65 replies to this topic

[Joshuah]

Alright guys, I've been tweaking this setup for some time now, and I want your opinion on it. I'm upgrading from a P4 3.2GHz, ATi Radeon X300, and 2GB of RAM. I want this computer I'm building to last me for some time, or at least until I am in an absolute need to upgrade. So, if you have any suggestions, I want to hear them. Here it goes!

Motherboard
Processor
Video Card
Memory/RAM
Hard Drive
Operating System
DVD Drive
Monitor
Wireless Adapter
Computer Case

This is my first build, so take it easy on me. Is there anything else I'm going to need? Will everything work together?

[-Dexter]

Everything looks great!

But two items bugged me. And it's the manufacturer, not the tech inside

The CPU and the GPU.

Right now, it's said that you get more power for your dollar with an Intel CPU, versus an AMD. (just a thought) But then again, you'd have to choose an Intel-ready mobo.

and the GPU, same thing.

Nvidia makes the superfast-ubercool (and nicely priced) GPU's. With that $499 USD that yer spending on the ATI there, you could pick up a real nice 8000 Series from Nvidia And if you go with a 320MB 8800, you might have enough room in your budget to squeeze a second 320MB 8800 in there too and get that SLI

-just some thoughts.

[Joshuah]

I chose the AMD processor because I feel you get more for your money compared to Intel. I'm just looking to get good performance with FSX. And, I will most likely be purchasing the ATi card off of eBay for around $350. Plus, I don't really like the horror stories I've been hearing about nVidia's drivers.

Edited by Joshuah, 30 August 2007 - 05:04 PM.

[tik68]

Joshuah, on Aug 30 2007, 06:02 PM, said:

I chose the AMD processor because I feel you get more for your money compared to Intel. I'm just looking to get good performance with FSX. And, I will most likely be purchasing the ATi card off of eBay for around $350. Plus, I don't really like the horror stories I've been hearing about nVidia's drivers.

Joshy as i tell you in msn amd sucks for fsx and the video card is just blah...

[Joshuah]

Anything sucks compared to your machine, Jeff.  

[h.V]

Joshuah, on Aug 30 2007, 06:11 PM, said:

Anything sucks compared to your machine, Jeff.  

good point.

[tik68]

Did i sayanything about comparing it to mine..... owell its your loss

[Mul.]

pwn247, on Aug 30 2007, 10:49 PM, said:

Nvidia makes the superfast-ubercool (and nicely priced) GPU's. With that $499 USD that yer spending on the ATI there, you could pick up a real nice 8000 Series from Nvidia And if you go with a 320MB 8800, you might have enough room in your budget to squeeze a second 320MB 8800 in there too and get that SLI

-just some thoughts.

The closest nVidia counterpart to the HD 2900XT is infact the 8800GTS 640mb version. The extra video memory makes a difference in a fair few scenario's. Mango has pointed this out before if I recall correctly. At $500, he should ideally be looking at the 8800GTX 768mb as it is a fair amount quicker than the 8800GTS and it's within his pricerange. A single 8800GTX 768mb makes a lot more sense over SLI 8800GTS in FSX simply due to the amount of Video Memory and the lack of SLI Optimisation for the game.

If you're still interested in the HD 2900XT, be aware that it can be had for as cheap as $389
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102095

------------

At $169, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ isn't bad at all in terms of performance for the price but for prospects of future upgrades, I wouldn't rely on Socket AM2. Particularly if you ever intend to buy a card that's quicker than an 8800 series down the line, you can't guarantee that you'd be able to buy an AM2 chip down the line that'll be quick enough to pair up with such a graphics card. Bearing that in mind, I'd recommend the following instead of Socket AM2.

Abit IP35-E LGA775 $109 (65 with MIR)
http://www.newegg.co...x...&Tpk=IP35-E

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 $204.99
http://www.newegg.co...x...9&Tpk=E6750

The E6750 is quicker than the X2 6000+ and if you ever plan to overclock, it'll pull even further ahead. Aside that, the Intel LGA775 platform guarantees you an upgrade to Intel Core 2 Quad and this particular motherboard has support for Intel Penryn 45nm Family CPU's that will be faster still

More importantly though. What PSU have you selected for this build? If it's the one that comes with the NZXT Case, you have a fundamental issue with this build. A PSU like this would be more like it

http://www.newegg.co.....=Corsair+520W

Those would be my suggestions

Mul

Edited by Mul., 30 August 2007 - 05:20 PM.

[Joshuah]

If I can get 15 FPS on my current machine, I'm sure I'll have no problems with the one I'm purchasing.

Anyways, anyone got any other suggestions? How big of a power supply am I going to need?

[tik68]

Mul., on Aug 30 2007, 06:17 PM, said:

pwn247, on Aug 30 2007, 10:49 PM, said:

Nvidia makes the superfast-ubercool (and nicely priced) GPU's. With that $499 USD that yer spending on the ATI there, you could pick up a real nice 8000 Series from Nvidia And if you go with a 320MB 8800, you might have enough room in your budget to squeeze a second 320MB 8800 in there too and get that SLI

-just some thoughts.

The closest nVidia counterpart to the HD 2900XT is infact the 8800GTS 640mb version. The extra video memory makes a difference in a fair few scenario's. Mango has pointed this out before if I recall correctly. At $500, he should ideally be looking at the 8800GTX 768mb as it is a fair amount quicker than the 8800GTS and it's within his pricerange. A single 8800GTX 768mb makes a lot more sense over SLI 8800GTS in FSX simply due to the amount of Video Memory and the lack of SLI Optimisation for the game.

If you're still interested in the HD 2900XT, be aware that it can be had for as cheap as $389
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102095

------------

At $169, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ isn't bad at all in terms of performance for the price but for prospects of future upgrades, I wouldn't rely on Socket AM2. Particularly if you ever intend to buy a card that's quicker than an 8800 series down the line, you can't guarantee that you'd be able to buy an AM2 chip down the line that'll be quick enough to pair up with such a graphics card. Bearing that in mind, I'd recommend the following instead of Socket AM2.

Abit IP35-E LGA775 $109 (65 with MIR)
http://www.newegg.co...x...&Tpk=IP35-E

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 $204.99
http://www.newegg.co...x...9&Tpk=E6750

The E6750 is quicker than the X2 6000+ and if you ever plan to overclock, it'll pull even further ahead. Aside that, the Intel LGA775 platform guarantees you an upgrade to Intel Core 2 Quad and this particular motherboard has support for Intel Penryn 45nm Family CPU's that will be faster still

More importantly though. What PSU have you selected for this build?

Those would be my suggestions

Mul

Mul i tell him this every day core 2 duo is cheaper and better and he don't listen lol

[Mul.]

Joshuah, on Aug 30 2007, 11:18 PM, said:

If I can get 15 FPS on my current machine, I'm sure I'll have no problems with the one I'm purchasing.

Anyways, anyone got any other suggestions? How big of a power supply am I going to need?

See my post for Power Supply Unit suggestions.

[Joshuah]

Mul., on Aug 30 2007, 06:17 PM, said:

pwn247, on Aug 30 2007, 10:49 PM, said:

Nvidia makes the superfast-ubercool (and nicely priced) GPU's. With that $499 USD that yer spending on the ATI there, you could pick up a real nice 8000 Series from Nvidia And if you go with a 320MB 8800, you might have enough room in your budget to squeeze a second 320MB 8800 in there too and get that SLI

-just some thoughts.

The closest nVidia counterpart to the HD 2900XT is infact the 8800GTS 640mb version. The extra video memory makes a difference in a fair few scenario's. Mango has pointed this out before if I recall correctly. At $500, he should ideally be looking at the 8800GTX 768mb as it is a fair amount quicker than the 8800GTS and it's within his pricerange. A single 8800GTX 768mb makes a lot more sense over SLI 8800GTS in FSX simply due to the amount of Video Memory and the lack of SLI Optimisation for the game.

If you're still interested in the HD 2900XT, be aware that it can be had for as cheap as $389
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102095

Mul

Thanks, didn't notice that one!

[Mul.]

Any comments regarding my CPU and Motherboard suggestion?

[Joshuah]

I'm flying right now, so it might take me a while to reply. But, I've heard from a lot of people that AMD is more efficient, and you get more for your money. I understand that the E6750 is faster than the 6000+, but a savings of $35 can make a big difference for me. Plus, I won't be overclocking.

Edited by Joshuah, 30 August 2007 - 05:29 PM.

[Mul.]

AMD's are certainly not more efficient. They run hotter and they consume more power than their Intel counterparts.

My point is upgrading prospects. Socket AM2 as it stands has no prospects of being able to support Quad Core, except the upcoming AMD K10 barcelona chips. Unfortunately you can't guarantee that these will perform well and whether they'd even be compatible with the motherboard you choose. Intel's platform will offer quicker CPU's for at least another year to a year and a half offering plenty of upgrade prospects without having to splash out huge amounts of money. That extra $35 spent will go a long way as a longer term investment (ignoring the fact that either way, a computer is a depreciating asset).

[learjet45dream]

I say this:
1. Go with Intel for now. But, if you wait, AMDs new chips are supposed to be EXCELLENT! Apparently they broke the 30,000 marks in 3DMark06. And if they do kick butt when it comes to intel, then intel might drop prices, but you never know.
2. Mul says that a 3.0GHz AMD (right now) is like a 2.4 GHz Intel.
3. Go for nVidia. When it came to some games, the HD2900XT usually managed to perform only as well as an 8800GTS 320MB, but never better than a 768MB 8800GTX.
Um... im not sure what else right now.

[Joshuah]

Thanks! I might wait for their new chip sets, as long as they aren't extremely high priced. About the ATi 2900XT. If I went with nVidia, I wouldn't be getting anything over a 640MB 8800GTS. If I remember correctly, someone said you can overclock a GTS to GTX speeds anyways.

[PiP]

The 8800GTS 640MB is cheaper than the HD2900XT for the same performance.

Although the AMD chip is superb in terms of price/performance, you should go down the Core 2 Duo route if you can afford to.

[Joshuah]

I figured since AMD owns ATi, they'd work awesomely together...

[PiP]

Joshuah, on Aug 31 2007, 02:10 AM, said:

I figured since AMD owns ATi, they'd work awesomely together...

No difference.