Possible system Build

[omal]

Well i would just like to start off by saying that i am completely braindead when it comes to putting a computer together from scratch. I intended on trying to put together a computer for $1200 with a monitor and such. The computer would be used for games, internet surfing, and later on if need be word processing for school. The games i play, or would like to play are age of conan, and fps such as quake wars, maybe crysis. Right now i play wow and Counter-strike because its pretty much what my laptop can handle. I would first off like to know if this build will even work because i am not too knowledgeable in some areas such as the motherboard. Secondly i am asking if there is a way i could maybe buy less expensive parts in some areas of the computer to try to drop the total down to around $1200

Any help is much appreciated

Thanks


Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 119.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 59.99

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI 184.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply - Retail 154.99

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400LLQK - Retail 89.99

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 179.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail 194.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM 99.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail 26.99

Total = $1,311.90



*Revisions

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
$85

ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 149.99
or
EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 189.99

 

[dark2099]

Do you plan on doing any overclocking?

 

[omal]

as of now no because i dont know much about tweaking or putting together computers. However between several online guides and the help of some people i know i should be able to put one together. Maybe later on i will overclock as i become more knowledgeable about the subject.

 

[dark2099]

Since you don't plan on doing any overclocking, you may want to skip out on getting the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. The Intel chip comes with a heatsink (can't speak to how they perform off hand) but it should suffice for everyday operation. Ram wise, get a 2x2GB set, they are a little easier on a system to run than 4x1GB. Link has ram by same manufacturer for less (has a rebate on top of it) to save some $ there too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227

 

[omal]

alright thanks alot

so do you think this system would work at all? i also read that the motherboard i chose isn't sli capable should i opt to dish out a little more in order to get one for the future?...reason im asking is because i dont know how easy it is to replace the whole motherboard later on.

Edit* I also chose the arctic cooler because i read based on newegg user reviews that the processor runs hot, and that an after-market cooler was suggested...however i do not know if those people were ocing or not.

While on the subject of ocing, would it also be a better option to go with an amd 64 x2 3.0 ghz processor since i as of now will not be ocing?

 

[dark2099]

If you do plan on going to a SLI set up, it would probably be easier to get a motherboard capable of it now rather than later and save the $ and hassle of reinstalling windows. From what I have heard the NVidia Nforce 750i chipset is very good and stable. Link has a list of boards with that chipset. Also considering how new your CPU is, your motherboard might need a BIOS update.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...172451+1071733942&name=NVIDIA+nForce+750i+SLI

 

[JrRacinFan]

Either down yourself to a single slot configuration if you don't want SLi or (my high recommendation) like dark suggested, look into a 750i.

Also to add since you may not be overclocking, definitely look into AMD as an option if your into budget. But, if you have the cash, keep your intel build.

 

[omal]

well right now i have about $1400 (im still in high school, but i work) so i would not like to spend it all but i also like intel, i have never used amd before. Aside from those few minor changes i would just like to also know if the psu is a good choice because it is that whole subject that confuses me (how much power you actually need).

My worst fear (maybe because im new at this) is buying all this getting most of it together, then running into compatability issues.

For an amd build would just swapping the processor for a AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail

and im lost again on motherboard srry lol

 

[dark2099]

Corsair PSU's are known to be very good, you might be able to save some $ and get a less powerful one, someone with more knowledge can hopefully help with that. As for compatibility issues, you might want to look into picking up a cheap processor to get the computer to boot and update the BIOS if it is needed.

 

[omal]

alright thanks

i may have to borrow a processor off a friend because the only spare i have is one from a computer that is from 95-98ish i think its only like 800mhz or so.

and for amd sli boards, am i missing something, because i can't seem to find any reasonably prices ones all are around $250ish

 

[JrRacinFan]

If your going to go AMD your proc wont be as costly but your board ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130160

Thats the latest and greatest SLi AMD board out.

 

[dark2099]

I think those are the only boards available currently, since AMD owns and makes ATI cards, most boards will have AMD chipsets and support Crossfire, but we do have a couple guys here who are trying to get SLI drivers working on non-SLI boards.

 

[omal]

alright im going to stay with the intel build and just refine it because the money i save by going with amd is lost, in fact i spend more, due to the expensive sli compatable boards.

 

[JrRacinFan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

Theres the mobo .....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

RAM ...

Rest of the build looks good.

 

[dark2099]

Are you a die hard NVidia fan?

 

[omal]

i prefer nividia, however this is only based on reviews and such from other people. Prior to this i had a 64 mb intel graphic controller, and now i have an ati mobility x1400, so anything's an upgrade. However, through research it seems like nvidia puts out the better cards which is why i went with it. I am always up for suggestions though.

 

[dark2099]

ATI for a while back in the day might not have put together as good of a product (or at least thats what I gathered from reading some stuff in a forum that no one seemed to use anymore). Now both are solid if you go for a good manufacturer. If you switched to an ATI card, you could save some $ in getting an AMD CPU and motherboard.

 

[JrRacinFan]

ATI for a while back in the day might not have put together as good of a product (or at least thats what I gathered from reading some stuff in a forum that no one seemed to use anymore). Now both are solid if you go for a good manufacturer. If you switched to an ATI card, you could save some $ in getting an AMD CPU and motherboard.

Just adding to his comments:

When do you plan on starting this build/purchasing? Possible to hold out until HD4k's?

PS: Thank you for pointing out the AMD/ATi, dark.

 

[omal]

I dont plan on starting until the summer mayb end of june because I wanna save up a little more. I can always wait if it will be beneficial, anyone know when the new cards come out?

 

[BarbaricSoul]

suppose to be mid-june

 

[JrRacinFan]

It will be in a few weeks. You will also have Intel P45's being released around that time you want to buy, which is known to be strictly crossfire and DDR3. IMO, wait just a couple more weeks before deciding on exactly what you want.

Still keep your Intel build in mind though.

 

[Jonsta]

Everything looks pretty good to me. Just lose the Nine Hundred....they're so common!

 

[dark2099]

Don't be dissing the 900, its a good case with some nice airflow if you do some decent cable management.

 

[Jonsta]

I was never dissing it, hell I thought about getting one once. They ARE a great case. Then I looked through the Case Mod Gallery and just saw....seas of Nine Hundreds.

If you want to stick with the same kind of case, may I suggest the Three Hundred or the Twelve Hundred? Both will give you the same kind of airflow for a small difference (lower or higher respectively) in price. It will just be a little more unique.

 

[omal]

o i only picked it because it is relatively cheap and seems to be good, i am on a pretty tight budget for the quality of a machine i want, so every dollar counts.