New System

[Run Rampant]

Hi all,

just wandering through the inernet looking for an sites that could tel me if my new system would work, till I saw this site. I amaware there are a few of these around, but I just wanted a little help.

CPU: AM2 DualCore 5200+

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3 Socket

Hard Drive
Samsung 8M 160GB

RAM
Corsair 1GB kit (1x 1GB)

Video Card
nvidia XFX 256MB 8500GT

Case + PSU
Xsonic 1808 450watt black+silver



I know this is probably all wrong, but I just need some feedback from people who are in the know.

Thanks heaps dudes

[spartan_phalanx]

What are you looking to do with your PC? What's your budget?

[Run Rampant]

Well run games like F.E.A.R, M2TW, CoD 2+ etc, basic programs like iTunes and such. Basically I want an all-rounder that can play games well.

My budget is $800 AUD

[Aristocrat]

Aussie dollars?
If so then my friend, look right here


CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 $182Motherboard: Gigabyte DS3 $190
Hard Drive: Seagate 160GB $72
RAM: Desktop DDR2 Ram Corsair-Value Select PC2-5300 667MHz 1GB $79
Case: ATX Case CoolerMaster Elite 330 with 350w Black $88
Motherboard: MotherBoard Intel S775 Gigabyte GA-945P-DS3 V2.0 $115
Video Card: Video Card PCI-e (nV) 8600GT 256MB Sparkle $179
Power Supply: Power Supply Coolermaster Extreme Power 430W $55

Total: $778 (including GST but NOT Postage and handling).

There. Thats the best I could come up with for under $800, and I am assuming you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and DVD/CD drive.
If you need a CD/DVD drive add about $35 to the price.

[Run Rampant]

Hmmm I should have made it clearer I wanted to see if this would work.

But... Would the above work if I replaced the CPU and Motherboard with AMD component? Thanks also Aristocrat.

eg AMD 5200+
Gigabyte M57SLI-S4

which work out the same price.

[sdjenkyn]

Hmmm I should have made it clearer I wanted to see if this would work.

But... Would the above work if I replaced the CPU and Motherboard with AMD component? Thanks also Aristocrat.
eg AMD 5200+
Gigabyte M57SLI-S4

which work out the same price.

As Aristocrat stated all those components will work together well, but I would take his advice and go the Pentium route as it combined with that board will run faster and has way better overclocking potential . I have the amd64x5200+ and its great but my clock speed is limited and it only really shines when an APP actually use the multi-thread capabilities of these chips. You will have same issue with hyperthreadind on Pentium but with the proper cooling you can get your fsb pretty high.

[Aristocrat]

The parts in your first post would all work together, yes.

[Run Rampant]

Is this only a problem for OCing? Coz I probably wont overclock. Iv used Intels before, and basically want to try out the AMD. This is not really going to be my be all end all computer. Sort of a test: I want to see if i can build it. If all goes well, in the future I shal make one that I will put a lot more money and effort into.

I know this sounds weird but yeah. Thanks all!

[Run Rampant]

Ok New Revised Buy. Please tell me if there will be any major bottlenecking ( I think that is what its called).

CPU:
AM2 DualCore 5200+*

Motherboard

Gigabyte M55SLI-S4

Hard Drive

Samsung 8M 160GB**

RAM

Corsair 1GB kit (1x 1GB)

Video Card

Sparkle 8600GT 256MB SF-PX86GT

Case
ATX Case CoolerMaster Elite 330 with 350w Black

PSU
Power Supply Coolermaster Extreme Power 430W


* I was thinking of maybe getting a 5000+ or even a 4800+ to save money. Is it worth it? The 5000+ saves only 20 bucks, but the 4800+ saves nearly 70. Thoughts?

** I would get the Seagate as Aristocrat suggested, but I am getting this from the same place as many other things. Just to make life easier.

[Erik]

You might want to replace the 8600GT with a 8800GTS 320MB if you can afford it.
The price difference isn't that big but the performance difference is huge.
8600 series cards aren't very good value for money.

[sdjenkyn]

Agreed with Eric and would advise you to grab the 4000+ and throw that money into another gig of ram(=2gigs total) Ocz brand ram works well with your setup if you want an alternative to corsair( preference only here) other then that you will probably want a 450-550watt psu the 350's are about obsolete concerning 8600's and 8800's vid cards. I'm running an 850watt just to drive my 2 8800's.

[Run Rampant]

You might want to replace the 8600GT with a 8800GTS 320MB if you can afford it.
The price difference isn't that big but the performance difference is huge.
8600 series cards aren't very good value for money.

I might but at the moment, it is just too expensive for me.

Agreed with Eric and would advise you to grab the 4000+ and throw that money into another gig of ram(=2gigs total) Ocz brand ram works well with your setup if you want an alternative to corsair( preference only here).

the 4000+, or the 4800+? Also is this Ocz brand, is it reliable, and performs well like Corsair?

you will probably want a 450-550watt psu the 350's are about obsolete concerning 8600's and 8800's vid cards. I'm running an 850watt just to drive my 2 8800's.

I got the 430 watt PSU above, I think the 330 is the case...

[sdjenkyn]

Sorry about that the 4800+. Ocz is awesome in my opinion. I have it in two of my rigs. I'd still look at a higher rated psu. With the new graphics cards and faster ram you want more power and stable rails then a low wattage psu can supply.Plus you are future proofing yourself a little and the higher wattage psu should not be too much more then the lower ones. Just reread your post and I think your case comes with a power supply....double check so as your not buying two.

[Erik]

If you are short on cash I think it's better to stick with a single GB of RAM and buy a second GB (or 2GB) in the future.

1GB is still enough for todays games, and adding RAM is more cost efficient than replacing a CPU or video card because you don't have to throw anything in the bin.

You can also buy a cheap CPU now, and replace it with a better one in a years time when better models are available and the prices have come down.

[Incinerate_IV]

Are you sure you want an Athlon X2 processor? You can easily overclock a Core 2 Duo E4300 or E4400 to beat even the best AMD processors.

[Run Rampant]

If you are short on cash I think it's better to stick with a single GB of RAM and buy a second GB (or 2GB) in the future.

I am looking at the 4800+ to afford more RAM yes. The thng that put me off in the first place was the price, but hopefuly OCZ will be a bit cheaper than Corsair.

You can also buy a cheap CPU now, and replace it with a better one in a years time when better models are available and the prices have come down.

My plan exactly.

Are you sure you want an Athlon X2 processor? You can easily overclock a Core 2 Duo E4300 or E4400 to beat even the best AMD processors.

Yes, I am pretty sure I will not overclock. I really like having that warranty handy, and i am not really computer savvy anyways.


Also looking for a new PSU andcase. Any one if you can get the CoolerMasters without the PSUs? They look great, but so far all have additional PSUs.


EDIT: Holy Crap OCZ is THAT expensive. How bout Kingston? Is it any good, coz its cheap....ish. 2gb for 137 AU.

[Erik]

I am looking at the 4800+ to afford more RAM yes. The thng that put me off in the first place was the price, but hopefuly OCZ will be a bit cheaper than Corsair.

There are also cheaper brands, which are still very decent as long as you don't over-clock the RAM.

I bought 2GB of DDR2-800 CL5 for 99euro's from a brand called "Buffalo", and it works fine.
I did extensive testing with prime95 because I had my doubts and was ready to return it if I found a single error.

I've heard good things about MDT, but the sore was just out of MDT when I wanted to order my PC so I switched to Buffalo and hoped for the best.
I think the cheapest DDR2-800 CL5 from a major brand was about 150 euro's, CL4 going towards 200 euro's.

[Aristocrat]

GEIL ram is generally cheaper but just as good.
We don't get too many brands out here in Australia, you have Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, and GEIL....and Kingmax.

Botttom line for me though is, Corsair ram has never given me any issues, my current ram I have donw things too that should have killed it, but it still takes the punishment I give it happily.

When making a choice on ram, look for timings, and warranty.

On overclocking your processor...how the hell would they know? Short answer? They don't.

[sdjenkyn]

@ run rampant....where do you live (im assuming US)? You can go to Outpost.com and get ram pretty cheap, or anything else for that matter. Good brands also are Patriot and kingston and most ddr2-800 is built for ocing anyway even if its not pushed as extreme ram by the company selling it. There are also a wide assortment of cases and psu's on this site with and without psu's. Also I am still happy with my amd chip and usually buy amd even though they are limited in the overclock dept.

[Run Rampant]

I live in Aus, and I think based on previous responses, I am gonna stick with Kingston, cheap plus just as good, and a reasonable brand, im told.
Anyways, this looks like it will be my final rig:

CPU:
AM2 DualCore 4800+

Motherboard
Gigabyte M55SLI-S4

Hard Drive
Samsung 8M 160GB

RAM
Kingston 667 2gb Kit

Video Card
Sparkle 8600GT 256MB SF-PX86GT

Case
ATX Case CoolerMaster Elite 330

PSU
Power Supply Coolermaster Extreme Power 500W