Finally going to build a new computer. Need advice.

[Russian Mafia]

I have been patiently waiting for the time to come and it's almost here. I had previously said in an old thread that I am planning to sell my computer, that didn't work out because my dad really needs a new computer so I'm giving him mine. To make things short, my budget is about $3,000 and I'd prefer to buy things off Newegg. So glorious HL2.net, help me build a gaming rig. (Should I go with Dual-core or Quad-core?)


P.S. I prefer Nvidia over ATI.

 

[Top Secret]

Like I said before:

Q6600
Generic good Asus Motherboard
2 gigabytes of value ram 800/1066
8800 GT
22 inch wide-screen
Decent 500 watt power supply

Pocket the remaining 2 grand.

 

[Russian Mafia]

I'm not paying for it, so I wanted to put as much into it as I can.

 

[Top Secret]

Well don't be an ass. Anything beyond getting a slightly better power supply and 2nd 8800 gt would be a waste of money.

Beyond that, a bigger monitor.

You must be young.

 

[Russian Mafia]

I understand what you are saying, but it's a present and they are willing to pay that much. I just want to make the best of it.

 

[Asus]

Since it is a gift and you have $3000 budget, I would get 2 video cards. Sell one. Save the cash to buy an video card upgrade later.
Not worth it to put it into one PC at one time unless they plan to buy you a new computer in 2 years as well...
(I'd much rather have 2 $1500 PCs spaced out by a year or so than 1 $3000 PC covering the same time span. Although I know that isn't what we are talking here.)

And you can see just how close we are talking between 8800GT and GTX. All brand new games, nothing with old graphics. Talking hundreds of dollars more for <10 fps gain.

 

[Russian Mafia]

I defiantly will choose the 8800GT over the GTX. I acknowledge that I shouldn't put too much money into one PC, so $2000 for the computer and $1000 for something else down the road isn't bad either.
Is there a significant difference between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM?

 

[Asus]

Oh you can put $3000 into a PC and it's all good. Just don't forget about an upgrade plan, as vague as it might be.

I'd stick with DDR2. Here are some numbers.
The board is the Asus P5K Dtx. Chipset on the board is P35. The last two columns show with DDR2 and then DDR3. You can see the memory speed and latency on the left.
Both hit ~44 seconds in Super Pi (number crunching program). DDR2 pulled higher FPS in Far Cry than the DDR3 (108 vs 102). Not much difference.

DDR3 is still new. Hardly any platform uses it.

 

[Barney Fife]

A $3000.00 would buy you a computer which will remain decent for minimum of 5yrs.

Quad Core
latest chipset MB
latest PCIe
Over the top PSU
4x 10,000rpm SATA drive
over the top Sound Card
64bit OS
8GB crazy rams
a server case
30 fans.
dual 8800ultras
Really go crazy with it.
32inch moitor

Good Luck.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

Like I said before:

Q6600
Generic good Asus Motherboard
2 gigabytes of value ram 800/1066
8800 GT
22 inch wide-screen
Decent 500 watt power supply

Pocket the remaining 2 grand.

This and maybe 8800gt in sli? Bigger monitor if you want.

 

[Russian Mafia]

Thanks for the help guys. It would be nice if you'd point to specific parts in Newegg and give me the link.

 

[Barney Fife]

Thanks for the help guys. It would be nice if you'd point to specific parts in Newegg and give me the link.

I think you and this fella may share the same price range in common.

Check this LINK. He may have the answers you seek.

Its a great setup, I would've buy in a heartbeat, if I had to this again. :cheese:

Good Luck.

 

[Russian Mafia]

I like that list. But I'll need a second dvd-driver/burner and I'll most likely get Vista. Also, do I need to buy all those fans? I thought they should come with the case.

 

[Pesmerga]

Buy a huge monitor.

 

[Russian Mafia]

Buy a huge monitor.

I currently have a 19", so I'll probably go up to a 22".

 

[ricera10]

I would go with what some other people said and spend a lot on a huge monitor , nice keyboard and mouse, speakers, stuff that remains relevant longer than the components inside a computer.

 

[Russian Mafia]

So, eh, can someone answer my question? Do I need to buy the fans or should they be with the case?

 

[Russian Mafia]

Bump.

 

[jerkasaur]

well I think you could put extra fans for your graphics card and cpu, not sure though. ask ASUS

oh and yeah, if I were you I would buy a very good monitor, since it's a piece that lasts for 7-8 years at least without having to upgrade to a better one.
I use a 9 year old monitor btw, and the cool thing is, it supports 1280x1024 res.

 

[Asus]

If you buy a retail CPU then it comes with it's own cooler. Some cases don't come with fans but most will come with at least 2 (front/back) and usually with an extra spot for one that they don't provide a fan for.

 

[Russian Mafia]

Thanks Asus.