Help me finalize this Gaming build, time to buy...

[VINMAN]

Ok with everyones recommendations and my own preferences ive got it down to what i think are the final choices, just need the experts here to help with the picks as i havent build a computer in 2 years. I have used this list i put in NEWEGG as its a good holding place.


ITEM cost
Antec Performance I P180 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $124.99



So which of these 2 MB to get ?

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $229.00
Model #: A8N32-SLI Deluxe



DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $199.00
Model #: LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR



This one looks good and its on sale

eVGA 256-P2-N527-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $469.00
Model #: 256-P2-N527-AX



This PS seems to get good reviews and should be more then enough

SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail $159.00
Model #: S12-600



Which CPU to go with? this is the big decision

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4400CDBOX - Retail $497.00
Model #: ADA4400CDBOX



AMD Opteron 175 Denmark 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model OSA175CDBOX - Retail $520.00
Model #: OSA175CDBOX



And then what Memory?

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Platinum System Memory Model OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K - Retail $246.50
Model #: OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K



G.SKILL Extreme Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBZX - Retail $207.95
Model #: F1-3200PHU2-2GBZX


This seems to be very solid and BIG hd, should be great

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD4000KD 400GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $199.50
Model #: WD4000KD



Normal DVD burner

NEC Black IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner Model ND-3550A - OEM $39.99
Model #: ND-3550A BK OEM



Well let me know especially on the CPU/MB/Memory stuff


Im also thinking of getting that Spectre 37 inch LCD to use for gaming on this thing, anyone using that how do BF2 , Fear etc run on that. Also how far away you think u have to be? i want to put it on my desk or the wall behind it, will only be like 3 ft away there from me typing/gaming. Want to order this week on these parts so let me know asap

thx
Vinman

 

[darkxshade]

Don't game on a 37" LCD(you won't be happy with the video quality), at most game on a 24", esp with a non SLI'd 256 gtx. Get the opteron 175 if you want to OC(Perhaps the OEM chip for less & buy cooling separately). Everything else seems to be ok except I don't get why everyone likes to build a rig with an SLI setup that's not SLI'd. I know you will prolly say you plan to upgrade to a 2nd one in the future when it's cheaper but for a gtx, I'd imagine you'd wait a year or more before it becomes halved in price and by then there might be a more cost efficient and superior single card(over SLI'd gtx's) that packs a bigger punch. If you're gonna go SLI may as well just run a pair of 7800GT's right off the bat and you could possibly OC them to GTX speeds.

 

[VINMAN]

i already have a 2405 monitor, have seen people talking about the Sceptre 37 as its 1080P with great refresh rate. was going to get for TV replacement/monitor and use it for games and prob for doing some work on

I will probably get another card at some point. Is there a non SLI board that is as stable, performs as well and can OC easily as that ASUS or DFI and is considerably cheaper?

 

[darkxshade]

Well you're really set on SLI, I heard a lot of good things about the Asus A8N SLI premium and will run you about $170ish.

I should also say I'd stick with the A8N32 though, if you're on a budget, I'd totally nix the idea of the 37 LCD. Assuming you can game just fine on it, you'll probably put it @ a distance in front of you or you'd have to turn your head just to go from left to right, and in that case, to me it's just the same as putting your 2405 closer. I never thought I'd say it but there's actually such a thing as "too big".

 

[Wentelteefje]

I have to agree with darkxshade, if you're not planning on buying that second card within the next few months, eventually you'll have a new generation that wil blow your SLI rig for less money...

1. Go with the Opty, and buy it OEM, you'll save some money that you can spend on better cooling, like an XP-90 or XP-120 with a Panaflo...

2. I'd go with the DFI, they're far more superior in the overclocking department, and for a lower price...

3. Both are excellent sets of memory, but I'd give the nod to G.Skill, you get very good memory with low timings for $ 40 less...

If you'd consider it, here are some good non-SLI boards:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum - $ 123
DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D - $ 135
GigaByte GA-K8N Ultra-9 - $ 113
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra - $ 105

Consider the 512MB version of the GeForce 7800GTX with one of these, instead of SLI...

*EDIT: I withdraw my judgement about DFI being the better choice, but I still wouldn't advise SLI to you...

 

[VINMAN]

so for the non sli that DFI Lanparty UT nf4 ultra-d is good one?

Ya that 512 mb version is nice but its 300 bux more and its out of stock. I think the 256 version should be enough for games now, that was my thought on the SLI i could always add second one as games ramped up and took more advantage of it. So if its only extra 100bux to be able to add card to improve performance 6 months down the road still might go that way.

Any other thoughts anyone, CPU/Memory MB etc

 

[CalamitySymphony]

Get the Asus Motherboard, this one is a NO BRAINER (considering significant incrase in performance over all the other mobos). Forget all other motherboards, for anyone buying a motherboard now, this is the ONLY one to get (for an Nvidia chipset)

Get the X1800XT for that price range, dont bother with a 256 GTX. Otherwise, go for a SUB $300 7800GT.

The PSU is overkill. Seasonics are good but get a lower wattage one.

Opteron definately, I would choose the Opteron 170 though.

 

[VINMAN]

bump

 

[VINMAN]

bump

 

[ribbon13]

First of all, it's your money, but you're a moron if you buy all that at newegg. $135 S12-600. The S12-500 is the minimum unless you like cabling mess because you'll have to use molex to 6-pin PCIe adapters for your video cards.

If you're getting non-SLI get the Epox 9NPA-Ultra for $95 shipped at zipzoomfly. If your going SLI the A8N32-SLI is the only thing I'd consider.

Opteron 175 is goodness. The one I bought for my GF is getting 2.7GHz stock HSF+AS5 / stock voltage.

Get the PQI CAS2 1GB sticks or go all out for the Mushkin Redline.

 

[VINMAN]

oh im not nec buying all from newegg i just used there wish list to store stuff, i will buy from whatever rep place that has the best deal. newegg seems to be out of the MB and some other stuff, that mushkin stuff looks nice will have to try and find some. Any ideas where can get that stuff in stock?

 

[ribbon13]

Direct

 

[VINMAN]

cool thx

hey you have that sceptre 37 dont ya? what you think of using that for gaming on with like BF2, fear etc? was thinking of getting that and using on my desk (i have large modular desk in my home office goes around about half the room) would sit prob 3 or so feet from where im typing at? would that work?

Anyone else any ideas let me know, going to order this week if its the last thing i do

 

[VINMAN]

bump

 

[VINMAN]

bump

 

[Hans5849]

ASUS mobo

i have that PSU, it would be awesome if i had a PCI Express card with it though.

OCZ RAM

 

[VINMAN]

thx, anyone know where to get that ASUS MB?

 

[VINMAN]

bump

 

[VINMAN]

early morn bump.
come on and help me make the best choices

 

[VINMAN]

bump

 

[VINMAN]

saw this Mushkin Ram

Is this good?

mushkin eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 500 (PC 4000) System Memory - Retail

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Price Unit Price: $289.00
Save: -$50.00
Total: $239.00
Unit Price: $305.00

Notes & Disclaimers
Shipping $4.81 Three Day Shipping $4.81 Three Day Shipping
Rating [20 reviews]
In Stock Yes No
Item# N82E16820146397 N82E16820146034
Model# 991483 991493
Brand mushkin mushkin
Series eXtreme Performance eXtreme Performance
Type 184-Pin DDR SDRAM 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB) 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Speed DDR 500 (PC 4000) DDR 500 (PC 4000)
Cas Latency 3 3
Timing 3-4-3-8 3-3-2-8
Voltage 2.8V 2.6V-2.9V
ECC No No
Registered/Unbuffered Unbuffered Unbuffered
Heat Spreader Yes Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Lifetime

 

[VINMAN]

guess this memory isnt as good as the other model oh well . So anyone have any other recommedations? i really want that ASUS board but no one seems to have it, maybe ill check around locally see if its around

 

[Cheesetogo]

I would pick the dfi over the asus if you planning on overclocking. DFI has the best overclocking boards for the Nforce4 chipset. However, if your not going to be overclocking, I'd go with the asus. Also, you could proably get your proccesor for less, and you should be able to get a gtx for around 420-430.

 

[ribbon13]

See second chart

 

[VINMAN]

ya i see that, but i CANT FIND ONE IN STOCK ANYWHERE !!!!!!!!!!!. Im going to take off work early tomorrow and take a look around town at Frys, compusa etc see if anyone is carrying it. if you know of where to get one this week please post