So the old reliable has finally become the old peice of crap. I have had the same PC for nearly 4 years now, the only upgrade 2 and a half years ago when my geforce 4 4400 died and I replaced it with a Radeon 9600 pro. It was a good machine in its time, athalon 2100, 512 ram 80 gig hd, good video card. However, over the past couple of years It has slowly slipped from being able to set everything on high, to keeping settings on med-low. Now, over the last 2 months, a CD Rom drive has died (didn't replace since I had 2), a power supply has died (replaced temporarily with one from older computer, then got a new cheap one at best buy), then finally, earlier this week, my Radeon died (I put in my 6 year old voodoo 3, yes that's right I am running 3dfx as we speak)

So, instead of upgrading the computer that has served me so well, but has recently been dying quickly, I am getting a new one. This time I am going to try my hand at building one. Note that although I am not like a computer expert I know what I am doing when it comes to most computer problems, and can do most stuff myself, and of course have various friends who are experts if I have major problems.

Ok, so on to the computer parts. I have decided to go with Newegg for all the stuff for simplicity. Give me some suggestions on this system, and let me know if you have any of these things.

Case: RAIDMAX X1 ATX-909WBP Standard case with 450w powersupply and a 24pin connector, the reviews were pretty good, hopefully I can keep that PSU, but am prepared to get a new one if I have to.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811156175
$70

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT Socket 939
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103539
$212

Video Cards: 2x eVGA 256-P2-N389-AX Geforce 6800GS CO SE 256MB in SLI mode.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130271
$169 each, so $338 for the pair, $30 Mail In Rebate

Motherboard: BIOSTAR TForce4SLI, picked it because of more pci slots than the Gigabyte one and had good reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813138272
$113

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 1gb Looks like good ram, 2-2-2-6 timing.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820148007
$105

Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax 250GB Looked like a good price and a good size, when added to my 80 gig external I have It should be plenty of space
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144338
$83

Cooling: Thermaltake VENUS 12 80mm Ball Cooling Fan/Heatsink. Looks like adequate cooling.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835106038
$37

Monitor: This is one place I need advice, there are many monitors that look good within the same price range. Thinking about Rosewill R912E Black 19" 8ms LCD just because it weighs less than the others.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824021019
$259

Keyboard: Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard. Sweet looking backlit keyboard, good reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823175103
$47

Mouse: Saitek PM12A 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1x Wheel USB Optical 1600dpi Desktop Gaming Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826163105
$19

Drives: NEC Black 16X DVD±R DVD Burner and SONY Black IDE DVD-ROM. Standard fare.
±$60 total

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home
$89

Subtotal: $1445
Shipping: Around $70

So, what do you think? make some suggestions. I still have a few questions though:

1. What does the contrast ratio do for a monitor, and with this monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824211005, I can save $60 over the others via MIR, and the contrast is 1000:1, but it is 12ms instead of 8. so basically, what do you all reccomend for a monitor?

2. What is up with Windows XP Media Center edition? Is it worth an extra $30? I have a PCI card with a coaxial input.

3. What is the real difference between the single core Athlon 64 and the dual core X2? Is an Athlon 64 FX 3800 worth an extra $80?

4. Is the expensive gaming keyboard and mouse worth it? They look damn sweet, but cost about $70 total, where I could probably get a good wireless combo for the same price, or a servicable wired keyboard and mouse for $30.

5. does a 20+4 pin Power Supply mean that it can work with both 20 and 24 pin mobos? If so, that could really open up my options for cases.

BTW, first post.

3/9/2006 12:50:08 PM

Six topics down:

message_topic.aspx?topic=390194

bucket.

3/9/2006 12:51:54 PM

FYI, the Thermaltake Venus 12 cools wonderfully, but it's loud. I'd spend a few extra dollars and get a Zalman cooler.

You don't need Windows MCE is you can get XP Pro.

I'd change some of the other components fot fit my personal preferences, but I don't see any major sins at first glance. Make sure you have 2 symetric RAM sticks to take advantage of dual channel memory.

3/9/2006 12:55:38 PM

If you're going to get a 3rd party HSF then dont get a retail Processor. It'll save you a couple bucks to get an OEM processor if you dont plan on using the stock fan anyway.

3/9/2006 12:58:45 PM

Quote :

"Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT Socket 939 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103539 $212"

i've heard that the CF model has better benchmarks:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103622

^i don't see that cpu available as OEM

[Edited on March 9, 2006 at 1:10 PM. Reason : ]

3/9/2006 1:07:18 PM

^, ^^ AMD doesn't sell OEM processors retail anymore.

3/9/2006 2:36:03 PM

no shit?

3/9/2006 2:38:47 PM

^ Check newegg and see if you see any listed. You won't. It's a brand protection thing to prevent remarked processors and the usual grey market shit.

3/9/2006 2:44:57 PM

i have that exact same case, its decent but the front door panel is kinda weak and flimsy. also the expansion slots in the back have to be broken out, which means they are not replacable. also, the clear shiny stuff is starting to peel off my case, i have only had it sence DEC.

3/9/2006 3:00:50 PM

Is it better to get the 2 6800GS cards in sli or get a single 7900GT for about the same price, and get another to put in sli mode in 1-2 years when I need an upgrade?

I think it would be sweet to have 2 video cards running my ish at the same time, but if it doesn't have any real advantages over a single high end card I don't want it.

3/9/2006 5:32:19 PM

just get a single high-end card. SLi is stupid and practically useless. Just pony up the extra hundred and get a better video card and it'll prolly work better than 2 crappier cards.

oh, and get XP Pro. Fuck that xp home shit.

oh, and ditch the BIOSTAR motherboard. its a a piece of shit. stick with a reputable brand.
btw, you didn't list the most important part: the power supply.

I've always been a fan of the thermalright heatsinks, but thats just me. you can put a bigger fan on there and have far less noise and still have great cooling.

3/9/2006 6:14:24 PM

The GS is garbage too.

3/9/2006 6:21:35 PM

I would also suggest a 7800gt instead of 2 6800gs's

[Edited on March 10, 2006 at 10:56 AM. Reason : the rest of your parts are fine, mindless brand loyalty != smart shopping]

3/10/2006 10:56:03 AM

If you're spending this much on a rig, you should get 2 gigs of ram. I have 2 gigs and have noticed that I'm often using a whole GB of it just with standard (aka heavy) multi-tasking...and thats without even playing any games. you can usually find 2 1gb sticks for ~150ish

I would lean towards dual core, gives you more versalitity. You can be doing a heavy processor instensive task and still use your computer for other things at the same time. Keeps your system from locking up is you have a misbehaving process comsming 100% (or 50% if you get dual core) of your CPU cycles. I would get a 74gb raptor as your primary drive, keep the 80 for storage and get a larger one when you find you need one.

I would get an Antec Case...they come with a nice psu so you dont have to wprry about a cheap one crapping out.

3/10/2006 11:13:17 AM

So here is an update, I switched my video card to the new 7900GT that just came out, my case/psu, I decided to go witht the stock heatsink and fan, since I dont plan on overclocking anyway, changed to a AMD 64 x2 3800, and upgraded to XP Pro.

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=1942918&WishListTitle=Comp

I think I'm gonna stick with that motherboard, the user reviews have been pretty good.

3/10/2006 2:49:49 PM

Biostar has a LONG history of using inferior secondary components on their boards. I wouldn't touch their shit with a ten foot pole. smoothcrim is a fucking idiot.

Good user reviews from where? Newegg? You realize they ONLY POST good reviews, its about as unbiased as Fox news.

There are SO many other reputable boards out there for only a couple more bucks, why even chance it?

The 7900GT is a waste of money, get the 7800GT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130256


2gigs of ram is the right way to go.


But mostly, FOR FUCKS SAKE BUY A DECENT CASE AND POWERSUPPLY.

Raidmax makes absolute SHIT. Why are you going to drop $1500 on a computer and then put it in a shit ass plastic case with horrible airflow, a crap power supply and its UGLY AS HELL. I mean it's literally computer rice. Have some taste and style, get something that will COMPLEMENT the components you are putting together.

[Edited on March 10, 2006 at 3:09 PM. Reason : .]

3/10/2006 3:08:26 PM

$50 seems like a lot to pay for a wired keyboard

get 2gigs of ram and a raptor if you value performance. remember that a hard drive is by far the largest bottleneck in any PC, the 10Krpm performance over a standard 7200rpm is pretty noticable.

i would get a better sound card, at least an audigy 1 or something.

3/10/2006 3:11:13 PM

actually, one of the new 500gb drives will be better than the raptor.

3/10/2006 3:12:37 PM

Yeah I am going to drop $1500 on a computer, and not much more. I have to save money somewhere, whether it is the case, hard drive, video card, ram, whatever.

The 7900GT is like $40 more and has been getting great benchmarks so far.
Is 2 GB of slow ram better than 1 GB of fast ram?
What would you reccomend as a good case and power supply? I am trying to get both for under $100 if possible.

I have an audigy in my current computer, which will be kept at home (hometown) and still used. I'm getting the new soundcard to put in my old computer, and put my audigy in the new one.

3/10/2006 3:35:51 PM

the 7900gt is the same damn thing as the 7800, just on a smaller core. same performance, same features, but runs cooler and overclocks better. not worth the extra 40 bucks. save it on a good power supply.

"slow ram" and "fast ram" arent much different. and yes you will see a much greater day to day difference with 2gb of valueram, versus 1gb of SUPAR BALLASTIX MEGA OCZ CLOCKAR ram. You can probably find 2gb for about the same price.

Cases worth buying:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129154
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164071 (dont use the psu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811180044
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811212007 (dont use the psu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811212008 (same one in black)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811171083 (dont use the psu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811163001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811163002 (same one in black)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146018


Power supplies:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103489
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103512
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103459
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103928
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104952
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103935
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104935


Save the 40 bucks on the video card, and 15-20 on the ram and spend 160 on the power supply and case.

3/10/2006 4:14:56 PM

The painful truth about power supplies: Don't cheap out on the one system component that can kill all the rest.

3/10/2006 4:22:00 PM

i would recommend this case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150

comes with a 350wt antec ps which is plenty. its got plenty of room and has a great build quality.

3/10/2006 4:38:52 PM