New Build For a Friend - graphics intensive AMD system

[MakeYourslf2012]

Hey guys,

Got some parts together for a new build for a buddy. He wanted an AMD system for gaming, some existing parts will be used.

I'll just dive right in:


Asus M2N-e Motherboard (AM2 Socket): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131022

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (AM2 Socket): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773

Kingston 2GB DDR2 800 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134488

Lite On DVD+R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106073

eVGA 8800GTS PCI-E: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130082

SoundBlaster X-Fi PCI card (re-use)

550W Antec TP3 Neo PSU (re-use)

120GB, 230GB WD Caviar SE16 SATA HDD's (re-use)

Microsoft Windows Vista: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116196


Thats about it for the guts. Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers to be re-used also.


Any suggestions for the Mobo/CPU/RAM combo? Will the width of the Graphics card affect it's ability to sit in the slot with the PCI-Ex1 right beneath it?


TIA for the help, the advice is always great here


-MakeYourslf2012

[Chazell29]

Get Corsair memory, not Kingston. Everyone will recommend Corsair for memory, great brand.

[maxnik]

you also may want to get a retail Lite-On DVD burner, it's about $5 more but will come with a software suite(it's usually Nero)

[freakitchen]

Originally Posted by Chazell29 Get Corsair memory, not Kingston. Everyone will recommend Corsair for memory, great brand.

...not to mention that the Corsair memory is actually cheaper after rebate at the moment:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

For an AMD system, everything else looks fine. The slot directly below where you're installing the card won't affect the card's installation - the cooler on the card will in fact block the PCI-E x1 slot.

The retail DVD burner is a good idea.

[MakeYourslf2012]

I'll take the Corsair RAM, I didnt see the rebate. Im surprised they dont offer Value Select RAM for this speed.

And I will buy a retail Lite-On drive

I'd like to find an Asus motherboard with a firewire port or board header but I couldnt find one that isn't SLI. Anybody know of one? He has a couple devices that use Firewire, but its no biggie.

Thanks guys, keep em coming.

[freakitchen]

Interestingly enough, the M2N-E SLI is actually CHEAPER than the non-SLI variant you originally chose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131096

[MakeYourslf2012]

Yeah, I've noticed that. However, I chose this board because of the heat pipes inplace of the chipset fan. I had to replace a bad chipset fan on the older Asus A8N-SLI, I dont want to have potential problems with this board too.

The Firewire is no big deal - I've got a PCI card I can put in for him, its just collecting dust.

[freakitchen]

The problem with the Chipset fan on the A8N series is a known one - I haven't heard of any such problems with the M2N series. That said, I'd rather have a passively cooled chipset anyway, and if you have the firewire card, then go for it

[MakeYourslf2012]

Thanks FK, I just ordered the parts this morning.

With 3 day UPS, I'll have the system built next week and I'll let you know how it goes