PC Parts for Gaming

[ao38]

Hi everyone. This is an old question, but never finish asking. I want to build gaming PC to play latest games. I would like to spend 1K $. but I don't mind going up to 1500 if really worth it for a year or two.Really looking for efficiency (best cost vs gain). Don't want to spend extra for unnecessities. NO monitor, Keyboard/mouse, CD/DVD burner. No floppy drive if I don't need. Basically, only want to emphasize on system itself. Mobo, CPU, Video Card etc. Everyone opinion will be much appreciated. I have been looking around for several weeks already but still cannot made decision yet. Please provide why I should choose that options coz this is my part of learning experince. Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[ao38]

My Idea is like this.

Mobo - Asus A8N SLI(plz indicate if there is better option)
CPU - AMD 64 3500+(I don't mind going to Intel too)
Video Card - 6800GT (only one card for now)

Don't mind going up and down in product line to get advantage. Other things like case, memory and harddrive are not decided yet. Thanks!

 

[pauldh]

MSI K8N Neo 2 platinum
S939 A64 3200+ Winchester
GF6800GT
1GB (2*512MB) PC3200 or faster
name brand 400W or higher Power supply.

Or wait a little bit for NF4 mobos with PCI-e for A64, and a Radeon X800XL videocard for $300.

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[BeyRevRa]

I've heard good things about the Xconnect, it's relatively cheap and will keep your case nice and oraganized. To be honest I would go with a setup similar to mine (see signature) but I would recommend the high-end EPOX board over the MSI that I chose. You should be able to overclock this processor pretty well if it starts to lag behind the standards, this revision of the Athlon 64s are fantastic. I would definitely get the GeForce 6800 GT, this generation is so far ahead of the last that I can't see recommending anything else as far as video cards are concerned.

Yeah, SLI is looming out there and it would lead to nice upgrading in the future; but those mobos are relatively expensive right now as they are brand-spankin new. You said you will probably replace this in 1-2 years so I wouldn't bother with SLI until then because CPUs are a huge bottle-neck with that technology right now. In about a year I would say it would be the prime time to upgrade to a SLI-based rig. Well... hope I helped more than I confused you, good luck mate.

AMD 64 3200+ (939) (Working on overclocking it)
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
1 GB OCZ El Platinum clocked at 2.5-4-4-10
EVGA Geforce 6800 GT
2x WD Raptor 74GB Raid 0

 

[ao38]

Sound like I have to look for completly down parts for now. Actually, I don't really want to go for SLI yet. one highend video card is enough for me anyway for now. But I really want to go for nForce4.

Yup. Technology is changing. dual core processors are on the way. 64 bit long horn is also on the way. I wonder how am I going to do with these pc parts after 2 years later. lol

 

[pat]

Best bang for the buck??? Easy
Soltek k8an2e-gr socket 754 motherboard
Amd 3200+ A64 socket 754
1 gigs memory
2 fast SATA HDD for RAID0 on the nvidia controller
You'll need at least a DVD rom to install newer game as they often come on DVD, unless you dont mind to install 5 CDs
One floppy to install RAID driver at Windows install
And spend all you can afford on the video card ..that what will give you the best performance in game. This system, if you add a ATI x800xt pe for example will drive you thru the game for the next 2 years for sure, if not more. RAID will give you fast level loading as nvidia RAID controller is very efficient and dont worry about those who will tell you that socket 939 is better and faster...it is not really true. Sure, the fastest cpu for s754 is the 3700+, but this one compare well to the 939 4000+, so you wont be running out of power soon. And by the time you may need more, then new mobo with better performance and features will be there.

Having a fast system is not only to have a fast CPU. A well balanced system will run much more efficiently. What the need for a fast CPU if you have to cut on the video card...or on HDD..It takes memory and good HDD speed to have the data ready when either the CPU or the video card need them.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[Starfishy]

I like the system specs that Pauldh and BeyRevRa gave you... they are almost identical to my own. The socket 939 vs 754 battle will continue here I'm sure, but if you really want to make a decision on these check out some of the previous threads on this discussion. But I will say that my system is doing great for me, the MSI mobo is great, and I couldn't be happier with the rest of the components as well (same system as BeyRevRa except for the HD's).

 

[pauldh]

Yeah, I guess I missed that one. :redface: Can't buy those yet to my knowledge...not in the US anyway. I guess by stating that mobo, he also stated he is willing to wait to get one.

EDIT: Well, I see they have arrived here, if you are willing to sell organs to buy one. $260-510 on pricewatch.

Anyway, I guess I'll shut up now, although i'd wait a bit for more/cheaper NF4 SLI options. Personally, i am not much of an ASUS fan anymore.


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<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Pauldh on 12/22/04 09:42 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[pat]

That why I did not say Hi tech show off or futureproff computer, I said best bang for the buck.



-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[ao38]

NF 4 SLI mobo should be under 200 bucks. they have higher price in the market for now. well, I wana go for asus becasue they don't need floopy drive to update bios. as you know, one big floopy drive take space so much.
according to the threads here, most ppl recommand MSI. plz explain what do they have good things for a choice? I just totally don't know about MSI and want to know. thanks!

 

[slvr_phoenix]

according to the threads here, most ppl recommand MSI. plz explain what do they have good things for a choice? I just totally don't know about MSI and want to know. thanks!

MSI is known for putting in as many wiz-cool features as possible but keeping their prices dirt cheap. That in itself sounds good.

The part that you don't hear often enough (in my opinion) is that MSI is known for some really bad firmward and other quality issues. They get all of those features in at such a low cost by cutting corners on their quality control.

So with MSI you get a crap shoot. The odds are that you'll probably end up with a fair to great product, but every so often you'll come up snake eyes and by the time you RMA it back you'll probably have spent more than it was worth and become quite frustrated.

Personally I swear by Asus for their high-end products. (Their low-end products have been known to suffer.) That aside, Abit is generally a good mid-ground between quality, features, and price.

<pre><b><font color=red>"Build a man a fire and he's warm for the rest of the evening.
Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life." - Steve Taylor</font color=red></b></pre><p>

 

[pauldh]

I think it depends on what chipset, and what model mobo. I know I am less Brand loyal as I am hot mobo loyal. My favorite brand is ABIT. I like their IS7 i865pe and their NF7/S NF2 big time. Also past 440BX mobos. I'm not a huge MSI fan persay, but I do like the K8N Neo2 platinum. I also like Gigabyte, DFI, and Soltek, and used to like Soyo alot. Asus has a good name, and does make nice high ends mobos, but their rma's seem to be hurting their name. It's not ASUS=bad for me, it's more what is the best buy for each build? Asus just usually ends up being too costly compared to something else.

Often it's just personal preference based on past experiences. For instance, many people love Epox mobos. I avoid them, but only because my first two epox purchases needed to be RMA'd, and besides the cost to ship them back, the time delay hurt me and caused me to lose some profit on a build. I rma'd one, the replacement was bad too, and I ended up buying a more expensive board in a hurry to get the system finished. It could have been bad luck, or a bad early revision of one model maybe, but I'm done with them. So many other folks may feel the same way about Abit, Asus, MSI, etc. for a similar (small) reason.

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[ao38]

Chaintech nf4 model is out. this is so cheap. you only need to pay half of asus nf4 sli version. I don't see any abit or Epox mobo for nf4 ver yet. I'm kind of impatience to wait. currently, don't have desktop pc for gaming. I only have laptop and that wouldn't helpful at all. keep shutdowning everytime I try to play game. BTW, Merry X-mass to all. Have a nice holidays!

 

[pauldh]

Merry Christmas to you too. Just a thought, but if you got with an NF4 SLI mobo. Watch prices now on PCI-e video cards. 6800GT's are rare and WAY overpriced from what I have seen. The 6600GT is available and a nice price. X800XL is soon coming !!!

Anyway, I think that early adopters of SLI are trying to grab 6800GT's and that's making it too costly to find one. Most people seem to have to settle on 2-6600GT's. But obviously, your plan on 1 - 6800Gt for now, one later would be a better choice, hence none available without a huge premium. Anyway, just a holiday warning to think about. The PCI-e 6600GT is much cheaper than the AGP. And the 6800GT is much cheaper in AGP than in PCI-e. Gotta love them bridges huh.


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[ao38]

Hi all. I am taking action to build PCs and I don't find artical about memory in this forum like CPUs and Graphic Cards (they are very useful). I would suggest to post some article about memory guide too.

Right now, I'm ordering
1. A8N sli dlx
2. evga 6600GT (only one card) and
3. 3500+ 90nm.

I still have no idea what should I go for memory. Please help or post the link to some article so that I can refer to. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Cybercraig]

Chaintech support is slower than a snail on fly-paper. You get what you pay for!

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot