New Gaming Rig Advice

[reddog418]

I haven't built a computer in a while and have fallen back in the times of technology. From what I've read and reviewed, I've come up with the following:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA
1GB Kingmax PC3200 RAM
I/O Magic 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner
300GB SeaGate HD
160GB Maxtor HD
ATI Radeon 9800PRO 128MB
Creative Audigy 2 ZS

The video card, sound card, hard drives, and burner I already own and will be putting into the new computer.

What do you think? Any suggestions? (I also need a case and power supply preferably under $100USD)

 

[JBDan]

Looks nice. Quite a bit of storage you have there. If you are a "eye candy" gamer than a "nex gen" GFX card would be a nice upgrade (6600gt/6800gt) Antec Sonata for case and PSU can't go wrong.

 

[reddog418]

For the Antec Sonata, a 380W power supply would be enough for all that?

 

[ts3433]

The Sonata would be your best bet around $100. Its 380W PSU will be enough. Depending on how much you game it may be worthwhile to upgrade the 9800 Pro, but it is also a good idea to wait for PCIe/NF4 things to stabilize a little bit.

 

[gplracer]

What about a geforce 660 instead of the 9800 pro? I would probably go for one of the new nforce4 boards with pci express and sli.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: reddog418
For the Antec Sonata, a 380W power supply would be enough for all that?

Yes it will power it well.

 

[halfadder]

If it's a gaming rig you want, then get at least a GeForce 6600.

If you want the ultimate, or you just like to game at maximum resolution, then go for a 6800 Ultra.

Or you could wait for the next generation of ATI.

 

[reddog418]

Well what I'm doing is building a new "frame" ... I already own the Radeon 9800PRO and the sound card. All I'm buying is the mobo, cpu, ram, and case. I have all the other parts bought (I'm using them right now) and I don't want to buy new ones. I'd like to, but I'm on a budget.

So a 380W should work fine? I always thougt the Radeon9800PRO recommended a 400W+.

 

[ts3433]

400W+ if the thing is generic. An Antec or other quality 380W will put any generic to shame, no matter how highly rated (this spec is one of the most abused there is).

 

[reddog418]

The case I have right now is an Antec SX840II that has a 400W power supply. But this case (and contents) are being given to someone else in the family, and I'm getting the new stuff.

 

[Juno]

9800xt would pwn 9800pro, IMHO.

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: jewno
9800xt would pwn 9800pro, IMHO.

You're joking, right? There's maybe a few percentage points between the two.

 

[impemonk]

what the... so much HDD, man!!! WHATCHU STORING ON THERE??? IS IT THE jk jk jk. Looks awesome. For a PSU I would recommend a Cooler Master (seriously, when they say they make solid products they mean it!!!! I got the 350 CM PSU ) As for your case, try looking into getting a Antec since you've got two HDDs. You'll want as much airflow in there as possible.

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: jewno
9800xt would pwn 9800pro, IMHO.

????? only idiots would buy a 9800xt today. 6600gts cost far less for a much greater performance over 9800 xt.

 

[josepavento]

I've owned a 9800pro, and currently own a 6600gt. If you already have the 9800, there is no point in getting a 6600gt. Now a 6800 would be a worthwhile upgrade.