Building a new rig

[Legacyc]

I am trying to build a new computer for games, but not break the bank doing so.

What I have so far:

ASUS A8N-E Socket
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530
$93
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AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$300
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G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231047
$140
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Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701
$93
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XFX PV-T71G-UCE7 Geforce 7900GT 256MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150149
$330
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I need a case and psu but I dont know how to measure the quality of things like that

I have no OC experance nor do I think I will ever overclock.

Tell me your thoughts on it, im not connected to anything on the list so any criticism would be helpfull.

Thank you

 

[Howard]

If you don't plan on overclocking, then spend the $300 on the processor on a faster single-core CPU.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

x1800xt>7900gt and cheaper
better image quality
HDR & AA at the same time. minimal (2%? frame rate loss with aa/af ON over off)

 

[Legacyc]

Hmmmmm... I might consider it... Overclocking just does not seem to be worth taking the risk of burning up $300.

What about the other things? Do you have any recommendations on a psu?

 

[nocrapman]

Its like having a landrover and never going out of the city. Believe me you will be tempted... I was thinking the same thoughts as you 2 months ago... tomorrow, I will be Ocing fro the first time - at least starting the process.

The only thing I will emphasize is - dont compromise on the MOBO - get the best possible one, its a pain to replace the MOBO. Everything else you might be updating on the fly - not the MOBO. While the ASUS MOBO you have picked - is not bad at all - but there are much better ones around for 10-20$$ more. Check out DFI and Abit - at least u will have the capability to OC even if u never attempt it...

Either way... have fun... and keep reading reviews and pplz experiences...

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Legacyc
Hmmmmm... I might consider it... Overclocking just does not seem to be worth taking the risk of burning up $300.

If you get a decent HSF and you install it properly, the chance of the CPU burning up is approximately 0.

 

[bamacre]

Found some cheaper prices (after shipping) on some of the components...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-1
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=240423
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101220-12
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321067

This is a different brand of memory, but it's cheaper and just as good...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-86

That should save you some cash.

 

[Legacyc]

I think I might follow nocrapman's advice, but I would not want to go in blind... can you direct me to a good OC guide?

and I know what I picked out cant be the best bang for the buck, what would you change? I am going to change to the x1800xt 512, I guess I just did not reseach video cards enough.


*edit* Wow thanks bamacre

 

[LOUISSSSS]

and for that x1800xt an enermax psu in the 500-600 watt range or a 500 watt seasonic or a 500-600 watt FSP would do the job well

 

[leegroves86]

I have the asus A8N-E mobo and it works out great for me! no problems so far. I would definitely go dual core too. Don't listen to people when they say the extra 200 mhz is better than a second core. Dual cores are the future and games are starting to be released with dual core support. Plus it helps with everything else in the world that is CPU intensive. As far as PSUs go, Enermax, Fotron, Seasonic are all goods names. People have been having troubles with the new Antecs recently (it was a good name at one time). I have a 500W enermax w/ modular cabling and its awesome. It is about 100 bucks though so perhaps a bit steep and prolly overkill.

 

[Boyo]

This web site has everything you will ever need to know from building, tweaking and OCing.....

http://www.pcstats.com/beginners.cfm