pythonfan

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Well guys mom said screw it to the updating, its time to get a whole new PC, so i get to build my own PC, price range is about 500-700, as for operating system, I'm undecided but this is what i got so far, anything good?

this is gonna be my first PC build up.

Case:
CoolerMaster CM690 ATX Mid-Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...497&CatId=1842
Mother Boards:
MSI K9N4 SLI-F Motherboard - NVIDIA, Socket AM2, ATX, Audio, PCI Express, SLI Ready, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA, RAID
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...645&CatId=2050
Asus M2N-E SLI Motherboard CPU Bundle - AMD an Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Processor 2.80GHz OEM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...547&CatId=2430
XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard - FREE Lost Planet PC Game, A+ Version, NVIDIA 680i SLI, Socket 775, ATX, Audio, PCI Express, SLI Ready, Dual Gigabit LAN, S/PDIF, USB 2.0, Firewire, Serial ATA, RAID
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...596&CatId=1533
Graphic Card Times 2:
XFX GeForce 8600 GTS Video Card - FREE Company of Heroes PC Game, 256MB DDR3, SLI Ready, PCI Express, Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...543&CatId=1558
Ram times 2:
OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=O261-7054
Hard drive:
Samsung Spinpoint T166 320GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, Serial ATA-300, OEM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2423&CatId=139
Floppy:
1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive (Black)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=TC1-6000%20BL
Burner, undecided.
Power supply:
Power Up / 600-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI Ready / Titanium / Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...450&CatId=2036
Fan: Thermaltake / TMG i1 / Socket 775 / Copper Base / CPU Cooler
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2376&CatId=493

so how did i do on picking the stuff out?

Is there a better setup for a price range of 500-700, you can list, or improve on?

boltech

That samsung drive is ok. This drive is the same and has a 60 month warranty
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2268595

LG Burners are very reliable, not the fastest but reliable

You can't use that Thermaltake fan if you are using an AMD CPU, you need this one
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...373&CatId=2545

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

after talking to a friend i think i got a better setup now.

Xion Onyx Black Gaming ATX Case with Front USB, Audio Ports, Clear Side and 450-Watt Power Supply 89.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A406-1073
MSI K9N4 SLI-F Motherboard - NVIDIA, Socket AM2, ATX, Audio, PCI Express, SLI Ready, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA, RAID 89.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...645&CatId=2320
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Processor - 2.10GHz, 1MB Cache, 1000MHz (2000 MT/s) FSB ), Brisbane, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket AM2, ADO4000DDBOX, Processor with Fan 69.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...693&CatId=2328
Pioneer DVR-112DBK OEM DVD Burner - 18x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 10x DVD±R DL, 40x32x CD-R/RW, Black, with Software 39.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=P725-3053
Centon Dual Channel 2048MB PC5400 DDR2 667MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB) 59.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...830&CatId=2261
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM 89.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=TSD-320AS
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2 OEM Version 89.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
XFX GeForce 8600 GTS Video Card - FREE Company of Heroes PC Game, 256MB DDR3, SLI Ready, PCI Express, Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card 169.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...543&CatId=1558

so this any better?

boltech

[sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

Don't forget the CPU fan, You don't really need a floppy drive these days.

Also get a another CDRW\DVD combo drive so you can do cd2cd copies.

Foxy

While we're on the subject, my new gaming machine bits have been ordered and should be here tomorrow, thought I'd post full spec here for all to see (and criticise if they like, I may have overlooked something)...the idea here is that this is a very high spec machine (new items in bold). Not quite a 'money no object' box, but more than enough to run Vista and Crysis at reasonable settings. Pythonfan, I don't remember what you're budget is, but these are some of the best high street items, maybe it gives you some ideas.

PSU: OCZ 600W StealthXtream
CASE: Thermaltake VA8000 Armour
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 (Really pleased with this, it was expensive and is supposed to be the new dual core overclocking king, we'll be testing that!!)
CPU: Intel Core 2 6850@3Ghz
RAM: Transcend 2GB DDR2 800mhz overclockers kit (2x1GB)
HDD: 150GB Western Digital Raptor 10,000rpm (This is an experiment, I've heard good and bad about the performance benefits of this disk)
GFX: 1 x Nvidia Geforce 8800GTX
DVD: 2 x Pioneer 111D
MONITOR: LG 20.1 TFT (1600 native, NOT widescreen)
KEYB: Logitech G15
MSE: Depends what game I'm playing or if I'm working. When working it's the trusty G5, when playing, it's a Razer Copperhead

That should be a pretty hot setup for a while.

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

well i'm just gonna steal them from my dell, so i can take the burner and dvd-rom drive off.

the cpu on my list comes with a fan

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

well i started to price up what u have listed, i stopped after 800 lol

I'm looking at another combo right now, post back soon on what i got

DarkFire989

Foxy What do you think of my pc?
My current pc specs are:
Pentium D 3.4 GHZ
2 GB DDR2 RAM 667 mhz
nVidia 7600 GS 512 MB
160 GB HD
450W Power Supply
Stock Cooling
NZXT Nemesis Case

I'm thinking about over clocking it but not sure. Keep in mind though that this PC is just over a year old. I basically run a lot of current games on high settings and keep a good FPS. I have yet to play Cyrsis though. On 1-10 what would you give this PC? Right now I'm a Junior and highschool and I just started to work. So either this coming summer or next Im going to completly over haul my pc. Or just buy a new one. I heared a rumor that the new nvidia 9 series is coming out in the end of this year or the beginning of the next, has anyone else heard this?

-SomeGuy-

I admit i dont know to much when it comes to this stuff but you wanted my input pythonfan so here it is.

If your going with a dual core and dual vid cards then you can save a few bucks on the cards at least. I have the asus A8N-SLI deluxe motherboard and have been running 2 6600gt nvidia cards and run all my games in 1600 X 1200. My other gaming buddies are always impressed by how smooth and nice the graphics are and i dont have a dual core. One of my buds does have the dual core and i see the difference it makes on his games. Nothing for the image but the he doesnt get any chop/delay/choke whatever its called that i get now and then.

On another note i recently brought my pc in for some repairs under warranty and was informed that as good as the SLI sounds, running 2 cards doesnt double the power but gives you about a 30% increase. I dont know how true this is as i get a different story for each guy i speak to but its something to look into. Maybe one of you guys who knows more than me and wont make a profit from our purchases will have an honest answer.

Looking at your list makes me want to get a new setup [&:] i really like the dual core and dual vid card motherboard, nice find.

My current setup is (bought almost 3 years ago)

AMD athlon 3200+
asus A8N-SLI deluxe
2x Nvidia 6600gt geforce 128 mb vid cards
now 2 gigs or ram ddr 400mhz (was running only 1 but bought more when i had it out for repairs)
250 gigs 7200 rpm hard drive
480W power supply
windows xp

And while we're on the subject of gaming, what games do you play and what are you looking forwards to. At the moment im playing allot of team fortress 2, half-life2 and the 2 episodes, counter-strike source and all those free source mods like zombie master, battlefield 2 and battlefield 2142. Those are the ones i play the most. I also have doom 3, quake 4, fear, just to name a few.

What im looking forwards to is starcraft 2, the new call of duty 4 looks great and quake wars looks pretty good as well. All my other games are on my PS3 so my pc is not the only source of gaming i have. Really looking forwards to GTA4 and metal gear solid 4 for now on the PS3.

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

well i told mom what its gonna cost and she freaked out lol, told em no there's no way it cost that much, she was talking about that new walmart pc for 498.90 so i thought she meant i can get a new pc, and make it better, so after about 45min of arguing she said i might be able to get it but not from her, but everyone one in the family giving me money for it instead.

but one thing tho i did not notice i did not have a sound card in my setup so can i just use the one from the dell? its this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Lab.../dp/B0002ZOJ14

DarkFire989

You really dont need a sound card. Just a waste of money IMHO. Unless your addicted to music and are going to be editing music. Even if you did get a sound card you would still need some nice speakers to make it sound to the best of its ability. Im currently running 6 speakers and a bass of my integrated sound card on my motherboard (mobo according to foxy) and i dont have a problem with sound at all. And it still sounds nice.

boltech

Darkfire is right.. Onboard sound cards have come a long way. You can use your onboard soundcard and get great audio. That MSI board looks pretty good.

-SomeGuy-

Same here, using integrated sound card and the sound is fine. I was thinking of getting one but i guess its really not worth it.

EDIT: How much would it cost to just fix up the pc you have now? You really dont need all that stuff, the system you have now is half decent.

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

well if i got 700 to buy a new gaming pc i think i might only want to spend 400-500 fixing mine up, so i have some cash left over for a better monitor or vid cam.

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

well looking into my current mother bord, this is what i have found, but is it atx or micro atx?

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/del...-30919189.html

http://www.discountelectronics.com/i...FQYWgQodQFAC2A

http://www.shinyplastic.com/archives...400-review.php

cause i might just upgrade the bord and update a few other things, and keep using the dell.

or do i jsut update it wit the current bord, add the 2g ram and just one 8600 gts or the 8800, cards??? and grab a bigger hard drive?

I'm so confused guys, on what to do.

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

well i was just browsing and i came across this, is this something to maybe think about? or am i better off with my other setup or upgrading the dell?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...114&CatId=2431

A.B.U

Try this HP out.. i dunno if it's outta your price range but it looks really nice..

[link=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8542188&type=product&id=11885597 85233]tadaa[/link]

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

man i love Google, i found a link, that disables the left or right or both windows keys on the keyboard, makes such a diff in the game no more hitting it and screwing up my game, i got the link if u guys want it.

boltech

Python . I don't know if any market standard board will fit your Dell desktop chassis. The screw holes may not match up, as well as other issues with cabling. If it was a Tower chassis then I would say go ahead and try.

pythonfan

My Feedback: (1)

some info on the dell if this helps you guys, cause i have no info on what i'm looking at.

[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/DELL-OEM-Motherboard-for-Dimension-8400_W0QQitemZ150183317228QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10897 8QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]8400 mother 1[/link]
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DELL-DIMENSION-8400-GEN3-GEN4-G3-G4-MOTHERBOARD_W0QQitemZ250187989709QQihZ015QQcategor yZ60267QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]8400 mother 2[/link]
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Dell-XPS-Motherboard-fits-Dimension-8400-J3492-YAY_W0QQitemZ150183373903QQihZ005QQcategoryZ108978 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]8400 mother 3[/link]
[link=http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/showthread.php?t=173891]another forum asking the same qustion kinda[/link]
[link=http://hardware.earthweb.com/computers/article.php/3393811]more stats[/link]
[link=http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/en/index.htm#online_documentation]all the paper work for the dell provided by dell[/link]

boltech

The boards are quite different. the new msi board may not fit your Dell Chassis. If it does fit you *may* need extension cables for your power supply to reach the new locations.

ALSO is the IO plate on your Dell removable? The ports on your MSI motherboard are arranged differently from the IO ports on the Dell motherboard. (keyboard, mouse, serial, printer, lan & usb)

It may just be better to mount the hardware in a new case.

jeffmiz

Okay first off i think newegg is better than tigerdirect having orders from both

1 would wait a 2 months until the new core 2 duo chips comeing out i think intel is more stable than amd they will be starting at around 150 bucks

i would go with a Gigabyte MOtherboard
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059]Newegg Gigabyte MOBO[/link]

I would also go with 2 gigs of ddr2 800
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098]Newegg G.Skill 2GB MEMORY[/link]

This Video card is way more cost effiecient compared to the gts
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130303]8800Gt[/link]

If your not going to get 2 graphic cards in sli then i dont see the use for a sli mobo

All of your other choices are ok but i would just wait until you can get a core 2 duo 3ghz 1333 fsb 6mb l2 cache for $183

all of those will keep you under your limit my estimates of my sugestions is about $330
Not bad

paintstikker

Hehe, I still have to use the ol' 5 inch floppy at work sometimes...

And when I built my computer I installed a copied version of XP Pro, and I had to buy a drive anyway to get the system to boot (friend gave me all the software)


I'd have to agree, take a look at New Egg, the prices are around the best and shipping is great, though it is a large site to navigate through.

You guys are nuts, 2GB RAM? And I'm still rockin' with a 5200 AGP Graphics card. Beats buying a new one and I haven't had a problem with anything yet.

About AMD and Intel; I have heard of many arguments about those two. AMD IS much faster than many intel processors, as many AMD cores can beat dual or quad core intel processors. It really depends on your application; unless you are hardcore into this or that, I find Intel working best for all applications. At work I have AMD and it is somewhat laggy with some drafting programs, so to speak, but it works fine for the games that are installed on the system (don't ask).

JWMMWJ

they are both stable, i'd think an amd would be more stable than intel because they run a lot cooler and can be over clocked easier... the bios is more likely to cause a crash than the cpu itself


thats true, but its best for him to have sli there ready since it doesnt cost that much extra... rather than realise he needs sli and not have, for ~$30 extra its just easier to get it

pythonfan

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me and jwm have been on msn for that last week talking cause i know him from another forum, (kyosho monster) and he knows his pc's and he help me pick out post #3 of pc parts.