I'd like your input on the build I'm about to make.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for?
Gaming (FPS mostly), multitasking, software development (compiling).
2. What YOUR budget is?
I'm hoping to come in well under $1,000.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from?
California, USA.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference?
No particular preference.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are?
My existing monitor is a 19" CRT, so 1208x1024 is probably the max I'd be gaming at. If it dies, an LCD upgrade could be in my future. I probably wouldn't go wide-screen with that or above 19", but I'd want to continue gaming. Also, reusing mouse, KB, etc.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads?
I found a thread that seemed to match my needs and based my current build on it. (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...d=27&threadid=2266539). However, his needs weren't quite the same as mine.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds?
Default.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
If I can settle on a build I'm happy with, I'm ready to purchase now.
The build I've arrived at so far is thus:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P Motherboard
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
2x Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R
Vista Home Premium 64
The video card is where I'm looking for the most input. Newegg has the Asus 4850 for $139 after rebate. Would I be able to buy another of these at some point for a CrossFireX config? Is that likely to help in the future or does it just get you more resolution (i.e. bigger monitor, but no better fps in future games)? I'd like this system to last me for several years, so I'm willing to make investments towards that end.
I picked the Quad over a Duo because of my desire to multitask. Also, I've heard it helps GTAIV and I'm looking forward to playing that. As I said above, I don't plan to overclock. Reliability, longevity, and not having to spend a lot of time tweaking is important. I'll be using the stock cooling.
The motherboard seems well recommended and it has RAID and CrossFireX support. I'll run my main drive in RAID 1 for safety.
The case seems to fit all my needs. The PSU was recommended somewhere and seems to have enough watts for the right price.
Vista is a reluctant pick. I'm happy with XP, but I want 64-bit support and I'm told that isn't terribly good with XP 64.
Right now, this is pricing out at ~$800 with shipping ($835 with tax). Rebates take it down to $702 ($758 with tax and shipping).
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any changes, warnings, suggestions, especially about the video card or incompatibilities with the parts would be most appreciated.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for?
Gaming (FPS mostly), multitasking, software development (compiling).
2. What YOUR budget is?
I'm hoping to come in well under $1,000.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from?
California, USA.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference?
No particular preference.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are?
My existing monitor is a 19" CRT, so 1208x1024 is probably the max I'd be gaming at. If it dies, an LCD upgrade could be in my future. I probably wouldn't go wide-screen with that or above 19", but I'd want to continue gaming. Also, reusing mouse, KB, etc.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads?
I found a thread that seemed to match my needs and based my current build on it. (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...d=27&threadid=2266539). However, his needs weren't quite the same as mine.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds?
Default.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
If I can settle on a build I'm happy with, I'm ready to purchase now.
The build I've arrived at so far is thus:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P Motherboard
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
2x Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R
Vista Home Premium 64
The video card is where I'm looking for the most input. Newegg has the Asus 4850 for $139 after rebate. Would I be able to buy another of these at some point for a CrossFireX config? Is that likely to help in the future or does it just get you more resolution (i.e. bigger monitor, but no better fps in future games)? I'd like this system to last me for several years, so I'm willing to make investments towards that end.
I picked the Quad over a Duo because of my desire to multitask. Also, I've heard it helps GTAIV and I'm looking forward to playing that. As I said above, I don't plan to overclock. Reliability, longevity, and not having to spend a lot of time tweaking is important. I'll be using the stock cooling.
The motherboard seems well recommended and it has RAID and CrossFireX support. I'll run my main drive in RAID 1 for safety.
The case seems to fit all my needs. The PSU was recommended somewhere and seems to have enough watts for the right price.
Vista is a reluctant pick. I'm happy with XP, but I want 64-bit support and I'm told that isn't terribly good with XP 64.
Right now, this is pricing out at ~$800 with shipping ($835 with tax). Rebates take it down to $702 ($758 with tax and shipping).
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any changes, warnings, suggestions, especially about the video card or incompatibilities with the parts would be most appreciated.