Need a hand with this build

L

LyveGrenade

n00b
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
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Hey all, first post.

The only information I know about the inside of computers was gathered from reading from sites like this one. I've been playing around with the AVA custom feature and have come up with a build. I would like you all to review my build and tell me if I'm heading in the right direction. My budget is $920, $35 aside for shipping.

Gaming PC

Motherboard - ASUS, M2Ne, nforce 570 Ultra, DDR2-800 8GB/4, PCIex16, SATA II Raid 5/6, Audio, GB LAB, ATX

Processor - AMD, Athlon 64 x2 6000+ 3.1ghz

Memory - Kingston, 8gb (4 x 2GB) HyperX PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz

Video Card - SAPPHIRE, Radeon HD 4850 625 mhz, 1GB GDDR3 1986MHZ, PCIx16 Crossfire, DVI/2, HDTV-Out

Hard Drive - SEAGATE, 250GB Barracuda 7200.10, SATA 3 GB/s, 7200-RPM, 16MB cashe

DVD and CD-RW - Sony, CRX320EE Black 52x32x52-16A DVD ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive

Network Card - integrated 10/100/1000 Mbps Network controller

sound card - meh, integrated

Fan - factory

PSU - 585W w/ case

OS - windows vista home premium 64 bit

Total - 858.08

Questions

Is all this compatible?

Will I need a better PSU? If so, which?

Will this run hot? If so, what do you recommend I do?

Since I'm using a Nvidia motherboard should I use a Nvidia video card? If so, which one compares to the radeon 1gb 4850 in price and performance?

If my build is lacking somewhere I'm open to any of your suggestions.. as long as I stay below $920 :p


Thanks in advance for your time.
 
Are you going to build this system yourself, or are you getting it from AVADirect?

Which monitor/resolution are you using? Are you going to buy another/a new monitor within the next 12 months? Which games do you plan on playing?

Why did you choose the parts that you're considering?

How soon are you planning on ordering everything?
 
tiraides said:
Are you going to build this system yourself, or are you getting it from AVADirect?

Which monitor/resolution are you using? Are you going to buy another/a new monitor within the next 12 months? Which games do you plan on playing?

Why did you choose the parts that you're considering?

How soon are you planning on ordering everything?
Click to expand...

I'll be ordering from AVA.

I'm using a 17" widescreen monitor, current resolution is 1280 x 720. I plan on keeping this monitor for the next 12 months.

I plan on playing Darkfall (if it releases), Warhammer, and most likely any other interesting MMO for 2009.

To be honest, I pulled the parts out of the list according to price.

I'd like to have a new computer by January.

Live in U.S.
 
Rather than go through and critique your entire build, I'm gonna recommend an alternative build:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU and Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard Combo Link - $245
2 x G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $90
Sapphire 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $150
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $70
Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $25
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $50
Antec 900 ATX Case - $60
Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 OEM - $80
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $32
------
Total: $802 plus tax and shipping

Still under budget but significantly faster and of better quality in every way. The HDD is faster, the CPU is faster, the PSU is of significantly better quality, better HSF for overclocking, etc.

Should still be under $920 over at AvaDirect. The RAM is a non-issue so if the Kingston is cheaper than the G.Skills, then go with the Kingston. But whatever you do, do not use the PSU that comes with any case unless it's an Antec.
 
Danny Bui said:
Rather than go through and critique your entire build, I'm gonna recommend an alternative build:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU and Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard Combo Link - $245
2 x G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $90
Sapphire 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $150
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $70
Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $25
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $50
Antec 900 ATX Case - $60
Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 OEM - $80
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $32
------
Total: $802 plus tax and shipping

Still under budget but significantly faster and of better quality in every way. The HDD is faster, the CPU is faster, the PSU is of significantly better quality, better HSF for overclocking, etc.

Should still be under $920 over at AvaDirect. The RAM is a non-issue so if the Kingston is cheaper than the G.Skills, then go with the Kingston. But whatever you do, do not use the PSU that comes with any case unless it's an Antec.
Click to expand...

Thanks Danny, I'll go see if AVA has the parts you listed available. I'll post back here if I run into a problem.
 
Well AVA had all the parts you mentioned but it totaled to $976 w/o shipping... unfortunately my budget is restricted to $920. I would go ahead and attempt to build the computer but I have no prior experience and can't afford to screw up.

Are the AMD computers really that bad? I like AMD because it's cheaper than Intel and this old computer with an AMD build hasn't let me down yet but I know there's no way it'll make it through next year.

I should mention I'm not looking for overkill on the 2009 games, just a smooth run.
 
Intel is more powerful than AMD. You could easily afford an Intel build, so you should get one.

There are plenty of guides available -- a few of them can be found in the GenHard FAQ sticky -- that can show you how to build your own system safely.

If you're not planning on overclocking your processor, you could omit the CPU cooler and get only one 4GB kit (instead of the two that Danny picked out for you). If you need to cut costs further, you could switch to a P43-based motherboard like the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L.

But seriously, you should attempt to build it yourself (instead of trying to buy it from AVADirect). It's not that hard to do.
 
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