New comp build!need help or advice!

G

Ghetto.Penguinz

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Joined
Nov 29, 2005
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Hi, I'm a new computer builder and need some help. I was looking around the forums to look for some good specs and comp builds. Currently, I have come up with the following parts for my comp. Please comment or correct what I currently have. I really dont want to hit the $1000 mark. The current price of the combined items is about $950.

Logitech MX518 931352-0403 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104178
$35.89

GIGABYTE GA-K8N Pro-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128301
$106.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$322.00

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 HDS722516VLSA80 -13G0254 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145051
$79.00

ASUS EAX800XL/2DTV/256 Radeon X800XL 256MB 256-bit DDR VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145051
$259.00

ASPIRE X-Gear ATXB5KLW Beige Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX 420W power supply for AMD/Intel Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811144039
$42.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820144310$78.17

NEC Beige 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152059
$40.99

LITE-ON Beige 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM ATAPI / E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-167T BG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131416
$18.99
 
Dump the DVD-ROM, as you don't need it, change the case to a Coolermaster Centurion 5, and grab a good PSU such as the Fortron AX-450PN. You could shave off some cash and get pretty much the same performance video-card wise by getting a 6800GS.

Since you're new, grab a guide to have at quick reference while building. I like http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html
 
Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that I will have +1000 mp3's and music on the computer. I will also watch movie, do INTENSIVE gaming, work, and watch movies. So after your suggestions I have come up with the following.

GIGABYTE GA-K8N Pro-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128301
$106.00

XFX PVT42GUAD7 Geforce 6800GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150118
$215.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$322.00

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 HDS722516VLSA80 -13G0254 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145051
$79.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820144310
$78.17

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
$40.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119094
$65.00

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 115/230 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
$49.99

Please make comments/ suggestions/ corrections. Thank you VERY much
 
Unless you're keeping SLi for a close future add-in of another 6800GS, I'd recommend grabbing an NForce4 Ultra board such as the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra.
 
I love this guy... haha. Dude, you are awesome. Thats great, but are you sure the processor is compatible with the motherboard? If it is then.. wow..

CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152049
$63.99

XFX PVT42GUAD7 Geforce 6800GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150118
$215.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$322.00

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 HDS722516VLSA80 -13G0254 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145051
$79.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820144310
$78.17

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
$40.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119094
$65.00

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 115/230 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
$49.99

Total Price( w/o Tax) : 914.14
 
Yes!! okay.. so this a decent computer that can handle intensive gaming right? or do i need to add anything else? What do you suggest?


Edit::: My friend has also recommended that i buy a fan since amd is extremely prone to overheating. is it necessary to buy another cooling system?
 
Ghetto.Penguinz said:
Yes!! okay.. so this a decent computer that can handle intensive gaming right? or do i need to add anything else? What do you suggest?


Edit::: My friend has also recommended that i buy a fan since amd is extremely prone to overheating. is it necessary to buy another cooling system?
Click to expand...

Unless you are overclocking, the stock AMD cooler will work fine. AMD's haven't overheated in many years.
 
Wouldn't risk it.

There isn't exactly a standard rating system for power supplies. By buying a quality brand such as Antec, Enermax, FSP, etc. you almost guarantee an excellent unit.

Also, there are some more dated units that have older motherboard connections, loading the amps on different voltage levels, and other things of that nature.
 
haha! im a music fanatic :D I spent over thousands of dollars and hours in front of iTunes transferring my CD's into mp3's for my computer and iPod. Too bad they dont have a easier program for transferring music for the iPod. Thats one thing Apple needs to improve on. MAKE A BETTER PROGRAM!

Edit: does newegg.com sell CD's for good prices like amazon, because i can't seem to find it.

1000's, i might be exaggerating. only a little though. :p possibly divide by 2
 
Ghetto.Penguinz said:
haha! im a music fanatic :D I spent over thousands of dollars and hours in front of iTunes transferring my CD's into mp3's for my computer and iPod. Too bad they dont have a easier program for transferring music for the iPod. Thats one thing Apple needs to improve on. MAKE A BETTER PROGRAM!

Edit: does newegg.com sell CD's for good prices like amazon, because i can't seem to find it.

1000's, i might be exaggerating. only a little though. :p possibly divide by 2
Click to expand...

I know people with 13,000 plus, all legit, and I personally have around 1,000, myself. It's not hard to have an album collection accumulate over a few years.
 
Cool then. I just know too many teenie weenies with 1,000 unlegit music. Kinda upsets me. Hrm. :p

-J.
 
true true, teenie weenies! haha. well cd's are getting cheaper and cheaper! yAY! then there is the itune store. what a rip off! jesus! a 12 song cd would be around 9 dollars? while itunes charged 99 cents per song.. wtf! oh yes, i am actually going to change the motherboard in order to assure myself with a long lasting and high performance unit. so i have chosen asus. this is the final configuraton if there is no more suggestions or comments.

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569
$92.00

XFX PVT42GUAD7 Geforce 6800GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150118
$215.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$322.00

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 HDS722516VLSA80 -13G0254 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150
Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145051
$79.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit
System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820144310
$78.17

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM
48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
$40.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower
Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119094
$65.00

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 115/230 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA,
IEC, UL, CE -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
$49.99

Total Price: $941.15 (w/o tax)
< $1200 with tax and shipping

Specs: 160 Gig Harddrive
1 Gig RAM
256MB Geforce 6800GS
DVD/CD writer
AMD Athlon 64 X2 +3800 Dual Core ( 2.2)
 
That ASUS board must have slipped by me. Pretty good price on it, be sure to post your opinions on it.

Looks good.
 
Good stuff. But you don't think the 7800 GT's cost/performance ($300) outweighs the 6800 GS ($215)?

-J.
 
Hmm. So, I should just change the 6800GS to 7800GT? Sounds good I'll be sure to do that. Is there a company preference for the 7800GT( performance and price wise)?
 
Okay, after much changing and advice from two extremely helpful guys. This the final config. Tell me what you guys think of this machine.

XFX PVT70GUDE7 Geforce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814150124
$309.00

ASUS VENTO 3600 Green Steel/Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811173001
$134.00

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530
$109.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$322.00

SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series HD160JJ 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152020
$81.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144310
$76.50

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152055
$44.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 115/230 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
$49.99

Sub Total: $1127.47
 
That case isn't designed too well internally and I'd see if I could get a hard drive with 16MB cache. Also, if the budget permits, try to grab 2GB of RAM.
 
I see, but 2 gigs of ram is too costly, unless theres a cheap one. I can't find a 16 mb cache 160gig hard drive. Recommend a good case under $150. I'd prefer a full tower and good looking case.

Logitech MX518 931352-0403 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104178
$35.89

XFX PVT70GUDE7 Geforce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16814150124
$309.00

ASUS VENTO 3600 Green Steel/Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16811173001
$134.00

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813131530
$109.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819103562
$322.00

SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series HD160JJ 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16822152020
$81.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820144310
$76.50

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16827152055
$44.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 115/230 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16817104954
$49.99

Sub Total: $1163.36
 
Interesting hard drive. I've never seen anyone use it yet. If you used it and it works out good, let us know.

Brandings of video cards almost have no difference except perhaps clock and memory. They all use the basic design of the video card and slap on their own cooler. eVGA, XFX, BFG Technologies are some of the popular well-known ones. I'd recommend you to go for the cheapest one and set up your own clock in any way you wish.

Previously, you had a Hitachi HD. Why the change? You also had a Centuron case, now it's an Asus Vento (I don't like the case but that's personal preference). You change your list a lot. Hrm...

-J.
 
I've got a Samsung Spinpoint drive with the same specs, 'cept mines IDE. It has worked out well for me over a year. eVGA cards are supposed to be great and they've got that step up program so if you want a new card in 90 days you can send in your old one and get the new one with the MSRP of the old card credited to you.
 
Ghetto.Penguinz said:
yea. the hatachi was an ATA, which is sorta outdated isn't it?
Click to expand...
It is kind of outdated, but many people still use it.

Edit: looking back at your original post, the Hitachi was serial ATA, which is SATA.
 
There you go! After all the comments and suggestions, I would say this is what most of you recommended. Good price?

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813131530
$109.99

XFX PVT70GUDE7 Geforce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16814150124
$309.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$322.00

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 HDS722516VLSA80 -13G0254 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150
Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822145051
$79.00

GeIL Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit
System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820144310
$78.17

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM
48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
$40.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119077
$54.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 115/230 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA,
IEC, UL, CE -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
$49.99

Logitech MX518 931352-0403 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16826104178
$35.89

Total: $1,219.07

Specs: 160 Gig Harddrive
1 Gig RAM
256MB Geforce 7800GT
DVD/CD writer
AMD Athlon 64 X2 +3800 Dual Core ( 2.0)
 
I love you guys! So helpful with everything. Man, I dedicate this computer to you people. You'll be in my hearts as I play games with no lag( hopefully). Haha, but seriously thank you guys! Time to order!

Check out my signature. MUahahahaha :p
 
Oooh, you sure you don't need a sound card? Any basic card is good enough - you could even use your old one if you have one! You don't want onboard sound to be robbing your performance off the CPU.

-J.
 
I GOT 2 GIGS OF RAM! Corsair.

Mr. J my headphones are usb and have a external dsp thing. So will the soundcard make a difference?
 
Ghetto.Penguinz said:
I GOT 2 GIGS OF RAM! Corsair.

Mr. J my headphones are usb and have a external dsp thing. So will the soundcard make a difference?
Click to expand...

Good stuff. You just pay extra or win it?
 
Yay, put everything toghether yesterday night! works like a charm. everything is fast and quick. Mult-tasking no longer lags and WOW the graphics are good.
 
Ghetto.Penguinz said:
Yay, put everything toghether yesterday night! works like a charm. everything is fast and quick. Mult-tasking no longer lags and WOW the graphics are good.
Click to expand...

Congrats! How's the wiring?
 
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