Building a new rig..

**the_mango55** · March 09, 2006, 12:13 AM

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 over 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 recently been dying quickly I am getting a new one. This time I am going to try my hand at building one.

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.
$70

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT Socket 939
$212

Video Cards: 2x eVGA 256-P2-N389-AX Geforce 6800GS CO SE 256MB in SLI mode. I really want to run in SLI mode.
Around $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.
$113

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 1gb Looks like good ram, 2-2-2-6 timing.
$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
$83

Cooling: Thermaltake VENUS 12 80mm Ball Cooling Fan/Heatsink Looks like adequate cooling
$37

Continued...

**the_mango55** · March 09, 2006, 11:41 AM

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.
$259

Keyboard: Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard
$47

Mouse: Saitek PM12A 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1x Wheel USB Optical 1600dpi Desktop Gaming Mouse
$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? Feel free to make suggestions. I still have a few questions though:

1. What does the contrast ratio do for a monitor, and with this monitor, 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.

Sorry for the double post, wasn't displaying the whole thing in one

**PyrrhusIV** · March 09, 2006, 02:46 PM

Video Cards: 2x eVGA 256-P2-N389-AX Geforce 6800GS CO SE 256MB in SLI mode. I really want to run in SLI mode.

The problem is, according to the statistics of that, those cards are not SLI compatible. If I were you, I would buy 1 7800 GT (Yes, will cost a little more than two GS's, but it is probly better than 2x of them in SLI). Lee will probably tell me it is a waste, but i think it is ok (buy a cheaper GT if you do)

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.

Dont buy it, it is for people who only use they're PC's for Home Entertainment systems... RAM hog.

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?

I think Dual-Cores are. They are much faster, mostly in multi-tasking, than Single-Cores, and many new applications are taking ahold of Dual-Core technology. Many games which have patches for Dual Core Processors are running better. Now, to use an example is this:

1 FX-57 (Way to expensive, 2.8) would technically run a game better than an FX-60 (Overpriced 2.6 ghz Dual Core), somewhat. But, in anything other than games, the FX-60 would win. Also, Dual-Cores are more futureproof. Oh, and the difference between Dual-Core and Single Core is not noticeable in games, right now. Windows Vista is supposedly optimized for Dual Core Proc's.

: 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.

That looks like a great monitor, especially for $220. It makes my latest purchase shameful, I bought a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824112176 that's only mostly for my vision though.

Over-all, nice build.

**Incinerate_IV** · March 09, 2006, 02:55 PM

I would just get 1 7800GT or GTX for the same price instead of 2 6800GS in SLI, usually SLI mode has more glitches than single card and the performance increase depends on the game (games have to be optomized for SLI to actually make a big difference). Whats with people getting so excited about SLI anyway? Its more of a future proof thing (You can buy another 7800GT 1 or 2 years later instead of getting a new graphcs card). Also, I got the same case, and I can tell you its great. BUT, if you really really want SLI, get a SLI compatible powersupply. Even if you changed your mind and just get 1 7800 you still need a good powersupply, spend a good 50+ dollars on the powersupply. I recommend OCZ Modstream of OCZ Powerstream if you are just going single card. Getting a good powersupply now can save a lot of heatache in the future :original:

**the_mango55** · March 09, 2006, 03:28 PM

Well, I was really looking forward to the SLI, it is just something I want to try. But I guess it will make it cheaper to upgrade later on if I get one card (assuming I can find another of the same brand and model later). I found this, eVGA Geforce 7800GT CO 256-P2-N519-AX Video Card for $350, BUT it comes with a free SLI capable motherboard eVGA 133-K8-NF41 ATX AMD Motherboard. This looks like a great deal, and will save me like $100 that I can put towards a power supply.

Another question about SLI mode, does the card paired with it have to be the exact same as the other (ex. eVGA Geforce 7800GT CO 256-P2-N519-AX), or does it just have to be the same type (ex. eVGA Geforce 7800GT), because the 7800 gt I just looked at is one of the most expensive on newegg, and doesn't seem to have that many reviews. That makes me concerned that I might not be able to find one in a couple of years when I want to get another.

**Incinerate_IV** · March 09, 2006, 05:12 PM

That one is expensive because it came with the motherboard, its actually just a plain 7800GT you can get for ~$280. I think you should get it, the combo is a pretty good deal.

BTW with nVIDIA's new drivers you can SLI any 7800GT, no matter what company made it.

**DarkKnight** · March 09, 2006, 06:10 PM

Jump on the combo deal, I got it a couple weeks ago. It was even better back then because it came with a $20 mail in rebate (sent it in still waiting for it). Both the mobo and card have worked great so far.

I also bought the same exact RAM that you said you are buying. No problems with it yet. One thing though, in order to get the 2-2-2-6 timings you will have to set it in the bios. The mobo defaulted it to something like 3-4-3-8 and lowered the voltage. Just up the voltage to what the box says is stock and set the timings 2-2-2-6.

I also got the same Hardrive. No problems yet, and it is really quiet. I have yet to hear it make much noise.

What you plan on buying seems nearly identical to what I bought. The specs of my new rig are:

AMD Athlon64 X2 4200+
eVGA GeForce 7800GT
eVGA SLI Motherboard (from the combo)
1GB (2x512MB) Cucial Ballistix 2-2-2-6 RAM
Maxtor DiamondMax 250GB Harddrive
Creative SoundBlaster Audigy2
Hyundai 19" 8ms LCD Monitor
Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers
Just PC Case
Generic Keyboard/Mouse Combo
NEC DVD-RW+- Dbl Layer
Lite-On DVD Drive
Antec True Power II 550W PSU
120mm and 90mm fans
For a grand total including shipping of $1629

Remember to pick up a fan or two. My system even with 3 case fans running still gets me nervous after a long intense gaming session.

**the_mango55** · March 10, 2006, 10:57 AM

OK so I have a new build on it, I changed the case, video card, motherboard, heatsink, and upgraded to windows professional. Tell me what you think of it.

link

**Proximus** · March 10, 2006, 01:33 PM

It looks good just a few suggestions:
I never heard of the display manufacturer, I would go for this one insteed.
Also I would recomend a soundblaster soundcard.
Edit: Personally I recomend this motherboard.

**PyrrhusIV** · March 10, 2006, 02:05 PM

He could get a Bluegears/Auzentech soundcard for Cheaper than SoundBlaster

. The Auzentech cards are the only ones with Dolby Digital, which for me, offer crystal clear music, much better for Music. I've heard that Dolby Digital is better for gaming, but it doesnt have EAX in it. So, if you are one of those gamers, you could detect an enemy within 10 feet of you, but not ten inches.....

But, whatever he wants, I presume.

**Incinerate_IV** · March 10, 2006, 02:57 PM

Wow you got a 7900GT, nice

I don't know much about sounds cards, but from what everybody else is saying Creative is the company to go for sound cards.

**the_mango55** · March 10, 2006, 03:10 PM

I have an auidigy in my current computer, I think I'm just gonna switch out the new one and put the audigy in the new comp. I'm still going to be using the old one at home, while the new one will be at my apt. at college.

**fatsheep** · March 10, 2006, 08:06 PM

I'd go with a name brand power supplies such as Antec, Enermax, FSP Group, Tagan, OCZ, PC Power and Cooling, Seasonic, and Zippy. Most power supplies that come with the case are pretty bad (unless you buy an antec case

). I'm not too sure about how good Raidmax is. Remember that Power Supply manufacturers often over rate their power supplies, not all 500 watt power supplies are equal. Reading reviews (search on google) is also a good idea since they usually do stress tests to see how stable the PSU is and how much power it can really put out. A good power supply is the backbone of a stable computer, a bad one can easily cripple a otherwise powerful system. An SLI setup is going to draw alot of power as is any high end graphics card so a good stable PSU is especially important.

-sheep

**Lee1026** · March 10, 2006, 09:41 PM

A high end system is going to draw 350 watts. A overrated 500 watt can still handle it fine.

**DarkKnight** · March 10, 2006, 10:01 PM

You have a 5.1 soundcard. You might want to get some surround sound speakers.

The monitor that Proximus suggested is the one I got. It came with no dead pixels and works great. I recommend it.

Also reading the reviews for the case it sounds like it might not hurt to install an 80mm fan on the side vent.

**the_mango55** · March 11, 2006, 01:05 AM

OK, so I replaced the case with this Cooler Master and added this Rosewill power supply.

I have a good speaker system already, it isn't 5.1, but it is one of the best 4.1 systems you can get. I am completely happy with it, the one area where my current computer doesn't lag behind at all is the sound. The sub is a beast though, I hate transporting it.

**Incinerate_IV** · March 11, 2006, 08:10 AM

Rosewell powersupplies are a piece of crap.

Personally this is the best bang for the buck:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

Or if you got a little more OCZ Modstream is what I have:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104154

With all these high end components in your system you are going to need a good powersupply(a 7900GT needs a lot of amps).

**the_mango55** · March 11, 2006, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Incinerate_IV

Rosewell powersupplies are a piece of crap.

Personally this is the best bang for the buck:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

Or if you got a little more OCZ Modstream is what I have:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104154

With all these high end components in your system you are going to need a good powersupply(a 7900GT needs a lot of amps).

Lol, too late by like 5 min, I just placed the order.

The rosewill has almost all good reviews, so hopefully it will be good, I realize that some brands make mostly crappy products, but hopefully they get it right every once in a while. :sweatingb

**Incinerate_IV** · March 11, 2006, 10:26 AM

Well good luck on your new powersupply then

I hope you don't have any problems with it.

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