Re: If You Had $1500 To Build a gaming System...

**Ben** · 03-20-2006, 04:26 PM

i'll crack open the case and check the wattage tonite. stay tuned for further details....:-)

**TychoCelchuuu** · 03-20-2006, 08:06 PM

A 2.8 GHz P4 will probably last you for a while longer if you upgrade to a 6800GS. You don't even need to bother with the second gig of RAM unless you want to decrease your loading times. If I were you, I would probably upgrade to a 6800GS and save that money for a couple years and then upgrade again, but if you're set on making a whole new computer now's not a horrible time either. Cyberpower PCs will actually get you a pretty awesome computer for $1,500: just take one of their base Athlon 64 systems and add another 3d card. Customize everything else that you want and you should be able to get some good SLi for UNDER $1,500, since you don't need a monitor or Windows XP or anything.

**TheBigC** · 03-20-2006, 08:35 PM

Tycho was dead on with CyberPower. He is a similar website for around the same prices: http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm

**Overlag** · 03-20-2006, 10:02 PM

Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
1 ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: A8N-SLI Premium
Item #: N82E16813131540
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99
Remove Save Move To Wish List $164.99 $164.99

Video Cards
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
1 eVGA 256-P2-N563-AX Geforce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N563-AX
Item #: N82E16814130281

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99 1 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $39.99 2 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $49.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $59.99 3 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $59.99
Remove Save Move To Wish List $319.00 $319.00

Memory - System
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
1 CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model Twinx2048-3200c2pt - Retail
Model #: Twinx2048-3200c2pt
Item #: N82E16820145575

$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99
Remove Save Move To Wish List $198.00 $198.00

Processors
Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
1 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4400CDBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA4400CDBOX
Item #: N82E16819103546
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $49.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $79.99
Remove Save Move To Wish List $463.00 $463.00

Subtotal: $1,144.99

thats a good base to build on... maybe get a 4800 instead of a 4400 and maybe a 7900gtx instead of the 7900gt... depends on what else u need

thats new egg.....

**WhiskeySix** · 03-20-2006, 10:27 PM

all good suggestions...

If you really want to spend the money, go for it. You can get a pretty bangin system for a lot less however: stick w/ that P4 of yours (which should run 3.2GHz+), and go w/ a high-end AGP video card... (which is what I'd do, personally.. save the extra $$$ for another toy)

Case + PSU: $100

Motherboard (with 'auto-overclocking'): $100

CPU Cooler: $35

2GB RAM: $200

"fastest" AGP Video Card in existence: $ 320 (ATI X850 XT PE - you'll run current games on max settings)

Video Card Cooler: $35
________________
Total: $785

but that's just me.. these other ideas are also really solid

**Tonk** · 03-21-2006, 10:53 PM

Quoting Overlags post (didnt want to link it cause its too long)
things u forgot to calculate:
PSU about 75
Case about 100
HD about 100, or if u go raid0/1 double that
CD/DVD-ROM 40 for a DVDburner
OS 90 for windows home

OTHERWISE, (lol) that is the EXACT shopping cart(save i went ATI instead of NVIDIA) i have going at Newegg.com (just waiting on the slow-a** government with teh tax return

**Overlag** · 03-22-2006, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Chair

Quoting Overlags post (didnt want to link it cause its too long)
things u forgot to calculate:
PSU about 75
Case about 100
HD about 100, or if u go raid0/1 double that
CD/DVD-ROM 40 for a DVDburner
OS 90 for windows home

OTHERWISE, (lol) that is the EXACT shopping cart(save i went ATI instead of NVIDIA) i have going at Newegg.com (just waiting on the slow-a** government with teh tax return

thats why i said "base to build on"

ie the case... i dont know what his tastes are, so i cant exactly choose a case for him!
same with his CD/DVD... im not sure if he wants a DVR, or just a DVD drive...then if he wants a DVR, does he want the top end model that can burn double disks or whatever they call it

PSU id always recommend Enermax... as ive always used them. Im currently using a Liberty 620watt supply. However again, he might prefer another brand, and since the other peoples posts on the size of the PSU he will need was sound (ie good), i didnt add to that

HDD... Do you go with seagates reliablity but painfully slow drive, or do you go with Hitachi's speedy drive? Does he need a raptor or would a 3rd placed Maxtor be a better choice for all round... I dont know.

OS... well i wouldnt recommend buying a MS OS, but then i have got a rather large distaste against MS and its costs..... £90 ($157) for a OEM OS you can only install once...... what BULL**** or what about a even "better" deal and get a Retail OS that you can install more than once, yet it costs £250 ($440).....

**Tonk** · 03-22-2006, 04:05 PM

what OS do u use? i am only sticking with MS-BS(it truly is BS) because i am clueless when it comes to linux/unix.... i wouldnt mind going to that IF, and only IF i was guaranteed to be able to play/use every game/program that i currently use... i know u have to have all diff drivers that arent supported by the manufacture and stuff like that

**Overlag** · 03-22-2006, 06:37 PM

XP prof 32 and 64

**Spyder** · 03-22-2006, 11:03 PM

Yeah, stick with XP. Unless you're really into tweaking with your OS to get stuff to work right, it's just a pain to use Linux for basic everyday computer gaming purposes.

**TychoCelchuuu** · 03-24-2006, 01:09 AM

XP is easily your best bet. People like to rag on it but it's a very good operating system.

**Sarcoma** · 03-24-2006, 02:17 AM

lots of grreat advice already...Ide stick with one of the builders and Tycho sugested $1500 well get you a great system. My only adivce to add is try to think ahead, you will want to upgrade someday so keep things flexable.

Sarcoma

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