Idea for a new build

HumanMage · 10-10-2006, 12:24 AM

I've seen many threads about different peoples builds and such, but I didn't want to steal any of their thunder so I decided to make my own, hope no one minds

First off I found this build from a magazine and decided to try it out since I'm eventually going to need a new computer as I go off to college. Anyway the build seems solid from what I know, and since it would be my first attempt at constructing a computer, I thought I might try that one out. The build gos as follows.

Power Supply: Enermax EG701 AX-VE SFMA (600W I'm pretty sure)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (Socket 939)
RAM 4 GB
Video Card(S): eVGA Geforce 7950GT x2 (512MB)
Optical Drive: Plextor PX - 740A
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE 320gb Serial ATA 150
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music
OS: Windows XP Home w/ SP2
And I'll give the link for the case here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144089

As far as I know that is it, I can subsitute the sound card I would imagine due to the onboard audio with the MOBO. So that will make it cheaper

Now for another question. With this current build, will it still be a "good" build 4-5 months from now? or will these parts be out dated, I know PC parts, especially video cards come out like babies through a mouse, but I just want to know. Thanks for any input, its greatly appreciated.

ETSA · 10-10-2006, 01:16 AM

I would seriously consider Intel's COre 2 Duo for a processor.

Bootup05 · 10-10-2006, 01:21 AM

Yep, the 2 7950GT's would literally rape the 3500 to the ground, and 4GB...you probably wont need that much... what are you using this system for?

Saurian · 10-10-2006, 01:33 AM

^I'm with him.

That is relatively unbalanced. You basically (almost) have the best sound card, graphics card, and amount of ram possible there, but have no motherboard selected in particular (which is like the bones and nerves of the body, it connects everything physically and communication-wise, and you're using an older processor. What do you want from your build? The PC landscape is going to change ALOT in the next 6 months, as DX10 cards will be released from both major vendors, consumer-level quad-core cpu's should be out, or close to it, etc etc.

As said, your best option today is the Core 2 Duo. For an ultra cheap computer, the Athlon X2 3800 offers a good option, but really the Core 2 Duo owns it. What is your budget? Many people here can throw together a build for you, its just a matter how how much you can spend. I'll give you an example of a typical budget build here though, based on the Core 2 Duo E6300.

CPU: E6300 C2D. 1.8Ghz, dual core, highly overclockable should you desire. (180)
Mobo: Gigabyte S3. P965 chipset, lots of overclocking options, stable, and so far pretty good! (115)
RAM: Corsair 1GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM. High speed, you could spend more for the CAS4 over the CAS5 if you wanted. Really, I don't think you need to spend the money on 4GB of ram. Yet. You can go with the 1GB stick as indicated and later add another when money permits for a boost in performance as well as dual channel, but you could also go with a 2x512MB kit to run dual channel right from the start. (~140)
Vid: 7600GT 256MB. Mainstream card, pretty powerful, has the musle to produce eye candy and frame rates. eVGA, BFG, and XFX are all big names here. (~110-140)

From there, the rest of the components are really personal preference and what you get on sale at the time. Hard drive, case, sound card (if desired), etc. Now if you wanted to spend more, you can. You can go up to an E6400, or E660, as desired. You could go with the solid-capacitor DS3 for 145, or move up to ASUS boards in the 150-170 range. For ram, you could go ahead and spring for the 800Mhz CAS4 ram, and even splurge on a 2x1GB kit. And video, obviously you could go with a 7950 if you desired, or whatever else floats your boat. That was a budget build which is easily modified for any budget. You can look and lookk, and when you're ready you can come back here, post your next revision,a nd have it proofed to make sure that everything is compatible.

HumanMage · 10-10-2006, 01:47 AM

Oh I forgot a couple of things didn't I?

MoBo: ASUS A8N - SLI ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131517

my price range I would say is anything from 2,000 to 2,500 (2,500 is pushing it. USD)

Also I was told that the processor was perfectly fine for what I wanted to do? what makes that one "obscelete" (SP?)

Also I would like to use this computer for gaming primarily. Although every day useage such as Internet surfing, Word processing etc etc is a must also.

ETSA · 10-10-2006, 02:07 AM

TRUST us in saying the Core 2 Duo is the shit. You at least owe it to yourself to check it out. If nothing else go around this entire forum and see how many gaming rigs have it. It's affordable and mindblowing. It is worth every cent in todays market.

Saurian · 10-10-2006, 02:28 AM

You don't need an SLI mobo unless you plan to SLI.

ETSA · 10-10-2006, 02:40 AM

Yea with a ton of new cards inevitably flooding the market shortly witht he release of DX10 SLI or Crossfire hasn't even crossed my mind. Well for other reasons also.

diduknowthat · 10-10-2006, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumanMage

my price range I would say is anything from 2,000 to 2,500 (2,500 is pushing it. USD)

Also I was told that the processor was perfectly fine for what I wanted to do? what makes that one "obscelete" (SP?)

Also I would like to use this computer for gaming primarily. Although every day useage such as Internet surfing, Word processing etc etc is a must also.

Well, seeing that socket 939 is being phased out. I don't think it'll be wise to invest a 2k build to it. Soo..C2D is definetly the way to go right now.

HumanMage · 10-10-2006, 02:46 AM

Well I do have a few months to "edit" this build. I will look into the dual core processor form Intel, even though I have heard that AMD is the choice of gamers (doesnt AMD have a dual core proc. also?) Also why not SLI? Isnt that the new technology now a days? Also when will these DX10 cards come out? Jan. - March 2007 timezone? Also I planned on going SLI with my two 7950 GT cards. Thats why I chose the mobo

Also thanks so much for the rapid responses you all. very very much appreciated.

10-10-2006, 12:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
HumanMage Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 745	Idea for a new build I've seen many threads about different peoples builds and such, but I didn't want to steal any of their thunder so I decided to make my own, hope no one minds First off I found this build from a magazine and decided to try it out since I'm eventually going to need a new computer as I go off to college. Anyway the build seems solid from what I know, and since it would be my first attempt at constructing a computer, I thought I might try that one out. The build gos as follows. Power Supply: Enermax EG701 AX-VE SFMA (600W I'm pretty sure) CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (Socket 939) RAM 4 GB Video Card(S): eVGA Geforce 7950GT x2 (512MB) Optical Drive: Plextor PX - 740A Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE 320gb Serial ATA 150 Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music OS: Windows XP Home w/ SP2 And I'll give the link for the case here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144089 As far as I know that is it, I can subsitute the sound card I would imagine due to the onboard audio with the MOBO. So that will make it cheaper Now for another question. With this current build, will it still be a "good" build 4-5 months from now? or will these parts be out dated, I know PC parts, especially video cards come out like babies through a mouse, but I just want to know. Thanks for any input, its greatly appreciated.

10-10-2006, 01:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 24 Posts: 2,210	I would seriously consider Intel's COre 2 Duo for a processor. __________________ DESKTOP Antec P180B(4 x 120mm Tricool fans) Antec 500W neoHE Gigabyte GA 965p DS3 E6400 /w Zalman cnps9500 led 92mm (OC'ed to 3.2Ghz) 2 GB Corsair xms2 DDR2 800 @ 920mhz x1900xtx 512mb ddr3 /w Zalman VF900(688/792) Soundblaster Audigy 4 LAPTOP Core 2 Duo T5750(2.00GHz)/4GB ddr2 667/250GB HD/8600M GT

10-10-2006, 01:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bootup05 Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Essex, UK Age: 17 Posts: 1,262	Yep, the 2 7950GT's would literally rape the 3500 to the ground, and 4GB...you probably wont need that much... what are you using this system for? __________________ Main System Proccy - Intel E6400 @ 3440 \| Mobo - P5B DLX \| RAM - 2GB TwinX 6400 C5 \| GPU - 96GT HDD - WD 400GB Caviar SE - WD 320GB Caviar SE - 160GB Seagate Ext Monitor - Asus 19" Wide LCD \| PSU - Tagan 600W Dual Engine \| Soundcard - SB Live Ext 24 Heatsink - S Infinity \| Optical - Pioneer DVDRW \| OS - Vista Ult64 SP1

10-10-2006, 01:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Saurian Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oskaloosa/Pleasantville, Iowa Age: 22 Posts: 552	^I'm with him. That is relatively unbalanced. You basically (almost) have the best sound card, graphics card, and amount of ram possible there, but have no motherboard selected in particular (which is like the bones and nerves of the body, it connects everything physically and communication-wise, and you're using an older processor. What do you want from your build? The PC landscape is going to change ALOT in the next 6 months, as DX10 cards will be released from both major vendors, consumer-level quad-core cpu's should be out, or close to it, etc etc. As said, your best option today is the Core 2 Duo. For an ultra cheap computer, the Athlon X2 3800 offers a good option, but really the Core 2 Duo owns it. What is your budget? Many people here can throw together a build for you, its just a matter how how much you can spend. I'll give you an example of a typical budget build here though, based on the Core 2 Duo E6300. CPU: E6300 C2D. 1.8Ghz, dual core, highly overclockable should you desire. (180) Mobo: Gigabyte S3. P965 chipset, lots of overclocking options, stable, and so far pretty good! (115) RAM: Corsair 1GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM. High speed, you could spend more for the CAS4 over the CAS5 if you wanted. Really, I don't think you need to spend the money on 4GB of ram. Yet. You can go with the 1GB stick as indicated and later add another when money permits for a boost in performance as well as dual channel, but you could also go with a 2x512MB kit to run dual channel right from the start. (~140) Vid: 7600GT 256MB. Mainstream card, pretty powerful, has the musle to produce eye candy and frame rates. eVGA, BFG, and XFX are all big names here. (~110-140) From there, the rest of the components are really personal preference and what you get on sale at the time. Hard drive, case, sound card (if desired), etc. Now if you wanted to spend more, you can. You can go up to an E6400, or E660, as desired. You could go with the solid-capacitor DS3 for 145, or move up to ASUS boards in the 150-170 range. For ram, you could go ahead and spring for the 800Mhz CAS4 ram, and even splurge on a 2x1GB kit. And video, obviously you could go with a 7950 if you desired, or whatever else floats your boat. That was a budget build which is easily modified for any budget. You can look and lookk, and when you're ready you can come back here, post your next revision,a nd have it proofed to make sure that everything is compatible. __________________ Intel 3.2Ghz P4 MSI PM8M3-V GF FX5900XT 128MB 512 MB CXMS Dell 20.1" Widescreen LCD Need...upgrades....:)

10-10-2006, 02:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 24 Posts: 2,210	TRUST us in saying the Core 2 Duo is the shit. You at least owe it to yourself to check it out. If nothing else go around this entire forum and see how many gaming rigs have it. It's affordable and mindblowing. It is worth every cent in todays market. __________________ DESKTOP Antec P180B(4 x 120mm Tricool fans) Antec 500W neoHE Gigabyte GA 965p DS3 E6400 /w Zalman cnps9500 led 92mm (OC'ed to 3.2Ghz) 2 GB Corsair xms2 DDR2 800 @ 920mhz x1900xtx 512mb ddr3 /w Zalman VF900(688/792) Soundblaster Audigy 4 LAPTOP Core 2 Duo T5750(2.00GHz)/4GB ddr2 667/250GB HD/8600M GT

10-10-2006, 01:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
HumanMage Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 745	Oh I forgot a couple of things didn't I? MoBo: ASUS A8N - SLI ATX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131517 my price range I would say is anything from 2,000 to 2,500 (2,500 is pushing it. USD) Also I was told that the processor was perfectly fine for what I wanted to do? what makes that one "obscelete" (SP?) Also I would like to use this computer for gaming primarily. Although every day useage such as Internet surfing, Word processing etc etc is a must also.

10-10-2006, 02:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Saurian Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oskaloosa/Pleasantville, Iowa Age: 22 Posts: 552	You don't need an SLI mobo unless you plan to SLI. __________________ Intel 3.2Ghz P4 MSI PM8M3-V GF FX5900XT 128MB 512 MB CXMS Dell 20.1" Widescreen LCD Need...upgrades....:)

10-10-2006, 02:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 24 Posts: 2,210	Yea with a ton of new cards inevitably flooding the market shortly witht he release of DX10 SLI or Crossfire hasn't even crossed my mind. Well for other reasons also. __________________ DESKTOP Antec P180B(4 x 120mm Tricool fans) Antec 500W neoHE Gigabyte GA 965p DS3 E6400 /w Zalman cnps9500 led 92mm (OC'ed to 3.2Ghz) 2 GB Corsair xms2 DDR2 800 @ 920mhz x1900xtx 512mb ddr3 /w Zalman VF900(688/792) Soundblaster Audigy 4 LAPTOP Core 2 Duo T5750(2.00GHz)/4GB ddr2 667/250GB HD/8600M GT

10-10-2006, 02:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
HumanMage Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 745	Well I do have a few months to "edit" this build. I will look into the dual core processor form Intel, even though I have heard that AMD is the choice of gamers (doesnt AMD have a dual core proc. also?) Also why not SLI? Isnt that the new technology now a days? Also when will these DX10 cards come out? Jan. - March 2007 timezone? Also I planned on going SLI with my two 7950 GT cards. Thats why I chose the mobo Also thanks so much for the rapid responses you all. very very much appreciated.

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