My $800 budget gaming pc.. please help!

A

Adam Murray

New Member
Hey guys,

I'm looking to build a gaming computer with the following parts... Please let me know what you think about my parts I picked and if this is a well balanced out machine. Thanks!!

I also plan on upgrading the ram from 1GB to 2GB if I am able to for not too much more in price.

AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail ($143)
XFX GeForce 7900 GT (470MHz) 256MB PV-T71G-UDF7 Video Card - Retail ($251)
Crucial Ballistix 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM System Memory - Retail ($101)
ASUS A8N-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($126)
Super-Flower Extremely Silent TT-550SS 550W Power Supply w/ 4 LED Fans ($40)
Thermaltake CL-P0200 Silent 939 K8 - AMD K8 solution w/ Heatpipe Cooling Tech - Retail ($35)
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($86)
Some DVD-ROM/CDRW Drive ($35)

Total = $817
 
Looks very good so far. The only thing I would change though is getting 1 stick of 1GB memory instead of 2X512. Not a big deal, just something I would do if it didn't cost much more.
 
rahving said:
Looks very good so far. The only thing I would change though is getting 1 stick of 1GB memory instead of 2X512. Not a big deal, just something I would do if it didn't cost much more.
Click to expand...
Eh, i wouldn't. If you get 2 sticks of 512mb, then in the future when you upgrade your ram, you will have one ram slot less.
 
I already have the case I'm using...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

I don't think motoxrdude read what you typed correctly.. but I do agree that I should get a 1GB stick instead of two 512.. I was thinking about going ahead and getting 2GB of ram, but I might have to wait, so I will at least get the 1GB stick so it'll be easier to upgrade later.

Anyone else have any opinions on the parts before I order them? What about the graphics card & processor selections?
 
Adam Murray said:
I already have the case I'm using...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

I don't think motoxrdude read what you typed correctly.. but I do agree that I should get a 1GB stick instead of two 512.. I was thinking about going ahead and getting 2GB of ram, but I might have to wait, so I will at least get the 1GB stick so it'll be easier to upgrade later.

Anyone else have any opinions on the parts before I order them? What about the graphics card & processor selections?
Click to expand...
Lol oops. I though he said do instead of don't. :P
 
get 2gb of ram... with a 7900gt you'll want the highest video quality possible.
with 256mb and 1gb of memory you won't be able to max out quake 4... ultra quality takes up a lot of memory.
if you don't really care too much about that, then that's fine too lol
i'd also go with AM2 or a conroe instead of a 939 processor.
another thing to note is that ddr memory is more expensive than ddr2 memory now, so if you plan on making this rig last you may want to get 2gb of memory anyways, because regular ddr memory will probably raise in price between now and when you'll want 2gb... this is another reason id get AM2 or a conroe.
 
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qwerty int got 5|-|!7 on me

i would use an ati radeon X1800pro or bigger instead of the 7900

i have a 6600gt and my bros radeon 9550 keeps up pretty good with mine

ati is pulling ahead of nvidia
 
Definitley stick to the 7900GT, it is an excellent card and not very expensive. I would not suggest to change that card, you wont regret it.
 
Go with an Am2 board/processor and DDR2 memory, it'll allow you to upgrade in the future. Plus, now that the pricecut should be in affect, you can get the X2 3800+ for about 160 bucks.

Also that powersupply is a POS with only 22amps for 12v and a 20 pin connector. You'll need a better psu with a 24 pin conenctor.
 
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Thanks for all your advice guys...

fade2green- do you have any recommendations for an AM2 or Conroe mobo & cpu for about the same price as I have listed? A little more in price would be ok too...

liuliuboy recommended getting a X2 3800+ for about $160.. what do you think about that one?

I'll look for a better power supply, but if you guys know of any awesome ones within my price range.. please do tell! Thanks again!
 
Adam Murray said:
I'll look for a better power supply, but if you guys know of any awesome ones within my price range.. please do tell! Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Take a look at the recommendations section of PSU101.
 
rahving said:
Looks very good so far. The only thing I would change though is getting 1 stick of 1GB memory instead of 2X512. Not a big deal, just something I would do if it didn't cost much more.
Click to expand...
Motoxrdude said:
Eh, i wouldn't. If you get 2 sticks of 512mb, then in the future when you upgrade your ram, you will have one ram slot less.
Click to expand...
no offence but are you serious, 2x512mb would blow 1x1gb stick out of the water in performance, thanks to a little thing call dual channel.
Please think before you speak, and it doesnt matter about his slots with that mobo, you lose no performance on that mobo when you move to 4 ram slots being used
 
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Adam Murray said:
Hey guys,

I'm looking to build a gaming computer with the following parts... Please let me know what you think about my parts I picked and if this is a well balanced out machine. Thanks!!

I also plan on upgrading the ram from 1GB to 2GB if I am able to for not too much more in price.

AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail ($143)
XFX GeForce 7900 GT (470MHz) 256MB PV-T71G-UDF7 Video Card - Retail ($251)
Crucial Ballistix 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM System Memory - Retail ($101)
ASUS A8N-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($126)
Super-Flower Extremely Silent TT-550SS 550W Power Supply w/ 4 LED Fans ($40)
Thermaltake CL-P0200 Silent 939 K8 - AMD K8 solution w/ Heatpipe Cooling Tech - Retail ($35)
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($86)
Some DVD-ROM/CDRW Drive ($35)

Total = $817
Click to expand...



Check see if they help.
Cost a little more, but the performance will be lot better.

X2 3800+ ($159.99)
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe ($142.45)
DDR2 2GB PC5400 DUAL OCZ ($129.99AR)
 
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