[balom]

Hey guys, I'm brand new to the forums but it seems like a helpfull group. I'll try and provide all the information needed in this post.

I've been building a computer on Newegg.com for a couple weeks now, and I think I'm almost ready to start buying the parts. I'm building a gaming computer and I'd like to spend no more than $1000.00.

First off, I'm looking for any suggestions on different parts (better in some way) or perhaps just cheaper parts.

Secondly, is there anything that isn't compatible? This is my first "Build from scratch" computer, so I'm bound to have missed something. I'd really appreciate the help.

Third, am I missing something completely?

Here's the current specs with links to the corresponding items:

CPU - $159.99 AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773

MOBO - $174.99 ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131011

Memory - $100.00 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

H/D - $59.99 Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062

Vid. Card - $109.99 BIOSTAR V8502GT51 GeForce 8500GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814141065

Power Supp. - $86.99 FSP Group Blue Storm II 500 ATX 2.2V 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CSA, VDE, NEMKO, CNS, CE, CB, FCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104034

DVD Drive - $44.99 LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

Case - $79.99 RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black ATX-612WEB SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer CaseNo Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156078

Total Cost : $816.93

I have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and modem I'll be using (Yes, 56k out here in the boonies...), but if I'm missing anything else, please, feel free to let me know. Thanks, I really appreciate the help.

~Stephen

[alex]

Hi Stephen, firstly, welcome to the forum.

All the parts you've quoted are compatible with each other so there's not a problem there.

The AMD is a very good cpu, especially for the cost currently. I'm not so current on u.s prices for components but I'd prefer to see a core 2 there instead as mhz for mhz the architecture of a core2 tends to be 10-20% faster than the equivalent speed AMD cpu (test dependent).

As you state its a gaming pc then you really need to do away with the 8500GT. In no way shape or form is that card a gaming card. I'd be looking at at least a 8600GT or preferably a 8600GTS. You'll struggle to game (with decent framerates and details settings) at anything over 1024x768 with your currently spec'd card.

The blue storm is a good psu (nice to see it spec'd there) and 500w will suffice easily.

As you don't mention an o.s are you going XP or Vista. It'd be a shame to go XP as you have everything else buttoned up for DX10 (although there are freeware apps that supposedly allow DX10 on XP). Should you go vista be aware there are still driver and compatibility issues with everything from drivers to hardware. So check first.

The Corsair ram is very good ram on a quality and cost basis.

Why an SLI board though? Are you considering purchasing a second card in the future? If so ensure it will be worth your money as, comparably, hardly any games are coded for SLI.

Do me a favour, price the same build but with an Asus P5B-E and an Intel E6420. 1) Just to compare prices and 2) thinking about it the 6000 is overkill for that build as a gaming build as the majority of games are mostly gpu dependent nowadays. Even for those games that rely on the cpu for AI (C&C3 for instance) the E6420 will make light work of at 1280x1024 (17-19" screen).

You also might want to think about a larger hdd, maybe a 250gb, as you'd be surprised how quickly they fill up and you also 'lose' around 7-10% of the described capacity because 1) Manufacturers quote the capacity in decimal but windows reads it in binary and 2) Formatting (which you'll need to do) 'takes' a chunk as well.

[sgtoku]

Here is a build that will be faster then your current customization at about $85.00 usd more. Not including the $115.00 usd in rebates you get with all these parts. As per your first build if you like the case then stick with it. I like this case because of it's great performance though. This is basically what I would do with the money in your position overall.

Price with shipping $919.76. After mail in rebates $804.76.

Dvd Burner with Lightscribe: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135148

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147037

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062

Big Upgrade here Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150171

Power Supply which can support SLI in the future if you wish: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171014

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220174

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130081

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115030

Also you do have a operating system ready to install correct? I assume you do just making sure. Anyway this system will perform better thanks to the better cpu and better graphics card. Though it is your choice on your own individual style, all parts in this system are of good quality.

As for the hard drive and optical drives being OEM. They still have a warranty and the motherboard comes with the connectors for it. Yes your build looks to not be missing anything that is essential. Hope I could help a bit.

[sgtoku]

If you are more of an AMD fan here is another customization that is very good. Also note that the graphics card included here is out of stock at the moment but comes back in alot. So it should be back in stock soon enough.

Price with shipping $887.74 USD after mail in rebates $802.74

Dvd Burner: Same http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135148

Case: Same http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147037

Hard drive: 160gb 16mb cache Same http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062

Motherboard: Changed http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130057

Graphics Card: Changed 2900pro 512mb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102706

Power Supply: Same 650w coolermaster http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171014

Memory: Patriot extreme performance Same http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220174

CPU: Changed http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773

Either will work well, this price is cheaper though then the first build and still able to outperform your original. Again hope I could be of some help.

[balom]

I appreciate the help from everyone.

Alex:
I hold your opinion in high regards, you are a moderator here.

I've modified my original based on some things you said. I didn't change anything you said was pretty good or ok. Here's my version modified (one thing I'm still not very smart on is the video card. I'm not sure what to look for really. Kind of in the dark on that one, but I tried again here:)

CPU - $159.99 AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773

MOBO *CHANGED* - 109.99 ECS KA3 MVP (V1.0A) AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135024

Memory - $100.00 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

H/D - $59.99 Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062

Vid. Card *CHANGED* - $199.99 BIOSTAR V8603TS51 GeForce 8600GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814141070

Power Supp. - $86.99 FSP Group Blue Storm II 500 ATX 2.2V 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CSA, VDE, NEMKO, CNS, CE, CB, FCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104034

DVD Drive - $44.99 LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

Case - $79.99 RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black ATX-612WEB SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer CaseNo Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156078

Total Cost : $841.93

In response to your question "Why an SLI board?": I don't know. Not planning on using that feature, wasn't even aware of it untill you mentioned it. (Like I said, first build from scratch computer and there's a lot of things I'm unfamiliar with.) So I downgraded the board a bit, not sure if this one is good or not, but I guess that's what you'll tell me .

I only had the original spec'd video card down because I read a good review somewhere, and I was kind of going into it blind to begin with. After a little more research I have some more understanding but there's still a lot I don't really understand. Why certain ones cost more than others when they appear to be nearly the same to me, etc.. I spec'd a 8600 GTS here, like you suggested. However, I kind of just picked one. Tell me if I did a good job, or perhaps you have a specific one for suggestion?

Now, here's that revised version you wanted with an Asus P5B-E and an Intel E6420:

CPU *CHANGED* - $198.99 Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775

Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115016

MOBO *CHANGED* - $139.99 ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131070

Memory - $100.00 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual

Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

H/D - $59.99 Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard

Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062

Vid. Card *CHANGED* - $199.99 BIOSTAR V8603TS51 GeForce 8600GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI

Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814141070

Power Supp. - $86.99 FSP Group Blue Storm II 500 ATX 2.2V 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL,

CSA, VDE, NEMKO, CNS, CE, CB, FCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104034

DVD Drive - $44.99 LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X

DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe

- Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

Case - $79.99 RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black ATX-612WEB SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer

CaseNo Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156078

Total Cost : $910.93

One of the things about this one I wanted to ask, on the CPU is 2.13 GHz enough? More than enough? The reason I spec'd the first CPU was purely because of it's 3.00 GHz. But again, I wasn't really sure how important that is. Maybe the 4M shared L2 Cache is more important.

Well, there's a few more conversation pieces. Any further suggestions? I hope to have my build completely set by the end of next week so I can order. Alex, perhaps it'd be easier if you set an example build and I proposed changes? Just an idea. You're obviously better at this than I am.

~Stephen

[alex]

If it was my money? (but taking into account your build as well)

optical drive $29.99. Yours quoted: $44.99

case $79.99. Yours quoted: same price. So just take your pick as its more personal preference than anything else in this instance. $25 mail in rebate.

hdd 250gb $62.99. Yours quoted: 160gb $59.99. The samsung is an awesome drive; quiet and cool running (promoting longevity).

graphics card $169.99. Yours quoted: $199.99. $10.00 mail in rebate

Don't be concerned over the loss of 256mb of ram on my card over yours. This card can't game over 1280x1024/1440x900 with good detail and frames per second ratings. You won't need anything over the 256mb it offers for games at that resolution. 512mb ram is only required when gaming at 1680x1050 and above, something this card can't do. So the extra 256mb ram on your card is wasted (and you pay extra for it). It's a marketing ploy to make people see the higher number and assume it's a better card.

psu $89.99. Yours quoted: $86.99. $40.00 mail in rebate

I'm with Sgtoku on this actually, they're both good psu's but for an extra $3 you can get a higher spec'd psu, something that could serve you well come the upgrade path again.

ram $98.00. Yours quoted: $100.00. $40.00 mail in rebate

motherboard $132.99. Yours quoted: 109.99.

As you can see I've gone the intel route. Current Intel cpus, especially the newest models basically wipe the floor with any AMD cpu. AMD's 6000 is aimed, price and performance-wise, directly at the cpu I'm going to quote you. But, the 4mb cache on the Intel and the lower amount of pipeline stages resident in the architecture make the Intel the better cpu for gaming (the cache doesn't help with this by the way) and other duties the cpu might be called on to perform. Such as Photo editing, vid editing etc. So you've got a better all round cpu, that's bang up to date, meaning the next upgrade will be that much longer off.

cpu $194.99. Yours quoted: $159.99. Now this is where AMD's stragegy comes into it. They know they can't beat Intel mhz for mhz, so they've got to try and beat them to the consumer on price.

I said earlier that mhz for mhz, current Intel cpu's are 10-20% faster than AMD's (okay, it's model dependent, but it's accurate in this situation). If you look at the prices above the AMD is around 20% cheaper than the Intel.....

AMD aren't stupid, they know they can't beat Core2's performance, so they try to beat Intel on the second most important thing to a pc builder/buyer: Price.

No, stick with the Intel. 1333fsb, 4mb cache, running at 2.66ghz. Seriously, you won't be disappointed.

Oh, sorry, total cost: $858.93. Only $17 more expensive than the AMD build you quoted and I feel it's a much better balanced spec. Choice is yours though but I've taken nearly 2 hours over this and I reckon it's a good 'un.

[cheesepuff]

well, here is another thing you may want to concider. if you get good and learn a lot (and get help when needed) you may like to overclock the CPU. what does, is it can take the Core 2 duo at 2.13GHz and run it over 3.2GHz, which makes a huge preformance boost. you dont have to, but if you think you may take computer building as a serious hobby you may want to change your motherboard to this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128012

i have this one, its amazing for overclocking. if you screw up a setting, it resets itself before you can restart the computer from the BIOS. amazing board.

[balom]

Alex, first off thank you very much for that build. I'm honestly considering using that build verbatim. My friend is also considering building a new computer and he's a little outdated on the new parts but he has about the same budget as mine so you may have just helped him out as well.

Also, I would like to thank everyone else who helped, I've learned so much from just the few responses from everyone, you've all really helped me, I feel like I better understand the individual components now.

Alex: How do you think the motherboard posted above:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128012

Would work in your build? I might look into overclocking my CPU some day down the road if I want to play a game that recommends a higher GHz, but I'd be sceptical to do it without some real help, and it sounds like this board prevents most if not all things you could do wrong. Again, just looking for a wiser man's answer, because I'm no wise man when it comes to this.

Again, thank you, everyone. This has been one of the few times I've really found out how helpful forums and the people on them can be.

~Stephen

[alex]

Having only oc'd one of these I'm probably not best placed for a definitive opinion. But it is a decent board; P965 chipset (still my favourite), good oc'ing bios, although some of the options can be a bit fiddly to find the first time. And decent voltages for components (cpu, ram) to push overvolting for speeds.

But the P35 chipset is basically the newer version of the P965 chipset, and having oc'd a number of boards (various brands) with this chipset, I can say that i'm rather impressed. It also means the upgrade path is left that bit longer as well.

I don't know what answer to give you really. I'm an Asus fan myself, every Asus board I've owned or spec'd and used in a build for someone has been rock-solid stable, with never a hiccup.

If you're going to o'c, then either board spec'd will suffice frankly. If you're not, or are only going to 'have a play' every now and again at overclocking then I'd stick with with Asus.

Also, regarding oc'ing. If you are considering it then you'll need to get a decent hsf (heatsink and fan) for the cpu. I'd go for a Tuniq tower (heavy,expensive but an awesome cooler) or an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 pro (light, cheap and just about as good as the Tuniq at cooling at overclocked and overvolted cpu, it also runs quietly, even on an X6800 at 3.6ghz-mine, not something the Tuniq can say).

You should also get some Arctic Silver 5 T.I.M (thermal interface material) whether oc'ing or not. This is the material you place on the cpu that transfers heat from the cpu to the hsf. It's been proven to move heat away from the cpu at 8 times the speed of the generic Intel gunk that comes with your cpu.

Have a look here for an overclocking guide I wrote for another member who was interested in oc'ing. It's in no way a definitive guide to oc'ing as it was tailored to his situation, but it should be helpful to you as it's core 2 based.

[balom]

Just wanted to say I've ordered my computer, it will be here tomorrow, according to tracking information. I just wanted to thank everyone one last time for all the great help they've been, and if I have any problems getting it all working I'll be coming back, begging for some wonderful knowledge! You guys rock! Thank you!

~Stephen