Building my new gamers machine

A

artimese

New Member
Hey there, im sick of this old thing im using for my gaming, and i think its time for me to finally build my own computer. I have a good understanding of what i need, however i have some questions. I dont wanna spend alot of money, so i thought maybe i could use some of this stuff on this old computer i have, to my new one. This is what im aiming towards my new system i wanna build: very good motherboard that can support 2+ video card slots that will last me awhile, kingston DDR2 4gig stick, fast proccessor, maybe core 2 duo or triple core proccessor, 500gig HDD, a nice big tower to put everything in obviously :P. I know theres more i need such as power supply, sound card, drivers, and maybe a few others. First off, my question is, the things ive listed above that i want in my new system, about roughly how much would that cost me? Second, can i use this powersupply im using for my new system? Its a 430W power supply, also can i use the same sound card too? And the same Driver? My current computer is an HP pavilion multi media, im not too sure if 430watt can power the new system, im thinking of having 2 video cards in my new system, hence why i asked for motherboard with 2 video card slots. I am trying to think of what else i can put into my new computer, i have a 1gig stick in here too but im not sure if its ddr1 or 2, but 4gigs is more than enough for me. I also have 2 fans in here, that i can put into my new system, and i might just buy another fan to keep my system nice and cool, i dont mind another fan, the more the better i guess. So tell me what you guys think of my idea? Thanks for your response =))




p.s. I did a bit of research, found some pricing, tell me if theyre fine:

[All in canadian dollars, NOT USD!]

Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM = 70 bucks

OCZ SLI 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 = 60 bucks

FX nForce 750i SLI Extreme Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 750i, 45nm Support, Socket 775, ATX, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, Gigabit LAN, S/PDIF, USB 2.0, Firewire, Serial ATA, RAID = 150 bucks

BFG GeForce 9800 GT Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, (2) Dual Link DVI, HDTV, VGA Support = 105 bucks [I already have this card im using currently, i want 2 thou to have the best
gaming performance, i think this is an amazing price for it too]

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor BX80580Q8200 - 2.33GHz, 4MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Quad Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan = 170 bucks

Oh and i believe i have a vista installer that i can get my hands on, so no need to include that.
 
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You will definately need a new power supply. HP and all OEM's are renound for putting crappy powersupplies in that can barely run a watch. You said you want dual graphics cards? That really isn't going to be much help as most games don't make full use of SLI or Crossfire yet.
you want quadcore so thats going to bump up the price. I'd recommend going with an AMD/ATI setup if you go quadcore.
For a case i can safely say the Antec 300 is a good choice.

Now, first we need a motherboard. AMD is cheaper compared to Intel with their quadcores, so we will be looking for an AM2+ or AM3 motherboard.

an example of a good AM3 motherboard:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-GIGABYTE...ents?hash=item41490cd961&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

It has all the features.
I don't know what country you are in so take these links as an example

I'm not very knowledgable with AMD so just double check everything.

An AMD quadcore automatically means a Phenom II X4. Perhaps you will settle for a triple core? (Phenom II X3)

anyway, a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/AMD-Phenom-I...ents?hash=item20ad653e47&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Next we need RAM. DDR3 is top of the line but more expensive. DDR2 offers good performance and is relatively cheap. This 2x2gb kit will run in dual channel for maximum performance. Google dual channel memory for more info

link:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/AMD-Phenom-I...ents?hash=item20ad653e47&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Once you have these 3 components (Case, mobo, cpu and ram) you choose a graphics card. you then choose your storage and choose your powersupply last. why psu last? because you may decide you want to change mobo or cpu, get a better graphics card. All of these (especially gpu) require different connections.

Anyway, next comes a GPU:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/XFX-HD-4870-...ents?hash=item45ee4b0556&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

And next is storage. SATA is the only way to go.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Western-Digi...ents?hash=item518cd8aced&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

That just leaves your powersupply. For all this, you want 700 watts or more.
Only buy from brands that are well known. some examples are: OCZ, Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power&Cooling. those are only some. there are more i can't remember.

link for a decent psu:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Corsair-TX-7...ents?hash=item439a501f0e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

That PSU is SLI and Crossfire certified. With a build like that, you can't go wrong. Make sure you buy all NEW parts because the most important thing is WARRANTY. what if something arives DOA? better safe than sorry.

I recently built my first gaming computer. It is a highly enjoyable experience and it will only get better everytime because you know where to improve from your last one. :D

Enjoy building a computer, i hope you have as much fun as i did. :good:
 
Wow thats real expensive :O

How about if i turn it down a notch, and get a core 2 duo? Also i have a 9800gt 512mb card and i dont want that to go to waste, so i think buying a new really good video card isnt a good idea for me, and id prefere nvidia over anything at all. So what do you mean by having dual video cards wouldnt be much help? Because thats pretty much my better option, to have 2 cards since i want to use my 9800gt and another card close to that power. I like the hdd price, and the ram price, and the motherboard is very nice, this power supply is quite expensive, what would you say to this - OCZ ModXStream Pro Power Supply - 700-Watt, Modular, Dual +12V Rails, SATA, 80Plus = 100 bucks. Also what do you think about this - Intel Core 2 Duo E7600 Processor BX80571E7600 - 3.06GHz, 3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Wolfdale-3M, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775 = 195 bucks
 
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You'll have to get a whole new configuration if your wanting an intel processor now.

Also do you live in the US or where? Helps us so we know what sites to suggest items from and so you can get a proper estimated total cost.
 
Sorry, I didnt mean to post up an intel, i forgot i changed the motherboard, cuz the one i picked it used intel, i live in canada, ON, toronto, Forget what processor i posted above, tell me what you think about this one- AMD Phenom X3 8750 Processor HD8750WCGHBOX - 2.40GHz, 3.5MB Cache, 1800MHz (3600 MT/s) FSB, Toliman, Triple-Core, Retail, Socket AM2+, Processor with Fan = 150 bucks

btw im getting these products from a store called tiger direct, really good stuff if your wondering how im gettin it.
 
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That one has the wrong socket type, you need one that has an AM3 socket, that one is AM2+. Find this processor:

AMD Phenom II X3 720.
 
I cudnt find a place that sells the 720, but i found this one, it has a AM3 socket, at 175 bucks: AMD Phenom II X3 705e Triple Core Processor HD705EOCGIBOX - 2.50GHz, 6MB Cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/s) FSB, Deneb, Retail, Socket AM3. So the socket has to corrospond to what motherboard i get, ill have to keep that in mind.
 
artimese said:
So the socket has to corrospond to what motherboard i get, ill have to keep that in mind.
Click to expand...

Yes exactly. Also, all AM3 socket motherboards require DDR3 RAM. Keep that in mind as well.

Everything else is pretty interchangeable. The only other thing would be chipset. Someone will have to elaborate on this, but if I remember right, certain chipsets allow for only Crossfire, meaning two ATI cards, but not SLI. Then there are others that allow for SLI, but not Crossfire. Not sure if theres a chipset that does both, I'm a bit out of my field on this.
 
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