Feedback on my Gaming Rig

[AlCaponeJr]

Hi all - I'd like any feedback/advice on the following core components of a machine I'm putting together. The components I'm most unsure about are 1) PSU 2) Memory


Some background/assumptions before I list the specs (feel free to comment):
1) I'm quite familiar with PCs and components, but this will be my first self-built machine
2) I *WILL NOT* be overclocking - I can shell out some extra $$ for more performance and don't have time to tweak things - so I'm looking for good performance out-of-box
3) Rig will be used mainly for gaming and other random stuff - BF2 is my current benchmark
4) My thinking on SLI - May never use it, but would like to have the option - maybe I'll get a 2nd 6800GT when it goes down to $50 - chances are by then, I have to upgrade the whole machine again anyway
5) Not planning on using SATA yet - will just use my old IDE HDs - until I really need to buy a new HD
6) My thinking on Dual Core - don't really need it yet, rather get the best single-core performance I can afford - I could upgrade to X2 at a later time if/when requierd


Specs for New Parts:
Case: Antec P160 + 1 additional 120MM fan
Power Supply: Antec NeoPower 480W (or Enermax 535W? - PLS HELP HERE)
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium nForce4 SLI
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego (may splurge and get 4000+ SD)
Memory: 2 x 1GB Corsair or OCZ (Value quality) PLS HELP HERE !
Video Card: eVGA 6800 GT 256MB


Parts That will be salvaged from old rig:
Sound Card: SB Audigy2 ZS
Speakers: Logitech Z-5300e 5.1
Hard Drive: IDE Western Digital 7200rpm 80GB
Hard Drive: IDE Seagate 7200rpm 160GB
DVD-RW: Optorite DD0401 +-RW
DVD-R: La Cie something-or-other
Floppy Drive: Some generic brand - who cares
Modem: Some generic brand - who cares
Wireless Network Card: D-Link 802.11g
Operating System: MS Win XP Pro

 

[Varun]

Antec power supply is fine.

I have Corsair VS 2x512, and I have to run it at 2.9V to have it run mostly stable at 200MHz (Default speed and timings), because of this I would suggest the OCZ Value RAM.

If you are going to splurge on anything, splurge on the 7800GTX, or wait a short bit and get the 7800GT when it comes out soon. I don't think you would notice much of a difference between the 3700+ and the 4000+ for the $100 difference. For $200 more you can get a single 7800GTX which is better than 2 6800 Ultras. I've heard a few times the 7800GT will be out soon as well if you can hold off for that - it will be a bit cheaper than the GTX.

 

[n7]

Anyone here notice how all the newbies always pick Asus mobos, & everyone who's been around [these forums] for awhile doesn't?

I'd gonna recommend the MSI K8N Neo4 to save you some money.

San Diego 3700+ is good.

For RAM, get the OCZ.

For video card: If your monitor does 1600x1200 or higher, look at the 7800GTX.
For anything lower, get the X800XL

 

[Valkerie]

it's fine, don't lose sleep over it.

 

[silverbuyer]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
it's fine, don't lose sleep over it.

 

[d2arcturus]

I would recommend:

Stay with 3700.
Get 7800GTX.
Get Epox 9NPA+ Ultra.
I suggest Fortron 600W Blue Storm.
Whichever memory is cheaper.

 

[Icopoli]

Originally posted by: n7
Anyone here notice how all the newbies always pick Asus mobos, & everyone who's been around [these forums] for awhile doesn't?

I'd gonna recommend the MSI K8N Neo4 to save you some money.

San Diego 3700+ is good.

For RAM, get the OCZ.

For video card: If your monitor does 1600x1200 or higher, look at the 7800GTX.
For anything lower, get the X800XL

My father and I have only bought Asus boards for the last 10 years, I've never had a problem with any of them.

 

[AlCaponeJr]

Thanks for the feedback so far. You guys are really tempting me on the 7800GTX

The thing with ASUS is that I've learnt to trust ASUS motherboards since they've been around for as long as I can remember tinkering with computers (15-20 years?). So there's a strong familiarity factor - and they still do have a reputation for stability/reliability from what I have read (some recent glitches notwithstanding).

Thanks again.

 

[anandtechrocks]

For the cash you are fronting for the SD, I would definately get the 4200 X2. They run at the same frequency and the extra cache does very little. I have both a 3200+ Vience and a 3700+ SD, and they perform identically in games (when clocked the same), so if you don't want the X2 save some cash and get the 3500+ Vience.

 

[KayKay]

Originally posted by: n7
Anyone here notice how all the newbies always pick Asus mobos, & everyone who's been around [these forums] for awhile doesn't?

yeah, n00bs think asus is teh sh!t

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: KayKay

Originally posted by: n7
Anyone here notice how all the newbies always pick Asus mobos, & everyone who's been around [these forums] for awhile doesn't?

yeah, n00bs think asus is teh sh!t

Well, they used to be good. Their workstation ATX boards are still good though. Take a look at the Asus PC-DL, NCCH-DL, K8N-DL. In my opinion, the only three good and current Asus boards.