New gaming computer...advice please

[MC Reload]

- AMD Athlon 64 FX53-BOX, 128KB L1 Cache, 1MB L2 Cache, Socket 939
- MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum nForce3 Ultra ATX S-939 M/B
- GeiL Super Ultra-X Series Dual Channel 2x512Mb DDR400 with Heat Spreader
- POWERCOLOR ATI Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition 256MB GDDR3 TV/ DVI-I
- ST3120022A Seagate 120Gb Barracuda ATA V 7200RPM

How does that sound for a gaming PC? Anything need changing?

 

[Harkamus]

Looks like ya skimped on the memory. If you're going high end(from the looks of that FX-53 you are), you might as well buy some decent memory. Go look for some Corsair XMS memory with the 2,3,2,5 timings at least. Keep in mind that anything bigger than 512 mb DDR(from what I know) will start giving you slower timings.

I'd also skip the Seagate 120 gig and grab a 74 gig SATA Raptor(10k rpm).

Also Powercolor really never did it for me. I had two Powercolor cards...both of them were promptly returned.

 

[FPS]

I would switch the X800 for a 6800 GT or Ultra

 

[TechHead]

I'm moving this to General Hardware, where you'll get a better response.

 

[Liam]

That looks good, but if you're buying an FX, but not an FX-55? Throw in a Raptor aswell. About the ram, either get some OCZ EB, Crucial Ballistix, or OCZ EL Platinum. Just FYI EB and Ballistix, which use the same chips, is, arguably, the best RAM for A64.

 

[halo14]

Harkamus,

Powercolour cards have been fine for me. I owned a 9700Pro and gave it to a friend after I upgraded to a 9800Pro 256MB. 1 1/2 years of solid reliable service. The card's still going strong for him. He plays all the big name titles without a hitch. The card was just a reference designed board - the same as the ones made by ATI I think. Sure it didn't have any extra frills - but I just wanted a decent card that performed well in all my games.

Guess it's just luck of the draw :/

I think it's a killer PC that will run todays games just fine. The Raptor Hard Drive that Harkamus suggested is damn fast, but only consider it over the standard Seagate 120GB HDD if you are really impatient with load times. There's not THAT much difference in my experience (well, except for the price ).

Most big name brand RAM does the job, that stuff looks ok.

Just my opinion, good luck with it!

 

[diehard]

I might be stupid, but why not save money and get a .90nm 3500+ and overclock it? Performance would be very similair and you would save some dough.

 

[MC Reload]

Would a MSI RX800XT Platinum Edition-VTD 256MB AGP Graphics card be reccomendable over the PowerColor?

 

[LadyJaqie]

if I was you I would go for 2x or 3x 2-2-2-5-1 timing 256MB PC3200 kingstons...
also go for an X800 pro by ATI or really a 9800 pro
I would also go for a dual hard drive setup, get a 36GB raptor SATA for the OS and then get like a WD 8MB cache PATA or SATA 120 160 or 200GB 7200 RPM drive for data storage & backup

honestly? if it was me I would just go for a good high end 400 FSB socket A board and proc, save a ton of cash, and wait for the socket 939/940 to come into mainstream. nobody needs that much proc yet for gaming and by the time they do it will be affordable. stick the cash saved into a savings account or savings bond...

 

[burningrave101]

Would a MSI RX800XT Platinum Edition-VTD 256MB AGP Graphics card be reccomendable over the PowerColor?

PowerColor is one of ATI's top vendors. There is nothing wrong with them. People have bad experiences with every vendor.

And where exactly are you going to find an X800XT Phantom Edition in stock at to order?

I would suggest you consider a 6800GT or X800Pro TIVO instead. A X800XT PE and a 6800U is a pure waste of money.

That FX-53 is also a waste of money. Its only benefit over a regular s939 A64 is to raise the multiplier and you dont want to raise the multiplier, you want to lower the multiplier. So now your left with no reason to buy an FX processor.

Save some money and get yourself a new Winchester A64 3500+ and overclock it.