My first computer build

[Memphis901]

This is the first computer Ive built and I spent a few months researching and created almost 10 systems just to start over again.. I decided im going to postpone SLI and PCIe for now. Also, I should mention that im not planning on overclocking anything since I feel I dont know enough yet to take a chance to o/c high dollar parts. But I am officially placing my order wednesday and I need an expert opinion. Also, this system will be solely for gaming(for a year or two atleast)



Ultra Dragon Glossy Black case ---- $99
Text

Forton 530watt PSU ---- $77
Text

MSI K8N Neo2 Plat + Athlon64 3000 939 winchester Combo ---- $314
(includes Farcry and napster subcrp, HL2 if I upgrade to 3500)
Text

1 gig Corsair Value Select dual pack ---- $152
Text

eVGA 6800GT ---- $399
(includes Doom 3)
Text

Maxtor 200GB 7200RPM ---- $108
Text

Nec floppy drive ---- $7
Text

Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS ---- $81
Text

Logitech X-530 5.1 speakers ----$65
Text


total : 1,294

I plan on buying a LCD monitor but Im going to order that at the last minute if I can find a decent one under $400. So it more than likely will have a 17" 19" 1280x1024 native resolution if that matters. Ive been using a 15" dell ultra sharp laptop so I wouldnt mind playing that resolution unless it bottlenecks somthing above.


Im trying to stay at that budget and if there is any part that should be downgraded or upgraded please tell me. Any help would be greatly appreciated and please dont hold back :laugh:

 

[halfadder]

If you plan on going LCD, be sure to buy one with DVI inputs (but also read the image quality reviews). I'm a CRT man myself, but I have used several newer LCDs recently and have found DVI to produce a shaper image. CRTs are better at masking less-than-perfect VGA signals, but you'll notice the blurryness on LCD. You will also have to adjust the phase and sync with VGA LCD. With DVI it's pure plug-and-play. It'll be crisp and perfect the first time with no messing around.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you want a Raptor, you want the faster and quieter 74 GB model. Otherwise just get a 7,200 RPM drive. Otherwise it looks fine.

 

[JoshRtek3]

I would add another hard drive for music, pictures, video, etc. I doubt 36 gig would be enough for you system alone.

 

[Super6]

Reconsider your hard drive.

Super6

 

[halfadder]

I agree with the others, get a 160 GB drive or a 74 GB Raptor. The only cool thing about the 36 GB Raptor is the name...

 

[ts3433]

I don't think you'll need a sound card with speakers like those--it's really only useful for higher-end stuff.

I'm thinking that maybe you could be slightly better off on your CPU/mobo if you went for a 3400+ and a $75-100 NF3 250 or 250Gb mobo there, depending on how soon you think you'll move to PCIe/think AGP will be useless (in which case it would also be better to get a single 1 GB stick of RAM).

And do ditch the Raptor--they don't seem to provide very tangible speed increases (2-3 seconds loading a game, IMO, isn't worth $140 more for nearly the same capacity--that compares an 80 GB 7200 RPM drive with the Raptor 74 GB), and if you were to use them at all, at least get the 74 GB. Pick up a good 7200RPM 160GB drive instead, because with games, things can accumulate fast depending on how much you're into mods, how many games you play, etc.

 

[Memphis901]

Thanks for the post guys.

Im trying to find one with DVI and a nice response time for under $400. I might end up getting the BenQ AnandTech reviewed unless I find a nice sale on somthing with 8 bits.

I plan on buying more harddrives as I go and I managed with the 40gig in my laptop for a while now, but is the 37 gig raptor a bad buy? How much slower and louder is it then the more expensive 74 gig? I wanted a 10k rpm drive, but I will get the 7,200 rpm one with the same capacity to save $$ if nessasary...

 

[Memphis901]

Ok, 7200 rpm drive it is then.

Also what sound card would you recommend with those speakers?Or what speakers would you recommend with that sound card? All of the other newer sound cards seem to have bad reviews for games.

 

[jvarszegi]

Originally posted by: Memphis901
Thanks for the post guys.

Im trying to find one with DVI and a nice response time for under $400. I might end up getting the BenQ AnandTech reviewed unless I find a nice sale on somthing with 8 bits.

I plan on buying more harddrives as I go and I managed with the 40gig in my laptop for a while now, but is the 37 gig raptor a bad buy? How much slower and louder is it then the more expensive 74 gig? I wanted a 10k rpm drive, but I will get the 7,200 rpm one with the same capacity to save $$ if nessasary...

You didn't want the 10,000 RPM drive for any other reason but that you read or were told that it was awesome. Lots of people are now saying that the 36GB version, at least, is not so awesome... I bought a 160 gig SATA 7200RPM drive for $112 that is practically the equal of the 74GB Raptor for many tasks. Don't buy it just for the name. You can find benchmarks of various drives on Anandtech and other sites; check 'em out before you buy, and remember that drive quality is measured by several criteria: speed, reliability, and size. A drive that's really bad in any one characteristic is really undesirable. I wouldn't give ten cents for a 20,000RPM NCQ SATA drive that stored exactly one gigabyte.

 

[Memphis901]

I was buying the raptor because I thought I would get faster load times, but if it isnt significant enough for its price I wont get it at all.Thx for the info.

 

[Memphis901]

Alright, I switched the raptor for a 200gig Maxtor.

What about speakers bottlenecking the sound card? Is there cheaper card I should be buying or would a speaker upgrade not be too pricey?

Also I didnt mean to suggest i was upgrading to PCIe anytime soon. I more than likely will stay with AGP untill my GPU or AGP becomes absolete, whichever comes first.

 

[Memphis901]

Oh! Would there be a major difference if I upgraded to a 3500 with my current set up? Besides the HL2 I would be playing, hehe

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i would say get the fastest cpu u can afford...it all helps especially amd's even 200mhz diff makes a difference...3000 - 3500 i think u should try aim for the 3500, but dont worry if u cant the 3000 is still mighty fine

as for speakers sound...if u are a gamer ull want an audigy 2 at least, i saved abit of money goin for a oem 6.1 audigy 2, its great.... n i just bought a good set of 2.1 speakers to go with it...i couldnt be happier but then i dont car much for 5.1.....wires galore

 

[Crassus]

Well, I actually have a quite fast and quiet 36 Gig Raptor. I use it for the OS and some games, the rest lies on a bigger and slower drive. Can't say I'm unhappy with this setup.

 

[Memphis901]

Im ordering it all in the morning from Tigerdirect since they dont tax me, unlike newegg. Thanks alot for all the input.