Help Building A Gaming Computer

[Anth83]

Ok now i want to build in about a month.
The PC will be used for games. Like the new directx10 ones. I want it to run them all perfectly.

I already have -
LCD monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Sound Card

I put a list together. Now i live in Australia so i will be using this site - www.scoptec.com.au
My budget is $2000 AUD

I will NOT be using SLI

Here are the parts i have chosen - (Any input is greatly appreciated)

CPU - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19867/

MOTHERBOARD - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20283/ (if i can get a cheaper one!!)

RAM - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22844/

VIDEO CARD - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20913/

HARD DISK - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22009/

DVD - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20781/

CASE & PSU - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19538/

OS - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/21447/

The total is $2,091.00 AUD

If i could cut it back a bit??

Also this Pc should run all the new games no problem yeh?

Thanks

[whubbard]

It looks like you've done your research.
1) I would go with the 320GB seagate 7200.10 (http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19494/)
2) I would suggest the XFX over leadtek..but for what you want, seems to cost to much. (http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/21221/)

Also, I would instal 64-bit if I were you...but good choice on vista

[Anth83]

Hey mate thanks for your reply.

just 2 quick questions.

1. That motherboard that i have chosen, It doesn't really say it its SLI or not. I'm not going to SLI so would a cheaper board do the job?

2. What is the difference between the 64-bit version?

[Jimmy0]

For the CPU, I would personally get the E6600 over the E6700 because the difference in performance is definitely not worth the huge difference in price.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 - $310.00
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19782/

Unlesss you need the features of the Deluxe Asus P5B board, then you could just get the plain P5B, and this will save you some money.

Asus P5B - $169.00
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19448/

With the memory, get Corsair DD2 667 2x1GB sticks over the single 2GB one.

Corsair VS 2x1gb 667 DDR2 RAM - $110.00
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19554/

With the hdd, I would personally get the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB one, over the WD.

Seagate Baracuda 7200.10 320GB - $115.00
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19494/

For the DVDRW, I would get a SATA burner over an IDE one these days.

Lite-On SATA - $69.00
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22424/

Overall with the Video card, Case & PSU and also OS you chose, this makes your total to $1,836.00

[LeftyAce]

None of the P5B series are sli.

And I agree with Jimmy0 that a plain P5B is probably fine...if you need onboard firewire, get the P5B E.

[Mr.Ferrari]

The PSU that comes with your case is quality, but hasn't been known to withstand high loads for a long period of time, I wouldn't personally take the gamble with such a high end machine. My suggestion would be to get the case w/o the PSU separately, and buy this powersupply: Corsair 520W.

Originally Posted by Anth83 1. That motherboard that i have chosen, It doesn't really say it its SLI or not. I'm not going to SLI so would a cheaper board do the job? 2. What is the difference between the 64-bit version?

1. See what jimmy suggested, the P5B Deluxe has 2 PCI-E16 slots but cannot run SLi, and will run crippled Crossfire. It has a few higher quality components over the regular P5B, but unless you plan major overclocking, this should not be a factor.

2. The 64bit version will see more then 3.2gb of ram. I would personally suggest you stick to 32bit now (Unless your gonna use 4gb now), especially with the immature drivers (of nvidia's particularly) on 64bit. I would wait until SP1 is released, by then the bugs should be worked out.

[whubbard]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari 2. The 64bit version will see more then 3.2gb of ram. I would personally suggest you stick to 32bit now (Unless your gonna use 4gb now), especially with the immature drivers (of nvidia's particularly) on 64bit. I would wait until SP1 is released, by then the bugs should be worked out.

not going to debate this anymore. But i use 64 bit on a build I did in october.
1) Its been faster that 32-bit.
2) I have had NO driver issues.


but if you get the retail version of vista...you can try them both out, and see what you like better. Just remeber that one day you might want to just be able to stick 2 more gigs in.

[Anth83]

Thanks for all your reply's. Great help!!

My main objective is to NOT upgrade for quite a while. Should this build be able to handle the new high tech directx10 games over the next couple of years??

[whubbard]

Originally Posted by Anth83 My main objective is to NOT upgrade for quite a while. Should this build be able to handle the new high tech directx10 games over the next couple of years??

You never know .... but it should be able to. Thats a very good card.

Might want to look at the P5K. That way it will be much easier to upgrade in a few years. P5B is a great short term solution, but the P5K is a better long term one.

If you want the Deluxe:
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22713/

But in my opinion this is all you would need:
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22857/

Yes...the one I am recommending is an extra $55. But in the long haul, it will be way worth it. Even if it mean you have to wait a bit until you have the extra cash to buy the PC.

[Anth83]

Whats wrong with this board? http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22684/

Hmm i'm actually thinking now i should buy a quad core CPU.

I mean i really don't want to be upgrading for a while.....

[whubbard]

was going to suggest that...but it doesn't have the same features. It will work. But you might want to add a wifi card. Actually to be honest, you might as well get that, and if you need wifi pick up a card. So that board is just perfect for you! (just saved you $20 too )

quad core really isn't that great. Nothing is using all four cores, but then again...new games might.

If your willing to pay a bit extra...go for the quad core, otherwise the dual core will be just fine.
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/21276/

[RobertB]

That's essentially what I'm running (see sig). I do a lot of photoshop work and multi tasking. It floats pretty good for me.

Originally Posted by Jimmy0 For the CPU, I would personally get the E6600 over the E6700 because the difference in performance is definitely not worth the huge difference in price. With the memory, get Corsair DD2 667 2x1GB sticks over the single 2GB one.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Stick to the dual core and buy a P5K or P5K Deluxe. You can upgrade to quad or the new dual cores if and when you need.

[Anth83]

Yep i will get that board,

Just a couple more questions

1. That antec 550W has great reviews. Why won't it be good for my build?

2. I'm thinking of going with the 8800GTX. Is there much difference between that and the 8800GTS?

http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20914/

Thanks

[jer888]

cant really know how any of the DX10 cards are going to work in a couple years, since there arn't even any DX10 games yet

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by Anth83 Yep i will get that board, Just a couple more questions 1. That antec 550W has great reviews. Why won't it be good for my build? 2. I'm thinking of going with the 8800GTX. Is there much difference between that and the 8800GTS? http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20914/ Thanks

The antec is of good design, but uses a few poor quality components. In the long term, with such a heavy load, it will not last. I suggest the Corsair instead.

The GTX just adds more power. Do whats best for your wallet. The 8800GTS 320Mb is the best bang/buck in this area.

[Anth83]

Ok so here is the final list -

CPU - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19782/

MOTHERBOARD - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22684/

RAM - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19554/

VIDEO CARD - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20914/

HARD DISK - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/19494/

DVD - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22423/

CASE - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/16153/ (still kinda undecided) or this one - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20223/ (big price difference!!) I like the original the antec server case i chose but you can't get it without the PSU!!

PSU - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/20286/

OS - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/21447/

TOTAL - $2,311.00

Kinda over my budget but whats $300...

Gonna be a hell of a powerful games PC....

Also would this window - http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/4371/ Fit on my case?

Everything look good??

[Mr.Ferrari]

Go for this optical instead: http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/22424/. Cheaper too.

If you want to save some money, go for the 8800GTS.

The Antec Titan looks to be on the same platform as the Atlas, albeit slightly modified with the Cover on the drive bays. Same size shape though.

[Anth83]

Ok giving it some more thought. I have read that the Quad core 6600 is going to have a major price drop in a month?? Well i might as well wait for that.
Then hopefully a few more things have dropped in price (8800GTX) Im almost tempted to get the SLI case, JUST IS CASE i want to throw another one in a bit later on.
Hmm im not excacly sure. I just don't want to be upgrading for long time.

I have also decided on the Antec 900 case. Would that be ok?

[Mr.Ferrari]

The GTS and GTX don't have all that big of a performance gap, it depends on how much your willing to fork over. ($).

The 900 is fine.

The Q6600 is going to be $266 US (OEM) following July 22nd. They are also going to be introducing 1333FSB processors, the E6850 is going to be the same price but offer the 1333fsb jump, 4mb cache, and will be clocked at 3ghz.

[Anth83]

1. So would you suggest going with the Q6600??
2. Would 2 8800GTS's in SLI be more powerful than 1 8800GTX?

[Anth83]

Ok so i have just read this - http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34916
Any truth to that?

So i guess it would be better to just go with a core 2 duo?? Any idea when the prices will drop?

[LeftyAce]

A year ago that was exactly the situation with dual cores; they were 'useless' for games. From a future-proofing standpoint, get the quad; having 2 extra cores won't hurt you :-)

Price drop is on the 22nd of July.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by Anth83 1. So would you suggest going with the Q6600?? 2. Would 2 8800GTS's in SLI be more powerful than 1 8800GTX?

Thats a tough one, the Q6600 would be a no brainer for those with older 965P or such motherboards which don't natively support the newer 1333FSB processors. The E6850 comes with a higher clock and fsb speed. The Q6600 will run hotter and take more juice too.

I dunno, it all depends on what you plan to do with the computer. Most games are more GPU dependent. In a situation where a application/game is not multithreaded, the processor with more cache and a higher clock speed per core will win.

Like I said earlier, there is a minimal performance gap between the 8800GTX and GTS. 2x8800GTS would destroy a 8800GTX if in the right situations. This is just due to SLI being not as beneficial as nvidia wants you to believe. I would do whatever is best for your budget. 8800GTS is great bang/buck.

Originally Posted by Anth83 Ok so i have just read this - http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34916 Any truth to that? So i guess it would be better to just go with a core 2 duo?? Any idea when the prices will drop?

Just keep in mind to take whatever the inquirer says with a little more then a grain of salt. Remember, they are a tabloid.

There is one game off the top of my head that benefits greatly from more cores is SupremeCommander. Drastic increases in FPS were noticed when switching from single, dual, and quad cores.

Otherwise, the regular Core 2 Duos will have a price drop sometime in September.

[Anth83]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari The E6850 comes with a higher clock and fsb speed.

So im guessing you mean this processer?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115001

So if i wait till the 22nd this will have a major price drop and its proberbly better then getting the quad core?

[blue60007]

No, I don't think the E6850 will be available until the 22nd.

[Anth83]

I guess the best thing to do would be to wait till the 22nd, then review my options then.

[LeftyAce]

Waiting is never a bad idea (unless you wait forever and never get the computer :-)

Prices always go down.