Building a Gaming Rig

Grey410 · 05-20-2006, 11:07 PM

I am building my friend a gaming rig for his birthday. There are like 13 of his friends and family chipping in. So enough back story here's what I'm thinking of buying:
AMD X2 3800
ZALMAN FAN
ASUS A8N SLI
2 GIG Corsair MEM
320GB SATA II
EVGA 7900GT SUPERCLOCKED KO
X-FI Soundcard
DVD Burner
DVD Rom
20.1" Widescreen Mon

Runnig XP PRO SP2.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I've done a lot of research and I've overclocked my own rig. Mainly looking for thoughts on CPU/GPU.

Dr Studly · 05-20-2006, 11:19 PM

for video card the X1800XT is alot better then the 7900GT (just because it has 512MB dedicated video memory, while the 7900GT has only 256MB....), if ur a rebate person, get this, if ur not, get this

everything else looks like a very good choice of options...

i see your getting another fan, are you going to overclock for him?
if you aren't then that fan really isn't necessary

Grey410 · 05-21-2006, 02:04 AM

Yes I am planning to overclock. Probly going to try for 4800 X2 speeds

mrjack · 05-21-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey410

Yes I am planning to overclock. Probly going to try for 4800 X2 speeds

I doubt you will get that far with stock cooling...

Filip · 05-21-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjack

I doubt you will get that far with stock cooling...

He is getting a Zalman fan.

diduknowthat · 05-21-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey410

I am building my friend a gaming rig for his birthday. There are like 13 of his friends and family chipping in. So enough back story here's what I'm thinking of buying:
AMD X2 3800
ZALMAN FAN
ASUS A8N SLI
2 GIG Corsair MEM
320GB SATA II
EVGA 7900GT SUPERCLOCKED KO
X-FI Soundcard
DVD Burner
DVD Rom
20.1" Widescreen Mon

Runnig XP PRO SP2.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I've done a lot of research and I've overclocked my own rig. Mainly looking for thoughts on CPU/GPU.

unless he has really good speaker system, ditch the x-fi. Dont get the superclocked video card, it's not worth it IMO as you can just overclock it yourself. And what's your budget?

Grey410 · 05-21-2006, 10:46 PM

I think I will ditch the card and the X-fi card. My budget is basically $1800 but I have to include a new Monitor and I'm getting him a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse. We're thinking of going with a 20.1" Benq monitor which I've read good reviews on at Newegg. So which video card do you recommend? We're going all new for him. His old system is being donated to another friend who's not a serious gamer and will enjoy it. His old system is a P4 2.8GHZ HT, 6800GT AGP, 1.5GB RAM

[-0MEGA-] · 05-21-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Encore4More

for video card the X1800XT is alot better then the 7900GT (just because it has 512MB dedicated video memory, while the 7900GT has only 256MB....)

Normally i would agree, but the KO is an extremely good card, it's overclocked like a beast.

Grey410 · 05-22-2006, 02:34 AM

I think I like the 3800 X2. What about SLI on 2 7600 GT's instead of 1 7900 GT? If I go ATI it won't allow him to SLI later without switching MOBO's.

ckfordy · 05-22-2006, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey410

I think I like the 3800 X2. What about SLI on 2 7600 GT's instead of 1 7900 GT? If I go ATI it won't allow him to SLI later without switching MOBO's.

If you go ATI just get a crossfire motherboard and then you will be able to use 2 videocards when he wants to.

05-20-2006, 11:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Grey410 Platinum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 28 Posts: 712	Building a Gaming Rig I am building my friend a gaming rig for his birthday. There are like 13 of his friends and family chipping in. So enough back story here's what I'm thinking of buying: AMD X2 3800 ZALMAN FAN ASUS A8N SLI 2 GIG Corsair MEM 320GB SATA II EVGA 7900GT SUPERCLOCKED KO X-FI Soundcard DVD Burner DVD Rom 20.1" Widescreen Mon Runnig XP PRO SP2. Any thoughts or suggestions? I've done a lot of research and I've overclocked my own rig. Mainly looking for thoughts on CPU/GPU.

05-21-2006, 02:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Grey410 Platinum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 28 Posts: 712	Overclock Yes I am planning to overclock. Probly going to try for 4800 X2 speeds

05-21-2006, 10:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Grey410 Platinum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 28 Posts: 712	Budget I think I will ditch the card and the X-fi card. My budget is basically $1800 but I have to include a new Monitor and I'm getting him a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse. We're thinking of going with a 20.1" Benq monitor which I've read good reviews on at Newegg. So which video card do you recommend? We're going all new for him. His old system is being donated to another friend who's not a serious gamer and will enjoy it. His old system is a P4 2.8GHZ HT, 6800GT AGP, 1.5GB RAM

05-22-2006, 02:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
Grey410 Platinum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 28 Posts: 712	So now I'm thinking.... I think I like the 3800 X2. What about SLI on 2 7600 GT's instead of 1 7900 GT? If I go ATI it won't allow him to SLI later without switching MOBO's. __________________ COD4 rocks until you lose your profile and have to start over. Still lovin my 37" monitor. New house is crazy nice. Hope everyone is doing good. A lot of friends will come and go but a few will be there the whole time.

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05-20-2006, 11:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dr Studly banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hales Corners Wisconson Age: 17 Posts: 2,435	for video card the X1800XT is alot better then the 7900GT (just because it has 512MB dedicated video memory, while the 7900GT has only 256MB....), if ur a rebate person, get this, if ur not, get this everything else looks like a very good choice of options... i see your getting another fan, are you going to overclock for him? if you aren't then that fan really isn't necessary