Christmas Computer

[papermastermind]

Well for some time now, I've been contemplating on my Christmas computer build. I've talked on some other small community forums that I visit, but it's been a month or two, and I'm ACTUALLY going to get the computer. Here is what I have so far: http://secure.newegg.com/app/W...it=VIEW&ID=1182492

This will obviously be a gaming machine, mainly HL2/CS:S. My hopes are to go to about 2.1-2.2ghz with the AMD64, and unlock the pipelines/overclock the 6800.

Don't count in a mouse/keyboard/monitor/etc., I already have all those. This is just the computer itself. Also, the CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive and the hard drive will do me fine, I don't really need that much. Since I'm in California, tax + shipping hits me at $130 with that build. I really want this to be <$1000 JUST for the actual computer. So what I need are suggestions and how to make that so, without losing too much power.

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Try to find an e-tailer that doesnt tax CA, I think ZZF maybe?

 

[Confusednewbie1552]

First be sure to check out anandtechs guides: http://www.anandtech.com/guides/
and this neat thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...1717&amp;enterthread=y

So I'm going in order from the list you have.

Case: I wouldn't get that Raidmax case. Probabaly a lot of sharp edges and hard to work with. Try and find some reviews on the case. Try looking at a Cooler Master Praetorian or a Wavemaster or if you want to spend that much, a cm stacker =D

Optical Drives: Are you sure you don't want a dvdrw drive? IF you do then check out what nec has too offer.

Fan: That fan is perfect.

Hard drives: Seems like a good drive, I have no idea though =P

Memory: Perfect =D (If you wanna overclock look at some PC 4000 or 4400 ram from OCZ)

Motherboards: Check out if you like what Epox or Asus have to offer. The original MSI k8n Neo had a ton of problems. I dunno if that's fixed in the k8n 2.

Power Supplies: A big no. Get a power supply from Antec, Enermax or OCZ. They're reputable vendors and will give your system stability!

Proccesor: Perfect.

Video Card: Perfect.

So yeah, but i'm just a confused newbie

 

[Confusednewbie1552]

Originally posted by: NarcoticHobo
Try to find an e-tailer that doesnt tax CA, I think ZZF maybe?

ZZF is in CA.

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Guess I'll go ahead and comment on the setup, good job I would say. A lot of people here will tell you to go with a higher quality PSU, and I would have to agree, get an antec at least.

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: Confusednewbie1552

Originally posted by: NarcoticHobo
Try to find an e-tailer that doesnt tax CA, I think ZZF maybe?

ZZF is in CA.

Yeah, for me they'll actually charge more tax than Newegg does (they'll give me the Fresno County rate of 7.875%, whereas with ZZF I'd get charged some astronomical Bay Area value like 8.75%).

Monarch might not tax California--I think they're based in Georgia.

 

[Confusednewbie1552]

What about Tiger Direct? I don't know where they are. I have no idea why most ppl here hate them.

 

[quizzelsnatch]

1. Get the 6600GT instead of the 6800, the 6600GT is cheaper and provides near the same performance if you don't run at high resolutions with AF and AA.
2. Get the CNPS7000-AlCu instead of the 7700, not that big of a difference in cooling, i think.
3. Get the Mushkin 1Gig dual channel pack, it's 10ish dollars cheaper, same performance.
4. Do you really need the Neo2? If you aren't overclocking, which it looks like with the ram you're getting, try a cheaper one.
5. Do you need the retail 3000+? you're getting an after-market HS/F



Edit: nevermind the mushkin is like 4 dollars cheaper.

Edit 2: The Gigabyte nforce3 is only 115 and it will provide most of the same features as the neo2, though i don't think it overclocks as well.

 

[papermastermind]

Originally posted by: quizzelsnatch
1. Get the 6600GT instead of the 6800, the 6600GT is cheaper and provides near the same performance if you don't run at high resolutions with AF and AA.
2. Get the CNPS7000-AlCu instead of the 7700, not that big of a difference in cooling, i think.
3. Get the Mushkin 1Gig dual channel pack, it's 10ish dollars cheaper, same performance.
4. Do you really need the Neo2? If you aren't overclocking, which it looks like with the ram you're getting, try a cheaper one.
5. Do you need the retail 3000+? you're getting an after-market HS/F



Edit: nevermind the mushkin is like 4 dollars cheaper.

Edit 2: The Gigabyte nforce3 is only 115 and it will provide most of the same features as the neo2, though i don't think it overclocks as well.

1. Well the whole point of the 6800 is to unlock the pipelines/overclock to make it as powerful as a GT+.
2. I think you're right, the 7700 supports one more proccessor, and actually has less RPM's and more noise than the 7000.
3. I trust Corsair
4. Neo2 is known as the best overclocking mobo on the market.
5. Well occasionally Newegg hates me, and won't display every AMD64 proccessor in the list. When it finally stopped doing that, there was only the retail s939 3000.

So.... any recommendations on making this thing cheaper?

edit: Okay, I went with this instead of the Thermaltake PSU: http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE . Also, as I said above, not all the AMD64 proccessors display for me, so can someone provide a link for the OEM s939 3000+? Greatly appreicated

 

[DanDrop]

Monarch doesn't tax in CA
Directron doesn't tax in CA

Compare prices and see if ZZF or Newegg is cheaper even with tax. Good luck.

 

[papermastermind]

ZZF doesn't have the selection, and there is always tax to CA.

 

[1sikbITCH]

I just received my 939pin 3000+ Winchester 2 weeks ago from Newegg, but I don't see them listed now.

Edit- The processor was OEM.

I also had to choose between the Asus A8V and the MSI board, and there seemed to be a lot more posts about problems with the MSI board, so I went with the Asus. Of course, as has been previously pointed out, this can be partially attributed to the fact that MSI has sold a lot more of them than Asus has.

 

[LikeLinus]

There's another thread (search for Zalman or msi k8n) where someone was talking about the CNPS7700-ALCU not fitting on the motherboard. I can't say this is true or not..but you might want to research it!

 

[AwesomeJay]

Directron.com does not charge sales tax EXCEPT for Texas shipping addresses, who, however, may enjoy a lower shipping cost because of shorter distance. The current tax rate is 8.25%. Both labor charges and shipping (freight, delivery, or postage) are also tax-ed according to State of Texas rules.

taken from the Directron page.. i'm guessing they dont charge sales tax in CA then?

 

[LikeLinus]

zalman as per that site on the 770 is Incompatible with the K8N Neo2 Plat.

Thats why I got the 7000B myself.


FIXED

 

[papermastermind]

So the 7000 WILL fit correct? (Linus your link doesn't work, it just points to "http://zalman")

 

[LikeLinus]

YEah the 7000 will and is an excellent cooler. Sorry about the broken link..i fixed it

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: Confusednewbie1552
What about Tiger Direct? I don't know where they are. I have no idea why most ppl here hate them.

Because of their rebates. They offer them and most people seem to have a problem receiving them.