My First home build

[Resputan]

So I found these forums while stumbling and really liked the atmosphere here as well as the informative members so figured this would be a great place to get some opinions.

This computer will be used mostly for gaming and online browsing.

ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6400CZWOF - Retail

NZXT PRC-550W-AP ATX 12V V2.01 550W Power Supply - Retail
or
ULT31851 :: Ultra X2 ULT31851 550-Watt Power Supply - ATX, 120mm Fan, SLI Ready, SATA-Ready, 20/24-Pin, Modular (6.3 lbs)


EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail


APEVIA X-JUPITER-JR G-Type X-JPJGT-BK Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
or
A406-1069 :: NZXT Apollo Black ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports


I would still need some RAM which really isnt that big of an issue, I have a monitor, keyboard (g15 gaming keyboard so thats good for awhile) and mouse that can all be used until I recover from this expense to upgrade those as well (mostly the monitor).

The only other thing im not too sure on is the fan and heatsink for the CPU.


EDIT: And money is an issue im really straining my budget with these components. I can go a little higher but it depends. I will likely be using the bill me later feature and paying this all off over the course of 3 months in which right in the middle ill get my income tax to help out with it.

[gvblake22]

Welcome to HardwareLogic Resputan! :wavey:

Unless you absolutely want an AMD system, I would suggest pricing out a new Intel Core 2 Duo based system as they offer more performance for the price with less power consumption. What is your budget for this system? If you haven't already, checking out our Recommended Hardware Lists might be beneficial...

[hackman2007]

Hi Resputan.

Personally, I would get this 8800GT for just a couple of bucks more rather than that 8800GTS. You will see much better performance.

I am also not a big fan of NZXT or Ultra power supplies, instead I would get this OCZ one.

Rest of it looks good. What is your exact budget for this computer?

[Resputan]

Im looking to go around 700-900 dollars max, seems doable if I keep out a monitor, operating system and hard drive for now.

And thanks for the tips ill check all of those out right now

[Stormcrow]

EDIT: Beat me too it, lets see:

AMD is currently in the rut right now, and the Core2 Duo is the best processor for price. Something like the E6550 will spank that Athlon with a touch of overclocking and cost a bit less as well if you want to go with Intel.

[Resputan]

I have always had intel but have been read a few places that say amd is better for gaming but it wont take much convincing for me to look back in to intel lol thanks for the tip ill go take a look at that.

[Stormcrow]

Those places need to catch up on the times, that was true back when Intel was pushing the Pentium 4, which the Athlon's trashed all around with their more efficient architecture. Now the table's have turned, and the Core2 line is returning the salvo back at AMD. Core2's not only have higher efficiency per clock, but are also monster overclockers. I took my E6600 from 2.4 to 3.2GHz no problem, and it can go higher if I had better cooling. The E6550 would be the best processor for your budget, and would be killer in games.

[One4yu2c]

Clock for clock, Intel's new Core architecture trumps AMD's Phenom line, and this includes gaming performance. AMD's struggled to find an answer to Intel's current lineup, but to be fair, the real-world benefits get exaggerated, and starts to go out the window when switching from clock-to-clock and looking at dollar-for-dollar. Still, looking at the overall picture, I'd recommend going Intel, but let's cover both camps with a focus towards bang/buck (prices include shipping):

Intel
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R - $136
Intel E8400 - $212
Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2-800 - $40 (after $25 MIR)
Corsair 550W Power Supply - $80 (after $20 MIR)
Gigabyte HD 3870 512MB - $216 (could add a second card later if desired)

AMD
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-DS4 - $146
AMD 6400+ Black Edition - $160
____________________________________

Some notes:

1) AMD's Black Edition processors do not come with a heatsink/fan, which means you'd need to purchase an aftermarket cooler. Alternately, their standard version does, and in the case of the 6400+, runs an additional $10.

2) If you squeeze it in the budget, Intel's E8400 is a great chip. However, there are less expensive options available, which while not as attractive, offer very good performance, particularly if you're willing to overclock.

3) There are several different directions to go with the videocard. While not the fastest out of the gate, I lean towards the HD 3870, with the option of adding a second one (now or later) in CrossFire.

4) The price on the Cooler Master PSU is attractive, but this is the last area you want to roll the dice. Spend the few dollars more and get the Corsair, or an equally reputable alternative (we can recommend several).

[Resputan]

So the intel e6550 will fit any LGA 775 board right? Any suggestions? Also will the fan and heatsink that come boxed support over clocking? If not any suggestions to upgrades for those?

Thanks for all the input One4yu2c

I will definitely take all of this information and start my build over tomorrow and see what I come up with and repost it and go from there.

I still welcome all opinions but I have decided to go with intel and probably the 8800gt card as well as the corsair psu.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Resputan

So the intel e6550 will fit any LGA 775 board right?

No, the chipset has to support processors with a 1333MHz FSB. Those chipsets currently include some select P965 based boards, all P35 and G35, and all all X38 and X48 boards. nVidia's 600i and 700i chipset also supports 1333MHz FSB processors. Some people love the nVidia chipsets for Intel and other people hate them. I have honestly heard almost nothing bad about Intel chipsets and have had absolutely no problems with my P965 board (Gigabyte GA-965P_DQ6). So I like the Intel chipsets better, particularly the P35 (great bang for buck).

I have that Corsair VX550 PSU running my Intel system right now and it has been great, seems like a very quality unit for sure.