Help Building a Gaming Computer

[RedFish]

As the title states I'm building a gaming computer. I will have $1500 max to spend, but I am looking for the most bang for my buck, so if that requires falling short and only spending $1200 (or however much) now and upgrading later, thats fine. And on that note whatever gets upgraded later will be put into my old computer as a second computer for others to play on as well. I will also be willing to spend those couple of dollars more to get the reliable brand rather than the cheapest on the market (which is what I'm sure would be done here anyways).

What I will not be doing with this computer is tweaking, I don't know how to do that so I will shy away from that. I would also like the computer to be on the quieter side, so more towards quietness, then coolness of the parts. And the type of games I will be using on this computer are somewhat as follows (short list for an idea):

World of Warcraft
Overlord
Bioshock
Genesis

So you know where I'm coming from here is a basic layout of my current system:

EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc.

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 2266 MHz (17 x 133)
Motherboard Name Intel Blue Mountain D845EBT (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DIMM, Audio, LAN, IEEE-1394)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Brookdale i845E
System Memory 1536 MB (DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (06/18/02)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter RADEON 9600 SERIES - Secondary (128 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 9600 SERIES (128 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9600 XT (RV360)
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (HVEY702393)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801DB ICH4 - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-1]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CB
SCSI/RAID Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller
SCSI/RAID Controller WinXP Promise FastTrak100 (tm) Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive Maxtor 6Y120P0 (120 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Disk Drive WDC WD800BB-00CAA1 (74 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive IP5550R CRT801F SCSI CdRom Device


I already have my case that I will be using for the new computer (Below) and the case only fixed item on this list since it is already purchased, everything else is free to change. I will be using my current monitor, keyboard, modem, mouse, a CD-ROM, DVD Player and speakers for the new computer so that won't have to be tallied into the new computer. I'm looking for it to have quite a large storage capacity, even with almost 1/4 Terra I never have any room. I'm looking for about 4gig ram. I'm looking at getting a quad-core, but if it is more feasible to get a duo for price with upgrades that may be coming out in the future and get a quad later, that is fine.

Case:
Item: Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025
Price: $100

Hard Drive(s)
Item: HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721075KLA330 (0A35154) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145166
Price: $185 x 3 = $555

RAM:
Item: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176
Price: $130 - $40 = $90

Video Card:
Item: EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130290
Price: $140 - $20 = $120

Sound Card:
I don't have a large set-up of speakers, so just a basic card that has decent quality will do. Nothing fancy.

Processor:
I'm looking at getting a quad-core, but if it is more feasible to get a duo for price with upgrades that may be coming out in the future and get a quad later, that is fine.

Motherboard:
As long as it will fit in the case I have now, the rest is for you to choose.

Thanks for the help, and if I missed any information or anything else you would like to know, I'll be happy to update this.

[Cricket]

I'd stay away from the Hitachi hard drives, they have the nickname "Deathstar" for good reason. Get either Seagate or Western Digital.

For a gaming rig you want at least a 8800GT.

You can use the on-board sound for now. Upgrade later to a sound card if you want better sound.

Quad core processors really shine in the multi-tasking arena...for a gaming rig a fast dual core CPU will be more than enough processing power. Do you want to go AMD or INTEL?

Do you want to run two video cards in SLi? Or will one good video card work for you? Your answer will help determine the motherboard we recommend for you.

You're going to need a good quality power supply too. Recommendations will come after you tell us if you plan to do SLi or not.

Cricket

[wildfire]

Case: Item: Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025 Price: $100 Hard Drive(s) Item: HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721075KLA330 (0A35154) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145166 Price: $185 x 3 = $555 RAM: Item: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176 Price: $130 - $40 = $90 Video Card: Item: EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130290 Price: $140 - $20 = $120 Sound Card: I don't have a large set-up of speakers, so just a basic card that has decent quality will do. Nothing fancy. Processor: I'm looking at getting a quad-core, but if it is more feasible to get a duo for price with upgrades that may be coming out in the future and get a quad later, that is fine. Motherboard: As long as it will fit in the case I have now, the rest is for you to choose. Thanks for the help, and if I missed any information or anything else you would like to know, I'll be happy to update this.

INstead of hitachi, get a seagate hard drive. Seagate's come with a 5 year warranty and are a very reliable brand. The hitachi deathstar isn't so good.

Ram is an excellent choice.

Video card, great brand, bad choice. Get an eVGA 8800GT ($250) if you wish to play bioshock, with an 8600gt, you'd have to play bioshock at like med w/ 1000x800 res. With an 8800GT you can play at like very high at 2560x1600 if u want and still get an average of 30FPS.

Onboard sound is fine.

Mmmmm, for a processor its been said that the 45nm quad core is coming out sometime in Q1 2008 (quater 1). From techreport's report. I say wait like 1 month and then buy a a C2Q 9450 because a quad core will futureproof your computer when games start utulizing 4 cores. Or you could just buy a E6750 if you will just upgrade later since quad cores arent "needed" at this point in time.
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/13878

The most reccomended motherboard here is the standard Asus P5K (INTEL) if you aren't going SLI (Dual Video Cards). If you go AMD/SLI, I wouldn't know where to point you to. I'm against AMD right now because of their whole TLB erratum with their new quad core chips that causes errors and diminishes 10% of it's performance when you download the fix. And AMD's dual core chips just aren't that great o.O. SLI isn't really reccomended unless you've got a wallet full of cash that needs to be spent. SLI does not double your performance like what you might think but it just increases it by like 1.5x. SLI was made to make the absolute best, better.

I CANNOT BELIVE IT! o-m-g! You forgot the absolute most IMPORTANT part of your computer. The power supply!

Hmm, guess I will wait for your final confirmations before reccomending you a psu.

I highly reccomend to change your dvd-rom and cd rom drive and get something new. (don't replace both, you only need 1 dvd burner drive, Because a dvd burner can read dvd+cd's and write over them.
Unless you dvd/cd rom drive is fairly new you could keep it. If it's IDE, change it DEFINITELY.
IDE=thin but big. Past technology.
Sata= a nice small size (red cable). New technology.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

[pam123]

The guys over at Crysis have just put together a system to run Crysis at high settings for $1000.
If it will work for that it will work for you but the 8600 won't cut it, the 8800GT will.

Have a look :

The Configuration Below you find a rough list of parts we purchased so you can see and check for yourself about the total costs of such a high-end computer. The prices may vary from country to country, but overall the costs should be within the same range (shipping included). CPU Intel Core2Duo E6750 GPU GeForce 8800GT 512MB Motherboard NVIDIA nForce 650i Socket 775 PSU 600W ATX12V RAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit HDD SATA 250GB 7200RPM DVD 20x DVD±R Burner Case ATX Midi Tower Computer Case OS Microsoft Windows XP Home with SP2 The Message With this experiment we have shown that Crysis runs smoothly and provides and amazing, unparalleled performance on High settings and on an affordable machine that is readily available today. We know most of you already have a great base to work with, so compare your current hardware with the setup mentioned above and consider an affordable upgrade ? you do not have to purchase a new machine. Crysis is very scalable and looks great on Medium settings compared to current next-gen games. Your Hardware? Of course we would like to know what kind of hardware you are running the game on and how it is running. We encourage you to run a benchmark test in Crysis which you can share afterwards with the members of your favorite Crysis forum. Regards, -Crysis Dev Team

Hop over to their site, requires age verification, and check out the story.

[RedFish]

Originally Posted by Cricket I'd stay away from the Hitachi hard drives, they have the nickname "Deathstar" for good reason. Get either Seagate or Western Digital. For a gaming rig you want at least a 8800GT. You can use the on-board sound for now. Upgrade later to a sound card if you want better sound. Quad core processors really shine in the multi-tasking arena...for a gaming rig a fast dual core CPU will be more than enough processing power. Do you want to go AMD or INTEL? Do you want to run two video cards in SLi? Or will one good video card work for you? Your answer will help determine the motherboard we recommend for you. You're going to need a good quality power supply too. Recommendations will come after you tell us if you plan to do SLi or not. Cricket

For processing, I will go Intel since that is what I am most familiar with.

And for processing power, I will go for the duo core then.

I won't be running with two video cards, one will be enough for me (as far as I would assume).


Video Card
Item: EVGA 640-P2-N829-AR GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130317
Price: $310 - $20 = $290

Hard Drive
Item: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular recording) ST3500630A 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148135
Price: $120 x 3 = $360

Let me know if I'm bottle necking myself here, first gaming rig I'm putting together, so this is all a bit new to me.

Thanks

[Alaron]

Swap that video card for the 8800GTS with 512MB. They are a redesigned, more powerful models: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130312 A tad more expensive yes, but very worth it.

[doubledragon5]

For psu I wold go with anyting by Corsair, FSP, PC Power and cooling.. Here is a link of psu to buy and ones to stay away from. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by Alaron Swap that video card for the 8800GTS with 512MB. They are a redesigned, more powerful models: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130312 A tad more expensive yes, but very worth it.

I agree, with the new G92 cards out I would stay away from the older 320 and 640 GTSs unless you find them on a fire sale, at which point they are still very nice cards, just not worth their current price. If the newer GTS 512 is a little too steep, step down to the GT which uses the G92 chips and also out performs the card you have chosen. Another alternative getting great reviews is the new Radion 3870, little less powerful but a lot of bang for the buck.


http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/...ming_graphics/

Kat