Building New AMD Gaming PC

PhoeniX51 · 08-20-2005, 11:06 PM

Hi. I'm new here and I was hoping you guys could help me out. I'm building a new computer and need to make sure all these parts will work together. I haven't picked out a motherboard yet either... all I know is that I want it to be Mini-ATX formfactor, has to have at least 1 PCIe (x16) slot, 2 regular PCI slots, support at least 2GB RAM, and be Socket 939.

Here's what I have as for the rest of the hardware:
- AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego
- 2 x Western Digital 74GB Raptors (RAID 0)
- Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
- HP Lightscribe DVD Drive*
- 2 x 1024MB Corsair PC3200XL Pro Twin X**
- Graphics Card?
- Ultra X-Connect 500W PSU
- Wireless Internet Card

* I'm not sure if I want this, but I do want a dual layer DVD burner; preferrably one that you don't have to press a button to open, you just slide it in (sorry I don't know what it's called).
** I hear this is good gaming memory, but is it faster than PC6400 regular memory? (I have no clue how much those cost)

And as for the graphics card, I haven't picked a specific one out yet. I want it to be at LEAST at 6800 of some sort. I was looking at the 7800s but I think they're too expensive. Something good under 300 dollars hopefully.

I know mATX mobos probably aren't THAT upgradable, but the Socket 939 will give me some options at least. That's OK because I wasn't planning on upgrading right away. As you can probably tell, this machine will be used primarily for gaming, and perhaps hosting dedicated servers (for games). I know this is a lot to ask but I'm stuck.

Lastly, I need a case to put it all in. I was looking at the Aspire X-QPack and I like that a lot but I hear there's some problems. I would like lots of windows and gray color, if possible.

I think that's all you need to know. This will help me out a lot. If I'm about to do something stupid please correct me, and if you see anything I can do to make this better I'm open to suggestions. Thanks a lot in advance.

- PhoeniX

skidude · 08-21-2005, 12:22 AM

Looks great Phoenix!

As for a graphics card (since you stated it like you don't know) I'd go with either a Radeon X800XT or a GeForce 6800 GT (depends on your budget).... other than that, looks good.

alanuofm · 08-21-2005, 12:24 AM

just get 1gb of ram and get the 7800. you shouldn't need more than the 1gb unless you like to run 50 million programs at once.

[-0MEGA-] · 08-21-2005, 12:25 AM

why do u neet a microatx motherboard? most cases are mid-towers which support ATX motherboards. And i have never heard of a dvd player/burner that you just slide the disc in, how would u get it out?. And i agree with what skidude said, you should get either an X800XT or PRO, or a 6800GT.

[-0MEGA-] · 08-21-2005, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanuofm

just get 1gb of ram and get the 7800. you shouldn't need more than the 1gb unless you like to run 50 million programs at once.

untrue, 1gb is pushing the limit for me playing half-life 2, when im playing it i have only around 100mb of free memory.

alanuofm · 08-21-2005, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff5093

why do u neet a microatx motherboard? most cases are mid-towers which support ATX motherboards. And i have never heard of a dvd player/burner that you just slide the disc in, how would u get it out?. And i agree with what skidude said, you should get either an X800XT or PRO, or a 6800GT.

its kind of like the car cd players where when you slide the disc in, a mechanism pulls the disc in and its trayless.

skidude · 08-21-2005, 12:29 AM

Yeah, I think you would be better off sticking with the 2 GB (a very respectable amount) and get one of those two cards, as I don't think dropping a gig of RAM for a level up in graphics isn't worth it.

alanuofm · 08-21-2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff5093

untrue, 1gb is pushing the limit for me playing half-life 2, when im playing it i have only around 100mb of free memory.

i run half-life 2 / CS:source on 512mb of ram and it runs perfectly.

do you have a lot of stuff running in the background?

alanuofm · 08-21-2005, 12:33 AM

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=323645

there is a good graphics choice

skidude · 08-21-2005, 12:33 AM

He probably has antivirus and stuff running.

08-20-2005, 11:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
PhoeniX51 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fairfield County, CT Age: 18 Posts: 50	Building New AMD Gaming PC Hi. I'm new here and I was hoping you guys could help me out. I'm building a new computer and need to make sure all these parts will work together. I haven't picked out a motherboard yet either... all I know is that I want it to be Mini-ATX formfactor, has to have at least 1 PCIe (x16) slot, 2 regular PCI slots, support at least 2GB RAM, and be Socket 939. Here's what I have as for the rest of the hardware: - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego - 2 x Western Digital 74GB Raptors (RAID 0) - Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS - HP Lightscribe DVD Drive* - 2 x 1024MB Corsair PC3200XL Pro Twin X** - Graphics Card? - Ultra X-Connect 500W PSU - Wireless Internet Card * I'm not sure if I want this, but I do want a dual layer DVD burner; preferrably one that you don't have to press a button to open, you just slide it in (sorry I don't know what it's called). ** I hear this is good gaming memory, but is it faster than PC6400 regular memory? (I have no clue how much those cost) And as for the graphics card, I haven't picked a specific one out yet. I want it to be at LEAST at 6800 of some sort. I was looking at the 7800s but I think they're too expensive. Something good under 300 dollars hopefully. I know mATX mobos probably aren't THAT upgradable, but the Socket 939 will give me some options at least. That's OK because I wasn't planning on upgrading right away. As you can probably tell, this machine will be used primarily for gaming, and perhaps hosting dedicated servers (for games). I know this is a lot to ask but I'm stuck. Lastly, I need a case to put it all in. I was looking at the Aspire X-QPack and I like that a lot but I hear there's some problems. I would like lots of windows and gray color, if possible. I think that's all you need to know. This will help me out a lot. If I'm about to do something stupid please correct me, and if you see anything I can do to make this better I'm open to suggestions. Thanks a lot in advance. - PhoeniX

08-21-2005, 12:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
skidude Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orono, Maine Age: 19 Posts: 4,988	Looks great Phoenix! As for a graphics card (since you stated it like you don't know) I'd go with either a Radeon X800XT or a GeForce 6800 GT (depends on your budget).... other than that, looks good. __________________ Desktop / Laptop CPU- TBA / Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.8 GHz Video- TBA / 2x 8800M GTX SLI Memory- TBA / 4GB DDR2800 Hard Drives- TBA / 2x 320GB 5400RPM (RAID 0) Mobo- TBA / Sager NP9262 "In These Lowly Halls / No Moon Will Beam, No Sun Will Shine / In These Narrow Rooms / No Tears Are Seen, No Laughter Heard" --- Insomnium ---

08-21-2005, 12:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,389	why do u neet a microatx motherboard? most cases are mid-towers which support ATX motherboards. And i have never heard of a dvd player/burner that you just slide the disc in, how would u get it out?. And i agree with what skidude said, you should get either an X800XT or PRO, or a 6800GT. __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR2 960 (6-6-6-18) 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605

08-21-2005, 12:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
skidude Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orono, Maine Age: 19 Posts: 4,988	Yeah, I think you would be better off sticking with the 2 GB (a very respectable amount) and get one of those two cards, as I don't think dropping a gig of RAM for a level up in graphics isn't worth it. __________________ Desktop / Laptop CPU- TBA / Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.8 GHz Video- TBA / 2x 8800M GTX SLI Memory- TBA / 4GB DDR2800 Hard Drives- TBA / 2x 320GB 5400RPM (RAID 0) Mobo- TBA / Sager NP9262 "In These Lowly Halls / No Moon Will Beam, No Sun Will Shine / In These Narrow Rooms / No Tears Are Seen, No Laughter Heard" --- Insomnium ---

08-21-2005, 12:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
skidude Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orono, Maine Age: 19 Posts: 4,988	He probably has antivirus and stuff running. __________________ Desktop / Laptop CPU- TBA / Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.8 GHz Video- TBA / 2x 8800M GTX SLI Memory- TBA / 4GB DDR2800 Hard Drives- TBA / 2x 320GB 5400RPM (RAID 0) Mobo- TBA / Sager NP9262 "In These Lowly Halls / No Moon Will Beam, No Sun Will Shine / In These Narrow Rooms / No Tears Are Seen, No Laughter Heard" --- Insomnium ---

08-21-2005, 12:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
alanuofm Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,630	just get 1gb of ram and get the 7800. you shouldn't need more than the 1gb unless you like to run 50 million programs at once.

08-21-2005, 12:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
alanuofm Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,630	http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=323645 there is a good graphics choice

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