Novice seeks advice on gaming build

Please, lets stop the fighting so Howard won't close down this thread. All the poster wanted was help building a computer, not people's opinions of each other. Calm down.

OK thanks for the clarification Sharkfood. Now, what about this for a sound card? As far as I can see, most of it's features are also present on the X-Fi right?

Both of these look good to me, but considering that the Creative is $73 and the Diamond is $30 (after rebates), I would probably go w/the Diamond. You could buy, like, two of the Diamonds w/the price of one Creative.
--kitty500cat

Of course, price is a factor. But what about feature-wise?

Yeah, I guess, looking at it, the Creative XtremeMusic probably would be a better choice (more features). I guess you sort of get what you pay for.
--kitty500cat

Yes, my goal is to build a PC that will be able to play all of the new games scheduled for release in the near future. I'll probably be playing current games like Call of Duty 2, City of Heroes, and future games like Age of Conan. That sort of gives you an idea of how this PC will be used.

This will be the first PC I've built. Since I have no experience with overclocking I will not be doing that. At least I don't expect to perform any overclocking at this point.

It seems like the dual-core processors from Intel come highly recommended. As well as Asus motherboards. Once I get some free time this weekend I'll read through these posts and should finally be able to compile a list of parts for you to review.

I've read in another forum that Abit motherboards tend to last longer compared to those of Asus. Is that true?

Again, thanks for the advice.

i dissagree on some part. F1N3ST got things right like onboard sound card. I had the same model and i never had any problem with Oblivion, Cod2, BF2, GRAW, Prey or HL2. and BF2142 sound so real for each sniper shot or bomb going off caused me to jump, and this is all coming from an onboard sound card. Perhaps i didn't find any problem with my system yet because I got the best recommendation from Techspot members before i purchase my parts to build my New PC : D
running on x1900 512mb, Xp pro w/ sp2 , 1 gig of coshar ram (should get 2 gigz)
3.5+ ghz AMD, 350giz hd.

this is the mobo that run my $500 video card : D
only $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138264

Excellent.

As you can see from this thread, there will always be a number of judgement calls to be made when buying hardware. I don't think any particular comparison here is, per say, "wrong".. but instead various people with their own suggestions.

To give a "cliff's notes" version of what the past few pages encompasses:
A) Sound Card. Your motherboard does have integrated sound. For most purposes this is "good enough", but the possible shortcomings involve:
i) Fact- integrated/on-board sound does use more CPU resources. With a Core 2 Duo though, this is almost irrelevant as you'll have cpu-resource overage in a BIG way. Also, resource usage will vary by game, game settings, speaker settings and the like.

There is a soundcard benchmark, RightMark that I use to test soundcards. The on-board audio can take 11-14% cpu resources for 32/64 channel sound vs. the XiFi's 3-4%.

My suggestion for the XiFi is mainly from personal experience using headphones and 2-speaker configurations. Headphones + CMS3D is a really amazing experience on the XiFi and 2-speaker use is also incredible fidelity and simulated expansion. Moreso than the Audigy/Audigy2/Audigy4 or Live! series... and much more than any integrated solution.

If you're going with a 4.1/5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup, you'll find integrated or other cheaper solutions just as good. It's mainly the CMS3D and EAX support on headphones or 2/2.1 setups that shifts my opinion as well as Creative driver support and their hassle-free auto-update website for drivers.

The Diamond card listed by Rage is also a stellar soundcard. It's a great value at that price-point and a solid performing soundcard. It also uses reduced system resources.
---------------------
B) Videocard-
There are all levels of videocards available, with Vista and DirectX 10 right around the corner. The first DirectX 10 card has been released (The Geforce G80 GPU) but they are very expensive. The capabilities for DirectX 10 are greatly raised from DirectX 9.0, but anyone's guess when games that will fully use these new raised limits start hitting the shelf. My prediction is it's pretty safe to assume we'll have some DX10 games shortly after Vista is released, but actual GAMES (not tech demos or benchmarks) that have a *major* visual impact from the improvements are likely further away.

For this reason, I'd say get a really good/cheap card with good power today, but not go "all the way" to fire-breathing dragon 3d cards. The motherboard quoted will support both SLI and Crossfire (methods from ATI/AMD and NVIDIA for coupling multiple cards, so you have no current compatibility blockages).

I believe the first generation of DX10 cards will be pricey, but will have more choices and lower prices after Vista is released. Bleeding-edge/early adopters always pay more initially and it's up to you if you want to cut corners elsewhere to boost 3d card power. Overall, your real choice will be limited to what display you get, resolutions wanted and eye-candy/effects you wish to use. NV and ATI/AMD both make superb cards in the $170-$250 range. I'd truly recommend staying in that price bracket so as upgrading next year to a DX10 card wont carry the same "hurt" from expenditures now.

forgot to add, i used headphone for my on board sound card xD its truly amazing especially if you're into FPS with bullet, bombs and gun shot everywhere. It feel like you're in the game.

side note: haven't try stand alone sound card yet.

Any more flaming in this or any other threads and posts will be deleted.

This is taken from the TechSpot Forums - Community & Posting Guidelines

This is the second time today I`ve had to issue this warning. Please don`t let there be a third!

There is nothing wrong with not agreeing with someone, but when it gets personal, that`s a different matter.

Regards Howard

I have never had a problem with my P5W DH onboard sound. The Realtek drivers have been flawless, even with Oblivion. The sound quality if far superior to any mobo I have ever owned.

That said, It costs too much to be used for anything other than overclocking a E6600 or higher (because it can't reach FSB of many i965 mobos.) Sound, two IDE connections, and polished overclocking features some of are it's strength's.

I recommend a Intel i965P mobo. Still very stable, but much cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0&Submit=ENE&Manufactory=1157&SubCategory=280
And spend the extra on a E6600.

Don't Get DDR2-800 if your not overclocking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141224 - good DDR2-533

If you are looking to upgrade to Vista, Windows Media Center comes with the upgrade coupon to home premium, Xp pro comes with a coupon for the Business edition and Xp Home comes with a upgrade to Vista Basic.puke:
I'd go for Windows Media Center just for the right upgrade.

The x1950 pro is faster than the x1900GT. For $53 more you can have all the pipelines, shaders and speed of the XT!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102051 - it's just 256mb though.

The PSU with the case sharkfood recomends is close to it's limits with this powerfull system and I don't like that stupid plasic door.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934 Solid 460 watts continuously
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119106 - a simple black case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999614 - looks like it needs another fan

This should add up about the same price as sharkfoods make-up, but out perform it substantially!

Well I took a few months off from my project of building a new gaming computer, and I am now ready to get back to wasting time online with games. So I need to get my new PC purchased. I read through this thread and there is a lot of great information. Thanks for laying the groundwork, Sharkfood. I used your template and modified it according to some of the other posts that were made.


A few questions:
1. Power Supply. I'd like to get something with more power output (in preparation for video card upgrades down the road). Any recommendations in this regard?

2. RAM. Mirob mentioned not buying DDR2-800 for a non-overclocked PC. I do not plan on overclocking, so is DDR2-800 overkill? Should I get DDR2-553 or some other type?

3. Case. What factors do I need to look for when I am selecting a case for the components listed below? There is such a wide selection of styles and colors.

Here is my build so far:
----------------------------------------------
Motherboard:
ASUS P5W_DH_DELUXE

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz

Video Card (the extra speed from this card I thought would be better than settling for the z1900GT):
SAPPHIRE 100171L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256bit

RAM:
OCZ 2 x 1GB DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

Hard drive:
Seagate Barracuda 120GB SATA

DVD/CD Drive:
Pioneer 16x DVD/CD

OS:
Windows XP Pro SP2 Upgrade Coupon for Vista

Audio:
I think for my basic gaming purposes I will stick with the onboard sound. Like Sharkfood mentioned, with a dual-core processor the onboard sound shouldn't make too much of an impact on the computer's overall performance.
----------------------------------------------

Very cool setup

Are you planning to use the upgrade coupon for Vista or just use XP? If you're planning to upgrade to Vista, it would be much less hassle just to buy Vista; it was released January 30. I'd recommend Vista Home Premium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116202

Regards

1. PSU's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817341001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817371002

2. Ram
DDR2 800 may be a bit of overkill, but I would not go with 533. You can compromise with 667 but the price is nearly the same.

3. Case
Cooling, cooling, cooling. You will want at least a mid-tower case with 2-3 120mm (12cm) to help keep all of your stuff cool. I won't recommend any at this moment because cases are what you see and can be quite a personal choice. A decent one will probably cost $60-$120.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2235424&Sku=O261-2005
I bought this OCZ GameXstream in December and received the rebate weeks ago. It was $35 then so it cost me $95.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T800UX2GC4
This RAM is better, but you may only notice if you overclock.

Not overclocking I'd use this
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T6UX2GC5
Good RAM great price.

Don't that OCZ memory get this memory. Its Corsair XMS2, the best meory around.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590

Oh yeah and it only costs $167 after rebates.

here are the specs on it:

Model TWIN2X2048-6400
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 5

It's more difficult to find a case than I imagined. Trying to find a case with a balance of quality heat control, good reviews, and some visual style. I was hoping to find a nice blue colored case, but couldn't find many options that had good reviews. Anyway I did find some that had semi-favorable reviews on NewEgg and had multiple fans. From the time I spent browsing around it seems like there are no 'perfect' cases.
A. Cooler Master ATX Mid
B. Antec Performance ATX mid
C. ABS Stealth ATX Mid

kitty500cat, I'm not certain if getting that new Vista OS would be good. I'm a bit wary of it since it's so new. I think I will wait for a while before upgrading, and stick with XP for a while.

Based upon the brand name of the RAM, I selected the Corsair over the Super Talent RAM recommended by Mirob... but the price of the Super Talent is pretty nice--$123 for 2GB. Might have to think about that some more. But for now:
RAM: Corsair 2x1GB DDR2 800

For power I chose the 700w OCZ GameXstream. TigerDirect has it for about $30 less than Newegg... not bad.
Power Supply:
OCZ 700watt


If you have any suggestions for a quality case, let me know. Airflow through the case, and an internal design that allows easy & secure installation of the components are more important than having blinky-blue lights

I think things are coming along quite well. This is a great forum, really good info.

As always the guidance is appreciated

The Corsair RAM is top-notch and tried and tested as well, so no problems there. I have the GameXStream and it's a superb quality PSU and I assure you, you'll love it. It's pretty small for a 700W PSU too, so it doesn't block too much space in the case at all. As for the case, this NZXT Nemesis combines killer looks with killer features. It has 3 120mm cooling fans for maximum cooling and is quite a bit cheaper than the other 3 cases you mentioned.

This is a nice case, but not as nice as the ones you picked
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?svcompucycle mkUa7z rc-631-ssn1.html
The price is WOW though. I just bought a CoolerMaster HTPC case there Saterday and recived it just hours ago, along with a Tunq Tower 120 HSF. wOOT!

Hi again JCole,

Things look pretty good and I'm glad your taking the time to custom select parts and hand-pick things how you see fit. Piecing together a system is definitely half the fun. hehe.

Not to complicate matters more, but Asus has a new "kid on the block" that has been getting pretty good praise from system builders. Unfortunately, I have yet to get my mitts on one personally but one of my collegues and several others I know have now built systems based on it:
Asus "Commando" motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131149

It looks to be the best of all worlds- P965 Express, dual PCI-E, etc.etc. Full poop sheet here:
http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1480&l1=3&l2=11&l3=307