One for the Gamers

[rjfvillarosa]

A family member is into online gaming big time, tonight he dropped a list in front of me and asked what I thought. This is not really my scene, so tell me what you think.

He already has a good machine so this is an upgrade to that,

These are the motherboards from his list:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130191
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130210
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-S2925A2

These are the two processors from his list:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103282
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103273

Compatibilty, reliability and stability. We need RAM, and an Nvidia graphics card, we may need a PSU. His current machine I know is good so the existing PSU may be up to the job.

He lives in San Juan which is a little cooler than this side of the island but the average temperature is still in the low nineties, he will be moving into his own place soon with no aircon so if you think the stock HSF is not up to it add that in as well.
Must be AMD and must be Nvidia. Newegg is not the be all and end all for us down here on the island because of their outrageous delivery charges so feel free to recommend any sites.

[Masaki 7-11]

Regarding the list of parts above, I wouldn't use any of those motherboards, the tyan motherboard is mostly for server use and probably won't have most of the features of a normal computer motherboard; the MSI motherboards above have bad reviews, I would take a look at a different MSI motherboard (I've used MSI boards before without problems).

I would take a look at getting an MSI K9A2 Neo-F (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130173) since it seems to be pretty reliable and can handle CPUs up to 125w (I would avoid the 140w processors as they produce a lot of heat and use up a lot of electricity) and a Phenom X4 9850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103249) with a Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro HSF (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125). What kind of PSU will be used? What is the budget for the graphics card and memory? Will 2GB or 4GB of ram be needed?

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 the tyan motherboard is mostly for server use and probably won't have most of the features of a normal computer motherboard?

I don't know much about Tyan boards so I definately won't go there.

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 the MSI motherboards above have bad reviews, I would take a look at a different MSI motherboard (I've used MSI boards before without problems).

I am not a big fan of MSI having had problems with them in the past, but I will take a look at the one in the link below.

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 I would take a look at getting an MSI K9A2 Neo-F (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130173) since it seems to be pretty reliable and can handle CPUs up to 125w

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 (I would avoid the 140w processors as they produce a lot of heat and use up a lot of electricity) and a Phenom X4 9850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103249) with a Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro HSF (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125).

I will tell him about the idea of using a 125 instead of a 140 because of the heat issues.

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 What kind of PSU will be used? What is the budget for the graphics card and memory? Will 2GB or 4GB of ram be needed?

Suggest a PSU if you think you know of a good one and budget is not really an issue, just say what you think.

Most of my work is commercial service and everyday home use rather than gaming machines. Most of the gamers I know are quite capable of taking care of their own machines and so I don't tend to keep upto date on the latest and greatest.

[rjfvillarosa]

Any opinions on this mobo?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131331
Most of the reviews seem to be favourable.

Suggestions on a graphics card around $100?

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa Any opinions on this mobo? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131331 Most of the reviews seem to be favourable. Suggestions on a graphics card around $100?

Looks like a good motherboard. MSI motherboard differ a good bit in quality at times, some of the models are very poor while on the other end some are very good; it becomes a problem if you don't do any research on the motherboard you are buying, but if you research the motherboard properly, MSI has some good options.

The 9800GT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130435) is a pretty good nvidia card that sells for about $125 and has a $15 rebate (not sure if you can take advantage of it or not), for under $100 a good nvidia video card is the 9600GT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127382). On the ATI side you have the HD4830 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102803) which sells for $100 has a $10 rebate, and is about as fast as the 9800GT.

Some good and inexpensive PSUs that would work for the build:
Antec Basiq 500W (OEM) $40: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371019
Antec NeoPower 550W $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103941
OCZ StealthXStream 500W $60 and has a $35 rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341012

[rjfvillarosa]

I will email these suggestions/links off to him tonight and post back with what he wants to go with.
I don't know what he is using at the moment but I know it will be high end, I am tempted to offer him a deal (considering I will be putting this new machine together). I could use his high end cast-off's to continue my beta testing of Windows 7.........

[rjfvillarosa]

Ok, after a long annoying chat with the aforementioned family member I have put together this list:

Opinions?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.155232

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 (X2 for 8gig)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125247

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103022

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019

[glc]

No comment from here, I don't do AMD.

[shadowpr]

I know this isn't what you asked for, but it could be an alternative:

MB: P5Q
CPU: E8500
Ram: 2x2gb ddr2-800
HD: WD 1tb drive
DVD: Lite-on or Asus dvd burner
Video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130449
PSU: Corsair 750
Case: Antec Three hundred

[rjfvillarosa]

Ok I think we can cut the RAM back to just one matched pair, so thats 4gig.
I just found out he is currently using this video card:
http://www.bfgtech.com/bfgr86512gtoc2fe.aspx
And an Antec True 550 Watt Power Supply.

So, any opinions on the Gigabyte mobo and the Zalman cooler or do you think the stock cooler will be enough?
The case has front and rear 120mm fans.

[shadowpr]

The stock cooler should be good enough unless he tries to overclock, but due to the heat there, if he doesn't have the AC on, I would probably get it.

[Masaki 7-11]

All the parts look good to me.