MADE: I'm building a Gaming PC

[digital021]

Building a Gamers PC

He guys, I recently built a pc about three months ago with the specifications below and I was extremely disappointed with the performance. Unfortunately, it performed sluggishly compared to my other Compaq AMD 3000 XP Computer with only 512mb of ram. So instead of making the same mistake, I can here to ask for opinions and comments on my next new system build. I will try to include as many details as possible for you guys to get a better image of what I am expecting for this new pc.

Budget $700-$1400 (I prefer the best bang for your buck instead of having the latest and greatest)

I have sold some of the parts on eBay and they marked as sold.


Old PC

CPU (SOLD)
Intel P4 3.0 GHz CPU Northwood Core (Maybe this was the root of all my problems )

Heatsink/Fan
Cooler Master Hyper 6 Heatsink/Fan (A little heavy but I love the design and it matches great with my case )

Motherboard (SOLD)
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard (Planning to move to an AMD solution)

RAM
2x512mb Kingston HyperX PC4000 RAM (Should they stay or should the go? More detail below on the new system being built)

Case
Cooler Master 111C-SX2 (This case has been phased out but the design on it is still great)

Power Supply
Antec 550W True Power (No brainier that I should keep this)

Video Card (SOLD)
Radeon 9800 All-In-Wonder (Good video card but it doesn?t provide enough fps in many games for the 2001fp)

Sound Card (SOLD)
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Pro Platinum (I didn?t live the external live drive since it took to much desk space and those damn Creative driver)

Hard Drive
WD Raptor 30gb 10,000RPM (I opted for the 30gb instead of the 70gb since I think it provides a great value for the small difference in performance. Storage is not really an issue for me)

Speakers
Logitech Z-680 (Nice)

Monitor
Dell 20.1? 2001fp Ultrasharp LCD (My Baby!)


New PC

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ or below (This is my dilemma because it just too confusing right now if I should buy the new 90nm or the older 120nm. I planning to overclock later on but I would like to have a computer that performs great meanwhile. Looking for best value over all)

Motherboard
?????????????(With Nforce 4 coming next month I really don?t what to do)

RAM
Will the 2x512mb Kingston HyperX PC4000 RAM be good for OC? I?m want at least hit 2.5-2.6ghz or higher overclocking 3500+

Video Card
Either 6800gt or a ATI Radeon x800xt PE

 

[Sonic587]

What are you planning on doing with this PC? Also, what do you mean the other PC you built was sluggish? Can you give some examples?

EDITed for spelling.

 

[DrCool]

if you can't get those specs to run any current game flawlessly, you should find a new hobby.

only 2 issues i see is the ATI videocard, and the CoolerMaster HS/F, otherwise should be a killer setup. shame

 

[Mik3y]

i recommend you get the 3000+ and oc that. it oc's the same as teh 3500+ as shown in anandtech's review.

 

[theblackbox]

besides the 9800 aiw, i'm at a loss why the intel didn't do well... er... good luck i guess.

 

[Blain]

If you're building a gaming machine on a tight budget, get an NF2 MB and 35W XP-M.
With good cooling, you can OC that CPU's brains out. Besides that, you can get away with slower/cheaper PC3200, instead of PC4000.

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: Blain
If you're building a gaming machine on a tight budget, get an NF2 MB and 35W XP-M.
With good cooling, you can OC that CPU's brains out. Besides that, you can get away with slower/cheaper PC3200, instead of PC4000.

IMO, i find the mobile bartons to be a bad gaming cpu even for budget now. a barton at 2.5ghz is still only as fast as the a64 3200+. just my 2 cents.

 

[Gnoad]

Ok. Athlon 64 3000 socket 939 90nm
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-499&depa=1
Any nforce3 250 mobo, lets just say MSI neo.
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-130-468&depa=1
Crucial Ballistix 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-546&depa=1
6800
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-130-202&depa=1
OCZ powerstream 420w
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-104-150&depa=0
WD 74gb raptor
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-144-160&depa=1
NEC 16x double layer burner
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-152-029&depa=0
win xp
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=37-102-151&DEPA=0
any case of your choosing, lets say ~$60

voila, grand total of $1407, HIGHLY overclockable and damn near extreme highend. $7 over, but you can always skimp on the psu a little, get a cheaper nforce 3 250 mobo, or just get 512mb ram for now, then upgrade to 1 gig later.