Please comment on midrange gaming pc build configuration

[farrukh_najmi]

Hello,

I am building a mid-range gaming PC and would like your expert comments on the build configuration:

Case: -Antec P-160W ALUM SLV U2F http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=amd-google-20

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Motherboard: -BIOSTAR TForce590SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138033

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Graphics Card: -GIGABYTE GV-NX76G512P-RH GeForce 7600GS 512MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

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Add-on Card: -
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Power Supply: -Seasonic S12-600
http://www.case-mod.com/store/season...89.html?src=fr

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Processor: -AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103751

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RAM: -CZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...P=OTC-d3alt1me

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Primary Hard Drive: -74GB WD 10,000RPM 8MB WD740GD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...MP=OTC-Froogle

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Secondary Hard Drive - Will add later
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CPU Heatsink: Zalman CNPS 9500 LED http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118004


In particular I am curious is there are any incompatibility issues and also what improvements you would suggest.

The system adds up to about ~USD 1300.

Thanks very much for your help.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Is AMD absolutely neccesary? A Core 2 Duo setup of equivalent value will destroy it.

If not, I suggest you pick a board that has a little more reputation/quality behind it. Such as the Asus M2N-E series.

You really dont need that much power for your setup. If your thinking of going SLi I would suggest against as one more powerful card will be cheaper and faster then two 7600GS's. Any of these powersupplies will handle the biggest baddest videocards; for future upgradebility:
Silverstone ST50EF
Sunbeam NUUO 550w

FYI, A decent 400w would easily handle a single 7600GT/GS.

Speaking of which, you want to spend less money on the processor and more money on a videocard. Perhaps downgrading the proc to a lower X2 and buying atleast a 7600GT , or preferably something like a X1950Pro

Also, swap that ram out for some of this: 2gb Corsair VS

[farrukh_najmi]

Thanks very much for the help.

The only reason I picked the mobo is that it was ranked highest in this review:



As for AMD vs. Intel I have seen mixed info and led me to believe that AMD has better 64 bit architecture, lower power consumption and better suited for gaming. Other posts and reviews suggest they are really quite comparable. Are there some resources that make a strong case between AMD Athelon 64 X2 and Intel Core 2 Duo families?

Indeed, I was planning on going SLI and adding a second 7600GS later if needed. This was based on this somewhat dated but excellent 3 part resource:




It contains a video benchamark:


that gave fairly high FPS ratings to the two Gigabyte GeForce 6600 GV-NX66256DP card. I decided to upgrade a bit and get one card now and anothe later if needed.

It seems that the key questions you have raised are, whether SLI and 2 cheaper cards is a bad idea and whether the mobo I had picked should be replaced.

So now I am having grave doubts about my build configuration since your advice is quite different from the road I was on.

Perhaps you and others can suggest "known to work" build configurations of recent vintage that are recommended for a gaming system in the USD 1400 price range?

Thanks very much for your help. You guys are the best.

[Mr.Ferrari]

From what I get from that review is they really went purely on what the motherboards offered in features and how well they did in performance. Which is not something that is easily measured as their are many variables. Now AM2 isnt that popular so I have no understanding of the true longterm stability and quality of this board. Biostar is not junk. But with such a finicky platform as AM2 is. I prefer to go with namebrand stability. Like Asus.

That info is true..7 months ago. Very good research. But with Core 2 Duo recently being released, it has the lowest TDP (Thermal Design power) which means not only does it run cooler, but it takes up less power then any mainstream AMD. Also as far as performance goes, the basic entry level core 2 duo will destroy amd's top of the line FX series. And 64 bit architecture is not something that is of value. As there are really not that many components that take advantage of this, nor are their programs yet written to take advantage of this.

Compared against two of the cards from 3 generations ago then yes. But there are a whole new stream of videocard to the market. For example a single X1950PRO which is about $200 will destroy two 7600GS/GT's in sli. SLi is only worthwhile if you plan on buying the biggest and baddest cards on the market. Which runs about $1k. Which is also something I dont support as its way too much $$.

My basic suggestion?
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300/E6600-Depending on budget
Asus P5B
2gb Corsair Value Select DDR2 667
ATI X1950Pro or X1950XT-Depending on budget
Seagate 7200.10 series hard drive in the GB flavor of your choice
Silverstone ST50EF Powersupply
Case of your choice
Liteon dvd burner-Retail
XP Pro OEM
Monitor of your choice

And just add as you see your budget allows. If you wish to have a raptor as your main hard drive then thats a choice, but with raptors I always prefer to keep a backup.

Sorry I couldnt individually link all of these-In a hurry. If you have any further questions feel free.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari From what I get from that review is they really went purely on what the motherboards offered in features and how well they did in performance. Which is not something that is easily measured as their are many variables. Now AM2 isnt that popular so I have no understanding of the true longterm stability and quality of this board. Biostar is not junk. But with such a finicky platform as AM2 is. I prefer to go with namebrand stability. Like Asus. That info is true..7 months ago. Very good research. But with Core 2 Duo recently being released, it has the lowest TDP (Thermal Design power) which means not only does it run cooler, but it takes up less power then any mainstream AMD. Also as far as performance goes, the basic entry level core 2 duo will destroy amd's top of the line FX series. And 64 bit architecture is not something that is of value. As there are really not that many components that take advantage of this, nor are their programs yet written to take advantage of this. Compared against two of the cards from 3 generations ago then yes. But there are a whole new stream of videocard to the market. For example a single X1950PRO which is about $200 will destroy two 7600GS/GT's in sli. SLi is only worthwhile if you plan on buying the biggest and baddest cards on the market. Which runs about $1k. Which is also something I dont support as its way too much $$. My basic suggestion? Intel Core 2 Duo E6300/E6600-Depending on budget Asus P5B 2gb Corsair Value Select DDR2 667 ATI X1950Pro or X1950XT-Depending on budget Seagate 7200.10 series hard drive in the GB flavor of your choice Silverstone ST50EF Powersupply Case of your choice Liteon dvd burner-Retail XP Pro OEM Monitor of your choice And just add as you see your budget allows. If you wish to have a raptor as your main hard drive then thats a choice, but with raptors I always prefer to keep a backup. Sorry I couldnt individually link all of these-In a hurry. If you have any further questions feel free.

I agree on the graphics card though you can get a 7900 GT for litterly the same price but put them against each other there very simmilar but meh his choice im happy with mine, do not got the GS though if you have gaming in mind the lowest you should go for decent settings is a 7600 GT!

[farrukh_najmi]

As for AMD vs. Intel I have seen mixed info and led me to believe that AMD has better 64 bit architecture, lower power consumption and better suited for gaming. Other posts and reviews suggest they are really quite comparable. Are there some resources that make a strong case between AMD Athelon 64 X2 and Intel Core 2 Duo families?


Having studied this issue some more I learned that until Core 2 Duo AMD was the clear winner in the Intel Vs. AMD battle:
From this article from November 2005,

Core 2 Duo Intel is the winner today in performance by about 16% FPS rate:



However, I also learned that Intel Core 2 Duo is not a 64 bit processor (the first 64 bit Intel in Core 2 Duo family will be Merom chip for notebooks).

For me 64 bit architecture is important because I use dual boot linux where most software for 64 bits. Also if one wishes to run Vista and take advantage of 64 bit OS then one needs a 64 bit processor. BTW whether and how does Vista run on Intel Core 2 Duo?

For my needs I think I prefer to stick with AMD Athelon 64 X2 processor.

Would someone kindly suggest a gaming build configuration for AMD Athelon 64 X2 processor for ~1400 USD.

Thanks in advance.

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by farrukh_najmi For me 64 bit architecture is important because I use dual boot linux where most software for 64 bits.

You are planning on using Linux on a gaming machine? What games do you plan to play? Most games do not support the Linux operating system.

[flanzig1]

Not sure where you got your info that the Core 2 Duo doesn't support 64 bit but if you look at the specs on all of the Conroe's, they all have 64 bit support.

[TimPoet]

Originally Posted by farrukh_najmi BTW whether and how does Vista run on Intel Core 2 Duo?

I'm sure it would be fine but no one can say for sure since it hasn't been released for home use except for the beta product.

Edit:
I believe I heard GLC say that you can't play many games on Linux. But I guess you can have multi OS's on your hard drive, so you can run Win Xp, too....

[Mr.Ferrari]

Core 2 Duo is a 64bit processor. Any review that tells you otherwise is incorrect. The only processors in the Core line that werent 64bit were the early Core Duo's. Which were used solely in laptops. Core 2 Duo has full 64bit support and currently the best. Conroe is the nickname for the Desktop version, and Merom is the nickname for the laptop version.

Core 2 Duo cannot even be compared in gaming with X2's. C2D has just more raw power. AnAndtech has some great articles showing that.