New system, Building soon - Help Critique [Archive]

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Moonblade

01-02-2004, 12:00 AM

This will be my 1st built system. I have bought gaming systems in the past only to be bummed with the product. I am new to this so please give me opinions on hardware I use... My budget is around 2k and I am trying to keep it relatively quiet...

Coolermaster Wavemaster - Black
Silenx 450 - OR - Enermax Noisetaker - OR - Antec TRUEBLUE 480 ???

3.2 Pentium w/ SilenX CPU cooler (Not sure about the cooler...)
Abit IC7 - max3
1GB Kingston HyperX 3500
(2) 80GB Hitachi SATA (Raid 0)
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Sapphire Radeon 9600XT 256MB w/ Vantec Iceberq4 cooler
Lite On DVD
Lite On 52/32/52
Coolermaster Aerogate 2 (Temp controls)

The rest of the money is going into Modding the system...

One thing though. I really like the Coolermaster window panel for the Silver Wavemaster... Does anyone know where I can find one just like it for the Black version? I have only found 1 black version but is a german store...

Here is the Panel in Silver -- http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/cpa-60.html

Thanks for any and all input...

5siz

01-02-2004, 12:31 AM

Why don't you put the 45 bucks towards something else and customize your own side window or make one just like it? Saving money is ALWAYS a good thing.

TAZTG

01-02-2004, 01:12 AM

Whoa Whoa, Your building a K/A System and putting in a LAME Graphic Card. Spend a Little more and get one of the 9800's.. I know that the 9600 XT 256MB Version didn't make the chart but the 9600XT 128MB did and it performed SO-SO. You did say this was for gaming, so Graphic Card should be Top Notch to match the MOBO, CPU, RAM, & Hard Drive. If Money is the problem then get 1 SATA HD and use the rest for a Sweet Card.

Check Out the Charts (http://www4.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html)

San7a

01-02-2004, 01:17 AM

Sigh... I wish I had your money. :(

Yeah, that's indeed a K/A system. The more I look at the WaveMaster the more I have to shamefully admit CM did a good job with it... Even though I'm LL bias.

Moonblade

01-02-2004, 01:33 AM

I am up in the air about the 9800's. I play on a LCD and am not sure if the up'd video card will make that big a deal considering my fps cant go above what the LCD will allow...

And as for making my own window, This is my 1st computer I will mod and I dont wanna screw it up. Also I have seen what window kits look like and that "stock" window panel looks really really nice to me.

San7a

01-02-2004, 01:42 AM

schultz

01-02-2004, 03:19 AM

Originally posted by Moonblade
I am up in the air about the 9800's. I play on a LCD and am not sure if the up'd video card will make that big a deal considering my fps cant go above what the LCD will allow...

even if the LCD framerate is capped...you should still go with a better vid card. especially with newer games out...you will really start seeing a big difference between the two vid cards (9600 and 9800) even if you do have an LCD display. i would highly recommend going with the better vid card, it would be worth your money.

And as for making my own window, This is my 1st computer I will mod and I dont wanna screw it up. Also I have seen what window kits look like and that "stock" window panel looks really really nice to me.

hey...what better time to start modding then now? have a crack at it! as GLScooby says (in his sig): "There are no mistakes in modding, only more modding." (or something to that extent). and the best way to gain experience is to actually do it! i would also recommend this. the feeling is great to know that the mod on your computer was done by yourself and it is a lot of fun (work...but still a lot of fun!)! :D

bahocale

01-02-2004, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by TAZTG
Whoa Whoa, Your building a K/A System and putting in a LAME Graphic Card. Spend a Little more and get one of the 9800's.. I know that the 9600 XT 256MB Version didn't make the chart but the 9600XT 128MB did and it performed SO-SO. You did say this was for gaming, so Graphic Card should be Top Notch to match the MOBO, CPU, RAM, & Hard Drive. If Money is the problem then get 1 SATA HD and use the rest for a Sweet Card.

Check Out the Charts (http://www4.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html)

Maybe he doesn't need a 9800. I have a 9600pro; it plays all my games at decent settings.

True, i know he may want something better so it will be decent for the future.

Moonblade

01-02-2004, 10:30 AM

Does anyone have any experience with any of the 3 PSU's?

Silenx 450 - OR - Enermax Noisetaker - OR - Antec TRUEBLUE 480

I was sold on Antec but would like my system somewhat quiet and have not seen any noise levels for it. Also does anyone have any experience on the SilenX CPU cooler?

Just trying to get everything set before I order it all next week end. :)

TAZTG

01-02-2004, 01:46 PM

I have a ANTEX TruePower 550W.. Excellent PS and would recommend it but the other two are good brands. Lets get back to this Graphic Card debate.

As stated earlier, You are building a Kick Arse (K/A) Gaming Rig. That means you want a Kick Arse Graphic Card. It doesn't matter what kind of Monitor you have, IMOP you still want the best card for the JOB. BTW: Thats the first time I ever heard someone worry about their FPS being to high. You could turn everything up to high 8X AA etc.. and that would knock it down a bit.. Good Luck:)

Moonblade

01-02-2004, 11:55 PM

I am looking into redoing the system a little before I order. I may go with the 9800xt... Its still an option just not sure as of yet. I think I may up my allowance for the system so everything will be prefect.

Question for you Taz. How did you get your TAZTG system side like that? Is it laser cut or did you use a dremel for the name and such? I looked at some windows so far and am not truly satisfied with the generic windows for mods...

TAZTG

01-03-2004, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by Moonblade
I am looking into redoing the system a little before I order. I may go with the 9800xt... Its still an option just not sure as of yet. I think I may up my allowance for the system so everything will be prefect.

Question for you Taz. How did you get your TAZTG system side like that? Is it laser cut or did you use a dremel for the name and such? I looked at some windows so far and am not truly satisfied with the generic windows for mods...

I used a Dremel to make some Cuts and Jeweler Files to file it all out. You can find them at Sears!! Make sure to wear gloves when filing I got a few blisters but I didn't give up LOL... Keep us posted with PICS OK!;)

San7a

01-03-2004, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by TAZTG
I used a Dremel to make some Cuts and Jeweler Files to file it all out. You can find them at Sears!! Make sure to wear gloves when filing I got a few blisters but I didn't give up LOL... Keep us posted with PICS OK!;)
When you file do you file horizontally or vertically? Somebody told me it's good to file twisting side-to-side? I don't know if that makes sense. :(