Final build for my PC, revised again. (mobo updated)

[Woofna 0]

EDIT: MOBO UPDATED

 

I have decided to build my own PC, rather than going with a Dell or anything. As such, weeks of research have gone into getting the best, most compatable, best value budget gaming PC. This PC is designed for light gaming and media use.

 

Please give me your opinions and suggestions. I have done my best to make every dollar I spend go as far as it can.

 

I want it to play the following games:

 

Quake 4

Doom 3

World of Warcraft

UT2007 (when it comes out)

America's Army

 

Do you think it will? If so, how well?

 

And of COURSE, I want it to play C&C3, do you think it will, and how well?

 

Keep in mind that this is a budget PC and I want to keep it under $700, that is with the speakers, keyboard, optical drive, and LCD monitor.

 

So far it costs almost exactly $660 U.S. Dollars, before shipping and rebates.

 

The quick specs?

 

MOBO: Socket AM2 motherboard, ATX form factor

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.6ghz on the AM2 socket

MEMORY: 1 gig RAM (Corsair, DDR2 800, Dual Channel, 2 x 512)

VID CARD: Nvidia GeForce7600GT, 256m GDDR3 RAM, PCI-E x16

 

The REAL specs?

 

OKAY, first off, I chose a Socket AM2 motherboard for maximal compatability with my Athlon. The motherboard has good specs.

 

MOBO Specs:

6 x USB2

10/100/1000 MBPS LAN onboard

6 channel onboard audio

Socket AM2

ATX Form Factor

Northbridge: Nvidia Nforce4 ultra ( I think that makes it more compatable with my Nvidia card ... ? )

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16813138041

 

 

 

Next up, the processor.

 

I chose the AMD Athlon 64 4000+ at 2.6 ghz. I decided a faster single-core processor was more efficient for my uses, than a slower dual-core of the same price. I don't do super multitasking at all, I run AT THE MOST, AOL9, firefox, winamp, and maybe a video game on top of that, but usually only two of those. Because this is a socket AM2 processor, it is 2.6ghz instead of 2.4ghz, though NewEgg mislisted that I know it for a fact. It's also more efficient on that socket.

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16819103868

 

 

Now for the memory! I chose 1 gig of DDR2 800 memory, which is super-compatable with my Athlon due to the Athlon having an onboard DDR2 controller. It's also good memory to begin with, being super-fast. It is Corsair memory, and is 1.024 gigs (2 x 512) of dual-channel RAM. It pairs EXCELLENTLY with my processor.

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16820145566

 

 

And NEXT, the video card. The video card is a PCI-Express x16 GeForce 7600GT w/ 256megs of GDDR3. According to King, this is an improvement to my previous choice, which was a 7600GS with 512megs of DDR2 memory. For those who want to know, the card is around 110 U.S. Dollars.

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16814141043

 

 

 

The monitor this will all surface on is a cheap one, a 17" LCD Monitor.

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16824009088

 

 

 

And it's all nicely packed in a PowerMac ripoff case, a steal at $38 U.S. Dollars with the 500w power supply

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16811164060

 

So, what do you all think?

[kraft 0]

It will run all those games good, im not sure about UT2007 though - I havent read up on the specs but it will be definitly playable, if you plan to upgrade your PC anytime after that you should get 2gbs of RAM, Besides that it should run all good

[Tree 0]

My only comment is on your case. Micro ATX will get mighty hot. Should be fine other than that.

[kraft 0]

If you can find a normal ATX board with the same specs and a similar price - get it

[Woofna 0]

Micro ATX was the cheapest -- would a RAM cooler help rectify this? I don't want my stuff to burn!

 

I can upgrade the mobo but it'll raise the price a good bit ...

 

>_>

[kraft 0]

Your RAM already has heat sinks on it which help keep the RAM cool, youd be able to buy 2 120mm case fans for around 10 bucks, That would be the best solution for cooling, The heat from it isnt a BIG factor for you PC, but keeping it cool with a couple fans would be enough to not worry about it overheating

[Woofna 0]

I have changed to an ATX Form Factor mobo.

 

I don't think my case has any room for more fans besides the CPU fan, there's a vent on the bottom of the side, but can I mount a fan there?

[Sonic 296]

If your concerned about keeping things cooler go for front and rear 120mm fans, plus you could think about about using a different CPU heatsink and fan. I use the Thermaltake Golden Orb II - CL-P0220 heatsink/fan on my Athlon 64 3800+.

 

 

Its big, heavy but works better than AMD stock heatsink and fan. And its really close to silent.

 

Oh yeah, the motherboard you have selected. I've never heard of BioStar before. Don't be afraid to look better known brands like GigaByte, ASUS or DFI.

[kraft 0]

I use the Scythe Infinity

It's a bit of an overkill But it works great.

 

The stock 4000+ fan should be fine until you feel you have the need to upgrade it

[Luk3us 63]

Your case looks crappy.

 

But since that doesn't actually affect anything, I'd say its a nice system.

[Woofna 0]

Your case looks crappy.

 

But since that doesn't actually affect anything, I'd say its a nice system.

 

It's acceptable for my looks, I only refuse to use 80's beige cases that make my comp look like a Pentium 3 with no balls. This case looks OKAY and comes cheap with a 500w power supply, so it's definitely fitting my BUDGET build.

[Luk3us 63]

It's acceptable for my looks, I only refuse to use 80's beige cases that make my comp look like a Pentium 3 with no balls.

 

lol.. Fair enough.

 

Just be aware that the PSU is as I was told repeatedly last week (ugh.. kill me now...) is the most important overlooked component in a PC.

[kraft 0]

Yeah that is definitly true, when I built my PC the case came with a 520w PSU and the first day i got it running the PSU fan was stuffed and I had to buy a new PSU

[Woofna 0]

500w should run that rig fine, if I decide to go with an SLI setup and a dual-core, I will be upgrading to a 600w or better.

[Sonic 296]

Its all about the total wattage for a PSU, just because you have a 500w PSI doesn't mean its any good. To quote from this page http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp:

 

The recommended total Power Supply Wattage gives you a general idea on what to look for BUT it is NOT a crucial factor in power supply selection! Total Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important, followed by the +5V amperage and then the +3.3V amperage. Example: PSU you want to buy has 400W total wattage output but only has 16A on +12V rail. But your configuration might require 20A on +12V rail.

So lets take a look at ratings for that PSU that comes with the case have selected, look for the +12V rail rating.

 

 

You should check http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp, it has a handy PSU Calculator.

[mormreed 0]

one piece of advice:

use as little non-brand-name stuff as possible it usually avoids hassles with getting the rig to start for the first time : )

[kraft 0]

I disagree with that, stick to reliable brands and check out customer reviews on newegg

 

My PC is all brands and it started first time i pressed the button

[mormreed 0]

it's just sometimes non-brand-name harware can give you hassles with installing software

[kraft 0]

oops my bad read your post wrong

[Guest Auronguardian]

I would say that is quite good, just add a little more Memory if you expecting to play UT 2007

 

And dont spend too much on the fan, although the beafy one in Newegg looks nice, it'll work just as fine as a 20 or even 10 dollar one.

 

And although people say to not spend any time on a case, ignore them. One of the reasons I love my computer is because I slaped down 50 bucks for a nice case... *Hugs computer*

 

Also, if you get a case with a see through side, dont forget: Cathodes!

[Sonic 296]

You don't need crappy gimmicks like Cathodes. If you want some fancy coloured lighting just get some LED fans.... the pic below shows my case powered on with it's nice blue LED fans. Even the CPU fan has a blue LED

 

[kraft 0]

I have 2 LED fans and a Cathode on the front under the grill of my PC (cathode came with case) But the LED fans light up everything aswell as keep it cool

 

And yes my PC has a grill

[mormreed 0]

yah go with led fans, the look cool and cool ur pc

[Guest Auronguardian]

Or both! Hell I know I do, and they look damn good together.

 

But try to mix the colors or else it will make it look worse.

[Hans5849 0]

First off, the Core 2's destroy AMD's offerings at this time in the price-power ratio.

 

heres the links to the what i use when i build a PC, i want a quiet and efficient pc.

 

PSU- http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html

Case Fans- http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html

Heatsinks- http://www.silentpcreview.com/article30-page1.html

 

I would also recommend getting a ASUS or Abit motherboard, they make the most stable ones.