Yet Another "critique my Computer" Thread

[Guye Noir]

I know I know, the forum is filled with these. Just spare me a few moments of your time to look over this parts list. I'm trying to make a machine that will be used mostly for gaming. I'd like to know if I'm doing anything stupid and if I'm getting my money's worth.

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 2800+ - $185

Mobo:
Chaintech SK8T800 - $76

GPU:
ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 256MB - $265

RAM:
Corsair Value Select 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $85

HDD:
Western Digital 1200JB 120GB 7200RPM - $86

CD-RW:
NU Technology 8X DVD+RW/-RW Drive, Model DDW-082 - $67

Monitor:
ViewSonic E90B 19" CRT - $169

Case:
Enermax CS-EN5171LBFS-B w/ 400W PSU - $52

All these prices come from Newegg and the total comes out to $1,035 after shipping wich is good considering my $1,000 bugdet. I don't plan on OCing except maybe the GPU. Thanks in advance for any advice that can be offered.

 

[Liam]

Since you're not going to OC, that looks like a fine rig, now mind you if you have a little money maybe try and get a nicer mobo, maybe one based on the nf3 250gb chipset.

 

[Captain Colonoscopy]

I would downgrade to the 128MB radeon pro and use the money to get the NEC dual layer drive the egg is selling for about $17 more, better brand in my opinion. With the money left over I would upgrade the CPU to a 3000+ or 3200+ or upgrade to a better monitor with an apeture grill screen instead of a crappy shadow mask.

All in all, though, that is a respectable build.

 

[EnderW]

I would also downgrade to the 128MB Radeon Pro or depending on when you want it by, wait for the new cards to come out

 

[Guye Noir]

try and get a nicer mobo, maybe one based on the nf3 250gb chipset

I thought that would be a good idea. How about the Chaintech NF3-250 or the MSI K8N Neo Platinum?

 

[BabaOriley]

Would you be mising out on dual channel by using only one memory stick? Maybe buy (2) 256mb sticks instead? I don't know whether you need to use 2 sticks on those boards or not...

 

[Guye Noir]

Nope, none of the mobos I'm looking at support dual channel memory.

 

[zandor]

I'd get the 128MB 9800pro, and up it to a gig of ram. Since you're getting a 9800pro, I assume you game. Overall 128 on the vid card & a gig of system ram will do better than 256 on the vid card & 512 system ram. I haven't heard of anything out that really benefits from a 256MB vid card, but there are already games that want that gig of system ram.
I'd also consider Crucial, Kingston, and Samsung ram (probably others too, I'm lazy lol) if it's cheaper than the Corsair. Corsair Value Select isn't anything special. If you ever want to OC you'll want something faster anyway. I've used Crucial, Kingston, Samsung, and Geil in various systems and never had any mem trouble.

 

[Paragon]

1GB RAM seems like a true Plus for a gaming computer. Games will load a lot faster and be smoother.
I would also go with the 128MB vid card.

<>
Oh yeah.. I'm also partial to seperate, smaller harddrives [although lately, it is more cost effective to go with at least an 80GB since it is hardly a price increase from smaller drives] . I find it nice to have the swap on a different drive than the OS/Game drive. I have three drives in my system at the moment.. 2x 80GB and a 60GB [soon to be a 120GB]
Need to rework my filesystem soon and finally organize everything.

 

[stumpy]

1GB RAM seems like a true Plus for a gaming computer. Games will load a lot faster and be smoother.
I would also go with the 128MB vid card.

.

Yeah, the money would be better spent on the RAM than the larger video card. You will notice more of a difference in gaming with 1 gig of ram than you would if you had the 256mb card.