Building a new gaming PC

[EarlofCool]

Hi StayingOccupied,

I'm currently running the non 400 version of your motherboard. While it's a great board it can be a bit picky on brands of RAM. I would suggest going to the MSI forum board and do a bit of reading and even consider joining and asking any questions. The guys over there are very helpful and very friendly. Just let them know your new and what you are considering and they will be a great help. I would think long and hard before buying the PowerCooler video card. I've read about many problems concerning the fan stopping and even falling off the card completely. Of course there are exceptions where people hadn't had any problems with that brand and have had problems with other brands but if you do a Google search on the PowerCooler brand it just seems to have more than its share of problems. Hope you might find part of any of this helpful.

Link to MSI forum
http://forum.msi.com.tw/board.php?boardid=14&sid=

Another forum link that is great for the MSI motherboard that includes OS/BIOS/Install guides that could prove useful.
http://forums.amdmb.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12

[CraigK]

Hate to burst bubbles, but In my very loud opinion, stay away from MSI like the plague. I didn't notice the MoBo brand at first glance.

I have had nothing but bad experiences with MSI. Two of their motherboards fried on me. but if you do decide to go with them, checking out Earl's links would be a good decision.

[tgxiii]

How much video editting will you be doing with the computer? If not much, then the Athlon XP would be fine. If video editting is going to be used heavily, consider going for a Pentium 4. I know they're more expensive, but they encode and render faster.

[sevenal]

I like the AMD 2500
I would like to say I agree with Craig,nix the MSI.
Check into ASUS
2x 512 3200 or 3500 DDR ram running in dual mode
Perhaps Crucial brand
The thing I would like to really stress!
is this
get silent or low db fans,and the heatsink and fan should be reserched.Buy high RPM but low noise db.don't go cheap on your fans. Unless you want an AMD rig that sounds like a HOVER vacum.
You can save some bucks on the video card.Ask around or check newegg the Nvidia 128 meg Ti card is awesome at half the price.
Do some google serches for hardware reviews.
The Sound Blaster live card is a great card.The speakers matter more than super high end audio cards. Any THX speakers ROCK the house.
What Monitor do you have?
I use a 19in. flat screen CRT with my gamin rig.
I use the 64 meg version of the Ti Video card I mentioned.
Don't dismiss an Intel based 875 mobo and say P4 2.8 cpu
prices are down for those,they require less power produce less heat.
Don't shoot me but I build pc's for work and buy DELL's for my game boxes.There well built and quiet.
And look at the small business side, that cheap server has a heck of a mobo and comes without an OS.
g/l
let us know what you build

[StayingOccupied]

Vantec AeroFlow VA4-C7040 For AMD Socket A/462 And Intel 370/FC-PGA/FC-PGA2,Retail.
Specification:
Compatibility: Socket A,462,370
Dimensions: 74.5x74.5x60 mm
Bearing Type: TMD (Tip-Magnetic Driving)
Nominal Speed(RPM): 5600
Max Air FlowCFM): 35.5
Max Pressure: Not Specified
Heat Sink Material: Aluminum+Copper
Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
Noise(dBA): 38
Special Features: Copper Core for superior heat dissipation

hows that one?

[xhalloweenlvrx]

no offense, but i have had only bad experiences with nvidia chipsets...

i prefer via or sis ... but i am linux based ..

[hansbroken]

I don't know if you already placed your order, but my two cents:

For AMD, I'd say go with Abit NF7-S for MB.

Barton Xp2500 or Xp2600 CPU

Check out Thermalright for CPU cooler.
For example, sidewinder has a copper & Aluminum HS ALX-800 that works great for the price (like $22). Then, you can use any 80MM fan depending on your needs and noise tolerance.
Also, Swiftech 'V" series -- pricey but good quite cooler depending on fan choice.

On the two video cards you have listed, I'd go with the Sapphire. But you may want to look into GF4 Ti cards. They are not Dx9, but they are still great cards for the $$. Also, seriously check out Nvidia FX 5900 non-ultra. For about $180 or so, it is a great buy. Anand tech rated this as best buy considering price, performance, and upcoming cards.

If your really into audio and or Video encoding, Intel PIV has the advantage over AMD XP's. Although, AMD Xp has gamming advantage (as well as price). But the PIV 'C' CPU's have gone down significantly in price this month. They are great for Video & Audio encoding.

For the PIV 'C ‘ look into an Asus P4800 w/ Intel 865 Chipset. Or go all out with Asus MB w/ 875 chipset. However, the 865 chipsets support PAT and cost less, and will give comparable performance to the 875. $128 I believe can buy you a nice Asus 865 chipset (I believe P4800-deluxe) MB.

Also note that AMD (not sure about Intel) MB's tend to like high end memory. This is especially true if you plan to OC. I would look into like Muskin or Corsair (some really like Kingston Hyper X too). Muskin has a Level I dual pack in PC3200 and PC3500 flavors (2 x 512MB) for great price a New Egg last week. I know that Muskin memory works great on Abit NF7-S MB.

Also don't forget a good HD if your into Video / audio encoding. Maybe look into a WD Raptor if you have the cash. Otherwise, go with a good SATA HD (if your MB has SATA that is). I think they all have 8 meg buffers.

Lastly, do your research. Take your time. Don't be shy..Ask questions. This is the best advice of all...

Good Luck

[StayingOccupied]

ABIT nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "AN7" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket A AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Processors
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 + MCP-T
FSB: 400/333/266MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR333/266 Max 3GB, 2x DIMM for DDR400 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,1xCOM,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),1xLAN,3xIEEE1394(Rear 1),SPDIF In/Out,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 6-Channel AC97 Codec
Onboard LAN: Realtek 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x Serial ATA 150, RAID 0/1
Onboard 1394: 3 Ports
Form Factor:ATX more info>

105$




GIGABYTE KT600 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "GA-7VT600 1394" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket A AMD AthlonXP/Athlon/Duron Processors
Chipset: VIA KT600 + VT8237
FSB: 400/333/266/200MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR400/333/266 Max 3GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI(v 2.2)
Ports: 2xPS2,2xCOM,1xLPT,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-Channel AC97 Codec
Onboard LAN: Realtek 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Onboard SATA/RAID: VT8237, 2 x Serial ATA, SATA RAID, RAID 0/1
Onboard 1394: VIA VT6306, 3x IEEE1394 Ports (Internal)
Form Factor: ATX more info>
76$


do these look any good?

[StayingOccupied]

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Specification
Manufacturer: Mushkin
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2.5-4-4
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit


this would be good for ram.. right?

and video encoding will just be a side thing so im not focusing on that really.. im mainly focusing on gaming with this computer..