Gaming Machine - What You Think?

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04-08-2007, 08:18 PM
carrot

Gaming Machine - What You Think?

My computer is 4+ years old and I am sick and tired of the stuff I am "limited" to do with my PC especially in terms of gaming, and it's getting slower and slower - I'm still using windows 2000 - tho I like it but I mean, face it....windows 2000 isn't the best looking window out there..maybe a time for a new change is appropriate now. I have finally decided to build one from Scratch - originally my budget was about 1000 Canadian..but after my hard core gamer cousin's visit from Alberta, I am laying my eyes on new set of standards. I am not a computer hardware guru and I know nothing about the current trends and specs and what ever mumble jumbo stuff going around the Computer Hardware world...all I know I need a new computer that's good for Gaming and Movies and FAST when running/loading stuff! (and affordable). So please please, for all you hard core gamers/ computer gurus out there...take a look at the specs and see what you think? I think this is a pretty darn good machine here.....cost is around $2000 not including the 22" LCD monitor which I'm planning to get. $2000 + for a computer system + Monitor + other accessories is a lot...but if this machine can keep me going for a few years, I think it's worth the investment. :cool:

Below here is what my cousin suggested...or of what he GOT last week! :eek:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache

Motherboard: Asus P5N-SLI w/ DualDDR2, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, PCI-E x16 SLI

Memory (option1): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Memory (option2): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 Dominator TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Memory (option3): OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Rev. 2 Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supplies: Corsair HX 620W Modular Power Supply w/ Triple +12V

Video Card (Option 1): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out

Video Card (Option 2): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out

Hard Drive (1): Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache

Optical Drive (1): LG Super Multi DVD Writer 18x18x10 DVD +/-RW Dual-Layer BLACK (OEM)

Optical Drive (2): LG 16X DVD-ROM, BLACK (OEM)

LCD Monitor (option1 - 90% I think this one) : LG L226WTX-BN 22IN Widescreen LCD Black 5MS 1680X1050 3000:1 VGA DVI-D Tilt Swivel HDCP Monitor

LCD Monitor (option2) : ViewSonic VX2235wm 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050 280 cd/m2 700:1 5 ms 0.282 mm DVI, VGA (HD-15) , w/ DVI cable

LCD Monitor (option3) : Samsung SyncMaster 225BW Black Flat panel display TFT 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050/60 Hz 280 cd/m2 700:1 5 ms 0.282 mm DVI, VGA (HD-15) - black

LCD Monitor (option4) : Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22IN Widescreen LCD Black 1680X1050 800:1 2MS VGA DVI-D HDCP
04-08-2007, 11:06 PM
r'aggro

You're supposed to turn your list into links for us.;)

It will be plenty fast, btw.
04-09-2007, 04:37 PM
phexac

Don't see a reason for an SLI board unless you're going with SLI.

And wait for the price cuts from Intel before you buy.
04-09-2007, 05:39 PM
Un4given

Good CPU choice.

You don't need PC2-6400 RAM. If you go with PC2-5300/5400 you may be able to save some money.

Good choice on the hard drive.

As for the video card, I would agree with phexac in that if you aren't going to go SLI, don't buy an SLI board. If you end up deciding on not getting an SLI board, I would certainly recommend an Intel 965 or 975 chipset based board.

You don't really need two optical drives, so just get the burner and call it good.
04-09-2007, 05:47 PM
Reign

please listen to me, i'm a very dissapointed nvidia chipset owner (intel edition) best about going to intel is you can use their chipset. I'd get a 965. The Asus P5B-Deluxe is very good.

As for the videocard, i'd get a 8800gts. The GTX is way more expensive than the performance gain.

you don't really need expensive memory, ddr2-6400 from the kingston/corsair/ocz value line will suffice. just as fast just not good oc-able.
04-10-2007, 01:55 PM
mikeki

Everything said above, then take the few bills you save and get a bigger monitor (assuming your workspace can handle it)! You won't be dissappointed. My Dell 2405 is awesome.
04-10-2007, 08:22 PM
carrot

Done some more research-WHAT YOU THINK?

Thanks guys for the reply :) I have talked to couple of folks and just to outline my findings below and I'm 90% finalized my Dream machine:

1. Maybe wait for another week or so, Intel chip price might fall. But I noticed RAMs, Video cards and the Corsair Power Supply I wanted are going on with Rebates which some of them ends April, 15, 2007. I know...$25, $30 bucks might not be much...but.....I might want to get those components first and wait for the Intel CPU to drop - What do you guys think?

2. Motherboards - Damn I saw some awful reviews on the Gigabytes MBs...particular the GA-965-DS3 boards. So as my friend and one of you guys suggested to get the INTEL board - Good choice - I m going for the DG965 as stated below.

3. Rams - well, i'm gonna stick with my option 1 - 6400 Corsair. I heard a lot of good reviews and know a lot of people using them said they're great. Maybe it wont' make too big of a difference now...but once new games are out and me running Vista on this thing might make a difference. I am willing to make that little extra stretch for good set of RAMs if I am going to use this Machine for more than 3 years.

4. I going for the GTX - gonna get a big LCD :) and use high Res for games and other stuff. From the source i'm getting the vid card, seems like prices are the same for BFG OC (or OC2 - have to make sure with my friend) and eVGA 837 - if this is the case , I AM DEFINITELY going for the BFG!!!! What do you guys think?

5. All other stuff can pretty much stay the same..I think they're good....DVD rom drive.....20$...bah just throw it in..I"m getting a decent DVD Pioneer writer so want to treat it better :P

6. The only Variable now is ... the Power supply, damn it looks good and performs very nice...I know nothing about computers but I know this thing won't let me down! But if my buddy is getting it for me...it will be Special Order so might cost more - So anyone out there , after knowing about the stuff I am getting..have any recommandations for a Power Supply Unit?

7. I am going for Windows XP for now....directx 10? bah, could care less - not much games out there need directx 10 anyway.....and Vista is still unstable in a sense - even though for some might not agree but XP is cool for me now...actually anything is cool for me since i'm moving from Windows 2000 :)

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache

Motherboard: Intel DG965SSCK Mother Board

Memory (option1): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supplies: Corsair HX 620W Modular Power Supply w/ Triple +12V (special order for this item)

Video Card (Option 1): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out (2 models...N831 or N837? they are about $60 different. But i just found out their price same as BFG...I would say BFG if same price cos BFG have life time warranty)

Hard Drive (1): Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache

Optical Drive (1): Pioneer 212DBK SATA 18x DVD+/-RW

Optical Drive (2): LG 16X DVD-ROM, BLACK (OEM)
04-10-2007, 08:53 PM
soupnazi

Looks good. All the components look high quality. Evga also has a lifetime warranty on some of their cards.
http://www.evga.com/support/lifetime...%20default.asp

The cool thing is you can overclock it and install aftermarket cooling without voiding your warranty. Just curious, what monitor do you plan to buy? I recommend the Dell 2407:D
04-10-2007, 10:38 PM
carrot

Updates

Guys sorry...By the way...was just talking to my buddy...I am going to add 2 more items:

1. Auzentech AuzenTech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS sound card
2. Edifier S2.1D Super Multimedia Speaker System
3. I have decided to get the OC2 version of the BFG 8800 GTX
4. LCD - will be LG 22" or 24" (if exist) - Dell has good deals but I believe the LG is better in quality.
04-10-2007, 11:37 PM
carrot

to be more specific for LCD, maybe this one:
LG L226WTX-BN 22IN Widescreen LCD Black
04-11-2007, 01:27 PM
proxops-pete

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrot

3. I have decided to get the OC2 version of the BFG 8800 GTX

I assume you meant OCZ, and not OC2? :D
04-11-2007, 01:39 PM
Reign

Quote:

Originally Posted by proxops-pete

I assume you meant OCZ, and not OC2? :D

nope, ocz doesn't make videocards :) i think it's the oc (overclocked) squared (2)
04-12-2007, 03:39 PM
proxops-pete

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reign

nope, ocz doesn't make videocards :) i think it's the oc (overclocked) squared (2)

Uh actually, yes! ;) OCZ 8800GTX
But if it's meant to be OC^2, ok. :D
04-12-2007, 05:23 PM
Reign

Quote:

Originally Posted by proxops-pete

Uh actually, yes! ;) OCZ 8800GTX
But if it's meant to be OC^2, ok. :D

oh lol, completely missed that. ah well,...
04-12-2007, 06:55 PM
r'aggro

Quote:

Originally Posted by proxops-pete

Uh actually, yes! ;) OCZ 8800GTX
But if it's meant to be OC^2, ok. :D

I had no idea.:eek:
04-13-2007, 11:28 AM
iL.L0gIc.aL

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrot

Guys sorry...By the way...was just talking to my buddy...I am going to add 2 more items:

1. Auzentech AuzenTech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS sound card
2. Edifier S2.1D Super Multimedia Speaker System
3. I have decided to get the OC2 version of the BFG 8800 GTX
4. LCD - will be LG 22" or 24" (if exist) - Dell has good deals but I believe the LG is better in quality.

First, why are you buying a 7.1 DTS Sound Card if you only plan to use a 2.1 setup? That's a waste of money. And as far as the video card, i'd go with EVGA because of their step up and warranty program. If you havent read up on BFG cards, and i know because i own one, the video card has a lifetime warranty, but the fan only has a 1 yr warranty, and if you replace the fan yourself instead of sending it in when it dies, you void the warranty on the card. Just my .02.
04-13-2007, 12:18 PM
Reign

Quote:

Originally Posted by iL.L0gIc.aL

First, why are you buying a 7.1 DTS Sound Card if you only plan to use a 2.1 setup? That's a waste of money.

sif there are 2.1 sundcards. if you buy a soundcard you don't buy it because your onboard doesn't have enough speaker support but becasue of better soundquality.