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New system plans, some questions

G

gotcheaprice

n00b
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
43
Hey guys. I was planning on building a new gaming desktop for games like Left 4 Dead and COD4(mainly FPS). My funding cap is around $1000 give or take a hundred or so. Before I list my potential components I had a quick question. I was planning on making this a micro atx desktop. Are Micro ATX desktops viable gaming computers? I was really hoping they were because of their size. Also what is a good micro atx MOBO, that has overclocking capabilities? Anyway here is what I am planning on getting. What do you think.

Apevia Micro ATX w/ 500w power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144143

Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16 GHZ LGA775: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16819115036

OCZ Reaper 4GB ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16820227267

Sapphire Radeon 3870 512mb graphics card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16814102719

WD 640GB 7200RPM 16MB 3/GB/s: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16822136218

Samsung 22x DVD drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16827151173

Heatsink: 120mm rifle cpu cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16835233003 or 120mm FDB CPU cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226026


So these components plus a Mobo. Any potential pitfalls?

Thanks for any help in advance.

PS: My friend told me that if i get a liquid cooling heatsink that I would need a special rig to cool the liquid?(confusing I know) Is this true? Or will the heatsink run on its own?


PSS: I read that getting a Quad core isnt worth sacrificing the CPU speed of a Core 2 duo. But my friend also told me that getting a Quad core will be better than a core 2 duo in the future, even if it is slower. I see what he is trying to say, but will a quad-core/core 2 duo really make a difference?
 
Just a tip, when you put your components on a post, place a description as the anchor text and the actual link inside the url tags so we can see what items you're interested in without having to click on the link to see what item it is.
wink.gif
 
Why would you prefer a Micro ATX desktop? Something that small won't be that good as far as cooling the components. The Micro ATX boards mobo chipsets are not up to par with a standard ATX mobo. Therefore, your O/C potential will not be as good. What size monitor do you have?
 
Techminister-sorry, will do next time

the main reason i want a micro atx would be the size. I have limited space that i can work with and was recommended to get a micro atx. Will the micro atx desktop overheat all the time? How can i build a small(preferably the smallest) computer using standard atx? oh, and I will be getting a 20-22" monitor
 
mATX will not overheat all the time or anytime at all. Sure you're not going to find the wtfpwnzorz overclock with smaller cases and heatsinks but it's not like our systems don't kick some major ass. I like my systems short, without 4x the height of traditional full towers.
 
lowteckh said:
mATX will not overheat all the time or anytime at all. Sure you're not going to find the wtfpwnzorz overclock with smaller cases and heatsinks but it's not like our systems don't kick some major ass. I like my systems short, without 4x the height of traditional full towers.
Click to expand...

can you suggest a good Mobo? And do you think my choices for a heatsink will fit?
 
Danny Bui said:
If you're gonna ask us to build/list a PC for you or seek advice about a build, please answer all of the following questions:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
3) Where do you live?
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
6) Will you be overclocking?
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

By answering these questions you help us help you build a better quality/preforming/cheaper PC.
Click to expand...

List your intended case first. Are you going to crossfire? overclock much? etc.
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
gaming
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1000 w/o shipping
3) Where do you live?
hawaii
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
everything, this is going to be from scratch
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
none
6) Will you be overclocking?
maybe in the future
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
20-24 inch
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Soon, next 1-2 weeks or sooner
 
You didn't answer the last bit after the quote... What case are you intending on and are you going to crossfire.

Also.. if you're going the SFF route there's an entire forum section dedicated to it with shit loads of info and similar questions :)
 
ASUS P5Q-VM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131345
ASUS P5Q-EM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131336
Foxconn G33M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186125
ASUS P5E-VM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131237
G33, G35, G45 (not Gigabyte G45s), G43 boards.. I am unmotivated to dig through the SFF section. You'll probably be told to change the packaged PSU for something else, someone else can dig through a thread and find a suggestion... Zzz

And the obligated DFI JR just for puck's sake. Doesn't hurt to look amiright http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136055
 
I would redo your OP build and go with this. This setup should be pretty good.

Case - SILVERSTONE SUGO SG02B-F Black for $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163112

PSU - SILVERSTONE SST-ST60F 600W for $110 ($20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817163109

CPU - Core 2 E8400 for $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Mobo - ASUS P5Q-VM LGA for $119
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131345

Video - Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 for $160 ($20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

RAM - G. Skills DDR2 1000 for $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

Optical - Samsung 22X SH-S223F for $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

Heatsink - SILVERSTONE NT06-E for $51
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835220033

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640GIG for $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16822136218

O/S - Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64 bit for $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488


Total - $920 before shipping & rebates. OK now it's complete, you can charge it on your credit card.
 
gotcheaprice said:
lol sorry
Apevia Micro ATX w/ 500w power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144143

and no i'm not planning on crossfiring
Click to expand...

The PSU in that case is trash. An honest to god fire hazard. The case is fine, but don't /ever/ use that PSU. For anything. The last Apevia PSU that [H] reviewed literally melted when they tried to get 50% of the rated wattage out of the thing. They are horrible, some of the worst on the market. Probably the only thing consistently worse would be Deer.

The Silverstone case included in HardwareGuru's above build is much nicer anyway. Go with it, unless you just really like the Apevia case for some reason.
 
1. The Xigmateks will not fit into the SG02/01
2. I'd go for a Silverstone ST60F for $90.
 
silent-circuit said:
The PSU in that case is trash. An honest to god fire hazard. The case is fine, but don't /ever/ use that PSU. For anything. The last Apevia PSU that [H] reviewed literally melted when they tried to get 50% of the rated wattage out of the thing. They are horrible, some of the worst on the market. Probably the only thing consistently worse would be Deer.
Click to expand...

QFT x 1000

Unless you want a dead paperweight for a PC, get a quality PSU like what HardwareGuru and lowteckh's recommend. Seriously, you'd have to be absolutely stupid to buy that Apevia PSU even after we warned you:
Apevia ATX-AS500W-BL
Apevia Warlock Power 900W
XQPack's Included 420W PSU
Aspire Beast 680W Power Supply
 
Whoops my bad. Pop in the SILVERSTONE NT06-E heatsink in there. Also, for $20 more than the Seasonic 500W, that Silverstone ST60F with 48A on the +12V is more worth it. Though, the Seasonic 500W with 35A on the +12V will do fine already. Both PSU are modular which helps reduce cable clutter in the case thus, allowing more airflow. Hehe compliments everything. Silverstone Case, Silverstone Heatsink and Silverstone PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835220033


lowteckh said:
1. The Xigmateks will not fit into the SG02/01
2. I'd go for a Silverstone ST60F for $90.
Click to expand...
 
And you can also think of the PSU as a long term investment - even as hardware is swung to a higher tech level, PSUs (unfortunately) aren't as prone to weathering unless another power plug standard is introduced so you can keep reusing them build after build. Nothing like blown circuitry to febreeze a room with.
 
thanks guys. i'll probably go with hardwareguru's build. too bad, i had my eyes on that apevia case. lol its ok. thanks again though everyone.
 
You can still get the apevia case if you want, just, as mentioned above, don't use the included PSU. Personally, I prefer the Silverstone case over the Apevia; but alas, cases are subjective. :p Go with what you like.
 
gotcheaprice said:
is there any reason why i shouldn't use a E8500? Is there any compatibility issues? thanks
Click to expand...

No compatibility issues but the E8500 and E8400 OC about the same. So just save the $25 and go with the E8400.
 
gotcheaprice said:
is there any reason why i shouldn't use a E8500? Is there any compatibility issues? thanks
Click to expand...

$25 for 166Mhz faster clock speed? Not worth it, IMO. Stick with the E8400 -- no compatibility issues with either chip. Theres just no reason to spend more than $165 for a Core2Duo.
 
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