Newbie needs new system.

[Tamashii]

Hello, this is my first post as a member of the forum, and I already have a dilemma. For a long time, I was set on a gaming laptop, but I recently became a lot more intrigued with desktops. Granted, I just got into buying a new high performance system, so I’m not the most computer literate. I’m still capable of building a computer with an A+ certified friend that I know. Anyway, before I work on the thing, I have to know what to buy. I’m sure you get posts like this all the time, so sorry if I seem a bit repetitive. By the way, my budget for the computer and all peripherals is around $2,500 USD.

1. AMD or Intel?

My computer will be used primarily for gaming and Internet use. Also, I will be doing some photo editing most likely via PhotoShop. If I decide to go with AMD, I won’t be building the computer because I found a company that sells AMD-based high performance systems (Scored 18,900 in 3DMark2001), but I do know that it is run on a 2500+ Barton processor that is overclocked to 2,200 Mhz. 2.2 Ghz seems a little low to me, but if anyone has had any experiences and can give me a few answers, that’d be great.

If I go through Intel, I’d be purchasing a 3.0 Ghz/800 Mhz FSB processor. I really don’t know how to get overclocking done, so the 3 Ghz processor would stay at 3 Ghz for now.

2.Motherboard

Well, if I go through AMD, the mobo would either be the Asus or Abit that supports Nforce2. Not sure of model numbers, but I believe they are N7.

If I go through Intel, I’d also purchase either an Asus or Abit (Or possibly Soyo). Also, I’d want a Canterwood.

3. Video Card

This really isn’t a topic open for discussion on my part. It will be a Radeon 9800 Pro with either 128 or 256 MB of Video RAM.

4. Case

Well, either with AMD or Intel, I am open to all discussions, but I was heavily considering the Lian Li Warrior pre-modded case with dual blue cathode lights. Also, I want at least a 420 watt power supply

5. Hard Drive

I need 120 gigs, and I pretty much decided on Western Digital since they have great prices on their 7,200 RPM drives.

6. Speakers

I really am not an expert with this, but I want a nice 5.1 setup under 100 bucks. I saw Logitech makes a nice one Z-460, and I am certain there are similar ones out there. I believe the Logitech one is close to 75 watts.

7. LCD Monitor

I really want a 17” or 19” LCD with a nice contrast ratio (Must be at least 500:1). I haven’t been able to check LCD’s out anywhere, so I really bear no expertise in this field.

8. Already decided- Lite-On 16x DVD-Rom and 52x32x52x CD-RW.

9. I don’t know if I really need this, but how much would an external watercooler improve my system? I really like the EXOS portable watercooler.


If I missed anything, feel free to add, as I am open to all suggestions, as long as the system remains high-end. Thank you in advance to anyone that answered.

[XxCowOfChaosxX]

CPU-AMD>Intel
MB-ASUS A7N8X Deluxe(dont get this if u go Intel)
RAM-Corsair XMS PC3200 2x512mb
GFX-No arguement there, although FX5900ultra is a LITTLE bit better
CASE-what u put(but the Aspire X-Superalien looks COOL)
HDD-what u put
Speakers-Logitech Z-680 5.1(or z-640 like you said)
Sound Card-Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2(or onboard)
LCD-iono, i like CRTS
(watercooling would only be helpful if you overclock)

[Dax_Brandy]

Tamashii, Welocome to Techimo!

looks like you already have a concept of what you want for your computer. my suggestion, if you have enough budget, go for the Intel platform. and yes, the VC go with the dx9 compliant cards like what cowofchaos suggested. the rest of the parts is up to your list.

good luck.

and don't forget to buy a digital camera, so that you can post some pics too in the gallery.

[Omardeth]

don't look like you need any help at all .

[joker_927]

Radon 9800 PRO,
19" LCD monitor.

BIG Money. Obviously money isn'y an issue. Therefore, go with a Intel since they cost SO much money, but, HEY, they perfrom slightly better than some $90 AMDs!

No offense but, to me, you are going to waste a TON of money on this computer, but it's your money.

If it was me I would buy a cheap 2500+ and overclock it yourself (it takes 1 minute and requires NO experience).
Buy a 9800 NON pro and overclockit just a tad to make it a 9800 PRO. (Takes about 3 minuted because u have to reboot) VERY EASY TO DO.

Buy a FREAKING HUGE 21" Flat CRT monitor that will look SOOOOO much better in gaming. I don't care what people say, I have played on a 19" LCD, and it looks fine while u play, but it looks like a burry mess compared to a good CRT. Dont waste around $200 on a case that has the brand name "Lian-Li" on it. Cheaper cases are available also. If you know how to use a jigsaw and a dremel, you life is now 10x as fun and cool. If you don't know how, learn.

I woudln't go with an external water system because water-cooling is pretty much intended for overclocking extremes. It would be quieter, but would not improve performance. Plus, it takes up room and there is leaks.

MaximumPC made a great example of just your case last issue. They built their "Dream machine" which cost them like $4000 dollars. You can build a system that looks just as good, and performs the EXACT same, for 1/4 of that.

You choose.

[tgxiii]

In almost every case you'll win with any option. If you're asking people for advice, AMD vs. Intel, good luck. I've only been here for a few months, but I know this much: there are more AMD fans here than Intel, but each side has strong arguments as to which one is better.

The only real advice I could give you is to read up on the ASUS or Abit motherboards. A lot of reviews will tell you what's good and bad about each motherboard, but in the case of those two brands either one will serve you well.

[DallasDon]

What they said, with an echo.

Asus A7N8 DELUXE, or ABIT NF7, either one. Make sure either one is a Rev 2.0, NF7 a favorite for budget minded, ASUS has neat audio BIOS features.

Extreme gamers almost unanimously select a CRT flat screen over Digital, for performance first and budget second.

AMD/ Intel: AMD for tweaking, Intel for solid, stable, stock performance.

[joker_927]

Let me kill the SMD vs. Intel in a short bit.

If you want the best of the best, go with a Pentium
If you want the most for your money, go with an Athlon.

Simple as that.

[Dj-Icer]

Im into Apple Computer and its latest version was G5- specially for those whose on animation or graphics stuff like that. They even quote out that its like the second super computer
I dont think you have any problems at all as it may seem. You detailed it all completely! So what else do you wanna have? Its all there and you just got what you really need. But I would go for intel. Recommended for most computer users.
Athlon, however, less expensive and they usually updates better performance, faster than the Intel. That is what I know of. Enjoy your staying Tamashii

[Tamashii]

Wow, I’m surprised so many people actually posted. Really, thank you everyone that took the time to do so. And upon everyone posted, I was happy to see I’m not the only anime fan here. Anyway, on to computer matters.

I’m glad to see that this board isn’t one sided, and that everyone didn’t pick either AMD or Intel. Like I said before, my budget is sort of high, probably more then you pros that know how to do it right would spend, so I really want to make this computer count. From what I have looked over, I will probably go with Intel, unless these new 64 bit processors coming out leave a strong impression. Also, I’d like to thank the people that recommended a CRT over a LCD. I’m starting to look into them and see what I can get for my budget. So, with that said, I’d like to post the specs I will most likely be going with:

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz/800 Mhz FSB
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800 Pro /w 128 MB of Video RAM
RAM: Corsair XMS PC3200 2x512mb (1 gig total)
Hard Drive: 120 Gig 7,200 RPM (Western Digital)
Media Drives: 1) Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM; 2) Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW
Case: Xoxide X-Turbine (Black) or Lian Li Warrior (Black) with Antec True Blue 480 watt PSU.

Lighting: In addition to various blue LED fans, Dual Blue Cathode lighting
Motherboard: Most likely Abit IC7-G Max II.
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Extigy
Speakers: Creative Inspire 5.1 set or a Logitech set around the same price (Z-460)
Monitor: Still not sure. Probably a Viewsonic CRT or a Sony CRT. Suggestions on specifics would be appreciated.
Mouse: Logitech Mx-300
Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
OS: Microsoft XP: Professional

Now, I would have no idea on how to overclock this baby, so if anyone has any tips, that’d be great. I wouldn’t be looking for a super jump (i.e. 3 Ghz to 4), but 3.5 would be nice, and not so overpowering that it puts my system on the line. Again, I’m open to all suggestions, so here would be the AMD-based system (Built by Xoxide).

Xoxide Xenosys 3000
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton OC’d to 2,200 MHz.
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800 Pro /w 128 MB of Video RAM (Software overclocked)
RAM: 1024MB Dual DDR 400Mhz Samsung PC3200 with copper heat spreaders
Hard Drive: Western Digital SE 120 GB
Media Drives: 1) Lite-On 16x DVD-ROM; 2) Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW
Case: Black Lian Li Warrior case /w Enermax PSU

Lighting: 7 Blue Led fans 92mm and 120mm+ Dual Blue Cathode Lighting
Motherboard: Abit NF7 Revision 2.0 /w LAN/Audio, running 200Mhz FSB overclocked (synchronized to Dual DDR)
Benchmarks: 18,900 in 3Dmark2001

All following specs are same as Intel ones. So, I guess my question now is how much my Intel stuff would cost to purchase, and how easy it would be to overclock the 3.0 GHz to somewhere near 3.5. Normally I would search for all of this on my own, but for some reason, my computer has been lagging the last few months, and I’m sure the 56k has dropped to 28k. Well, at least I’ll be getting a Cable Modem and a new system soon, so I won’t have to deal with this piece of crap any longer. So anyway, thanks again, people.