|
|||||||
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Rate Thread | Display Modes |
01-28-2008, 10:09 PM
|
#1 |
|
Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
|
Hi, new here. Looking to build first gaming rig, is this an appropriate forum
Hi everyone. I'm looking to build my first gaming rig. I have experience installing new hardware and components, but never a PC from the ground up. I've been researching hardware for several weeks now. I've come up with a setup I feel pretty good about but unsure of a few things. They're gaming related so to be honest I'm not sure if this is an appropriate forum for that but I figured I'd give it a shot.
1. I will be using a 19" widescreen LCD. 1440x900 native res. I have to go with that size, I'm in an apartment with a computer armoire! I chose the Samsung 932BW. 2. I'll be playing FPSs like Crysis, COD4, Bioshock, HalfLife etc. 3. Budget: around $2500 4. Here's the list: ZALMAN Z-MACHINE GT1000-B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower High End Computer Case - Retail Model #: GT1000-B $399.99 -$15.00 Instant $384.99 1 EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Model #: 122-CK-NF68-A1 Mail-in Rebate $229.99 $229.99 1 EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Model #: 512-P3-N802-AR $259.99 $259.99 1 PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W Power Supply - Retail Model #: Silencer 750 Quad BK $249.99 -$80.00 Instant $169.99 1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail Model #: BX80562Q6600 $277.99 $277.99 1 CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5D - Retail Model #: TWIN2X2048-8500C5D $193.00 -$15.00 Instant $178.00 1 Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - Retail Model #: WD1500AHFDRTL $189.99 $189.99 1 RAZER Tarantula Black USB Standard Ultimate Gaming Keyboard - Retail Model #: RZ03-00070100-R2U1 $99.99 -$20.00 Instant $79.99 1 RAZER Copperhead Tempest RZ01-00050100-R1M1 Blue 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel Gold plated USB Laser Engine Gaming Mouse - Retail Model #: RZ01-00050100-R1M1 $78.99 -$12.00 Instant $66.99 1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail Model #: LH-20A1S $34.99 $34.99 1 LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D2P-08 - Retail Model #: DH-16D2P-08 $17.99 $17.99 1 Creative 70SB046A00000 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series - Retail Model #: 70SB046A00000 $135.99 $135.99 1 Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM Model #: 66I-00715 $109.99 $109.99 1 ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler - Retail Model #: CNPS 9700 NT $79.99 -$20.00 Instant $59.99 1 Logitech Z-2300 200 watts RMS 2.1 Speaker System - Retail Model #: 970118-0403 $105.99 $105.99 Long list, sorry. My questions are these: 1. I'm iffy about whether or not I need 1066 Dominator RAM, EVGA says the mobo supports up to 1200 but then I here lots of mentions about 800 being the way to go. 2. The graphics card: I've been debating three opptions, 1x 880GT OC, 2x 8800GT in SLI (I'm not sure I want to mess with SLI, especially that I've been reading its mostly useful in bigger res. screens?), or 1x GTX. Will I make good use of a GTX with that screen? Iv'e seen what Crysis looks like on that screen with an 8800GT OC, it looked damn good. My goal with a GTX would be to be able to set graphics settings like AA and AF higher. 3. I would just love to get ANY kind of feedback or suggestions, even if you don't know about my first two questions. I hope I didn't make this all too confusing. Thanks! |
|
|
|
01-28-2008, 11:16 PM
|
#2 |
|
Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 904
|
Hi,
For the ram, go with the corsair XMS2 2gb 800 series. 1066 is not needed yet especially with the processor. I would avoid going SLI. Not worth your money for roughly 30% increase in performance. Get a ASUS motherboard instead, either a P5K model or a higher end asus board. Can't go wrong with asus. For the video card get the evga 8800 GTS (G92) http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ustomerReviews Best card for the buck right now. You could try the step-up program and get a nvidia 9800 when it comes out. - You definitely do not need that much power for the case. Go with a COSAIR 620 watts. - No need for the WD raptor, just get a regular 7200 rpm HDD. The new 500 gb 32 mb cache from seagate is pretty sweet. - Make sure your optical drives are SATA. - Do you really need such an expensive case? |
|
|
|
|
01-29-2008, 12:25 AM
|
#3 | |
|
Member (1 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
|
wow man .. wow...
Quote:
Last edited by kram 2.0; 01-29-2008 at 08:09 PM. Reason: MODERATOR NOTE: Please refrain from using excessively bold or large fonts. -Moderator |
|
|
|
|
|
01-29-2008, 07:45 AM
|
#4 | |
|
Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
|
Quote:
Last edited by kram 2.0; 01-29-2008 at 08:09 PM. |
|
|
|
|
|
01-29-2008, 07:49 AM
|
#5 | |
|
Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
|
Quote:
Is that the "new" GTS? Just found out about that actually. Any ideas as far as memory? Guesss I'm looking for a simple yet very efeective setup. Thanks for your help. |
|
|
|
|
|
01-29-2008, 08:51 AM
|
#6 | |
|
Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 904
|
Quote:
- Yes that is the new GTS. - You won't notice much difference with the raptor compared to a regular 10 000 rpm. For games, I think you should be more concerned about the harddisk space available for all your games  . Besides your processor will be good for speed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
01-29-2008, 09:12 AM
|
#7 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,044
|
I agree with Dave21 for the most part.
Case – although a personal choice I have to agree that is a lot of money for a box. But to each there own. MB – I agree you should stay away from SLI. There are two good reasons for SLI in my book. One is you have a HUGE monitor, like 28” or so. Tests have shown that HUGE monitors benefit from the SLI set up. The second good reason is you have money to burn. If you don’t fit into one of those two catagories you will be money ahead staying with a single card. The P5K is a great MB and uses the P35 chipset which was developed for the new 1333 FSB processors. GPU – I love that card and personally would not go for the new GTS. It is better, but not enough better in my opinion to justify the price. You might check out this review for where different cards rank. You pay a lot with the new GTS for very little performance gain over the GT. http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/...ming_graphics/ PSU – you can probably get by with 550 watts or so if you are staying with a sing card. I use the Corsair 620 Dave21 listed and it is a very nice PSU. But the one you have listed would give you plenty of headroom, you will probably never need that much for a single card though. Just make sure whatever you get is from a good manufacture. CPU – nice CPU and probably makes your system more future proof. Personally I would go with the new E8400 which is faster and cheaper and save the quad for an upgrade in a year or so when the new 45mm quads are available and games start being developed to utilize the 4 cores. RAM – Unless you plan on major OC’ing the faster ram is a waste of money. The Q6600 is a 1000 FSB processor which would match 667 ram, the newer E8400 is a 1333 FSB processor which would match 800 ram. You wont see the advantage in 1066 ram unless you are doing a major OC. HD – stick with a 7200 SATA HD, WD or Seagate, with 16 or 32 MB. The newer HD are just a little slower than the Raptors and you get a lot more bang for the buck. The Raptor is still faster, but with the arrival of the 16 and now 32 MB 7200 HD the gap has really closed and wont see much performance gain for all that money you are spending for a raptor. Keybard/mouse – really a personal choice. I really like Logitech and personally use the G11 and 518, both really nice. Burner – Do you really need 2. I just copy things to HD and back to the same Burner. But they are cheap so go for 2 if you like it that way. The first Lite-on is great, trade the second one out for a SATA model. You can you two of the same. Sound – most newer MB have great sound so I always recommend you give it a try and add a sound card later. They are an easy upgrade. But the card you picked is great so do what makes you happy. After market cooler - Unless you are planning on a major OC of the system there is little reason to get a aftermarket cooler. The stock heatsink works fine. Also, you will void the CPU warranty if you don’t use the stock cooler. Hope that helps. Kat
__________________
ANTEC 900 / ASUS P5K / C2D E6750 / SAPPHIRE RADEON HD 6750 1 GB/ CORSAIR 620 HX / CORSAIR XMS 4GB DDR2 800 / SEAGATE 320 GB / LITE-ON 20X DVD BURNER / WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL / LOGITECH MX 518 MOUSE / SAITEK ECLIPSE KEYBOARD / ACER 22” WS LCD |
|
|
|
|
01-29-2008, 06:29 PM
|
#8 |
|
Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
|
Thanks for the great feedback. I've been getting similar suggesttions on other forums. Sounds like I can make a more effective rig for waay less money. As crazy as it may sound, I chose the case because it was the only one I found that is less than 19" deep (front to back). I need it to fit in my computer armoire. Know of any? I'm definitely going to try another setup with better performance and less money. Perhaps I got a little carried away! I certainly don't have money to waste.
|
|
|
|
|
| Bookmarks |
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
| Display Modes | Rate This Thread |
|
|
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| 1st Build / Budget Gaming rig | BcB | Build Your Own PC | 4 | 12-13-2007 10:47 PM |
| Please help me build my (1st) new gaming rig. | Bad A.I. | Build Your Own PC | 12 | 08-05-2006 09:36 AM |
| Long-term Gaming PC - My Second Build | Torsoboy | Build Your Own PC | 8 | 08-11-2005 05:01 PM |
| Help me build $2000 gaming rig, win my eternal gratitude | lasro | Computer Hardware | 3 | 05-26-2005 03:41 PM |
| First Build Gaming Rig Specs? | Scholar In Disguise | Computer Hardware | 26 | 09-25-2002 07:19 PM |
Linear Mode
