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08-22-2006, 06:23 PM
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#1 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
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First computer: Any suggestions?
Here's what I am thinking:
mobo: Gigabyte GA-M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail case: Rosewill R7229K Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX12V 350W with P4 support, 20 Pin Main Connector Power Supply - Retail hdd: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1200JS 120GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM cpu: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800IAA5CU - Retail monitor: Hanns G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail ram: G.SKILL Extreme Series 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) System Memory Model F2-4200PHU1-1GBLA - Retail video card: Leadtek WinFast PX7300GT TDH Geforce 7300GT 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail I also need a fairly cheap network adapter and dvd writer I am going to be doing some gaming but I'll mostly be using it for school. I have an old copy of xp home, and I think I am going to wait so I can get vista instead of upgrading to professional. I am looking for something between $850 and $900. I don't need a keyboard, mouse, and speaker. |
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08-22-2006, 06:35 PM
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#2 |
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Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Doncaster, UK
Posts: 3,563
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Welcome to the forums!
Most important change for you to make is your power supply. Rosewill don't make quality units, and you need a 24-pin ATX2 unit for your system. Find a case without a power supply, and purchase a quality unit like this to go in it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954 Second, consider a drive with more storage. 250GB is in the 'sweet spot' now in terms of price per gigabyte, and for more than double the storage, it won't be anywhere near double the price of the one you chose. Third, with the problems AMD is having with RAM, you need to be careful with what you choose. You NEED DDR2 800 to prevent your system from bottlenecking, and you should get memory listed on the officially supported list for your motherboard. Check Gigabyte's website for this. Fourth, the 7300GT isn't a strong gaming card, so you won't be able to play modern games on the highest graphical settings. If you're not concerned about this, then no problem, but if you are, I wouldn't get anything less than a 7600GT. Finally, your motherboard will come with at least one network adaptor, so no need to buy an aftermarket one. Go for a DVD-RW from Lite-on. My very last piece of advice would be to get a non-SLI motherboard with just the one PCI-E 16x slot. It will save you some cash, since dual video card technology is designed for top-of-the-line gaming systems. FK
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-FK- "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw, The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, In Flanders fields." - John McCrae, May 1915 |
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08-22-2006, 06:45 PM
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#3 |
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Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
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I would much rather see you go with an ASUS board (maybe a M2N-E...it's a bit better quality, and you don't need SLI on this budget...
Case might be OK, but that power supply is a piece of junk. Dump it. It's not even the proper spec for this build. Here's a good one, and for cheap. And then see if you can find that case without a power supply. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954 Problem with AM2 is you *need* expensive DDR2-800 or performance will be *worse* compared to a comparable Socket 939 system. Also AM2 is *very* picky about the RAM you use. I think we've had some people here using this RAM (or different sizes of it) sucessfully: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145566 But I can't garuntee that...you should do some research and see if other people are having luck with that RAM and board. Also check ASUS' (or Gigabyte, or whoever) QVL (list of tested modules) to see what options you have. Here's a better brand card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130025 Haven't heard of Leadtek too much, but eVGA is nVidia's in-house brand, so they are one of the best out there. Keep in mind this isn't really a good card for playing modern games, we've been recommending a 7600GT as a minimum gaming card. Motherboard has onboard network adapter, and here's a good DVD-RW http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106013 Also you can only use the Win XP liscense on one computer - so if it's being used, you'll need a new copy. EDIT: Yeah, you can get a 250GB drive for about $15 more As said, SLI done right (certified PSU, motherboard, etc) would totally blow your budget out of the water, so I'd save a few bucks on a non-SLI board...not sure what Gigabyte has, but ASUS does have a board a couple bucks cheaper.
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"It is the way of man to make monsters and it is the nature of monsters to destroy their makers." Last edited by blue60007; 08-22-2006 at 06:48 PM. |
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08-22-2006, 10:16 PM
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#4 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
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08-22-2006, 10:18 PM
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#5 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
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sorry-forgot to look at the ram you suggested - it's the same thing
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08-22-2006, 10:36 PM
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#6 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
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okay, I think I know what I want. Thanks a lot for all the help.
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