Building a System

[Emberghost]

My uncle wants a new PC so I told him I would get him the parts and all off newegg and we could take it in to be built at a local computer store. I would like to run all the stuff by you guys to make sure it's all good. Thanks a lot, I really really appreciate it.

Raidmax 10 bay case w/420 watt power supply - $46
Asus 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive - $35
WD 80 gb. 7200 rpm hard drive - $99
2x Mushkin 512 mb DDR 3200 ram (1 gig total) - $80 a piece
Mitsubishi 19" SuperBright Diamondtron CRT monitor - $247
MSI K8T800 MOBO - $83
Athlon 64 3000+ - $223
Windows XP Home - $197
Creative Labs Sound Blaster sound card - $42
MSI RX9800 Pro 128mb - $197

Total - about 1300ish

This will be for gaming and he wants to be able to use it for a few years to come. Thanks again, any input would be appreciated.

 

[Finsta]

Get a good power supply, try getting PC Power and Cooling if possible or Antec as a close second. For lasting quality, I suggest a 6800GT or a X800Pro

 

[4keatimj]

OK another long-term computer solution needed:
More HD space.
CD-RW combo drive (or a DVD burner), you need something to do with DVD in there.
Better vid card - 6800 or X800 XT. Definately needed in there to keep it going for a while.
Would reccommend Antec power supply with at least 350W
Fans, fans, fans, fans! You need some fans to keep the airflow going. There might be one in the case but you need a bit more to keep it cool. Stock HSF should work fine.

I think that should do it.

 

[Emberghost]

Thanks a lot.

 

[tylerhskate]

197 bucks for xp home? is that typo or am i missing something

 

[GeForceX]

The price looks steep-- $1300 for all those. I thought I'd expect less-- until I read two things on the list: Windows XP and Monitor. And I realized you're wasting a lil' bit of money here...

Get the OEM version of Windows XP Professional Upgrade 'Students'. The difference between full and upgrade is neglectible. Not sure if you can exactly get the 'Students' thing though.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=37-116-112&DEPA=6 <-- Windows XP Professional​

The monitor seems a bit much. You can go for some certified monitors here. Save a lot of money.

http://www.priza.com/de19p9sotrfd.html <-- Dell - Sony's 19"
http://www.arsenalpc.com/Details.asp?ItemID=2495&Res=2 <-- ViewSonic's 19"​

You can get the SE version of the WD hard drive for cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-122&depa=1 <-- WD 80 GB SE​

Get Lite-On's 52x24x52 for slightly cheaper. They're also a great brand. Or you can get the nice DVD+RW. Two for one deal.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-197&depa=1​

<-- Lite-On CD-RW

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-950&depa=1​

<-- Lite-On DVD+RW

I don't know but I don't seem to agree with Mushkin-- I'd go with the extra low latency (XL line) of Corsair's. But it's really subjective to user's taste or overclocking plans.

I also don't agree with the MSI brand. But I don't know much about the A64 motherboards currently out there now to make any recommendations. Maybe it's a good board. Don't know. <-- Ignore this paragraph.

For your gaming system, I'd recommend you to invest in a very secure power supply. Those with the 1%+/- voltage spikes. Forton, Sparkle, PC Power and Cooling, Antec True Power, Enermax, etc. You might want to make sure it's 500+ Watts if you're going to invest in a nice video card.

Definitely upgrade your video card to those of the Ultra / XT model. If you don't mind overclocking, try your luck with some of the 'middle class' video cards such as the 6800 GT or the X800 Pro. I've heard of some cases of these cards overclocking very well with stock hsf and the likes, even nearing or pass the Ultra / XT speeds. Check out the video review from www.3dgameman.com -- HIS X800 Pro IceQ II VIVO Limited Edition Video Card. I quote his experience with this card...

"This is one... seriously... fast... video card!"

"It is highly overclockable..."

"This is without a question... a kick ass product!"

Ha, why does it sound like I'm *advertising* this product? I'm not!

Good luck.

-J.