Gaming Rig Build

[DropPoint]

Hi everyone, Im new to the forums and I'm getting ready to build a computer.. I never have built my own PC before and am pretty excited.. But I don't know a whole lot about computers, But enough to get by and may need some advice an tips, Would be very much appreciated..

I did some research and had some friends help me pick some things out.. Main point of the computer is for gaming.. Here is what I have picked out so far..

Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2

MoBo
ASUS M2N-E SLI Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 500 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

RAM
Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Case
XCLIO A380 Silver SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case

PSU
XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P3 550W ATX12V 550W Power Supply

GPU
XFX PVT73GU1D4 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Fatal1ty Professional Series Video Card

Monitor
Acer AL1917ABMD Black 19" 8ms DVI LCD Monitor

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

DVD/CD Drive Combo
ASUS Combo Drive Silver E-IDE/ATAPI Model CB-5216AG SV

Oh, and Windows XP Pro.. Haven't added that in the budget yet.. Can you guys help me check if everything is compatible.

Total-
$1,166.92
-----With Shipping- $1,216.66

Thanks for the help

[YukonMaster]

Hi and welcome to PCMech,

I am going to jump to it, even though I am an AMD guy, right now Intel has the lead with the C2D. My question is, does Intel or AMD matter to you? C2D outperform the X2's dollar to dollar so you would be better off and, it would be a better investment into your machine. As of now everything looks to be compatible.

YukonMaster

[glc]

If you want an AMD build, everything is compatible. You can save money and hassles with a non-SLI board though. I would also spend another 10 bucks or so and get a DVD burner instead of a combo drive.

[DropPoint]

Originally Posted by YukonMaster Hi and welcome to PCMech, I am going to jump to it, even though I am an AMD guy, right now Intel has the lead with the C2D. My question is, does Intel or AMD matter to you? C2D outperform the X2's dollar to dollar so you would be better off and, it would be a better investment into your machine. As of now everything looks to be compatible. YukonMaster

It doesn't matter, I'm an AMD and Intel person, but Intel cost a bit more, and I have a budget.. My friend has almost the same setup and his runs great High settings on most games.. But, I'm going to go with what I have.

Do you think 550 Watt PSU is enough?

Thanks for help guys

[flanzig1]

With the video card you selected, 550 watts is plenty.

[DropPoint]

I am going to be going wireless also, because my router is in the other room and I cannot reach an Ethernet cable to it.. What would be a good network card that I could buy, but is not real expensive.., Oh and what would be a good DVD burner.

[freakitchen]

It doesn't matter, I'm an AMD and Intel person, but Intel cost a bit more, and I have a budget..

.

That is no longer true. Check out some of the hardware benchmarks that compares the AMD X2s to the Intel C2Ds. You might be surprised.

Here is a good wireless PCI card. You can't really go wrong with Linksys, though it can be better to match brands with your router - depending on what you have

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124116

And DVD burner...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106043

[flanzig1]

For the DVD burner, go with a Lite-On retail for the burning software.
For a wireless network card, it's best to go with the same brand as the wireless router and get a PCI card and not a USB external. A good card will be in the $50 range + or - $20.

[DropPoint]

I have a D-Link Router.. What Cards would work with that? or would any work.. And the dvd burner, does that read CD roms for games too?

[hitchface]

The one thing running for AM2 boards n such right now is that an AM3 chip will work with it...whenever those come out. Just a thought.

[DropPoint]

Oh, and Im going with Windows XP Home Edition, and Can't seem to find it on Newegg.. They are mostly all upgrades to XP home.. Can someone help.. Also can someone help me with what I posted before this.. #9 post..

Thanks for help guys..

[YukonMaster]

Originally Posted by DropPoint Oh, and Im going with Windows XP Home Edition, and Can't seem to find it on Newegg.. They are mostly all upgrades to XP home.. Can someone help.. Also can someone help me with what I posted before this.. #9 post.. Thanks for help guys..

I would be glad too,

Assuming that your D-Link router is Wireless-G, any Wireless-G card will work but, as already stated, it is best to keep it the same manufacture as the router. A DWL-G520 would work well with your router and isn't pricey either. Your DVD drive will play all types of DVD's and CD's. Windows XP Home Edition (not upgrade) is available at
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...t OEM Software
They offer Canadian and American service. I haven't been able to find any retail XP, I'm sure its out there but if so, not for long.

I hope that answers your questions,

YukonMaster

[glc]

XP retail upgrade is about the same price as OEM, and you can do a clean install with it as long as you can get your hands on a Windows 98 or ME CD to slap in the drive when it does the compliance check.

[DropPoint]

Thanks for the Help.. That answers most of my question.. But is there a way you can hook two Ethernet cables together for cheaper then a wireless card? Just curious..

Thanks

[glc]

is there a way you can hook two Ethernet cables together for cheaper then a wireless card?

Exactly what do you want to do?

[DropPoint]

Originally Posted by glc Exactly what do you want to do?

Well my PC will be going in my room and the Router is too far away for an Ethernet cable.. so, was wondering if you could extend the ethernet cable somehow by linking two togather..?

[glc]

Why can't you run an Ethernet cable? It's better to call in an electrician to do it than to try to do everything wireless if you aren't capable of running your own cable.

[DropPoint]

Originally Posted by glc Why can't you run an Ethernet cable? It's better to call in an electrician to do it than to try to do everything wireless if you aren't capable of running your own cable.

Well, I mean, is there something you can buy to hook an Ethernet cable to a thing and then hook another cable into it, and have it twice as long..

Like this
___________Ethernet Cable----------Link-----------Ethernet Cable_________
Router{[|]}- - - - - - - - - - - - -[ Thingy? ]- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{ -- PC }

Can't think of what it's called but I know there is such thing, or possibly a longer Ethernet cable?

[hitchface]

I ran a search on it, but the only thing I can think of would be like a cheap ethernet hub or something. Newegg has them, but you could probably get something cheap at Radio Shack or something.

[YukonMaster]

What you need is an Ethernet Coupler which are available at Amazon for a reasonably price

[YukonMaster]

Found this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Cat5e-Straight.../dp/B000067SC5

[DSCHIEF]

Originally Posted by DropPoint Well my PC will be going in my room and the Router is too far away for an Ethernet cable.. so, was wondering if you could extend the ethernet cable somehow by linking two togather..?

How far do you have to go? I'm pretty sure Cat5 is good up to 300 ft.

[YukonMaster]

If he did need to, a coupler won't make the signal any stronger so 300ft would still be the maximum without a signal booster.

Most people have a few ethernet cables around and you could either spend like 30$ on a new cable of the right size or spend 11$ on a coupler and make use of the old cables. That's what I would do anyways.

YukonMaster

[Katreat]

I expect the problem is not the lenght, it is fining one that long in a store. 25' is about it for store bought cable lengths. I would suggest just stoping by any computer shop and ask them to make one up for you in the length you need (hopefully less than the 300' mentioned). Most computer techs have a roll of the cable and the little end connectors. You will be money ahead in the long run, the cable is not that expensive and avoids having to have couplers in the line.

[DropPoint]

I found a 100 Ft Cat5Here but I think Ill do wireless for now..

Wireless Card

Thanks for the help guys, I thnk I about got it all wrapped up.. Im ordering sometime this week or next week, since next week is my b-day (The 6th) and Ill have a bit more money

[glc]

Cable is both cheaper and better.

[DropPoint]

Im getting a 100foot cat5 cable.. Would this card be compatible for my stuff
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102678 Or is it really worth buying.. For 512 MB GPU this seems cheap, what do you guys think

Thanks

[hitchface]

So what does the video card have to do with all of this?

[DropPoint]

Originally Posted by hitchface So what does the video card have to do with all of this?

I donno, wanted to know if it was worth the price, because I coulda did with a bigger card but nevermind.....

[YukonMaster]

That card is not supported by your motherboard. You will need a PCI Express Card.