Building a computer for a friend.

[imported_catch22]

This machine will be used mainly for gaming. No overclocking except for the video card up to Ultra speeds. Here it is:

AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 3800+

Gainward NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card(GS)

Antec TRUE480W Power Supply

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pac...G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200

MSI "K8N Neo2 Platinum" NVIDIA...For AMD Socket 939 CPU

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-155&amp;depa=0&amp;manufactory=BROWSE"> Western Digital Quiet Drive 250GB 7200RPM IDE
</a>
Cooler Master Praetorian SILVE...UMINUM MID-TOWER CASE

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Dr...ack, Model ND-3500A BK

Asus Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DVD-E616P1 Black

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Flop...sk Drive, Model MPF920

Total: $ 1,888.39 shipped.

a couple of questions:

Would upgrading the ram to something like Crucial Ballistix 3200 increase performance much?

Is there enough difference between the 3800+ and 3500+ to justify the $200 price difference?

Also tell me if there's anything else you would change with this system.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: catch22
This machine will be used mainly for gaming. No overclocking except for the video card up to Ultra speeds. Here it is:

AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 3800+

Gainward NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card(GS)

Antec TRUE480W Power Supply

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pac...G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200

MSI "K8N Neo2 Platinum" NVIDIA...For AMD Socket 939 CPU

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-155&amp;depa=0&amp;manufactory=BROWSE"> Western Digital Quiet Drive 250GB 7200RPM IDE
</a>
Cooler Master Praetorian SILVE...UMINUM MID-TOWER CASE

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Dr...ack, Model ND-3500A BK

Asus Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DVD-E616P1 Black

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Flop...sk Drive, Model MPF920

Total: $ 1,888.39 shipped.

a couple of questions:

Would upgrading the ram to something like Crucial Ballistix 3200 increase performance much?

Is there enough difference between the 3800+ and 3500+ to justify the $200 price difference?

Also tell me if there's anything else you would change with this system.

Any input would be much appreciated.

1, no not worth it.

2, not IMO

3, i would even get cheaper ram. i suggest to kingmax 3200 sticks for $71 each. same timings, 5 stars. i have used it several times, its great cheap ram.

 

[OverVolt]

It's not worth it to build a PC for a friend, the most i ever do is help prevent them from getting completly screwed by Dell/HP/whatever.

Anyway i think for gaming thats a good rig, my only problem would be that the coolermaster cases cost a ton of cash, i'd look into something cheaper, and i myself would go with the 3500+ 200Mhz isn't going to make $200 difference IMO.

 

[imported_catch22]

Ok, thanks for the advice guys. Anybody else?