Computer building challenge! Smart people apply within.

[Buddyhoss]

I am buying a new computer! I need assistance assembling the best gaming system I can within the $700-$800 range.

Here's what I need:

Motherboard/CPU/Cooling/Power Supply/Case - I want something good yet affordable, preferably with a CPU >=3.0 GHz

Graphics Card - Able to play any game currently on the market.

RAM - I want 1GB (well, I want more, but that's all I can afford :))

Sound Card

I have a hard drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse, CD-Burner, DVD-Burner, floppy drive, printer, speakers, modems.

So, who can help me? I would be REALLY appreciative of suggestions and advice. Let's just say the last time I knew what was good in computing, 500 MGHz was state of the art. :p

I'm probably forgetting something...

Thanks for any help!

[The Qwardian]

I suggest a site called tiger direct, I sell pc's bit my cooworkers still shop online at that site. If you run into any technical problems I will be glad to help.;)

[Buddyhoss]

Wow. They have some great barebone computers that are just what I'm looking for. Thanks!

Now as for a graphics card, do you have any recommendations? There are so many options. What do you think the best card I can get in the $150 range?

[The Qwardian]

XFX GeForce 6600 GT Video Card.

Very very nice card.

Which ever your going with I suggest not dropping below 256mb if you want a gaming pc.

I am always here to help

[hail_eris]

Originally posted by Buddyhoss
Now as for a graphics card, do you have any recommendations? There are so many options. What do you think the best card I can get in the $150 range?
Well, do you have a *must play* game? Because there are still some apps that only like to work with either ATI or NVIDIA (stupid Freelancer). Also, check to see if any of the boards you're looking at have PCI Express slots (what AGP was to PCI, PCI Express is to AGP). PCI Express is *very* unusual for a new format, because you can actually get more punch for less money with it (it involves how the card utilizes system RAM).

And leave off the sound card unless you're doing audio work. Most mobos have more than adequate integrated sound these days. It's a hundred bucks you'd be better off throwing into RAM or a higher quality video card.

[The Qwardian]

System memory is alot slower than video memory, So if you use a card that works off of the computers ram it will not run as fast as it should. If you plan on playing games like Doom 3 or Half Life 2, I suggest using a video card with its own memory supply. Trust me on this.;)

[hail_eris]

I was working off second-hand stuff I heard about the new ATI series. It's supposed to offer great performance at a really low cost. The card interface creates a sort of shadow video RAM that allows it to operate well beyond what you'd expect. You get your standard 128 or 256 dedicated video RAM on the card, and then the PCI Express format apparently allows for "borrowing" of excess system memory for heavy lifting. I agree, a pixel pusher like FarCry or Half Life demands a bleeding edge card. But if you're just playing World of Warcraft (or if you don't have the $450 to blow), it seems like PCI Express is the future of high performance at a low price. That, and the majors are all going to switch to the format in the near future, anyway (if they haven't done so already)...

[Buddyhoss]

Hmm, the motherboards I am looking at have PCI slots and PCI Express slots. Here are the two I have my eyes on:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1157275&CatId=1641

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1157277&CatId=1641

What does it mean by "PCI Express x16 Slot" and "PCI Express x1 Slots"?

I think I'm going to get the first one and buy 3 more 512MB RAM ($30/each) to put in it. Can you see any pros choosing the 2nd one that I should consider?

Now, say I want to play Doom 3. Would the XFX GeForce 6600 GT 256MB Video Card do that for me? What's Dual DVI? There are two versions of this card and that's the difference with $50 more. It does support PCI Express. Also, what's the point of $500 super cards if a card like this will handle the most advanced games on the market? Is it just to be two steps beyond today's games in preperation for tommorrow's?

hail_eris, Could you point me at some ATI cards in particular?

Thanks guys! You are helping me tremendously! :)

[Buddyhoss]

Oh wow. I was actually looking at the XFX GeForce 6600 not the GT! The GT is $400. What do you have to say about the non-GT version?

[Buddyhoss]

Ok, that time I was actually looking at 2 pack of the GTs. I need to get my eyeballs checked. :p

[Dr Mid-Knight]

Eric like pie!

[The Qwardian]

Even with the highest rated videocard on the market which will run you a pretty penny, Doom 3 has a hard time running at full capacity. You will have to bring the graphics down a tad but not too much.the 66OO should do you just fine. I have a Radeon 9200 in my pc right now and I am having no problems running Half life 2.

Doom 3 really set the bar, you can expect that it will hold the bar for some time to come. The next big change will come with holo discs that store a terabite of info:confused:

[Buddyhoss]

Is there a 6600 GT with 256MB?? I've been looking all over and I've only found one site that offers it, which makes me suspicious. Do you know?

[Buddyhoss]

Yay. I bought all my stuff. Here's what I ended up with:

ASUS A8V-E Delux Athlon64 K8T800Pro Mboard
AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Socket 939
Cooling Fan CPU Athlon 64
2x 512MB RAM
Mitsumi 7 in 1 Card Reader Internal USB 2.0 Black
SONY DW-D22A Black DVD±RW/±R Double Layer
RaidMax Scorpio Black 420W UL Front USB
XFX GeForce 6600 GT 128MB

$839

I think I got a pretty good deal. I wanted to get a 939 Socket motherboard with PCI-Express so I had good updating options. I'm planning on getting another GB of RAM too as time goes on. I am happy.

Thanks for all your Qwardian and hail_eris! :) I owe you one.