Need help designing my new computer...

[McG]

Hey, my computer is really terrible and starting to tick me off so I've decided to buy a new one, I just need help with some of the parts.

I already have an idea of what to get for most parts, but I'm not exactly the most technicalogicaly advanced person around so I need help deciding whether or not I've made the right choices or if some of the parts are priced too high.

Here is my idea:
(part) (price)
Case: CAS-K230 Mid Tower w/400W PSU $45
CPU: Athlon 64 FX 53 Socket 939 $1119
RAM: Kingston 512MB PC-3200 DDR400 SDRAMx2 $114x2
Hard Drive: Western Digital 200GB w/8MB cache $140
MotherBoard:ASUS A8V Deluxe VIA K8T800Pro
w/ GB LAN, IEEE 1394 $165
Video Card: ASUS V9999 Gamer Edition/TD/256
GF 6800 256MB DDR3 $559
CD Drive: ASUS 52x32x52 CD-RW Black $39
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster DynaFlat 955DF(blacK) $249
Mouse: Logitech MX-510 Performance Optical (Red) $49
Keyboard: Logitech Deluxe Plus Black Keyboard PS/2 $15
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2
ZS Platinum Pro $289
Speakers: Logitech X-620 6.1 $99
TOTAL: $2996

oh, and all these prices are in canadian (sorry for any inconvienence), you can check out every thing on there at Canada Computers, I'm only a student so I don't have too much money though I am willing to spend as much as necessary (I make about $7 and hour if that helps for some reason), and I will be using this computer for competitive gaming at LAN Party's (I would online but I am stuck with dail-up ).

If you need any more information just ask.

Thnx in advance,
McG

 

[Praetor]

- Bad choice on the VC.... the 6800GT is a much better choice for about $100-$130 less If you want to spend $500ish the XFX 6800GT is in that ballpark
- 512MB Kingmax PC3700 comes at $119 apiece
- The MSI Neo Plat. is a better mobo (NF3-250)
- Logitech Z640s are only $71

 

[Praetor]

Some more stuffos that would be a definite:
- Tt Venus 12 $48
- A good PSU ~100
- A drive cooler $28
- Artic Silver 5 ($10) or OCZ Ultra 5 ($8)

 

[McG]

- 512MB Kingmax PC3700 comes at $119 apiece
- The MSI Neo Plat. is a better mobo (NF3-250)
- Tt Venus 12 $48
- A good PSU ~100
- Artic Silver 5 ($10) or OCZ Ultra 5 ($8)

Thnx for the info, but I'm just confused about a couple things. Is Kingsmax better then Kingston? Because someone told me that Kingston was better. What is a mobo? Tt Venus 12??? What does PSU stand for? and what's that Artic Silver 5 or OCZ Ultra 5 thing about?

Thnx again,
McG

 

[McG]

Nevermind about the mobo part, I figured that out (MotherBoard)... I can't believe I didn't know that

 

[Praetor]

Is Kingsmax better then Kingston? Because someone told me that Kingston was better.

Well unless you're getting the HyperX's then anything is better than Kingston

What is a mobo?

Motherboard (i.e., ASUS A8V Deluxe)

Tt Venus 12???

Thermaltake Venus 12 (CPU cooler/HSF)

What does PSU stand for?

Power Supply Unit.

and what's that Artic Silver 5 or OCZ Ultra 5 thing about?

Thermalpaste. The goop that goes between the CPU and the HSF ... you can use the crummy thermal pad that comes on the chip or the half-decent thermal goop that comes with a HSF (say the Tt Venus12) or you can get good stuff

 

[McG]

I'm thinking of changing my processor from the Athlon 64 FX 55 socket 939 to a Intel P4-560 3.6GHz LGA775. In doing this I would also change my motherboard.

Is this a good idea? and if so, what motherboard should I get?

 

[McG]

Okay, so this is what it looks like now:

Case: Thermaltake Xaser VA3000BWA Tsunami (Black) $189
PSU: Antec TruePower TrueBlue480 480 Watt w/ Blue $129
CPU: Athlon 64 FX 55 Socket 939 $1029
RAM: KingMax 512MB PC-3700 DDR466 SDRAMx2 $119x2
Hard Drive: Western Digital 200GB w/8MB cache $140
MotherBoard:ASUS A8V Deluxe VIA K8T800Pro
w/ GB LAN, IEEE 1394 $165
Video Card: ASUS V9999 GT GeForce 6800GT 128MB DDR3$435
CD Drive: ASUS 52x32x52 CD-RW Black $39
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster DynaFlat 955DF(blacK) $249
Mouse: Logitech MX-510 Performance Optical (Red) $49
Keyboard: Logitech Deluxe Plus Black Keyboard PS/2 $15
Fan: Thermaltake Venus 12 $48
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2
ZS Platinum Pro $289
Speakers: Logitech Z-640 5.1 $71
ThermalPaste: Artic Silver 5 $10

TOTAL: $3101

I also made up an Intel version. Just change the CPU to the Intel P4-560 3.6GHz LGA775 and the MotherBoard to the MSI 925X Neo Platinum.

Which one would be better for gaming?? and should I just scrap the case with the window and get that other one for $45? or does it really matter other then money wise?

Thnx again,
McG

 

[Praetor]

- Unless you specifically need the Platinum Pro, get the base ZS and save some money. Put that money for drive cooling and case cooling.
- You will prolly want a DVDROM at the least. If not a DVDburner (if you do get a DVDburner, the pioneer108 is a nice solid drive)
- Oh an i should have mentioned this earlier ... get a real power supply -- not a PSU that ships with that case. When you run a nice rig like that you want stable rails

 

[smitherz]

that is 1 big budget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Praetor]

Yes but thats not just a 'box' but includes a lot of crap on the side too -- then again its almost as crazy as your box

 

[McG]

UPDATE: this is what it looks like now--->

Case: Thermaltake Xaser VA3000BWA Tsunami (Black) $189
PSU: Antec TruePower TrueBlue480 480 Watt w/ Blue $129
CPU: Athlon 64 FX 55 Socket 939 $1029
RAM: KingMax 512MB PC-3700 DDR466 SDRAMx2 $119x2
Hard Drive: Western Digital 74GB S-ATA, 10K RPM $244
MotherBoard:ASUS A8V Deluxe VIA K8T800Pro
w/ GB LAN, IEEE 1394 $165
Video Card: ASUS V9999 GT GeForce 6800GT 128MB DDR3$435
CD Drive: Sony 52X CD-RW/16X DVD-ROM Combo Black $56
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster™ MagicBright™ 765MB $175
Mouse: Logitech MX-510 Performance Optical (Red) $49
Keyboard: Logitech Deluxe Plus Black Keyboard PS/2 $15
Fan: Thermaltake Venus 12 $48
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2
ZS Platinum Pro $289
Speakers: Logitech Z-640 5.1 $71
ThermalPaste: Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compound $10

TOTAL: $3148

I might change the hard drive if I can find a better one, I've yet to change the sound card and appearently that;s not a very good graphics card (or so I was told). And also, what is DVI Input? and how do I know if a monitor has it?

 

[4W4K3]

$250 for a 80GB HD seems far too much, even if it is 10K RPM. I'd go for a slower RPM personally (probably get flamed for that). You can get an 80GB 7200RPM 8MB buffer drive for $90 or less i bet.