New Gaming Rig

[Subliw]

Alright, at the moment I've got a million tabs open of FireFox trying to do as much research on computers as I can. I have never before built a computer and I don't have much experience with the inner workings of one, so this is an adventure to me. I'm very excited to be doing it, however. Spurring this was a new MMO coming out called Fury, which requires 2GB+ of RAM, a good video card 256MB+ (people say with the latest vid cards and SLI, etc. it looks like a dream world) and a decent processor of 3ghz or 2ghz duo. So those are basically the bare minimum requirements for the new rig I am building.

My budget.. at the moment, I don't have much money but thats not an issue. I don't expect to be getting the rig very fast and I have a job and this is the only thing I currently need to spend money on. I'm thinking $1,500 to $2,500 would be a good range for me. My view on getting a new computer is why skimp, because then I'll just end up needing to upgrade it early on anyway and it'll be the same price or more as if I had just gone full out.

So right now, I need some help with some of the better brands/models/makes out there for a good gaming rig. For graphics cards I know Radeon and NVidia are fairly reliable as far as I can tell. And as far as RAM goes I believe it's Corsair that I'll want to go with. But beyond that, I really don't know too much about specific brands.

Also what I could use some help with is what certain terms mean. I'm not sure how to describe what I mean here but I'll try. I've been reading a lot of computer forums lately and have seen many things (mainly regarding video cards and RAM) about how a computer with a 533 MHz speed would not be compatible with this certain RAM type because it has 800 MHz so you need to downgrade to... blah blah. It all goes over my head because I don't get how it corresponds. I don't expect everyone to be giving me lengthy overviews of computer basics but if anyone has links or recommended websites to help with stuff like this, please, do give.

If you have any questions or I forgot to provide you with any information then please, post and let me know and I'll be sure to respond quickly. I'll be monitoring the post like a hawk for a while.

[doubledragon5]

Right now Intel is top dog. Wait until after the 22nd of july, that is when Intel will be droping prices on its C2D cpu's. Mother boards look at the ASUS line up they are a top tier manufacture, stay away from sli it is more of a gimic than anything.. Corsair XMS or value select for ram. Nvidia 8800 or higher for video. Corsair for psu. Segate Barracuda 7200.10 fro HD. Lite-On SATA for optical retail because you get burning software. Case is your preferance. Do not buy a case with an already installed psu, most are low quality and can ruin a whole system.. Os your choice but go with OEM over retail. Retail only gives you a pretty box and 90 day warranty.

[Subliw]

Thank you for your advice. I am searching around NewEgg for some good components based on your suggestions and another person who is helping me out. I'll get the build set up and then run it by both.

[Subliw]

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068 ($40 after MIR)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115016 ($186)

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131095 ($119)

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145167 ($85)

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140 ($80)

Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121061 ($305)

Power Supply Unit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001 ($105 after MIR)

Operating System: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116200 ($90)

Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102006 ($84)

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254001 ($160)

Total: $1254.00


This is far cheaper than I expected it to be. I am perfectly happy with how this turned out... Speakers, Keyboard, Mouse and Optical Drives I can take out of this current computer to save myself money. (I have a Logitech mouse, g15 keyboard, fair enough speaker system and a fairly new optical drive and an old dvd drive). What do you guys think?

P.S. If this works out I'll probably even end up springing for another 2 gigs of RAM to make 4GB.

Someone just recommended different RAM for me, what do you guys think. Here it is:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211174

[jer888]

Case- Good, take a look at Antec cases also.

CPU- That processor will work fine, but with your budget you could get alot more. The Intel price drops should have been today, so I would get a E6600 at least.

Motherboard- That is a AMD- compatible motherboard. You need a Intel- compatible motherboard. Check out the Asus P5K line. They are all rock solid, only differ in features. That is the generally recommended Intel motherboard.

RAM- Unless you are overclocking, check out Corsair Value Select.

Hard Drive- Good

Video Card- You might as well go for a 8800GTX.

Power Supply- Good, the 620watt version will give you a little more headroom, but that should work fine.

Operating System- I would stick with the 32-bit version. Although most processors now support 64 bit, there is not widespread support of it yet.

Sound Card- The motherboard has onboard sound that should be fine, but if you are a audiophile then good.

Moniter- probably fine, but a widescreen 20" or 22" especially will look great. Samsung 226BW is great.

[Subliw]

Took some of your advice... I don't need a bigger monitor than 19" really and it's such an expensive upgrade that I think I'll settle. Right now I'm playing on a 15" so I think I can manage... lol. Here is the new set with changed; RAM, CPU, Motherboard, OS, Graphics Card and a removed sound card. I didn't understand that aspect...

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068 ($40 after MIR)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003 ($223)

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131184 ($143)

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 ($83 after MIR)

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140 ($80)

Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130072 ($489 after MIR)

Power Supply Unit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001 ($105 after MIR)

Operating System: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116195 ($95)

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254001 ($160)

New Total: $1418.00

More expensive, but still somewhat cheap comparatively.

[LeftyAce]

The ram you have listed is overkill unless you plan on overclocking. Corsair ValueSelect DDR2667 is plenty: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

The motherboard you're getting has a sound card built into it (As do most motherboards nowadays) so you don't need a dedicated sound card. If you do lots of sound recording, a dedicated card will reduce the load on the processor, but for most use, onboard is fine.

You're also getting built-in video, which you don't need because you're getting a separate video card. The regular P5K doesn't have onboard video, and is $10 cheaper (not much, but it's something :-) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180

[Subliw]

That Mobo also has poorer ratings and people are posting saying it has issues... I think I can spend the extra $10 for more assurance that the thing will work without too much tweaking. And I do plan on overclocking. The mobo, CPU and RAM I have all can handle quite a bit. BTW, for overclocking will I need to buy an additional fans and such?

[jer888]

Take Newegg user reviews for what they are worth, most people don't know what they are talking about and attribute problems to the wrong parts of their build (I.E. their build won't start, so they blame the motherboard when its really their 20$ power supply). The P5K and P5Kv are practically the same thing, except the V has onboard video that you don't need and costs more.

If you plan on overclocking, depending on how far you want to go, you may want a aftermarket heatsink/fan.

[Subliw]

Alright, fair enough. I'll trust you on this. I'm going to get a fully fleshed out list ready right now. I'll edit the post when I get it. And I actually decided against overclocking, at least for now, so I am going with the value RAM. This way I save a bit of money and since this is my first time doing a build I think it's for the better that I don't OC. Full build coming in a minute.

Case: Rosewill R6AS5-BK 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($39.99 after MIR)

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail ($222.90)

Graphics Card: EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail ($486.99 after MIR)

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($79.99)

Monitor: Hanns·G JW-199DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - Retail ($159.99)

Motherboard: ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($139.99)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Basic for System Builders Single Pack CD - OEM ($94.99)

Optical Drive: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write - OEM ($30.99)

Power Supply Unit: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail ($104.99 after MIR)

RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail ($80.99)

Total: $1441.81

[LeftyAce]

I concur on the newegg ratings.

You'll need a good aftermarket heatsink/fan if you plan on doing anything above casual overclocking; I just got the ThermalTake BigTyphoon and am really happy with it, but make sure it'll fit in your case. Also, overclocking WILL void your 3 year processor warranty.

[Subliw]

It was recommended to me that I get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010 as my PSU instead (and this seems like a better choice AND cheaper) and that I get this RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211174 instead. Your thoughts guys? I am trying to get this stuff shipped ASAP so I need to sort it out, piece by piece.

[jer888]

No I wouldn't change those parts. The Corsair power supply is made by Seasonic who makes consistently high quality units. It is also quiet and efficient. Theres more then watts to consider when choosing a power supply.

The Corsair Ram will work fine and is 20 dollars cheaper. Unless you are overclocking, you won't see any performance increase. And if you are overclocking, I would recommend Corsair XMS.