My friend is looking to build a computer and im supposed to help him. So here is the deal, he wants a modest gaming rig (mostly limited by funds, only 5-600 to spend at the moment) and im a bit out of date on computer stuff since i last built a computer. I can deal with the ram and cpu and stuff like that but im a bit lost about the video card and mobo. Should i get a pci-e or stay apg? Also should i get DDR2 support to just get DDR? And is SATA really worth the extra money? I need some help so post your suggestions.

7/21/2005 9:46:01 AM

pci-e >agp
ddr > ddr2
you can't afford sata, as it is you're going to have to wait on slickdeals to get a decent drive or drives in that machine within your budget.

7/21/2005 10:26:00 AM

If you up it to around 800, you'll be able to get the new 64 bit procs and a good motherboard too with solid support for all the newer technologies. ddr2 is just not worth the money. Stick with ddr like smoothcrim says. If you want a "awesome" gaming rig, getting a motherboard with dual pci-e is the way to go. I've only built one of those and it used dual Evga Nvidia 6600 GTs. It ran real hot through so had to put some serious fans on it. A awesome video card will set you back $300+. It's the money leech of the system.

Sata drives are typically 30% more expensive but are really worth the extra bucks when you're doing high level gaming. Otherwise just make sure you get a 7,200rpm or faster drive. A lot of the "on sale" drives are old 5400rpm ones.

7/21/2005 10:33:20 AM

thanks for the replies. are there any recommendations on a decently priced, good value video card that will run most games? Also recommendations on mobo? And what do you guys feel about refurbished parts?

7/21/2005 1:14:07 PM

I wouldn't get refurbished just because that means it was returned and there might be something wrong with it that isn't known.

Spend the extra $10.

Nvidia 6600 GT's are probably the best bang for the buck (~$160 w/o rebates).

X800XT's are really good at the $300-$350 range.

I don't think you'd go above that.

7/21/2005 1:57:49 PM

PNY 6600 GT 128MB $135.99 at BB, PriceMatch at CUSA to 105.99 AfterRebate

http://forums.slickdeals.net/t117490.html?

7/21/2005 2:07:45 PM

Quote :

"I've only built one of those and it used dual Evga Nvidia 6600 GTs."

Avoid SLI like the plague.

Get a motherboard with two PCI-E slots that supports it.

But don't actually use it. Not until they make it worth a damn.

[Edited on July 21, 2005 at 3:07 PM. Reason : .]

7/21/2005 3:07:23 PM

Also avoid any advice from Stein.

My friend had an SLI setup on a dual opteron rig a while back.

Ran WoW and Ut2k4 at the same time under WINE.

You should have no problems setting it up in windows.

7/21/2005 3:57:09 PM

Quote :

" But don't actually use it. Not until they make it worth a damn. "

wtf? What part of SLi isn't impressive? I must not be 'in the know'.

7/21/2005 4:22:50 PM

This is what i was thinking so far, let me know what you guys think.

CPU (175) - Intel P4 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116200
MoBo (73) - JetWay 915PCP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 915P ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813153020
Video Card (175) - MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16814127147,N82E16814125156&SubCategory=48
Hard Drive (30-40?)- Wait around till something cheap in the 80gig range pops up
Ram (83) - CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
DVD player (20ish) - online somewhere
DVD Burner (45-50) - online somewhere

Total - 601

What can be done to make this a better value? Looking for the best bang on a limited budget (5-600).

[Edited on July 21, 2005 at 5:43 PM. Reason : format]

[Edited on July 21, 2005 at 5:50 PM. Reason : MoBo]

7/21/2005 5:42:56 PM

go for AMD 64bit processor and mobo

7/21/2005 6:02:42 PM

SLI is bullshit.

pci-e is bullshit. right now the only reason for it is becuase they say cards will eventualy be fast enough to use the bandwidth. right now, its a waste of money for the budget gamer.

7/21/2005 7:39:08 PM

AMD AMD AMD AMD

7/21/2005 8:11:32 PM

Itanium

7/21/2005 9:21:25 PM

my suggestions:

Chaintech VNF4 Mobo - nForce 4 with PCI-E ($75)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152053

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ - Venice, skt 939 ($146)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB HD SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148040

same RAM

Chaintech 6600GT - PCI-E ($159)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145098

NEC ND-3540A 16x DVD burner ($42)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152047

whatever DVD player

this allows you the ability to upgrade later to a dual core AMD processor if you want to rather than getting that P4 that you won't be able to upgrade really. AMD gives you much better bang for your buck in gaming. If you can scrounge up a little more money then I would get the Epox EP-9NPA+ nForce4 Ultra board ($108). http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123236

7/21/2005 9:29:39 PM

Are AMD proc speeds similar to Intels? That 3000+ is like 1.8GHz while a similar P4 is like 2-3GHz.

7/21/2005 11:36:20 PM

Quote :

"MoBo (73) - JetWay 915PCP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 915P ATX Intel Motherboard"

you done fucked up right there. stay away from shit motherboards like ASSROCK, pcchips, jetway, rosewill, etc. if any part of your computer needs to be quality its the motherboard, ram, and psu. everything else goes through pretty rigorous quality control.

7/22/2005 12:42:17 AM

although this isn't exact, esp since Intel went to model numbers rather than just GHz difference - think 3000+ ~ 3 GHz P4 and 2800+ ~ 2.8 GHz P4.

[Edited on July 22, 2005 at 8:07 PM. Reason : needless words]

7/22/2005 8:07:21 PM

thanks alot guys for the input. is chaintech a reputable name in the computer industry? never bought anything from them before.

also anyone got any cheap parts lying around they wanna sell?

7/22/2005 11:23:17 PM

Chaintech is low end manufacturer. They make fast cards but generally the reviews are 50/50. I don't have any person experience with them.

BFG, and other brands you find at newegg are generally good because newegg puts their own warranty on them. Just makes it easy if things break or issues happen. But look at tom's hardware for good answers or just ask on here what people are using.

7/22/2005 11:51:52 PM

I was checking out Anandtech and they had in their 'upgraded budget' MoBo as a MSI nForce4 K8N Neo4-F.

So i was thinking of going with this setup:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ - 146
MSI nForce4 K8N Neo4-F - 85
2x512 or 1x1024? Corsair Value Ram - 83
Some brand 6600GT - 160ish
Seagate Barracude 80GB SATA - 62
NEC ND-3540 - 42
400W PSU with Random case/KB/Mouse

That puts me a bit ovr 600. Would it be a big performance hit to use a regular ATA HD and upgrade later (about 30 dollar price difference if i hit the rebates) ?

Also what are some good PSU makers? I know of Enermax and Antec. Heard of Sparkle but dunno anything about them.

Anyone have these items on sale?

7/23/2005 12:25:36 AM

2*512>1*1024

you will kill your performance with single channel ram

7/23/2005 11:25:59 AM

bttt

7/25/2005 10:32:33 AM

stick with Enermax or Antec.

definitely two sticks of ram

you can get a 6600GT for under 125 now

motherboard you selected will be fine

and yes I would go for a much cheaper w/ rebate non SATA drive.

7/25/2005 1:19:29 PM

After consulting with my friend, he is thinking about these parts.

CPU – AMD Athlon 64 3000+ - $146
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537&ATT=Processors&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r
Motherboard – Chaintech VNF4 Ultra - $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152049
RAM – Corsair Value Select 1GB - $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
Video Card – eVGA Geforce 6600GT 128MB PCI-e - $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214
DVD Burner – Lite-On SHOW-1673S Retial - $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106966
Hard Drive – Seagate Barracuda 80GB SATA - $64
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148040
DVD Drive – Lite-On SOHD-16P9SBLK - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131410
PSU - ????????????????
Case – Just pick any case you like that is an ATX form factor.

Im just not sure what kind of PSU I would need for this. Does running PCI-e require anything special? Also does anyone know if any of these items can be had for cheaper? Or do you guys have have of these parts for sale? thanks.

8/10/2005 5:11:07 PM

get an ATX 2.0 psu and save yourself possible headache. I'd recommend an OCZ modstream 420w or an antec 350 at the least

[Edited on August 10, 2005 at 5:21 PM. Reason : don't forget a decent sound card]

8/10/2005 5:21:01 PM