New PC Build, comments welcome.

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Sorcerxo

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 17, 2004
Messages
98
Well, this summer I plan on building my 2nd computer.

My set-up right now is getting a little dated and I'm running into some slowdown during HL2, Far Cry, etc. so I wanted to update. My current set-up is 32-bit so I wanted to cross that line into 64-bit world, heh. But anyways, here's my list. Constructive comments welcome!

XBlade Case; 450W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811105113

nForce3u, 939 Socket MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813130468

Sony Combo Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106819

Thermaltake 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811999122

Corsair 1GB (2x 512) PC3200 RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145505

AMD 64 3200+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103502

Turtle Beach Catalina 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829118106

XFX GeForce 6600GT 128
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814150080

Any suggestion? Money savers (important)? Alternative companies?

I would like to stay around the $700-$750 range in terms of cost.

By the way, I have an OS, monitor, and hard drive: from previous machine.
 
I can't agree with KoolDrew more....get a better power supply. PSU's that come with cases are never good. I also agree that you should go with an NF4 based system. If you want to save a bit of money, go with a Chaintech VNF4-Ultra. Its a fantastic NF4 ultra board, increadably stable at stock adn OCed speeds, and its around $80. The money saved coudl go towards a bit better PCI-E video card. If you could snag an x800xl, you would find yourself much happier with your PC, as thats much better than a 6600GT.
 
PSU's that come with cases are never good
Click to expand...

Antec bundles are the exception. I do agree about the X800XL though. The EPoX is an overall better board, but if by buying the Chaintec you will have enough money for an X800XL then it would be better to go with that.
 
I don't like the Antec bundled PSUs much more than I'd like a Deer bundled PSU. OK, maybe that's a little too exaggerated, but the point comes across.
 
dandragonrage said:
I don't like the Antec bundled PSUs much more than I'd like a Deer bundled PSU. OK, maybe that's a little too exaggerated, but the point comes across.
Click to expand...

And why is that? Antec makes great PSU's. I do admit the PSU's are a little weak for higher end overclocked systems, but they are still very good PSU's.
 
Most antec cases actually come with pretty crappy power supplies. Antec does make good power supplies, ubt not all of them are good. TruePower, TrueControl, and NeoPower are all good power supplies. However, you won't find any of those in antecs cases. Their cases come with SmartPower PSU's, which are just high end crap.
 
The performance plus case comes with a true power 430W PSU ;) The Sonata also comes with a Truepower 380w.

The SLK3700-BQE however does come with a 350 W SmartPower, but they are not crap. They are very good quality at often low prices ;)
 
KoolDrew said:
The performance plus case comes with a true power 430W PSU ;) The Sonata also comes with a Truepower 380w.

The SLK3700-BQE however does come with a 350 W SmartPower, but they are not crap. They are very good quality at often low prices ;)
Click to expand...


I knew one or two antec cases came with a TruePower, but most are a 350W SmartPower...I've got a few of them lying around Now, as far as a SmartPower not being crap, i guess it all depends what its doing. As stated above, i've got a few SP 350W's, and most of them are powering folding rigs quite candidly, but those don't need much power. Try to build a new machine with a SmartPower and you won't get real far. As far as I see it, they are crap... but thats not saying they can't be used in PC thats not a power hog. If you want to call it a very good power supply, i think we should just end this at you and I having very different PSU standards ;). I'
 
yeah, i would go with the mobo Viper mentioned, then ditch that CD burner drive for this DVD writer: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827129161, and you'll still be saving money. you'll wonder how you ever did without a DVD burner once you have one.....

and yeah, i'd definitely go with an x800xl vid card over the 6600gt

but if you do go with the 6600gt, i'd go with the Leadtek here instead of the XFX
 
Eh, going with a X800XL, although awesome and of course I'd want it, puts me at $800 with the case, the MB Viper reccomended, the DVD burner xXaNaXx suggested, the fan, the Corsair RAM, CPU, and the vid card. I've decided to leave out the sound card for now as I can always get one later.

With shipping and everything it's at $778.93.

MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813152049

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811105113

Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827129161

Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811999122

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145505

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103502

Vid Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814131414

All at $778.93.

Any other places I can cut corners, without much loss?
 
your still missing a power supply worth having....the one you chose isnt going to do a very good job powering that system. It would be in your best inrest do drop $50 or more on a decent power supply. You could probbaly save money by just getting a 3000+. If your not going to be overclocking....an extra 200mhz will be next to nothing when it comes to in game performance, and that will save your $50 right there. Also, you shoudl really choose a new fan...your paying $20 for a freaking fan...tahts just madness.
 
Also, it's a Thermaltake fan, but he seems determined not to listen to us on the account of fan or PSU.
 
Ok, heres the changes I suggest you make.

CPU = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

Its a 3000+ Venice cpu. As I said the 200mhz less will be basically unoticable...and the venice core is a bit better than the winchester core anyways. Saves your $40


Fan = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811998121

Its still a 120mm blue led lan, but its only $8. Saves you $7.


PSU = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104936

Its $55, so you'll spend about $10 more than you planned, but its worth it. Don't be fooled by it onyl being 350W, that is a helluva PSU. It runs circles around the 400W PSU in that case. It's also 24-pin, and has a 6-pin PCI-E connector if you ever upgrade your video card to something that needs it. I have the 500W version of this PSU, and its great. I am saying that coming from a PC Power and Cooling TurboCool 450 (altho, seeing hte PSU you chose, I doubt that means much to you, many other members will tell you PCP&C is the best of the best). Trust me, you wont be sorry getting this power supply.


EDIT: You could also save a few bucks by ordering from ZZF. IMO, they are better than newegg in some respects.

CPU - $153, free 2Day s/h - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5
RAM - $78, free 2Day s/h - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21

The rest of it is cheaper at newegg or ZzF didn't have it. Also, your memory I changed from a 1GB stick to 2x512MB sticks. Two reasons.... the 512MB sticks are cas2.Also, two 512MB sticks will enable dual channel. While both of those wont work wonders in games, it will help a bit...and you still save a few bucks.


EDIT #2. I found this on newegg, and it caught my eye. If your not afriad to get a refurb, you should concider this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125174R . Saves you another $25 or so, and I have always liked the Gigabyte X800XL, being that its fanless, and just looks so cool. It overclocks worse than any other XL (which isnt saying much) beucause it runs hotter, bt you already said you dont care to overclock. Something to concider
 
Do you really like that case? There is a nice Cooler Master case for $50 that is a real nice case. YOu might like it so check it out.

Also get a NEC 3520A DVD burner. Also get the dual pack of Corsair Value Select. The one with 2 512MB sticks so you can run dual channel.

To get stuff cheaper you can look other places to such as MOnarch and Zipzoomfly.
 
KoolDrew said:
Do you really like that case? There is a nice Cooler Master case for $50 that is a real nice case. YOu might like it so check it out.

Also get a NEC 3520A DVD burner. Also get the dual pack of Corsair Value Select. The one with 2 512MB sticks so you can run dual channel.

To get stuff cheaper you can look other places to such as MOnarch and Zipzoomfly.
Click to expand...

I pointed out the ram as well as shopping around in my last post. I was going to bring up the case, which I think is fugly and overpriced, but people usually choose a case because they like the look and then wont budge an inch on it, so I didnt both. As far as the drive...meh. To me a DVD-Bunrer is a DVD-Burner, their all the same. i know many of you wont agree, i just hardly ever burn dvds. If the poster doesnt plan to burn many either, then just get whats cheapest while still being reliable.
 
Well, I've thought about all your suggestions, and I'm going to post an updated list in a moment. I've made an account at ZZF, because, well, somethings are cheaper there and some have free shipping (thanks Viper). I thank everyone for their help.
 
Sorcerxo said:
Well, I've thought about all your suggestions, and I'm going to post an updated list in a moment. I've made an account at ZZF, because, well, somethings are cheaper there and some have free shipping (thanks Viper). I thank everyone for their help.
Click to expand...

NP. Glad to know I could help. ZZF is my new favored parts site. There website is pretty sloppy, and they dont have nearly as much as newegg, but if your looking for a popular, they usually have it for cheaper, plus free shipping. Now, the free shipping is a bit misleading, because while its 2Day, they usually take a day longer than newegg to process and pack your order, so they end up being about the same time, but free is still free. Looking forward to seeing the updated list.
 
Ta-da...

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813152049

Case - [Yea, I decided on the $50 CoolerMaster, just because it's less "woo, look at me" and it's more sharp, and classy, heh.]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

CD/DVD Drive - [I'm not really going to be doing any DVD burning, only DVD-ROM, so I down-graded.]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827129161

Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827129161

PSU - [Yea, decided on a PSU.]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817159023

Video Card - [Yea, any price cuts are good... but is there any type of warranty on this?]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125174R

CPU - [ZZF has a better deal, so good.]
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5

RAM - [ZZF also has a better deal on this, as well.]
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21

Any comments? Suggestions?

Total: 748.65.

Any other deals I should be aware of?

Thanks again for all of your help!

:D
 
Sure you decided on a new PSU, but your still trying to skimp on it...no good.

Whats wrong with the one I suggested? For less than $20 more, its quite a bit better. Everything else looks good.

EDIT: And yeah, go with that Connect3D X800XL at monarch.
 
I just really want to stay to one or two sites, two sites this time: ZZF and NE, and not all over the place.
 
Maybe you should look into getting a Epox mobo instead of the chaintech. I have a Epox and love it!
 
I have a Chaintech in my PC right now and I love it. I've never had an EPoX, but I've heard good things. I'd rather go with something I know for a fact upon.
 
KoolDrew said:
The link for the DVD drive is the same as before. This looks good.

The fan you have listed won't push very much air :p

Don't get a Coolmax PSU either. This looks good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=17-103-444&depa=0

I also never trust refurbished items. Here is a cheap one.
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190527

Everything else looks good ;)
Click to expand...
You will be fine with a Cool Master Real Power PSU.
 
Well, I'm going with this PSU. It's buy a respectable brand and it has a blue neon light... to go with my other neon light... although, the case I've picked doesn't have a side window. Heh.

EDIT: Nevermind, yes it does... it's late.
 
Rosewill sucks too...

Enough for me. I unsubscribe to this thread. If you don't want to listen to us, that's your business.
 
dandragonrage said:
Rosewill sucks too...

Enough for me. I unsubscribe to this thread. If you don't want to listen to us, that's your business.
Click to expand...

I'm not ignoring you. Half of the parts were suggestions from you guys. I'm just trying to cut costs anywhere I can. I can't build a $2,000 computer like some people on here. Money doesn't fly out my ass.
 
Well, after much debating... this is my list as of now.

CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra - [Mobo]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813152049

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 - [Case]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

Pioneer Black IDE DVD Burner - [Burner]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827129161

ASPIRE CF12SL-UBL 120mm - [Extra Fan]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811998121

Rosewill RE501-BLK ATX 500W - [PSU]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182004

GIGABYTE GV-RX80L256V Radeon X800XL 256MB - [Vid Card]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125174R

Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit PC3200 - [RAM]
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ - [CPU]
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5

This list is not final, I'm just updating a little bit by little bit.
Still wide-open for suggestions.

Total price comes to:
754.75 shipped.

 
That is an absolutly horrible power supply. Rosewill sucks. That power supply is only $7 less than the one I reccomendend to you, but conciderably worse I understand your want to cut money where you can, but lets not be careless in the process.
 
Sorcerxo said:
Well, after much debating... this is my list as of now.

CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra - [Mobo]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813152049

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 - [Case]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

Pioneer Black IDE DVD Burner - [Burner]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827129161

ASPIRE CF12SL-UBL 120mm - [Extra Fan]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811998121

Rosewill RE501-BLK ATX 500W - [PSU]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182004

GIGABYTE GV-RX80L256V Radeon X800XL 256MB - [Vid Card]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125174R

Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit PC3200 - [RAM]
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ - [CPU]
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5

This list is not final, I'm just updating a little bit by little bit.
Still wide-open for suggestions.

Total price comes to:
754.75 shipped.
Click to expand...

Look man, you can order that case with a Coolermaster PSU for cheaper..
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141619

Please, do yourself a favor and listen to the voices of all the people here with experience on the matter, DON'T SKIMP ON YOUR POWER SUPPLY.

I'll never understand why so many, even on a tight budget, insist on picking out those cheap case/psu combos for their systems. The case is the frame for your machine, and the psu is the where it draws its power - basically the foundation for your entire computer. You don't have to spend $100+ on those things but it's not the first place you should look to save money.

This is become way too common with builds I see people posting - right off the bat they try to get away with a meritricious case and a PSU from some no-name company - just blows my mind.
 
Coolermaster isnt the greatest power suplies to begin with, but that ZZF link gives absolutly no info on what PSU is even in that case. Coolmaster isnt bad, certanly not like the choices we have seen thus far, but it still might not be quite enough for what he needs. Figuring thats a $50 case, that means the PSU is $25, which is a red flag right their, and I maybe i missed something ont he link, but I saw nothing that even said its a coolmaster PSu inside there. I do agree wiht our other comments tho, to many people skimp on a PSU.

I still say stick to the centuron5 and the 350w fortron blue storm i suggested.
 
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