opinion on my future build....

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blacklotus

n00b
Joined
Apr 26, 2006
Messages
61
Hi guys,

I have a budget of 1300 for my future build and i have listed the two options below. All prices include shipping and tax.
I don't plan to overclock ( i know...the 4300 is asking for it). I only play RTS games btw and medium setting is good enough for me.

CASE Silverstone SG01 $107.16 Fry's
CPU Intel 4300 $122.32 April price drop
RAM Corsair 2GB DDR2-667 XMS2-5400 $128.81 Zipzoomfly
VGA EVGA 7900GS KO $173.42 Newegg
MB Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2 $119.79 Newegg
PSU Corsair 520HX (520W) $114.75 Zipzoomfly
MONITOR Samsung 226BW (22 inch) $287.25 Bestbuy



Totals: $1,053.30


CASE Ultra Microfly w/window $76.73 Directron
CPU Intel 4300 $122.32 April
RAM Corsair VS 1GB DDR2-667 (1 stick) $68.74 Zipzoomfly
VGA EVGA 7900GS KO $173.42 Newegg
MB Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2 $119.79 Newegg
PSU Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W $82.38 Ewiz
MONITOR Dell 2407 $688.89 Dell

Totals: $1,331.38

Is the 2nd option worth buying? BTW, Bestbuy have the Samsung on sale for $330 and i have $70 gift card to use so the total price for local pickup with tax is 287.25. I'm using my existing HD, keyboard, mouse, dvd burner, audigy 2 card, and already have XP Pro SP2.
 
You ask if the second option is worth buying, but everything in it is the same as the 1st option or worse, except for the monitor. Since the monitor seems to be the thing you want, you need to step back and decide on that first before anything else, since it's hard to be happy with a new computer if you're not happy with your display setup.

Secondly, I'd never recommend only buying 1GB of memory for any computer built on this forum, unless it's only going to be used for web browsing and office applications. The two things to never ever skimp on in a new computer are the PSU and the memory, which is funny because that's where most people try to save some bucks.
 
carpenn said:
You ask if the second option is worth buying, but everything in it is the same as the 1st option or worse, except for the monitor. Since the monitor seems to be the thing you want, you need to step back and decide on that first before anything else, since it's hard to be happy with a new computer if you're not happy with your display setup.

Secondly, I'd never recommend only buying 1GB of memory for any computer built on this forum, unless it's only going to be used for web browsing and office applications. The two things to never ever skimp on in a new computer are the PSU and the memory, which is funny because that's where most people try to save some bucks.
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Yeah, i'm leaning toward the 2nd option because of the monitor alone, but is it worth the $230+ difference? I know the spec on the 2nd option is not as good as the 1st, but i don't think its gonna make a big difference for a web browsing, simple video editing, RTS games only computer right? For the ram, I can always add more later on when my computer begs for it, but for now, i'm on a budget and don't wanna use my money for something i don't really need.
 
Well what RTS games do you play? Depending on the game you play, 1GB should be enough. But RTS games like Company of Heroes, Supreme Commander, and Command & Conquer 3 need 2GB of RAM.

Oh and why did you go with the Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2? You're already buying a video card so why do you need a motherboard with onboard video? For that price, I recommend the Gigabyte GA-965P-S3. It doesn't have onboard video but it does have a a bit of an overclocking ability just in case you ever want to overclock.
 
Get the smaller monitor. With no 8800 you'll lament having to run games out of native resolution. Also dropping from 2 gigs to 1 gig with the 24" isn't a good idea.

Honestly I would bump it to 2 gigs of ram and get an 8800 instead, even if you stick with the 22. With that said most people seem to agree that 21s are better for that resolution but I'll leave that up to your eyes.
 
Danny Bui,
I've been playing Rome Total War, CCGenerals and soon Company of Heroes and Supreme Commander (low-mid settings for sure). Do i need 2GB even if i play at medium settings on the Dell? The Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 is not matx btw.

Gnu314,
The reason i'm holding back for 2 gigs and an 8800 on my 2nd option is because it will go over my budget , but i will eventually upgrade for sure later on. I just wanna know if i can still play Company of Heroes with 1 gig, 7900Gs and at medium resolution/game settings in the meantime. The Dell is on sale right now at a good price and i hate to see it go up in price again and not be able to afford it later on. Its cheaper for me to upgrade with ram in the future.


I'm still thinking of upgrading the 7900GS to 8800GTS 320MB and keep everything on option one, but i gotta see the Samsung in person first. Anyways, many thanks guys.
 
blacklotus said:
Danny Bui,
I've been playing Rome Total War, CCGenerals and soon Company of Heroes and Supreme Commander (low-mid settings for sure). Do i need 2GB even if i play at medium settings on the Dell? The Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 is not matx btw.
Click to expand...

1GB should be enough for medium settings but Company of Heroes will definitely benefit from 2GB of RAM.
 
spending so much money and only 1gb of ram? is it really that much more for 2gb, in relation to the total cost of your upgrade?
 
Since you're planning to buy this PC after the April 22nd, it's best to ditch that 7900GS or 8800GTS. Since you're on a budget, I say you should wait and buy one of Nvidia's new mid-range DX10 cards that are supposedly being released on April 17th.
 
Ok i think i will wait for the 8600GT. I guess, i will have to bump my budget up a bit after all and since the SG03 is also coming out. I'll keep you guys posted on this...thanks.
 
Update:

Ok, here's my final list:

THIS: better video card, but so so motherboard; no firewire (for video editing)

CPU - Athlon X2 4600+ (65W)
MB - Biostar Tforce 6100
Ram - A-DATA DDR2-800 2GB
Total from Newegg: $336.27 ship to California
PSU - Corsair 520HX $ 114.75 ship from Zipzoomfly
VGA - Foxconn 8800GTX $400 (someone's selling it to me brand new)

Total: $851

OR THIS: better CPU (stock) maybe?, better motherboard; firewire built-in, a step down on video card

CPU - E4300
MB - Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2
Ram - Kingston VS DDR2-667 2G
VGA - EVGA 8800GTS 320MB
Total from Newegg: $675.87
PSU - Corsair 520HX $114.75 ship from Zipzoomfly

Total: $790.62

I'm not gonna overclock and RTS games only. Is the E4300 faster than the 4600+ @ stock?

Case - SG03 - will buy
Monitor - HP 2207W - have
HD- WD 160G Sata - have

Sorry the option of getting the 8800GTX for cheap and my new monitor HP 2207W has changed some of my parts.
 
I'd go with this over the AMD build...

$183 - Intel Core2Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13Ghz 4MB Cache 1066Mhz FSB (after 4/22)
$107 - Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2 LGA 775 Intel G965 Express Micro ATX
$99 - Super Talent 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 T6UX2GC5
$50 - XClio GoodPower 500W ATX 500W
$400 - Foxconn 8800GTX (someone is selling to you brand new)
==========
$880 Shipped to CA from the egg

Its got firewire. At stock speeds, the E6420 will outperform a 4600+. The XClio Goodpower is a solid CWT PSU thats strong enough for a single 8800GTX. If you want a better quality unit, the XClio Stablepower 460W is the same price (made by Enhance). So, for $30 more you get a much better CPU and Firewire, but you only lose a bit of PSU quality. STT Ram is great, btw.
 
Only thing I'd add is that RTS games can be quite CPU intensive due to all the AI routines that are running.

Personally I'd drop the 8800GTX to an 8800GTS 640MB and upgrade the CPU to an e6320 or e6420.
 
Danny Bui said:
Crap I didn't know the Goodpower went down in price. Thatnks for the heads up. :)
Click to expand...

NP. Yah, I just decided to look it up today, haha.

Lucio said:
Only thing I'd add is that RTS games can be quite CPU intensive due to all the AI routines that are running.

Personally I'd drop the 8800GTX to an 8800GTS 640MB and upgrade the CPU to an e6320 or e6420.
Click to expand...

But for $30 more, you get both! hehe
 
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