2 cache is the small amount of static memory on the chip itself that allows for quicker storage and movement of data. Kinda like the cache on a hard drive. Basically it helps the processor access memory quicker.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari 9 series run cooler and have more cache. L2 cache is the small amount of static memory on the chip itself that allows for quicker storage and movement of data. Kinda like the cache on a hard drive. Basically it helps the processor access memory quicker.

k
ill put both of them down for now, i have to save a little more money cuz this is gunna cost me more than i wanted to, so i don't have enough right now, and im going to buy everything at once. after i get some more money, depending on how much i have, ill get the cheaeprer of the 9 series.

[Chazell29]

hey so i just wanted to double check that i have EVERYTHING that I need. I looked at Panama Red's checklist, and there was some stuff on there that I didn't know what it was and I didn't have it. So DO I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED TO BUILD MY PC???

Thanks. Please take a look at post 15 for my list of hardware.

[blue60007]

What CPU did you end up going with?

[Chazell29]

ASUS P5LD2 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard- $110
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131538

that one

[Chazell29]

WILL MY MEMORY (RAM) WORK WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE? i saw someone on here who dind't have enough RAM to run the computer..

[blue60007]

That RAM should be fine with that motherboard. Did you stick with the Intel 820 processor in the post above?

[Chazell29]

yupp im getting this one

Intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 800MHz FSB 2 x 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor- $116
newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213

[andper10]

You could downgrade the video card from 1600XT to 1600PRO and it would be $89-$20 mail in rebate (you'd save $40 total after mail in rebate). I have heard that Sapphire video cards can have some troubles with Asus motherboards. Be sure to save the reciept and packaging and stuff just in case. The rest of the stuff looks good and compatible. I've never heard of G.Skill ram before, but someone else probably would have said something if it was a bad brand. Hope your build goes well!

[Mr.Ferrari]

G.Skill=Good

For gaming try to spend as much money as possible on the video card.

Otherwise good luck

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by andper10 You could downgrade the video card from 1600XT to 1600PRO and it would be $89-$20 mail in rebate (you'd save $40 total after mail in rebate). I have heard that Sapphire video cards can have some troubles with Asus motherboards. Be sure to save the reciept and packaging and stuff just in case. The rest of the stuff looks good and compatible. I've never heard of G.Skill ram before, but someone else probably would have said something if it was a bad brand. Hope your build goes well!

thank you, i didn't know that

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari G.Skill=Good For gaming try to spend as much money as possible on the video card. Otherwise good luck

hey, are there any other good video cards for about the same price as the X1600XT card i listed above that would maybe run better with my mobo? (i want a video card that will run Battlefield 2)