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Assembling a Computer

Started by Senses777 Jul 3, 2006 at 5:34 AM 31 replies 3.5k views

Original Post

123

Jul 3, 2006 at 5:34 AM

After 4 years of use my poor old computer finally kicked the bucket due to a bad mobo. I decided to be adventurous and save some money as well by assembling my next computer myself. After letting the initial intimidation of the hardware world ware down some by reading many many hardware guides I'v come to the following specs and purchase locations. I am re-using my old hard drives, monitors, mouse, and keyboard. What do you think of the setup below? Also, in building my own computer is there anything else I should be buying besides the major components that I will discover I am missing later, or any other bits of knowledge I may be lacking? Specs: Motherboard: Abit KN8-Ultra $83.69 Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+, 2.2 GHz $357.00 RAM: Corsair Memory Value Select DDR 2 x 1 GB PC2-3200 DDR2 RAM $180.48 Video Card: eVGA Geforce 7900 GT KO Video Card $300.68 Case: Antec SLK3800B (Comes with 400W power supply) $104.34 I won't list the sound card, DVD-RW driver, and other smaller pieces as they are less important to me. Estimated total cost inc. shipping and tax: $1100. I probably saved ~$800 by re-using my two monitors and two hard drives. I really want a dual core processor this time around even if they are entry level dual core. I debated some between 3700+ and 4200+ but decided the extra $40 or so was worth it. $180 was higher than I expected to pay for my 2GB RAM but I decided it was worth it anyways. Not sure about the other brands of RAM and if the money saved would be worth it. I struggled the most with the vid card selection. I figured the performance gains of the 7900GT were worth the extra cost compared to mid-range cards and would ensure that my new comp would have some longevity. Thanks for the help and I hope this thread will be useful to other people looking into building new computers as well!

Spoonbender

122

Spoonbender

Jul 3, 2006 at 5:57 AM

Of course, the obvious first question is, 'can you wait a month or so?'
Intel's launching their new desktop cpu in a couple of weeks, and it seems to be a good deal faster. Of course, exact pricing or availability isn't known yet, but doesn't seem to be too bad. If nothing else, I think AMD will drop prices when it's released.

Next up, your motherboard/cpu use the old socket 939. That doesn't support DDR2 memory.
On the whole, you should find something that uses socket AM2 instead. Socket 939 is basically dead. if you want to be able to upgrade, you need AM2. It should cost about the same, and maybe be a little bit faster.

Now, assuming you go with socket AM2, you should probably get some faster ram. DDR2 is a bit slower compared to DDR at the same clock speed. So 400 MHz memory isn't very impressive. You should get at least 533, preferably 667 mhz.

*If* you stay with socket 939, you need to find DDR memory instead of DDR2 (and then 400mhz should be fine)

daviangel

135

daviangel

Jul 3, 2006 at 6:13 AM

Well if you aren't going AM2 I suggest downgrading to an Athlon X2 3800 and using the money you save to get this videocard instead:
As fast as a highend 7900gtx
The reason I say this is that a 3800 X2 can easily be overclocked to 2.4Ghz or more stable using the stock heatsink/fan and you mention longevity which you will get more with a faster vidcard.
I mean most of the latest games like oblivion are videocard limited and using a slower 3800 cpu vs an fx-60 cpu won't make much of a difference.
On the otherhand getting your hands on the fastest videocard available will make it playable with all the visual options maxed out at least at 1280x1024.
Also if need be you can get rid of 1GB of ram if needed since most games/apps won't care if you have more than 1GB of ram and you won't notice any difference anyways.

Jarrod1937

183

Jarrod1937

Jul 3, 2006 at 6:29 AM

Quote:
Original post by daviangel
Well if you aren't going AM2 I suggest downgrading to an Athlon X2 3800 and using the money you save to get this videocard instead:
As fast as a highend 7900gtx
The reason I say this is that a 3800 X2 can easily be overclocked to 2.4Ghz or more stable using the stock heatsink/fan and you mention longevity which you will get more with a faster vidcard.
I mean most of the latest games like oblivion are videocard limited and using a slower 3800 cpu vs an fx-60 cpu won't make much of a difference.
On the otherhand getting your hands on the fastest videocard available will make it playable with all the visual options maxed out at least at 1280x1024.
Also if need be you can get rid of 1GB of ram if needed since most games/apps won't care if you have more than 1GB of ram and you won't notice any difference anyways.

actually i am going to disagree with two things you said, oblivion with an overclocked 7800 gt can run at all settings at max at 1600x1200.... but you will need about two gigs to run it at that though, preferably atleast ddr 500 speed ram in dual channel.

Senses777

Author

123

Senses777

Jul 3, 2006 at 6:36 AM

Quote:
Original post by Spoonbender
Of course, the obvious first question is, 'can you wait a month or so?'
Intel's launching their new desktop cpu in a couple of weeks, and it seems to be a good deal faster. Of course, exact pricing or availability isn't known yet, but doesn't seem to be too bad. If nothing else, I think AMD will drop prices when it's released.

Next up, your motherboard/cpu use the old socket 939. That doesn't support DDR2 memory.
On the whole, you should find something that uses socket AM2 instead. Socket 939 is basically dead. if you want to be able to upgrade, you need AM2. It should cost about the same, and maybe be a little bit faster.

Now, assuming you go with socket AM2, you should probably get some faster ram. DDR2 is a bit slower compared to DDR at the same clock speed. So 400 MHz memory isn't very impressive. You should get at least 533, preferably 667 mhz.

*If* you stay with socket 939, you need to find DDR memory instead of DDR2 (and then 400mhz should be fine)

Thanks for the reply Spoonbender. If I wait a month I may save a little on the processor but I'll probably be getting the same type regardless, so I figure I'll just buy now.

If I won't be upgrading my CPU or Motherboard before buying another comp, staying wtih 939 shouldn't be an issue right?

So now I'm thinking Corsair Memory 2 GB PC3200 DDR RAM for $207.

Quote:
Original post by daviangel
Well if you aren't going AM2 I suggest downgrading to an Athlon X2 3800 and using the money you save to get this videocard instead:
As fast as a highend 7900gtx
The reason I say this is that a 3800 X2 can easily be overclocked to 2.4Ghz or more stable using the stock heatsink/fan and you mention longevity which you will get more with a faster vidcard.
I mean most of the latest games like oblivion are videocard limited and using a slower 3800 cpu vs an fx-60 cpu won't make much of a difference.
On the otherhand getting your hands on the fastest videocard available will make it playable with all the visual options maxed out at least at 1280x1024.
Also if need be you can get rid of 1GB of ram if needed since most games/apps won't care if you have more than 1GB of ram and you won't notice any difference anyways.

Thanks for the advice (and Jarrod1937 as well). If that card really performs as well as the GTX then at ~$360 it should be well worth it.

Thanks all, please keep the replies coming

Jarrod1937

183

Jarrod1937

Jul 3, 2006 at 6:43 AM

just beware of the creative audigy cards with oblivion though, both my friends who have the same sound card get crashes in oblivion a lot unless they disbale the music in the .ini file. i am sure there is going to be a patch to fix this though at creatives site.

Senses777

Author

123

Senses777

Jul 3, 2006 at 6:51 AM

I think I'll go with both your suggestions and change the spec to use these:

RAM: Corsair 2x1GB PC3200 DDR
$206.98

Video Card: eVGA Geforce 7900 GT Signature Series 256MB
$300.68

Which brings the new total cost to roughly $1200.00, which is closer to what I intended to spend originally (about $1400.00). Please keep the suggestions coming, thanks all.

daviangel

135

daviangel

Jul 3, 2006 at 7:34 AM

Quote:
Original post by Jarrod1937
Quote:
Original post by daviangel
Well if you aren't going AM2 I suggest downgrading to an Athlon X2 3800 and using the money you save to get this videocard instead:
As fast as a highend 7900gtx
The reason I say this is that a 3800 X2 can easily be overclocked to 2.4Ghz or more stable using the stock heatsink/fan and you mention longevity which you will get more with a faster vidcard.
I mean most of the latest games like oblivion are videocard limited and using a slower 3800 cpu vs an fx-60 cpu won't make much of a difference.
On the otherhand getting your hands on the fastest videocard available will make it playable with all the visual options maxed out at least at 1280x1024.
Also if need be you can get rid of 1GB of ram if needed since most games/apps won't care if you have more than 1GB of ram and you won't notice any difference anyways.

actually i am going to disagree with two things you said, oblivion with an overclocked 7800 gt can run at all settings at max at 1600x1200.... but you will need about two gigs to run it at that though, preferably atleast ddr 500 speed ram in dual channel.

I don't call anything under 30fps runnable!
And according to this link that's exactly what you are going to get with anything less than the vidcard I suggested:
7900gt cards in oblivion

nullsquared

126

nullsquared

Jul 3, 2006 at 7:50 AM

Quote:
Original post by Senses777
Quote:
Original post by Spoonbender
Of course, the obvious first question is, 'can you wait a month or so?'
Intel's launching their new desktop cpu in a couple of weeks, and it seems to be a good deal faster. Of course, exact pricing or availability isn't known yet, but doesn't seem to be too bad. If nothing else, I think AMD will drop prices when it's released.

Next up, your motherboard/cpu use the old socket 939. That doesn't support DDR2 memory.
On the whole, you should find something that uses socket AM2 instead. Socket 939 is basically dead. if you want to be able to upgrade, you need AM2. It should cost about the same, and maybe be a little bit faster.

Now, assuming you go with socket AM2, you should probably get some faster ram. DDR2 is a bit slower compared to DDR at the same clock speed. So 400 MHz memory isn't very impressive. You should get at least 533, preferably 667 mhz.

*If* you stay with socket 939, you need to find DDR memory instead of DDR2 (and then 400mhz should be fine)

Thanks for the reply Spoonbender. If I wait a month I may save a little on the processor but I'll probably be getting the same type regardless, so I figure I'll just buy now.

If I won't be upgrading my CPU or Motherboard before buying another comp, staying wtih 939 shouldn't be an issue right?

So now I'm thinking Corsair Memory 2 GB PC3200 DDR RAM for $207.

Quote:
Original post by daviangel
Well if you aren't going AM2 I suggest downgrading to an Athlon X2 3800 and using the money you save to get this videocard instead:
As fast as a highend 7900gtx
The reason I say this is that a 3800 X2 can easily be overclocked to 2.4Ghz or more stable using the stock heatsink/fan and you mention longevity which you will get more with a faster vidcard.
I mean most of the latest games like oblivion are videocard limited and using a slower 3800 cpu vs an fx-60 cpu won't make much of a difference.
On the otherhand getting your hands on the fastest videocard available will make it playable with all the visual options maxed out at least at 1280x1024.
Also if need be you can get rid of 1GB of ram if needed since most games/apps won't care if you have more than 1GB of ram and you won't notice any difference anyways.

Thanks for the advice (and Jarrod1937 as well). If that card really performs as well as the GTX then at ~$360 it should be well worth it.

Thanks all, please keep the replies coming

Everything is cool and all, but if you *can* then *do* wait till July 24th. All X2's will drop by at most 50%, which means that if you wait you can save $65 by getting a 4600+. Anyways, if a new comp. is a must then it's all your choice.

Jarrod1937

183

Jarrod1937

Jul 3, 2006 at 7:51 AM

Quote:
Original post by daviangel
Quote:
Original post by Jarrod1937
Quote:
Original post by daviangel
Well if you aren't going AM2 I suggest downgrading to an Athlon X2 3800 and using the money you save to get this videocard instead:
As fast as a highend 7900gtx
The reason I say this is that a 3800 X2 can easily be overclocked to 2.4Ghz or more stable using the stock heatsink/fan and you mention longevity which you will get more with a faster vidcard.
I mean most of the latest games like oblivion are videocard limited and using a slower 3800 cpu vs an fx-60 cpu won't make much of a difference.
On the otherhand getting your hands on the fastest videocard available will make it playable with all the visual options maxed out at least at 1280x1024.
Also if need be you can get rid of 1GB of ram if needed since most games/apps won't care if you have more than 1GB of ram and you won't notice any difference anyways.

actually i am going to disagree with two things you said, oblivion with an overclocked 7800 gt can run at all settings at max at 1600x1200.... but you will need about two gigs to run it at that though, preferably atleast ddr 500 speed ram in dual channel.

I don't call anything under 30fps runnable!
And according to this link that's exactly what you are going to get with anything less than the vidcard I suggested:
7900gt cards in oblivion

maybe my highly overclocked system makes up for it? i don't know, i got about 35-50 fps on average, and the lowest i've seenn it is about 25 fps, and thats using my texture mod (jarrod's oblivion new texture mod) and the landscape lod mod (the 2048x2048 version, the 4096x4096 is a waste of valuable memory).
but at the same time, you shouldn't need an fps rating higher than 25-30 for it to be playable, its not like the game is a fps or racing game. but i guess we all have different thresholds for lower fps.

Extrarius

234

Extrarius

Jul 3, 2006 at 8:21 AM

Quote:
Original post by Senses777
[...]I really want a dual core processor this time around even if they are entry level dual core. I debated some between 3700+ and 4200+ but decided the extra $40 or so was worth it.[...]

It's not. Going from something like an AthlonXP to an Athlon64 X2 is a _HUGE_ leap in performance, but going from the 3800+ X2 to the ones above it offers at most a few % increase in CPU benchmarks and virtually nothing in actual usage. Also, you might want to look into intel because last I looked (just after I bought my 3800+ X2) they had some chips coming out with better performance per dollar.

Quote:
Original post by Jarrod1937
[...]but at the same time, you shouldn't need an fps rating higher than 25-30 for it to be playable, its not like the game is a fps or racing game. but i guess we all have different thresholds for lower fps.

Wow. In that case, you might as well get the 7600GT that I got - I got it because I don't play the more demanding games, but you could probably play anything at the maximum settings at a framerate you'd find acceptable. Personally, I can't stand anything lower than 60fps minimum (60fps average would be ok except for the way that games getting that low usually have wildly varrying fps; and having 20fps one second and 200fps the next is too choppy).

Jarrod1937

183

Jarrod1937

Jul 3, 2006 at 9:34 AM

Quote:
Original post by Extrarius
Quote:
Original post by Senses777
[...]I really want a dual core processor this time around even if they are entry level dual core. I debated some between 3700+ and 4200+ but decided the extra $40 or so was worth it.[...]
It's not. Going from something like an AthlonXP to an Athlon64 X2 is a _HUGE_ leap in performance, but going from the 3800+ X2 to the ones above it offers at most a few % increase in CPU benchmarks and virtually nothing in actual usage. Also, you might want to look into intel because last I looked (just after I bought my 3800+ X2) they had some chips coming out with better performance per dollar.
Quote:
Original post by Jarrod1937
[...]but at the same time, you shouldn't need an fps rating higher than 25-30 for it to be playable, its not like the game is a fps or racing game. but i guess we all have different thresholds for lower fps.
Wow. In that case, you might as well get the 7600GT that I got - I got it because I don't play the more demanding games, but you could probably play anything at the maximum settings at a framerate you'd find acceptable. Personally, I can't stand anything lower than 60fps minimum (60fps average would be ok except for the way that games getting that low usually have wildly varrying fps; and having 20fps one second and 200fps the next is too choppy).

yeah, but i only find fps that low acceptable for a game like morrowind or oblivion. if i am playing a first person shooter game i will lower the settings untill my fps is 60+ fps, but for games like rpgs, rts's, or other slow paced games 25 or above fps is fine with me.

SticksandStones

105

SticksandStones

Jul 3, 2006 at 9:46 AM

Wait a month - it will be worth it. You'll be able to get a socket AM2 x2 3800+ for ~$169. If saving money isn't that important to you, then you would also be able to get a Core 2 Duo which is a hell of a lot faster than anything on the market today.

Senses777

Author

123

Senses777

Jul 3, 2006 at 4:55 PM

Quote:
Original post by Extrarius
Quote:
Original post by Senses777
[...]I really want a dual core processor this time around even if they are entry level dual core. I debated some between 3700+ and 4200+ but decided the extra $40 or so was worth it.[...]
It's not. Going from something like an AthlonXP to an Athlon64 X2 is a _HUGE_ leap in performance, but going from the 3800+ X2 to the ones above it offers at most a few % increase in CPU benchmarks and virtually nothing in actual usage. Also, you might want to look into intel because last I looked (just after I bought my 3800+ X2) they had some chips coming out with better performance per dollar.

I didn't want to have to wait a month, but it is important to me that I have a compy before the end of summer so I'm going to start ordering the parts in the next couple days once I make my final decisions. I'm having trouble finding a good deal on the 3800+ online (out of stock, generally), and I don't mind paying the extra for the increased performance of the 4200+, even if it is not that great an increase.

The reply's so far have been great, assembling a computer is about as difficult as I thought it'd be. The hardest part is the struggle to find the best combination of parts for the right price - there are seemingly so many ways to go wrong.

Senses777

Author

123

Senses777

Jul 3, 2006 at 5:26 PM

I plan on buying the following in a couple days:

Motherboard: Abit KN8-Ultra - $83.69
Processor: Athlon 64 X2 4200+ - $357.00
RAM: Corsair 2GB PC3200 DDR - $206.98
Video Card: EVGA Geforce 7900 GT Signature Series - $360.00
Audio: Chaintech AV-710 - $30.24
DVD: DVD RW/CD-RW: NEC ND-3550A - $37.70
Case: Antec SLK3800B - $106.17, includes 350W power supply.

Total cost: $1,181.78

I'm willing to spend a couple hundred more if it will grant reasonable improvement. Anyone have any suggestions?

ApochPiQ

1,378

ApochPiQ

Jul 3, 2006 at 5:41 PM

I checked prices on those parts over at Newegg, and you can probably save around $180-$220 by ordering certain parts from them (like the video card and motherboard).

nagromo

112

nagromo

Jul 3, 2006 at 5:42 PM

Quote:
Original post by Senses777
I plan on buying the following in a couple days:

Motherboard: Abit KN8-Ultra - $83.69
Processor: Athlon 64 X2 4200+ - $357.00
RAM: Corsair 2GB PC3200 DDR - $206.98
Video Card: EVGA Geforce 7900 GT Signature Series - $360.00
Audio: Chaintech AV-710 - $30.24
DVD: DVD RW/CD-RW: NEC ND-3550A - $37.70
Case: Antec SLK3800B - $106.17, includes 350W power supply.

Total cost: $1,181.78

I'm willing to spend a couple hundred more if it will grant reasonable improvement. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'd say that looks great now, or you could wait 3 weeks and get a Conroe. Take a look at some preliminary benchmarks (comparing a Conroe to a X2 2.8GHz), and decide whether you want to wait until July 24 and pay more for the increased performance. (You'd also be able to get 800MHz DDR2 with that processor, which is much faster than DDR400.)

If you really don't want to wait 3 weeks, then I'd say go with the one you have, but consider Newegg for low prices and great service (in my dealings with them, at least).

Senses777

Author

123

Senses777

Jul 3, 2006 at 5:58 PM

Quote:
Original post by ApochPiQ
I checked prices on those parts over at Newegg, and you can probably save around $180-$220 by ordering certain parts from them (like the video card and motherboard).

The prices I have are total inc. tax and shipping, and NewEgg is used for many of them, although it was not cheapest for all.

I always feel somewhat anxious before buying a comp, I think I'll go with this one though unless someone has suggestions on what I could upgrade for a couple hundred dollars. I'v thought of replacing the case, but I'm not sure what another good one would be.

D Shankar

Jul 5, 2006 at 6:18 PM

Sorry to butt in the topic, but here's my two cents:

I suggest you upgrade your processor if you have the extra money. If you wait for the new Conroe's it makes more sense (as others have suggested). You can get better RAM (I have DDR2 5300 <- Best ever man!), if supported. Your video card is extremely nice (compared to my Radeon 9250 from the Stone Ages. lol), so you will not experience any bottlenecking by increasing your processing power. You might need a little more power though. I'd recommend at least 450W.

Jarrod1937

183

Jarrod1937

Jul 5, 2006 at 6:55 PM

Quote:
Original post by D Shankar
Sorry to butt in the topic, but here's my two cents:

I suggest you upgrade your processor if you have the extra money. If you wait for the new Conroe's it makes more sense (as others have suggested). You can get better RAM (I have DDR2 5300 <- Best ever man!), if supported. Your video card is extremely nice (compared to my Radeon 9250 from the Stone Ages. lol), so you will not experience any bottlenecking by increasing your processing power. You might need a little more power though. I'd recommend at least 450W.

i agree exept for i would recommend atleast a good enermax 500 watt psu.

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