Gaming Build From Scratch

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Thordred

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Joined
Sep 18, 2008
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11
EDIT: UPDATE BELOW

Thordred said:
Hi there, I'm looking for some input on a build I intend to order in one week's time. I'm currently using a 2004 Pentium 4 laptop so this build will be from the ground up. Basically, I'll be buying everything but a mouse.

PROJECTED BUDGET: $1500 - 1600 (NOT including monitor)

PRIORITIES:

1. Gaming - (1920x1200) I will be playing Warhammer, Empire/Medieval: Total War, Fallout 3, and anything else that catches my eye. I'm an avid gamer but haven't been able to play much on my current setup, so I'm pretty behind on what's out there at the moment.

2. Office Tasks/Internet - Currently in an engineering program and running my own small business, so Quickbooks, MS Office, etc.

3. Life - I doubt I will be upgrading this computer anytime soon so I would like to aim for at least 4 years of good productivity (within reason of course).


COMPONENT LIST:

Case - Antec Three Hundred ATX - $37.00
PSU - Corsair 750W TX - $105.00
Fan 1 - Scythe SY1225SL12SH 120mm "Slipstream" - $9.00
Fan 2 - Scythe S-Flex SFF21G 120mm - $15.00

Mb - Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 - $87.00
CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad - $190.00
HSF - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - $37.00
Bracket - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - $7.00

RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit - $73.00
HDD - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $85.00
Optical Drive - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X blah blah blah 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - $26.00

GPU - VisionTek 900250 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit - $550
Sound Card - N/A
OS - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit - $65.00

Monitor - Planar PX2611W IPS Panel - $750 (will buy separately; does not factor into budget)

Keyboard - Leaning toward a slick Apple one, but not sure if they're ergonomically sound. - Budgeting $50.00
Speakers - Still researching. Edifier S330D look nice, but I might go cheaper. Any advice appreciated.
UPS - Still researching. Any advice appreciated. I basically have ~$200 left for the UPS and Speakers.

Total - $1336 (Excluding monitor)

QUESTIONS

1. In short, I decided to splurge on a good monitor and GPU, and then get what I can afford everywhere else. Is this a mindset worth following?

2. How good is onboard sound? I would prefer to save money by not getting a sound card, but I'm a snob and don't want crap sound.

3. Is the motherboard good enough for the build? I don't fully understand all the bells and whistles motherboards can come with and when they're needed. (I don't think I want SLI/Crossfire.)

4. I've chosen a q6600 with the hope that I can OC it a bit (never OC'ed before) and have it last a long time. I originally looked at the e8400, but I wasn't sure about the cost of upgrading the cpu/mb sooner than I would like to. I know this is the usual debate, but I just want to make sure the q6600 is fine for my priorities.

5. Is my monitor overkill? I want to get a sizable screen with great picture quality; however, I'm not into photo editing or anything like that.


And finally, thanks to [H]ard and its members for this great board - it's been a huge help!
Click to expand...

Scroll down por favor.
 
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1) Splurging on the monitor: yes. Splurging on the video card: not really. Video cards are the fastest depreciating item of a PC. A $500 video card could potentially be outperformed or performed on par with by a $200 card 6 months from. So splurging on them isn't a good idea.

2) Onboard sound is pretty decent these days. UNless you're a huge audiophile, onboard sound is good enough. However, try out the onboard sound first and then decid whether or not you need a sound card.

3) Good enough.

4) Also a good choice

5) Might be. Don't know too much about monitors.
 
Shipping on that Antec 300 case, will kill the deal as its roughly a little more than half the cost of the Case
 
QUESTIONS

1. In short, I decided to splurge on a good monitor and GPU, and then get what I can afford everywhere else. Is this a mindset worth following?

2. How good is onboard sound? I would prefer to save money by not getting a sound card, but I'm a snob and don't want crap sound.

3. Is the motherboard good enough for the build? I don't fully understand all the bells and whistles motherboards can come with and when they're needed. (I don't think I want SLI/Crossfire.)

4. I've chosen a q6600 with the hope that I can OC it a bit (never OC'ed before) and have it last a long time. I originally looked at the e8400, but I wasn't sure about the cost of upgrading the cpu/mb sooner than I would like to. I know this is the usual debate, but I just want to make sure the q6600 is fine for my priorities.

5. Is my monitor overkill? I want to get a sizable screen with great picture quality; however, I'm not into photo editing or anything like that.



1. Spend more money on a good monitor, follow up with the GPU if you have the cash. GPU's come and go very fast and after spending top prices on the "newest" cards only to have them done in by the next generation gets old real fast

2. If you don't want crap sound, get an X-Fi card, onboard sound is only good for grandmas computer or peeps who don't know/hear any better

3. Depends, ask around and look at newegg reviews on motherboards and google search particular models

4. OC has its risks, to be aware of that if your willing to put up with system instability, crashes, lockups ect..ect.. for a few extra FPS

5. Investing in a good, quality, large monitor is never overkill
 
skittzle said:
That looks like MS Ultimate Office to me.
Click to expand...

It is; and if you're not an active student taking courses at a college/university, you're not eligible for the "Ultimate Steal" promotion. NewEgg has a 64-bit OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for around $100.

My only question about the build is: What is the Scythe S-FLEX fan for? If it's for the CPU cooler, the retail fan that comes with the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 works fine. If it's for the case, save some money and get another Slipstream fan instead. (Or, save even more money and replace the Scythe fans with some Yate Loons from either Jab-Tech or Petra's Tech Shop.)

While it's not a bad selection per se, you don't need DDR2 1000 for overclocking the Q6600. The Q6600 has a limit of around 3.6GHz (though YMMV), which can easily be achieved using DDR2 800 RAM.
 
skittzle said:
That looks like MS Ultimate Office to me.
Click to expand...

tiraides said:
It is; and if you're not an active student taking courses at a college/university, you're not eligible for the "Ultimate Steal" promotion. NewEgg has a 64-bit OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for around $100.
Click to expand...

Put your mouse over "Additional Products". You'll see Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade w/SP1 for $65. And since you don't need a previous Windows OS install to use the upgrade disc, it's a good choice. If you're an eligible college student that is.
 
Thank you all for the great input.

UPDATE:

1. Typo'ed on the Vista Ultimate. I am a student, so I'm set.

2. Going to try onboard sound first.

3. Downgraded GPU to 2x ATI 4850 CF. Saved $250 and got 2 $10 BB gift cards.

(GPU Question: since my main games will most likely be Warhammer and Empire: Total War and maybe an FPS, should I go for the 4850 x2 or a single 4870? keep in mind would like to see this system last as long as possible. I keep seeing the crossfire setup do well in reviews, but my ears are open.)

4. Changed case to the Cooler Master 690 for $75. Looking to replace fans with Yate Loons (once I figure out the correct ones to buy... Jab Tech sure has the varied selection)

5. Changed Mb to Asus P5Q Pro for CF support.


COMPONENTS (UPDATED)

Case - Cooler Master 690 - $75.00
PSU - Corsair 750W TX - $105.00
Fan 1 - Yate Loon Something - $5.00
Fan 2 - Yate Loon Something - $5.00

Mb - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $140.00
CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad - $190.00
HSF - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - $37.00
Bracket - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - $7.00

RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit - $73.00
HDD - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $85.00
Optical Drive - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X blah blah blah 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - $26.00

Sound Card - N/A
GPU – 2x VisionTek 900250 Radeon 4850 - $300
OS - Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit - $65.00

Monitor - Planar PX2611W IPS Panel - $750 (will buy separately; does not factor into budget)

Total - $1113 (Excluding monitor)

Still researching the following:

Keyboard - Still leaning toward Apple. Those ergonomic split keyboards look awful
Speakers - Again, Edifier S330D look nice, but I might go cheaper. Any advice appreciated.
UPS - Any advice appreciated. I know zilch about UPS's

My two main questions are still the GPU choice and Quad v. Dual (in terms of longevity and performance), but I figure I'll just have to make the choice and run with it.

In summary, thanks again for the help - it is greatly appreciated. Brain is shutting down, so I hope I covered everything.
 
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Sorry for the double post, but to update I've decided on the 4870 1gig card as it seems the most cost effective ($300) and will leave me room to Crossfire later if I so choose. Now I just have to settle on which brand to go with...
 
Well, I'm ordering the parts tonight. I've changed my original setup substantially, and am looking for some last minute input/advice. Basically, have I put anything together that is incompatible?

Lowdown: for gaming/school tasks. 19x12 res. Warhammer, Empire:total war, FPS's. Max $2000 budget. Went with the Q6600 originally but fiance said she'd prefer to get c2d now for good gaming, then upgrade later.

Already Purchased:

PSU - Corsair 750W TX - $103.00
Mb - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $140.00
CPU - Intel C2D E8400 - $170.00
HSF - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - $37.00
Bracket - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - $7.00
RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit - $73.00


Component List:

Case - Antec Twelve Hundred - $140.00

Fan 1 - YATE LOON 120x120x20mm Case Fan - D12SM-12C Medium Speed - $5.00

Fan 2 - YATE LOON 120x120x20mm Case Fan - D12SL-12C Low Speed - $5.00

Thermal Cmpd - Tuniq TX-2 - $4

HDD - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $80.00

Optical Drive - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X blah blah blah 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - $26.00

Sound Card - N/A

GPU – Radeon 4870 1gig - $300

OS - Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit - $65.00

Monitor - HannsG 28” - $420

Keyboard - OCZ Alchemy Series Elixir - $30.00

Speakers - Swan M12 - $140

UPS - This is the ONE item I have no idea on. Need to do a bit more research. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated.

Total - $1706 (incl. shipping - $1789)


Final Questions

1. I was unsure how many fans (if any) I should buy on top of the 1200 case. I'm getting a low spd and a med spd (what's the diff?)

2. Visiontek doesn't make a 4870 1gig card. Do any of the other retailers stand out in any way, or should I go for lowest priced/shipping?

3. Good UPS?

4. How's the color on the HannsG? I was going for the Planar 26" but figured $300 was a bit much to pay for better color.

Thanks in advance for any input. Damn exciting, this is!

(Edit: Fixed monitor link)
 
1) No need to buy any more fans. THe Antec 1200 already comes with 5 x 120mm fans. However if you want quieter or slightly better performing fans, go with the low speed Yate Loons.

2) Asus would be my secondary choice for ATI cards. The other ATI manufacturers are not that great.

3) Hell if I know

4) Your link to the HannsG is the same as the E8400. But from what I've heard, it's ok.
 
Hit up the power subforum for more help in choosing a UPS. I use APC's because I typically find them for cheap (on sale, after rebate) and they work great for my needs. It looks like an APC BACK-UPS 1200VA would probably be more than what you need, since your system alone (tower) won't even draw 400W. So, go for something around 800VA if you can afford it.
 
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