I started this tribe a long time ago, because I wanted to build a computer, and I thought it would be good for everyone to input on the setup I was planning. Well, I never did it. I just didn't have the money nor time. Now-a-days however, I have both, and I would like to start fresh and get some input from you guys, so here it goes.
Here was my strategy. I knew I wanted an AMD rig, so I found some websites that build computers for you, and checked out their specs.. They were "build your own" computers, I did just that, and here is what I came up with.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Main Board: ASUS AMD Motherboard (A8N-SLI Deluxe)
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+ 2.4GHz (2x1MB) L2 Cache Dual Core (ADA4800CDBOX)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower 2.0 (TP2-550 EPS12V)
Case: Still up for grabs (I need input)
Cooling: I'd like to go watercooled (Still researching)
Memory: CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM (TWINX2048-3200)
Video Card: eVGA Geforce 7800GTX (256-P2-N529-AX)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface (70SB036000000)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor (WD1500ADFD)
Optical Drive: Sony (DW-D22A)
Combo Media Drive: Mitsumi (FA404M BLK)
I changed some stuff during this post, but my original price estimate was 2300.00
As far as cases go...
Aspire X-Navigator Aluminum Computer Case - Blue (ATXA8NW-BL/500)
Thermaltake SHARK (VA7000BWA)
Gigabyte 3D Aurora Case, Black with Window (GZ-FSCA1-ATB)
CoolerMaster Stacker 830 (RC-830-SSN1)
I am currently using my girlfriends laptop:
Hewlett Packard HP Notebook PC
Intel Celeron 1.33 GHz
240 MB of RAM
It does the job we bought it for: Schoolwork
But I need something that can actually play a game.
Here was my strategy. I knew I wanted an AMD rig, so I found some websites that build computers for you, and checked out their specs.. They were "build your own" computers, I did just that, and here is what I came up with.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Main Board: ASUS AMD Motherboard (A8N-SLI Deluxe)
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+ 2.4GHz (2x1MB) L2 Cache Dual Core (ADA4800CDBOX)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower 2.0 (TP2-550 EPS12V)
Case: Still up for grabs (I need input)
Cooling: I'd like to go watercooled (Still researching)
Memory: CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM (TWINX2048-3200)
Video Card: eVGA Geforce 7800GTX (256-P2-N529-AX)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface (70SB036000000)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor (WD1500ADFD)
Optical Drive: Sony (DW-D22A)
Combo Media Drive: Mitsumi (FA404M BLK)
I changed some stuff during this post, but my original price estimate was 2300.00
As far as cases go...
Aspire X-Navigator Aluminum Computer Case - Blue (ATXA8NW-BL/500)
Thermaltake SHARK (VA7000BWA)
Gigabyte 3D Aurora Case, Black with Window (GZ-FSCA1-ATB)
CoolerMaster Stacker 830 (RC-830-SSN1)
I am currently using my girlfriends laptop:
Hewlett Packard HP Notebook PC
Intel Celeron 1.33 GHz
240 MB of RAM
It does the job we bought it for: Schoolwork
But I need something that can actually play a game.
posted by:
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California
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Re: Building a computer!
Mon, March 27, 2006 - 12:38 PMIf this is the first computer that you've ever built then I wouldn't recommend making it a water cooled computer. Wait until you've built a few computers before you try that. And unless you are planning on overclocking the computer then it isn't necessary. And once again if this is the first computer that you are building I wouldn't recommend overclocking either.
If you would like a recommendation for a case I love this one:
www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp
I myself prefer BFG over eVGA, but as long as it is a Nvidia card you won't hear any arguments from me. And if you are planning on spending that much money on a video card the new 7900s are starting to appear.
I would probably spend the extra money for the A8N-SLI Premium over the Deluxe.
If you would like to save a bit of money the Corsair Value Select RAM performs just as well as the XMS in most situations.
Are you planning on getting two SATA hard drives and setting up a Raid0? That is probably the biggest thing that you will notice a change with. The loading times for your games and Windows loading times will be nearly cut in half. The motherboard that you have selected is set up for it already. All you really have to do is make a floppy disk with the drivers when you are installing Windows since Windows XP doesn't automatically detect and set up the raid.
Other then that it looks like a beautiful setup. -
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Re: Building a computer!
Thu, March 30, 2006 - 4:46 PMHey Cyrran,
Thanks for the reply. I was checking on the A8N32-SLI Deluxe, and found that over half the reviews of the card were negative. This worries me. So I did a check on the A8N-SLI Premium, and there were a lot more positive reviews, that was nice to see. As for overclocking and watercooling, I probably won't attempt any overclocking at first, but as I get more involved I might play around a bit. Watercooling is just something I want to do for me. I like the way it looks as well as performs, and I don't think I would have any problems installing it, it seems pretty straight forward. Right?
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Re: Building a computer!
Tue, April 4, 2006 - 2:11 PMIt is and it has gotten a lot safer and easier to install water cooling in the last few years so it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. I just tend not to recommend it for a first time computer build. But if it is something that you want to do then go for it. I do love how quiet water cooling is compared to even the quietest air cooled computers.
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Re: Building a computer!
Sun, April 16, 2006 - 7:52 AMi got the zalman reserator, it isnt that hard at all to setup and it works well and looks cool. you can see a pic of my system at www.alohatechs.com or in my profile, i own this company, it is a computer repair place in hawaii and I specializes in custom systems....i can help you with anything you need as far as questions....
That AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+ 2.4GHz (2x1MB) L2 Cache Dual Core (ADA4800CDBOX) looks sweet...i have also been thinking about upgrading my x64 3400+ to it....ive been checking them out since the release. Just gotta save the money....theyre alot..but mos' def worth it from what ive read.
