New PC Build thread #400532

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...Summer+2007+PC

Almost 5 years since my last PC (a P4 2.6) and I'm in need of a gaming machine. I'm pretty confident in what I want. Not sure yet on a case, but the big questions I have:

Is the GTX really worth the money to top the GTS? My motherboard selection is picked out to support it and perhaps another one at Christmas.

Which case? I want room for adding crap, possibly a true cooling system (liquid, etc.)

Can anyone really persuade me not to get that P5 motherboard? I tried to set my budget to $1500 without a monitor. I'm dead set on the keyboard and mouse though.

The SATA hard drive and DVD aren't a big deal though. Thoughts, comments, and other ideas are appreciated!

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Render

Not much I can say, because it's all good stuff. The only difference I would make would be brands. I like other brands, but there isn't anything wrong with anything you selected.

GTS or GTX? I'd go GTX if you have the cash. It's supposedly better than 2 7950s in SLi, but that may or may not be saying much. However, if you don't plan on upgrading for a while, the extra $150 dollars for the GTX will probably be worth it.

Didn't see a power supply on that list. The Corsair 620W seems to be a favorite around here.

PS: If you've got money to blow on water cooling (lol) then you've got money to blow on better parts.

Well yeah, a PSU is another problem. newegg has zero case/PSU combos that I care for, but I'm a peripheral whore, so a bigger PSU is on my mind. Specifically if I'll end up with two 8800GTX's soon enough. A cooling system is for later on in the year. I've got some fans for now that I'll just pray work well (I hear the 8800 runs hotter than hell itself).

What about the brands? If you mean AMD over Intel, no thanks. Memory I prefer Kingston and Corsair typically and I've found WD hard drives to last longer and have more good sectors than the other ones. I'd like to hold out for a perpendicular, but oh well. Just need something for the OS and some games. I'll be using IDE and such for media storage on my current PC. Feel free to be more specific about the "brands" you've got in mind. As far as cases and PSUs go, I really don't have eough experience because for customers of mine I just go cheap on those as they're for home intarweb and excel use or whatever.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Free.User

Get that shit. It boasts a very high efficiency, and at load, is inaudible.

Although I didn't want to spend that kind of money on a PSU, much less for caring about it being quiet (I'm used to a loud PC), I assume you mean this one that is $40 off?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139002

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

My case goes under the desk. I know a few things I want:

No freaking retarded door on the front. I'll have a few disk drives and I plan to use them. I really like the 8800GTX, but I can't spend another 500+ on a video card. I will later on this year (or grandma will!) and I don't see a new hardware type to replace SLi. Not for a while. Most people hardly use it and I'm pretty sure that I'll have the second card. This is all based on my motherboard choice and that this ASUS really can let me upgrade in a few years to something great!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by AcerBandit

Well, I'm not sure if everyone is a fan of that mouse and keyboard but they'll do fine. I personally like having a mouse with a few buttons on the left side for going forward and back. And ergonomic keyboard I'm so-so with. But hey they'll work just fine.

The rest of your setup looks excellent. Just be sure! Be sure! Be sure to get the correct PSU to power your GTX b/c it takes two of those special plugs just for video cards these days. Make sure you can power everything inside. And yeah go with the GTX. I have one and it works great! Highly recommended.

By the way, are you going to put XP Pro or Vista Ultimate on it? Just curious. I'm running Vista Ultimate on mine.

Well I have a laptop that has a legit copy of Home Premium. And since it's a downgrade of XP, I'd be getting Ultimate so that I can take advantage of DX10. I really do hate the OS and I'd prefer not to get it at least until after SP1, but ehh.

Originally Posted by Render

You should keep this in mind, that the 8800 cards have dual-slot coolers. They will fill two of those slot covers at the back of your case. Not to mention, that you will be left very little room both case-wise and motherboard-wise for and PCI cards you will want to use. A Crossfire/SLi setup on my board leaves 1 PCI slot open while the two cards are either touching themselves, or one is at the bottom of my case touching it there. :/

And another question that I was pondering....should I just play it safe and get a "SLi Ready" case that won't have that issue? My problem is that new motherboards don't have many PCI slots and I'd most likely be using one for my USB card. Otherwise I'm connecting one hub into another into the front of the case....etc.

Originally Posted by Render

Yeah, I was gonna bitch about the keyboard and mouse, too. I'd go for the MX518 with front/back buttons or the G5 Laser with only the back button. They are essential for any FPS gamer. The newer games already have a zillion keys to push to do shit.

The thing is, my current Keybaord is the Microsoft Natural MultiMedia keyboard, and so the ergonomic style is what I'm used to. I'm actually not a fan of the mouses with 798475987 buttons on the sides.

Thanks everyone for the help thus far.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by AcerBandit

Heh, my mouse only has a back and forward button on the left side. I honestly really miss it when I use a mouse that doesn't have them.

Thanks Render, I'll be sure to keep an eye out on Vlite and do tell how it works out for you. It interests me greatly.

Yeah I have a weird way of being able to game with a mouse. I actually prefer wired mice, but the buttons just seem to get in the way for me. I'm more of a keyboard shortcut guy when it comes to things like browsing the web!

EDIT: Since the PSU is on sale, it has the needed power cables, and boasts dual-GPU ready, it seems to be a perfect fit for me! Thanks, I guess I'll snag that one today!

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by AcerBandit

Sounds good. Do show us what case and PSU you're thinking of. Also, have fun fitting the GTX in. I had heaps of it when putting it into my case that also has like 4 harddrives that try to block it. I had to move it down to the second PCI-Express slot because harddrives were like DO NOT WANT. HUGE GRAPHICS CARD IS HUUUUEG! ='D

Here's the PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139002

I'm gonna look up a few of these cases. Basically if it fits the hardware I need, I'll be getting the cheapest one among them (as long as its sturdy). Gonna go to work in a few minutes for a few hours, then back I go to computer stuff!

EDIT: No time.

Basically I'd prefer a mid case, full if necessary. There are still a ton to choose from. I'm gonna call up a local guy and see if he can point me in the right direction.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...819209&name=No

FELIPE NO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...209+1054808287

These Apevia look like they're pretty decent, as far as the inside goes. I'm not a fan of having a door on the front, but meh. Next week I'll probably get the rest of the free shipping items.

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I ended up getting this case. Today I also got the hard drive, power supply, and RAM. I switched to the Corsair and it was on sale with a big mail-in rebate. Here's to hoping that my tax refund comes back real soon and/or my mother paying me back money she owes me so I can get the other parts. The reason I got these is because they were all free shipping items, so I'll get the rest of them later!

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It's not going to match the Core2Duo at 2.4 before overclocked.....

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Alai

Yeah, but its $150 less. Spend that on graphics and get better gaming performance.

But if you have the money for both, why not do Core 2?

Did you actually click? I'm getting the best video card possible AND the Core2Duo. There's no way I'm downgrading my current processor. You obviously don't quite understand how these things work.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Render

AMD isn't even an option unless you're piss-poor. They've only started to touch the lower-end Core2s with the 5000+, but that CPU architecture is going to hit a brick wall soon.

And on top of that, the motherboard can support quad-core for when I get rich or whore myself out to a million fat chicks.

Also Acer, regarding your message(s) you left:

3 slots up front will be fine. My case will be on a shelf, sorta, and just under my desk top, so it's not a problem with air flow.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by speculative

That's good to hear. I've had my eye on this case for quite some time; I might go ahead and get it to see if it can quiet down my current system enough I can skip an upgrade for awhile...

It being Antec is good enough for me. I'd suggest that or the 900 that was on their front page for a while. I've got the 900 and I love it.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by speculative

That does look nice, but with all the venting I'm thinking it's got to be louder than the 180b because when there's nothing but air separating noise it's going to escape easily. I'm using my next rig for synths/audio and am definitely looking for something quiet.

With the fans on the default low (sporting CPU temps in the 40C range), this thing is absolutely SILENT. You can hear it a bit if all 4 fans are on medium. And you can compare it to my old machine on high fan speed. This thing is well ventilated and cool and quiet. My only concern is pets. Lots of space to get crap in there, lots of dust and hair and bleh. But if you're looking for a stylish, well-ventilated machine, this is awesome. A friend has an Antec and I give Antec my official "Fucking Awesome" stamp of approval.

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