Tell me what you think

[Franklinwallbrown]

My (hopefully) soon to be computer-----\/

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138 ($169.99-$30MIR) (I think this is the case)

Video Card: http://www.xpcgear.com/ne8800txt302.html (Cheapest 1gb 8800gt I could find $278.99+$11.87s&h)

SoundCard: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829156005 ($189.99-$20MIR)

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813136038 ($11.99+$6.61s&h)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115018 ($255+$4.99s/7h)

PSU: I have a 600w XION (FREE, which one is better?) (Looks like this one, but 600w) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817190015

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146565 ($99.99-$25MIR)

Gaming & OC HD: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136012R ($169.99)

Reg. HD: 2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136178R ($88.99+$6.14s&h) & a free 250gb WD

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824255001 ($399.99-$50MIR)

HD DVD drive: http://www.ncixus.com/products/26553/GGC-H20L/LG%20Electronics/ ($262.43+$9.99s&h)

Speakers: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836116153R ($86.99+$16.74s&h)

Gaming Headset: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826502008 ($72.99+$5.84)
Tot:
S&H:
MIR:
Sub.tot:

Okay, need help!

[Hawk1]

Well, I would ditch the HD DVD drive. Blue ray is winning right now, and I wouldnt spend that kind of money on something that may be useless in a year. Mousepads are overrated. I'm sure you can find one just as good for half that.
Speaking of which, didn't see any Mouse/keyboard on your list (nor an O/S - XP/VISTA?)
The case you can get from Newegg for $145 after $30 MIR and its free shipping.
You should go for cheaper RAM. The SLI stuff is just for marketing, any decent CL4 RAM will do for like $40-50 after MIR, unless you really like the look of the SLI stuff.
I wouldn't bother with the Fatal1ty soundcard. Just get the regular gamer card, it will do.
I don't know Westinghouse quality for their monitors (although I hear their HD TVs are alright).
With the money saved, upgrade that CPU 'cause it will be bottlenecking that video card. You sure you don't want to go Intel?


Well thats my .02 anyway.

[hat]

Why are you getting AMD when Intel is superior? And the motherboard doesn't look too good. Things with red pcb's are generally bad, except for ATi cards.

And yes, there is no good reason to be getting a HD-DVD drive.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Well, I wanted the dual drive because I have Netflix and they have HD DVD.
Thx for the case info!
What would you suggest for a new CPU & RAM? any combo deals on Newegg?

[cooler]

wait for hd3xxx X2 come out

[Hawk1]

Well, I wanted the dual drive because I have Netflix and they have HD DVD.
Thx for the case info!
What would you suggest for a new CPU & RAM? any combo deals on Newegg?

I'm afraid someone else will have to chime in, 'cause I only know Intel for CPU's/MB. As for RAM, This stuff (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565) will kick the crap out of that SLI RAM (and the price is awesome also). Esp. if your going for OCing.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Why 800 it's a 1066 MB?

If Intel is superior, then make me a build similar and I'll take a look. I only know AMD, because I have worked a little with it, so...

I have a razor copperhead, windows XP discs, and a crappy keyboard, but my friend said he was giving me his that is why I was gonna get a gaming pad. Any suggestions on gaming pads, or do I really need one. I've never used one, they just seem useful in-game!

I guess I could take away the 500GB HD, because I have a 250GB now.

[hat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

everything else should be compatible
also, ditch that xion power supply if you can:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

[Hawk1]

Why 800 it's a 1066 MB?

If Intel is superior, then make me a build similar and I'll take a look. I only know AMD, because I have worked a little with it, so...

I have a razor copperhead, windows XP discs, and a crappy keyboard, but my friend said he was giving me his that is why I was gonna get a gaming pad. Any suggestions on gaming pads, or do I really need one. I've never used one, they just seem useful in-game!

I guess I could take away the 500GB HD, because I have a 250GB now.

Ok, go with the 1066 Ballistix (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069). Their $5 more, but they are well worth it. As far as Intel, I would get a Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) or the E6750 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029) for your CPU (money saved from ditching the HD DVD - if your keeping it, go with hat's cpu choice, but I think you would be disapointed with it (it will bottleneck the VGA card)).

For motherboards, do ever plan on going SLI or crossfire in the future?

Edit: for mousepads, find a decent size one for under $20. Dont go so cheap like the $4.99 ones, but something between $10-$20 should do you fine - unless of course your planning to be the next Fatal1ty and do some competetive gaming.

[BullGod]

Dude when the soundcard costs 3x more than the CPU you know something is not right... For that amount you can get a SLI rig dude...

[Wile E]

For ram, get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208343

Hands down the best bang for the buck out there right now. Micron D9 GMH's. I have a set, and they can do 1400MHz with less than 2.4V.

As for the cpu, I say ditch the HD DVD drive, and get a Q6600 instead, with the mobo hat suggested, or even better, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136038

That mobo can usually do 500fsb with a Quad. Hell of an Overclocker.

As far as a 1GB GT, I suggest a Palit, Gainward, or Xpertvision if you can find one, or are willing to go to a different site. They have a 3 phase power setup, overclock well, have Samsung 1ns memory, and run very cool.

For this amount of money, you can build a ridiculously powerful computer if you are willing to sacrifice a little on the accessories like the HD DVD/Bluray combo drive.

And if you take away the Raptor, you can get 2 of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262 and put them in a RAID0, for 500GB of even faster storage.

[candle_86]

ditch the sound card get a regular xfire, ditch the 1gb 8800GT and get 2x8800GT 512mb i promise it will work out better. Also id suggest an E6600 or Q6600 for your CPU.

[Hawk1]

If your sticking with the HD/Blue Ray drive, at least shop around. There's usually better deals than that for them.

http://www.ncixus.com/products/26553/GGC-H20L/LG%20Electronics/

http://www.directron.com/ggch20l.html Out of stock but supposed to be in today.

[keakar]

For ram, get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208343

Hands down the best bang for the buck out there right now. Micron D9 GMH's. I have a set, and they can do 1400MHz with less than 2.4V.

As for the cpu, I say ditch the HD DVD drive, and get a Q6600 instead, with the mobo hat suggested, or even better, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136038

That mobo can usually do 500fsb with a Quad. Hell of an Overclocker.

As far as a 1GB GT, I suggest a Palit, Gainward, or Xpertvision if you can find one, or are willing to go to a different site. They have a 3 phase power setup, overclock well, have Samsung 1ns memory, and run very cool.

For this amount of money, you can build a ridiculously powerful computer if you are willing to sacrifice a little on the accessories like the HD DVD/Bluray combo drive.

And if you take away the Raptor, you can get 2 of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262 and put them in a RAID0, for 500GB of even faster storage.

i think you should do just what Wile E said (Q6600 with a P35 motherboard) his advice is very good and you will have a very nice rig. however im not totally convinced on the ram, i just think its expensive and cheaper ram will work just fine. you could get 4gb of ram for that price. here is a great 4gb set of 2x2gb pc 6400 ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146692 or you could go with a 2gb set for around $40

also go with this video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318
the 1gb card is not needed.

if you do this your getting good value for every dollar spent.

[btarunr]

lol. Why do you want a CrossFire board with a NVidia video-card? Defeats the purpose of the second PCI-E slot. Make a pick from any of the HD3870 cards.

[Franklinwallbrown]

You guys, I'm confused. I don't know exactly what I'm doing. I thought that I could get a cheap CPU and OC it and I thought that I could go AMD & ATI because they where good enough. I just don't know anymore. *sigh*

[ShadowFold]

Get a E2200 with a Gigabyte P35 like I did.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

[Franklinwallbrown]

Tell me why I need to go Intel & Geforce and not AMD & ATI. I mean I'm not hardcore or anything. I'm not even that great at games. I just love to play games. I don't want to edit movies. I just want to watch them on a wonderfully vivid, and big screen. I want to be able to have a billion windows open at once & still listen to music. I just want a nice computer for a less than expensive price. I need a computer mentor.

[Silverel]

There's nothing wrong with AMD or their ATI division, you're not crazy.

Save a lot of money on a case, and check out this (http://www.svc.com/rc-631-kwn1.html) one for 15$ after MiR.

If you want an ATI video card the HIS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161217) 3870 is OC'd to 850, and sells for 280$. Or this MSI (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127315) 3870 card comes clocked at 800, and sells for 250.

A much better AMD chip (than the one you selected) would be either the 65nm 5000+ Black Edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194) which will OC right out the box at 100$ (you do need a cooler (40$) (http://www.svc.com/scmn-1000.html) for it though). Or get some quad core action for 200$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103226) via the Phenom 9500. This comes with a cooler, so no extra shopping.

HD isn't dead yet, the Porn industry still supports em, but it's still a waste of cash until a winner is declared. That soundcard will be a very expensive, and marginal gain than a cheaper one. Creative hasn't really broken any new ground in the past 5 years, they're just selling this stuff to make big profits now. Don't fall for it.

Good luck man.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

lol. Why do you want a CrossFire board with a NVidia video-card? Defeats the purpose of the second PCI-E slot. Make a pick from any of the HD3870 cards.

Why not? Im getting a crossfire board and have an 8800GT 512MB.

[keakar]

Tell me why I need to go Intel & Geforce and not AMD & ATI. I need a computer mentor.


its a lot more performance and value you get because the amd and ati route was always cheaper and almost as good so it made sense to save money and go with amd/ati but the savings just arent as much anymore and what makes it worse is they arent almost as good anymore now they are trailing farther behind so your savings cost you too much performance to make it a good alternative. if you could buy a car with a 4 cylinder (amd) and the same car with a 6 cylinder (intel) now the 4 cylinder car used to cost 40% less than the 6 cylinder version but now it only costs %10 less. you could buy that 4 cylinder and it would be fine transportation but you do give up a lot of power by doing it and your next statement:

"I want to be able to have a billion windows open at once & still listen to music."

this is THE very thing that amd sucks to high heaven the most at, multitasking with several windows open.

there is nothing wrong with amd, it is great and as long as you dont need the fastest computer your going to never notice its not as fast as intel but "have a billion windows open at once & still listen to music" its going to show its weakness.

ati is another story, they are about in the same boat as amd but there thing is being good at gaming but not that great doing anything else or they show their weakness so keeping that in mind they are in most cases the same price as nvidia cards, so you save little or nothingto buy ati when nvidia gives you a card that does everything good not just gaming.

its not anti amd its pointing out their weakness so your not expecting too much out of them, they are great as long as you know going in they are not the strongest processors and they have some limitations, mainly multi tasking.

likewise its not about anti ati its about ati's new card always ends up only being as good as the card nvidia came out with last year so saying not to go with ati is like saying dont buy last years card. if you understand that it wont perform like intels new card does then fine, you wont probably even notice the difference but we just want you to know what it is your getting when we give you advice.

[AsGStorm]

Don't get that gimmick 'keyboard pad' I doubt it's any faster, and you'll be faster with your normal keyboard cause you're used to typing with it.

Video card is ok, but I believe there's an Asus one that comes with Company Of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, try getting that one.

CPU is a no-no. Get rid of the stupidly expensive DVD Drive and just get a normal cheap one, same with the headset. And stuff the gaming pad. You could get an Intel quad core man! Of course you'd need a compatible motherboard but they're cheap and easy to find.

Don't really need a sound-card.. barely any difference, you just need a good motherboard.

Motherboard ain't that special, you should probably get something better for OC'ing (I recommend going Intel).

[ShadowFold]

Intel + ATi seems the best atm imho. Intels OC crazy high and the E4500 and E2200 are both 100$-120$ and can OC easily to 2.7-3ghz on a good cooler. The HD 3000's run cooler and are generally cheaper, tho are a little weaker but who can tell between 120FPS and 150fps?

[keakar]

i look at it this way, if the goal of your computer is to be a game machine and do a little computing with it then amd and ati is the way to go and you save money IF you buy wisely.

if you do any video editing or photo editing heavy multi tasking, if you often have 4 or more windows open then your better off with intel/nvidia


my pet peeve is if you end up spending X dollars, what could that same money give you in an intel/nvidia setup? so if your budget gets to a certain point i change my mind and say if you going to spend that then get the Q6600 and 8800GT setup.

[btarunr]

Why not? Im getting a crossfire board and have an 8800GT 512MB.

It kills your upgrade path, not that you can't run your 8800GT. If I have a Crossfire board abd a single ATI card for the moment, I can always have the option of buying another identical card as and when I have the cash and expand my graphics subsystem. With a 8800 GT if you want a multi GPU setup, it'll cost you more.....first selling off your Nvidia card, incurring losses, buying two cards. If you're not planning to go multi-GPU at all, it still defeats the purpose of a board with two slots.

[Wile E]

It kills your upgrade path, not that you can't run your 8800GT. If I have a Crossfire board abd a single ATI card for the moment, I can always have the option of buying another identical card as and when I have the cash and expand my graphics subsystem. With a 8800 GT if you want a multi GPU setup, it'll cost you more.....first selling off your Nvidia card, incurring losses, buying two cards. If you're not planning to go multi-GPU at all, it still defeats the purpose of a board with two slots.The board I pointed out is not Crossfire, but it is an Intel chip.

ditch the sound card get a regular xfire, ditch the 1gb 8800GT and get 2x8800GT 512mb i promise it will work out better. Also id suggest an E6600 or Q6600 for your CPU.Except to get SLI on Intel, he needs to buy an nVidia board, which is crap compared to P35 for overclocking quads.

I still say the DFI Blood Iron + Q6600 + 1GB 8800GT offers the most punch for the money, and should last a long while.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Keep checking my computer post (1st) to see my updates so you can yell at me for being stupid.

I don't know how to find out if I need an Intel. I mean I guess right now I don't need one, but I plan to do some heavy gaming after I get out of high school & go to college. I also don't know what I want to do. I do know that I want to do something with computers & I thought that having a good computer might help, ya know? I don't know, I have the money (even though I'm cheap), & I guess I'll probably have it for a while, so, I guess I can go Intel. I also want to use two monitors; are Geforce's better? Is there any technology I should wait for that is going to be coming out soon?

I guess I won't get a gaming pad, but what have you guys heard about them?

I need a headset, any suggestions?

I really don't need a sound card? I mean I would like nice sound, but if buying a sound card isn't gonna make my ears orgasm with listening pleasure. I guess I can skip it. I do love to watch movie, which is why I want a 24" screen plus surround sound.

[Paulieg]

Ok, go with the 1066 Ballistix (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069). Their $5 more, but they are well worth it. As far as Intel, I would get a Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) or the E6750 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029) for your CPU (money saved from ditching the HD DVD - if your keeping it, go with hat's cpu choice, but I think you would be disapointed with it (it will bottleneck the VGA card)).

For motherboards, do ever plan on going SLI or crossfire in the future?

Edit: for mousepads, find a decent size one for under $20. Dont go so cheap like the $4.99 ones, but something between $10-$20 should do you fine - unless of course your planning to be the next Fatal1ty and do some competetive gaming.

Just wait until monday 1/21 and get a e8400 for $199. Better in every way than the e6750. Higher stock speed, lowe vcore and .5X multipliers.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Wow, .5x multipliers! That's cool, but aren't the quads still better. I mean wouldn't it be smarter to plan for the future and get a quad @ 2.4 (for $260, newegg, oem) OC it to 3.2 w/ a aftermarket HSF? I don't know I'm just asking.

[Wile E]

Wow, .5x multipliers! That's cool, but aren't the quads still better. I mean wouldn't it be smarter to plan for the future and get a quad @ 2.4 (for $260, newegg, oem) OC it to 3.2 w/ a aftermarket HSF? I don't know I'm just asking.I'm my opinion, yes.

[Franklinwallbrown]

ok, anyone else?

[thoughtdisorder]

Wow, .5x multipliers! That's cool, but aren't the quads still better. I mean wouldn't it be smarter to plan for the future and get a quad @ 2.4 (for $260, newegg, oem) OC it to 3.2 w/ a aftermarket HSF? I don't know I'm just asking.

+1 on the quad @ 2.4 for the future....Also, just my opinion....

[Franklinwallbrown]

Okay, well now I need a motherboard & headset & HSF, and if anyone knows where I can get anything cheaper, just tell me please. If anyone wants to suggest something different, feel free. Do you guys know of a more vibrant monitor? Should I go SSD? Are they much faster than 10k HDs?

[Wile E]

Okay, well now I need a motherboard & headset & HSF, and if anyone knows where I can get anything cheaper, just tell me please. If anyone wants to suggest something different, feel free. Do you guys know of a more vibrant monitor? Should I go SSD? Are they much faster than 10k HDs?SSDs are way too pricey at the moment. If you don't want to do a RAID0, then stick with the Raptor.

[tzitzibp]

Okay, well now I need a motherboard
maximus formula :rockout:

Should I go SSD? Are they much faster than 10k HDs?
if you can affort it then go for it...... booting is like turning a mobile phone on....
however I agree with Wile E: If you don't want to do a RAID0, then stick with the Raptor

[Franklinwallbrown]

Is RAID0 hard? Have you guys ever heard of anyone doing it? How were their results & was it worth it? I was looking on Newegg & the only SSD I was even considering was $200 & only 2 people out of 8 had anything good to say about it. Most people said that it took them around 2 hrs to download XP onto their system & another hour to download SP2. They were also talking about throughput. What does all this mean for a computer? I just want a computer that boots fast and loads games fast, nothing more. What is expresscard? some of the cheaper SSDs are expresscard.

Anyone have a DFI board? I heard the blood Iron needs a fan on the north bridge.

[Wile E]

Is RAID0 hard? Have you guys ever heard of anyone doing it? How were their results & was it worth it? I was looking on Newegg & the only SSD I was even considering was $200 & only 2 people out of 8 had anything good to say about it. Most people said that it took them around 2 hrs to download XP onto their system & another hour to download SP2. They were also talking about throughput. What does all this mean for a computer? I just want a computer that boots fast and loads games fast, nothing more. What is expresscard? some of the cheaper SSDs are expresscard.

Anyone have a DFI board? I heard the blood Iron needs a fan on the north bridge.

I have a RAID0 with 2 320GB Seagates. The RAID0 noticeably improves disk performance. It's not hard to set up, as lonng as you have a floppy drive for XP to load the driver during install. For Vista it's even easier as you can load the driver via CD/DVD, flash drive, or floppy.

But, if you are afraid of the hassle, just stick with the Raptor. The really high performing SSDs are still way overpriced.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Do you know how much gain you get with them?