I need this to be at $1300 but I'm already over. Let me know what you guys think I should change(and to what).
-I don't need Windows, a soundcard, or speakers.
-No opty ocing and no waiting for conroe or am2.
-I still need: case, dvd-rw, dvd-rom, floppy, dvi cable, keyboard, mouse(so the stuff below should only be about $1150-$1200)
-Basically trying to get the best gaming system for $1200 w/o OCing.
-I would prefer to stick w/ WD harddrives, Asus mobos, and keep the current monitor.
-The ram has to be 2GB.
-Everything else can be completely changed.
I just rushed to put this together so I grabbed everything from Newegg. If you know where something is cheaper feel free to mention that as well.


ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $85.84

eVGA 256-P2-N563-AX Geforce 7900GT CO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $323.65

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail $212.99

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail $135.80 AR

Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply $124.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2000JD 200GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive $96.99

SAMSUNG 740B Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1 0.264mm Pixel Pitch $225.99

Thanks in advance for your input.

HERE is some good advice that I've been getting about an AMD chip. I think I'm going with the 3700+ San Diego.

Rob

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob HERE is some good advice that I've been getting about an AMD chip. I think I'm going with the 3700+ San Diego. Rob

Well I went w/ the above advice and the cost is down to $1206.25. +rep to Rob

I am still open to suggestions on the overall rig though.

The rest of it looks pretty good, though I don't know too much about video cards.

As far as using WD as the hard drive, each person has their own individual experiences with them. Mine hasn't been too great. Ever since I went to Seagate, I've been pretty happy. However, some folks in the humid regions of the country have for the most part sworn off of Seagate due to failures.

Rob

If your into overclocking, get the DFI UT LP SLI-D or Ultra-D motherboard...


I run my 3700+ @ 2.85GHz daily, faster than an FX-57...

As for a case, I would probably go with the Antec Sonata II, only because it is a nice case and comes with a 450w PSU. Plus you get 8 bucks off @ the egg. If you aren't pleased with that case, then I suggest you go for the TT armor case. It is huge, heavy and is cheap at newegg for $110. Not a bad deal at all.

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $85.84

SAPPHIRE 100134L Radeon X1800XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $339.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Processor Socket 939 Retail ***Free Shipping*** $295.99

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) - Retail $130.99 AR

Sunbeam Nuuo 550 Watt Modular Power Supply - Black Bezel $78.99

Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YD 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $85.00

SAMSUNG 740B Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1 0.264mm Pixel Pitch $225.99

COOLER MASTER RC-531-SSN1 CENTURION STEEL TOWER $59.99



Total $1,302.59

Quote: Originally Posted by THRASHER2 ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $85.84 SAPPHIRE 100134L Radeon X1800XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $339.00 AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Processor Socket 939 Retail ***Free Shipping*** $295.99 Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) - Retail $130.99 AR Sunbeam Nuuo 550 Watt Modular Power Supply - Black Bezel $78.99 Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YD 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $85.00 SAMSUNG 740B Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1 0.264mm Pixel Pitch $225.99 COOLER MASTER RC-531-SSN1 CENTURION STEEL TOWER $59.99 Total $1,302.59

Does it matter that the HDD is 3Gb/s sata and the board only supports 1.5GB/s sata? Is that card faster than a 7900GT?

Edit: I see that it has 512 ram. Is that the only reason it's better?

The 7900GT is simply a 7800GTX with a 90nm manufacturing process. So yes the X1800XT will be faster.

Thanks for all the input. Here's what I've come up with.



AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor -$213

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - $86

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - $140AR

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $76

SAPPHIRE 100134L Radeon X1800XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - $326

Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - $125

NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - $38

LITE-ON Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SHD-16P1S - $23

Link Depot Black DVI-D male to DVI-D male dual link Cable Model DVI-6-DD - $18

Logitech 967502-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys PS/2 Wired Standard Value Keyboard
Logitech Value 953817-0403 Black 3 Buttons 1x Wheel PS/2 Optical Mouse - $21

SAMSUNG 740B Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1 0.264mm Pixel Pitch - $226

Total - $1292

All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar and include shipping.
Already have a case.

Looks really good to me. What case are you using? Just because im curious

I would keep an eye out at newegg for different HDD's. They seem to have a sale on SATA drives in the 250GB range from $80 - $90 dollars. I just built a new system for a friend with a pair of Maxtor 250 GB SATA 150 drives that were $86 on a one day sale. The next week they had a Seagate with almost identical specs for $89. Another friend of mine bought a pair of those. Both had free shipping (I guess that was part of the special). Other than that, excellent choices everywhere else!

Are you planning to overclock with that processor?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185125

I've read excellent stuff on that HSF and will get it soon. I've read reviews that people have reached 2.9GHz with their FX-60. If you need an HSF that will allow you to overclock with and is on the cheap sde, then that is the HSF to get.

This rig is for my brother. He's more of a console gamer so he doesn't need a really high powered PC. He plays some PC games but this comp is mostly just for everyday stuff. He not interested in overclocking but that isn't really necessary anyway. I just wanted to build him something rock solid and I think this stuff will work out well. As for the harddrives, he doesn't want to pay more for space he won't use (160GB is more than enough).

Here is the case I'm using:


It's my old case. I'm just giving it to him so he doesn't have to cut performance to buy a case. I'm gonna cut out the metal design over the side window and put a new piece of plexi in there so it's just one big clear window. I'll post a pic of the rig when it's done.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Quote: Originally Posted by UndisputedChamp Are you planning to overclock with that processor? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185125 I've read excellent stuff on that HSF and will get it soon. I've read reviews that people have reached 2.9GHz with their FX-60. If you need an HSF that will allow you to overclock with and is on the cheap sde, then that is the HSF to get.

I use that, keeps my 3700+ @ 2.85GHz at about 53c COMPLETLY silent.