Gaming rig on a limited budget-what a deal(i hope)

[8raker]

Im not even a teenager yet, but very smart in the computer field, as I know HTML,BASIC, and all the tech-junkie terms.

My mom won't lemme upgrade the ol' family PC......so I decided to build my own!


Please check out the specs:

POWMAX case w/ 400w psu

Samsung cd-rw drive

Seagate 80gb hd

768mb of Crucial DDR ram

SOYO "SY-KT600 DRAGON PLUS V1.0" KT600 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU

AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - OEM

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "ATLANTIS RADEON 9600XT"

All the above are from newegg.com(total price for above stuff-584 USD)

And i have a few fans, a neon light and a 20.00 56k modem from tigerdirect.com

I'll be running WINXP home edition on it

Whadya think about this deal? Post back!

PS: My first post! w00t!

[kram 2.0]

Welcome to PC Mech forums

I have a few suggestions, I'm going to run through them quickly, as my eyes are getting kinda tired. First, on the PSU - PowMax I think is a bad generic PSU, if I'm correct. I would get a trusted brand such as Thermaltake or Enlight - around 400 watts or under should be good.

I would steer clear of Samsung opticals - they are known to be pretty bad in performance. Get LG or Lite-On or Sony, to name a few good ones.

I heard some bad things about SOYO motherboards - instead, I'd recommend the Abit NF7-S nForce2 chipset along with a reduction of the CPU perhaps to a 2600+ instead, if you wish, as it is 90 USD and is the sweetspot.

Get 512 RAM or 1024 RAM. Be sure to tell us the speed - make sure it's PC2700 or above to match the speed of your CPU FSB (333 FSB, I think goes to PC2700).

Sorry, I would usually provide links, but I'm kinda rushing right now - going off the top of my head without going to Newegg. Talking about Newegg, get all your componenets there, as they tend to be the best in reliability, instead of going to TigerDirect periodically. Make sure that WinXP is legitamate - the OEM version is at NEwegg for 90 USD.


Besides that, looks great.


Hope that helps,
kram

[bigandy]

The 2500+ wouldn't be a bad choice either at $80.

To add on to what Kram said about the MB, Soyo boards are now being manufactured by ECS, which is bad news, so stay away from them. Any board in the Asus A7N8X series would be a good choice also.

You should try to go with two sticks of either 256 or 512 so that you can enable dual channel mode, which gives you a nice performance boost. Other good memory brands besides Crucial are Corsair, Kingston, Geil and Mushkin. And yes Kram, DDR333 is the same as PC2700. Since you game, try to go with a gig, as many of the newer games are getting to require it.

[8raker]

Thanks for the welcome kram,

For the psu i will probably buy a new one but for now it will have to do (as i am very young and want to spend as least money as possible) I love that powmax case

As for the Samsung, I'm usually gonna use it as a cd-rom but if i ever need to use it, i can use it as a cd-rw (my family pc has one)


I took your suggestion on the mobo and the cpu..thanks!

And for the ram...( i need more than 512 but 1024 is to expensive-im gonna be running soe's planetside on it) the 256mb stick is PC2700-the 512mb stick is PC3200


Thanks! (PS A system worse than this was 720 something on tigerdirect-I LOVE newegg.com!)

[kram 2.0]

A good place to get PC2700 RAM is at ZipZoomFly as they have good dual kits of PC2700 (DDR333) RAM with CAS Latency 2.5 for around 95 USD with shipping included. That's if you decide to get any Athlon XP Processor with 333FSB or Intel Processor with 533 FSB.

Hope that helps,
kram

[Brown Hornet]

i would suggest for about 40$$ more you can get the 9800pro
this would be a good choice for psu

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-484&depa=1

[bigandy]

So the RAM you picked out was a stick of 265MB PC2700 and a stick of 512MB PC3200? I wouldn't do that. Mixing RAM speeds and densities can cause big problems. Your best bet is to stick to one speed, and try to buy two sticks of the same kind of RAM.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by 8raker Thanks for the welcome kram, As for the Samsung, I'm usually gonna use it as a cd-rom but if i ever need to use it, i can use it as a cd-rw (my family pc has one) I took your suggestion on the mobo and the cpu..thanks! And for the ram...( i need more than 512 but 1024 is to expensive-im gonna be running soe's planetside on it) the 256mb stick is PC2700-the 512mb stick is PC3200 Thanks! (PS A system worse than this was 720 something on tigerdirect-I LOVE newegg.com!)

So you went with the 2600+ and NF7-S . Good choices. What I'm thinking is that it's probably easier to buy a dual kit of 512 (2 sticks of 256) and add on later, as there are 4 DIMM sockets on the NF7-S. Since this is PC2700, be sure to get one with CAS Latency of 2.5 or below - PC2700 RAM tend to have those for around 95 USD, ZipZoomFly, as I just mentioned, has them in Kingston ValueRAM - another good brand.

Also, many here recommend the Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB at 199 USD. Since in graphics cards, it's hard to have a cap on budget, I would set a definite max amount of USD you want to spend, and not go beyond that.

Hope that helps,
kram

[8raker]

I probably will go with the same speed and x2 512 so i can dual channel,

but wouldnt the 128mb ram video card cut down on performance as the 9600xt is 256mb, and the 9800 pro is 128?

[Brown Hornet]

not at all the 9800 also has a 256bit memory interface the 9600 has 128 bit
and of course the 8 piplines that the 9800 has all make a big difference

[kram 2.0]

Well, onboard memory (128 or 256) is a minor difference in performance, and you wouldn't see much difference between two identical cards with more memory on one. So it's generally recommended you go with 128MB version. Buswidth is a whole different story - it's like the bandwidth through which the information can travel. In that sense, and the R350 core used by the Radeon 9800 Pro, with the 256-bit increased buswidth, the Radeon 9800 Pro will FAR outperform the 9600 XT.

Hope that helps,
kram

[Brown Hornet]

as stated abovethe 9800pro is a much much better card if you can swing it
i would buy it for sure

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-238&depa=1

both are a good choice

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-268&depa=1

[8raker]

Oh i see I'll do that then! Man, i have been reading on this site for a few days, but then i was too lazy to register! Oh well! I got the 1024mb kingston from zipzoomfly.com

[8raker]

Originally Posted by Brown Hornet as stated abovethe 9800pro is a much much better card if you can swing it i would buy it for sure http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-238&depa=1 both are a good choice http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-268&depa=1

I decided to get the sapphire one, as ive heard sapphire is better, you guys are a huge help!

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by 8raker I decided to get the sapphire one, as ive heard sapphire is better, you guys are a huge help!

Nice choice. Radeon 9800 Pros is gonna be awesome - tell us how graphics goes once you have your system up and running .

kram

[8raker]

My new price is da da da da da da..........699.00!

Heres the updated specs

SimpleTech RB2700DDR/512 512MB DDR333 PC2700 Memory x2

POWMAX DREAM STAR Black Mid Tower ATX Case with 400W Power Supply and Flower Window, Model "CP2347SEL-3"

Samsung 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive, Model SW-252FEN

Seagate 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive

ABIT "NF7" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP

56k US ROBOTICS V.92 MODEM

AND VARIOUS LIGHTS AND SUCH

how doya like that baby!?

(Note: This is MUCH better than my tigerdirect one but notice, it's still cheaper! kudos to newegg!)

[kram 2.0]

Looks good. Never heard of SimpleTech as RAM company, maybe others can help with that - I usually go with name brands as Kingston, Corsair, or Crucial. Besides that, looks great. Tell us how it goes

kram

[8raker]

Hey kram, that may be a long while,.....as i have no real way to get the money fast.....any suggestions?

[GimmeDaMic]

What about keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor?

[Hi Ho]

Please don't use that Powmax PSU. I had one. A 350 watt. It took out two video cards and caused countless other problems. I was lucky that it didn't take out my entire system. Get an Enlight 360w to replace it. I know you would not be happy if that PowMax PSU ruins your system.

[8raker]

Gimme-I have all that other stuff

Hiho-Took out TWO video cards? Alright im gonna get a new psu, that video card is to expensive to lose that easily----Everyone heres been a big help

[8raker]

I decided to get a rosewill cd-rw dvd combo drive, only 10 bucks more, defin. worth the price..... Anyone know if rosewill makes quality drives?

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by Hi Ho Please don't use that Powmax PSU. I had one. A 350 watt. It took out two video cards and caused countless other problems. I was lucky that it didn't take out my entire system. Get an Enlight 360w to replace it. I know you would not be happy if that PowMax PSU ruins your system.

Nice catch - seems I completely overlooked that.

As for how to get the money, I don't know - start by trying building systems for neighbors and family charging 10%? Mowing Lawns? Anything would do - the more you wait, the more the parts are going to change.

kram

[8raker]

Kram

How is this case Click here

It's got a 420 power supply, does it look high quality, I might just go out and buy that today because the sale ends tommorow

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

The case looks good, but I don't trust the power supply. If I were you I would get that case and put an Enlight, Sparkle etc. in there. ITs best to be safe not sorry, bad psu's can take down an entire system with it, but a good one will not fail in the first place, and if it does it won't take anything else down.

Edit: Looking in the reviews it is generic and gives out a low amperage on the +12v rail, I wouldn't trust it on my system.

HTH

[Hi Ho]

The only case manufactures that install good PSU's in the factory are Enlight, Thermaltake, and sometimes Enermax. I woul just get the case you want and replace the PSU with a good one.

[kram 2.0]

As aforementioned, good case, questionable PSU. I would go with the Thermaltake 420W PSU, as Thermaltakes as well as Enlights are quality (just had that link in hand ).

Hope that helps,
kram

[8raker]

I got a enlight 360w psu...good choice?

[Hi Ho]

That's a great choice. I have one and I'm about to buy another for my other system that I will be upgrading.

[8raker]

Prepare for the v.3.0 of my hopefully soon to happen computer!:

[LEGEND=] Newegg Tigerdirect Zipzoomfly[ENDLEGEND]


ASIAPRO Black ATX Mid Tower Case with Creeping Light Tube & 450W Power Supply, Model "8654"

Rosewill 52x32x52x16 CD-RW & DVD Combo Drive, Model C52321
Hard Drives

Seagate 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST380011A, OEM

ABIT "NF7" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL

SPARKLE 300 WATTS POWER SUPPLY, MODEL "ATX-300GT/-B"

AMD Athlon XP 2700+, 333MHz FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP


Ultra Antistatic Wrist Strap x2

Ultra 80mm Green LED Case Cooling Fan (3 LED)

Ultra Green 12" Cold Cathode Light Kit

Ultra All Purpose Computer Assembly Screws(Just in case)

US Robotics 5660A 56k V.92 PCI Modem


Crucial Technology CT6464Z335 512MB DDR333 PC2700 Memory X2


TOTAL PRICE: $743.33 USD!
Well thats about everything



How does everyone like that?