Good gaming computer

[Whiffen]

Kingston is a good brand. ;D

 

[mako man]

Ok update. The new builder will install the entire system that Rage described with the exception of the memory. He is unable to get those brands but he will let me buy it online and give it to him. My question is what brand is 4GB that will match up to this system. Do you have a part #.

Question #2 he doesnt' have acess to an XFX video card but he will use either MSI or EVGA for the GEForce 9800 GX2. Will either of these cards work well, which would be your preferance, and if you have a part number I would appreciate it.

Any part I supply him with goes in at my risk. If it doesn't match and there is a conflict between all components it is my problem.

What OS system would you install in this computer?

Thanks I will be ordering as soon as I clear up these questions.

 

[SNGX1275]

Rage gave you the links for the parts. Here is the link for the RAM again: http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4360008

The brand of the graphics card doesn't matter too much, so either MSI or EVGA will be fine. Personally I'd pick the EVGA one.

If you are going to actually put 4GB of RAM in it you will want a 64bit OS. I'd suggest Vista Home Premium 64bit. That really comes down to personal preference on Vista vs XP.

 

[mako man]

SGNX

The part number that Rage gave me for the ram is for a 2GB I am looking for a 4GB. That is why I need some help so I don't purchase anything that isn't compatible
with the ASUS board as you guys pointed out a few posts earlier.

Thank you

 

[Cinders]

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF

This is what I'd go with if I wanted 4GB of memory and was worried about compatibility. I'm sure if you look on the recommended vendor list for the ASUS motherboard you want you'll see Crucial. This memory is substantially more expensive than the other 4GB sets on newegg, but compatibility is almost 100% guaranteed with the motherboard.

Compatible Corsair Memory With Your Motherboard. I'm sure if you look close you'll see exactly the memory I recommended. I double checked just to be sure.

 

[captaincranky]

Old and Set in My Ways......

I'm still suggesting a dual boot OS for a machine in this price range. 32 bit XP Home, and whichever flavor of Vista you settle on.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Unfortunately, I don't see any Corsair 2GB 1066MHz modules supported in the P5E. It only supports Crucial 2GB modules rated at that speed. So the OP will either have to look for a 4GB Crucial 1066MHz kit, or buy two of the 2GB kit I specified earlier.
FYI, here is the QVL for the board.

 

[mako man]

Hello Rage

Where ya been?

I don't understand the QVL sorry.

Would the corsair dominater 4GB mentioned above be compatible? I looked, but i'm not sure not to computer savy but I'm getting better.

If not can you give me the part number you recommend so I don't get the wrong part.

This is the last component to figure out. He gave me a price of $1680.00 US not including the cost of memory that I have to buy additional. All components are the same as you listed on page 1. I don't think thats a bad price considering he knows what he is doing (I hope) and I get a one year warranty.

I'm almost done troubling you guys for your imput and I really do appreciate your help. I think your system well be terrific.

Capt Cranky I will look into your suggestion. If it is reasonable it sure would cover both situations.

Thanks again

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

No, it won't be compatible and from what I;ve seen on other forums, can cause serious issues. As I told you before, get two of the 2GB Crucial Ballistix kits I recommended earlier if you want 4GB of RAM, otherwise just use the 2GB and it should be enough IMO.

 

[mako man]

Rage,

Understood run 2 crucial 2gb thanks a million.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Excellent. Also, as soon as you get the board, update the BIOS to the latest version. You can do that by downloading the latest version of the BIOS for the mobo from ASUS' site and using ASUS's provided instructions to flash the BIOS. You could also use this guide to flash the BIOS from DOS, which is the way I prefer to do it, since it can be done before installing Windows. Since you didn't specify whether you're getting your PC with Windows pre-installed, I'm giving you options for both.
If you're not sure how to do it yourself, tell the guy building it for you to do it. It's easy enough to be done in front of you, so you know it's been updated, since this matters a lot when it comes to system stability.

 

[mako man]

I am assuming your talking about the P5 motherboard from asus?

I have no idea what BIOS is (LOL) so me doing it no way

He is supplying the P-5 so I hope he updates first but who really knows.

I only have to supply the memory he supplies all else including the antec 900 tower.

Rage I was reading reviews on the 9800 gx2 and some find it loud and very hot. I don't know if this is true, but what do you think? I place the tower in a desk which had restricted air flow.

I'm still probably going with vista home premium 64 Bit

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

It is loud and hot, but the fastest card on the market nevertheless, so I think it's expected.
As for the case, not a good location to keep it in. I'd recommend keeping it on a table or on the floor, though it's best not to keep it directly on the floor, especially if you have a carpet. The best is to keep the monitor and case on the same table.

 

[mako man]

Rage that is a problem. I have to keep the tower in the desk or my wife will kill me. Is there a video card that runs a bit cooler and quieter, but with similiar performance. What ever you select would have to match the other componets that you selected. I definately have to keep the tower in the compartment in her desk.

If the misses is not happy then i'm not happy if you know what I mean. LOL

 

[SNGX1275]

I'd still get the same thing you are planning on. Cut an 80mm hole (or 120) and mount a fan then in the back of the tower cabinet of your desk. Then find one of those 12V wall wort power adapters, and cut the connector off and wire it to your fan. If you don't want to solder then pick up something like this for cheap.
That way you'll be exhausting hot air out of that tight enclosure.

 

[mako man]

The rear of the desk where the computer slides in is completely open, and a few inches away from the wall. The rear opening is probably 10 inches wide by 28 inches high. Maybe this is enough area to keep it cool enough. There would probably be atleast two inches of space on both sides of the tower, and the rear would be open.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I'd make sure it was at least 4-5" away from the wall. With good cooling in the room and ventilation, you might be able to get away with it. Also consider SNGX's ideas.

 

[mako man]

Its tough to cool in the winter.

Any other suggestions for a great video card with potentially less problems that would match your system?

Does this card run hot while using the computer for non game programs?

Thanks

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

I guess you could look into the 3870X2 but i hear it takes alot of power and thus i would asume produce alot of heat too. Cheeper though.

 

[captaincranky]

Having Your Cake and Eating it Too.......

Its tough to cool in the winter.

Any other suggestions for a great video card with potentially less problems that would match your system?

Does this card run hot while using the computer for non game programs?

Thanks

Sometimes, when I'm really bored I read case fan reviews at Newegg. So, when I see a review for a fan that moves 120CFM, and the purchaser puts it in, turns it up full blast, and then complains about the noise, I can't help but chuckle to myself, thinking "WTF did you think was going to happen".

The same principles apply to overclocked processors, and top of the line video cards.

When you're not running games, no the card won't run as hot.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Sometimes, when I'm really bored I read case fan reviews at Newegg. So, when I see a review for a fan that moves 120CFM, and the purchaser puts it in, turns it up full blast, and then complains about the noise, I can't help but chuckle to myself, thinking "WTF did you think was going to happen".

lol!
120cfm is alot lol.

Does't SLI prevent gpu's from running at lower power settings?
I forgot were i heard this, and it seems unlikely but...

 

[captaincranky]

Good Question....

[QUOTE='hellokitty[hk]

Does't SLI prevent gpu's from running at lower power settings?
I forgot were i heard this, and it seems unlikely but...[/QUOTE]
That answer is unfortunately above my pay grade. But somebody will ring in to illuminate the subject.

Actually, I believe Mako Man is going to with a single video card, a GT9800. Which is heap plenty, no need-um SLI.

Myself I'd opt for a lower line card, since the GT9800 would take away any excuse you might have for losing.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

The 9800GX2 has a Hybrid Power mode, which puts the GPUs in a low-power state when watching videos or doing anything else which doesn't need the GPU to work too much. IMO, go with it, the heat output wouldn't be too much, especially if you have a fan in the back of the case. The GPU itself also has a two-slot cooler that throws the hot air from it out of the case, so don't worry too much.

Its tough to cool in the winter.

The house would cool down in winter, so you wouldn't really need more cooling would you? Maybe you meant summer?

 

[mako man]

LOL one would think so. My wife cranks the heat in the winter, and in the summer I crank the cold air. I'll just go with it and give it a chance. As Capt says I won't have an excuse for losing now.

Thanks guys have a good weekend. Its time to go fishing and have a couple.

 

[fullmetalvegan]

Or you could wait for the apparent new architecture of the GeForce 9900's coming out in the next few months. =D

So glad I haven't gotten a 9800 GX2 yet, should be good.