Help with my GAMING COMP!

[Nito]

Hi guys, its my lucky day, my parents said I can customize a computer.  I told them it is a gaming computer and they said its okay.  So I was wondering if you guys can help me make a REALLY GOOD gaming computer (money does not matter) (Be reasonable though) (I'd like the best peices though)
I would also appreciate it if you would give me sites where each item I could buy from.  I need a whole computer, like everything case, power supply, everything down to mouse and keyboard. I want an awesome gaming computer! I just need your guys help before I can purchase it.  If you guys would provide a picture of each item, it would help too, as I would like to know what they look like.  

I would really appreciate it if someone would help me out as, I want a good gaming computer!

Thxs A TON!,
Nito

[Carskick]

If you want to build your own computer, you can visit sites such as newegg.com, and choose all the components you need.

If you want the system prebuilt, and you want a high end system, I'd go with an Alienware. They are known for high quality, well supported high end machines. Compaq also just came out with their new gaming machine that you can get in an Athlon 64 or P4 variant. Give us some more details, such as how you want to buy/build, and how much you want to spend, and we'll help you out. Also, do you need a monitor?

[Mark H]

It depends on your budget and if you are willing to build it yourself or are only looking at prebuilt machines.

Answer the above and you will find plenty of help on this site.

[Nito]

Since, money is not a concern, I was hoping to go all out, and I am not the best with computers, I don't know what is that good or not :( I was really hoping that you guys could like put a list of all the best peices for me to get, and stores to get them from, and a picture if possible.  This would mean a lot to me, and would help a lot with parents, as they don't trust me, as much as experienced people like you guys =) I don't want a prebuilt system, as my cousin said he'll put it together for me if i get all the peices.  So thats all I really need help with.  Hes really experiecned.  

Thxs,
Nito

[Mark H]

For a good gaming system:

- One of the AMD64 chips - Any one will do, more expensive equals faster.

- An Asus or MSI motherboard (make sure that the pins match the processor you pick - 754 or 939 pins).

- One gig of PC3200 RAM

- A Western Digital 74 gig Raptor Hard Drive

- A video card with the Nvidia 6800GT processor or the ATI X800

- A DVD ROM

- Get a CRT monitor as they are better for games than the flat panel monitors.

- Get a set of PC speakers

- A case and good power supply (450 watt minimum for the above).

I would go to www.newegg.com and browse their site and then add items to the wish list (you have to register). You can then post the wish list web address here and we can see your list.

If you are going to buy one already together, you can check with a local shop or an on-line dealer.

[Nito]

Can you tell me the exact models for each peice? And what type of speakers? what type of monitors, which brands? can you be speicific

Thxs alot,
Nito

[Mark H]

 This system would rock based on the following parts at www.newegg.com :  
 
Lian Li Black ATX Mid Tower Case, Model "PC-6077"  
Item# N82E16811112044
$121.50  
 
 
Plextor Black 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive, Model PX-PREMIUM/SW BLK, Retail  
Item# N82E16827106235
$82.00  
 
 
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only  
Item# N82E16822144160
$362.00  
 
 
Microsoft BLACK Multimedia Keyboard PS/2 102keys -OEM  
Item# N82E16823109125
$19.00  



Crucial Ballistix 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail  
Item# N82E16820146546
quantity of four for $596.00  total

 
NEC/MITSUBISHI DP2070SB-BK 22" SuperBright Diamondtron CRT Monitor ?RETAIL  
Item# N82E16824002012
$664.00  

 
 
MSI "K8N Neo2 Platinum" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16813130468
$139.00  
 
 
Microsoft Trackball Explorer USB/ PS/2 -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16826105114
$45.00  
 
 
Antec 480 watt 120mm fan ATX 12V v2.0 power supply, Active PFC, Model "NeoPower" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16817103924
$151.45  
 
 
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor 939 Pin - Retail  
Item# N82E16819103463
$365.00  

 
 
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a - OEM  
Item# N82E16837102143
$141.00  
 
 
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16829102162
 $85.99  
 
 
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Personal Speaker System -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16836119101
$159.99  
 
 
EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card With Free Doom 3Bundle, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model "256-A8-N349-AX" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16814130208
$409.00  

You have to feel comfortable building your own PC though. You should also, pick your own keyboard, mouse and case to find something you like rather than what I chose.

If you are not into building a PC, then look for a similar PC already together or find someone to build one for you.

[Nito]

Thank you so much Mark, I appreciate this a lot.  All these peices are from New Egg? and does New egg provide a picture?

[Carskick]

Okay, I'll get you a great system. It could be expensive though, but we can go down from there. All of these parts are from Newegg.com, and I'd reccomend buying there, as they are reliable, and have good prices.

Case

AeroCool Silver ATX Mid Tower Case With Side window & jet, Model "JetMaster Jr - SS" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16811196002
$65.50

I chose this case because of it's high tech looks and apperently good airflow. Any case that looks good to you, is made out of good materials, and provides good airflow should serve you well.

Power Supply
Antec 480W Power Supply with Blue LED Fan, Model "TRUE480BLUE" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16817103914

$87.50

Antec PSUs are known for giving off their rated power reliably. 480 "true" watts should be sufficent for almost any system.

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 FX-53, 1MB L2 Cache, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor 939 Pin - Retail
Item # N82E16819103459
$849.00

This is easily one of THE fastest processors available today. It is truely based on tomorrows technology, including 64 bit, 939pin, and pleanty of power. It is currently out of stock, but should be back in stock by tomorrow.

Motherboard
MSI "K8N Neo2 Platinum" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16813130468
$139.00

This board should have everything you could possibly want.

Hard Drives
2 Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only  
Item# N82E16822144160
2x$181.00

2 of these in a RAID 1 format will give you optimal performance. Install your most intensive programs, such as games on these.

Western Digital 250GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, MODEL WD2500JB, OEM Drive Only  
Item# N82E16822144309

$153.99

This Hard Drive should be used as storage of Pictures, videos, music, and other files that don't have to be accessed as fast as possible.

RAM
4 Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Item# N82E16820145428
4x$165.00

This memory should be reliable, fast, and low latency. It may not be the best for overclock, but it should be great for optimal stock speeds. 4 sticks of these allows for 2GB of dual dual-channel. 1GB would be pleanty, but 2GB would prevent the need for upgrading for a long time.

Video Card
EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card With Free Doom 3Bundle, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model "256-A8-N349-AX" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16814130208
$409.00

Although not THE fastest 6800 available, THE fastest 6800, the ultras and ultra extremes, are very hard to fine. However, the 6800GT is almost just as good, and will beat almost any other card in it's price range. This version from evga, a reputable brand, comes with Doom3, a nice bonus.

Sound Card
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0360" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16829102164

$206.00

This is the best consumer sound card available. Loaded with features, and it has superior quality. Superb. Even has a $50 mail in rebate.

Optical Drives
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD?RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK W/SW, OEM with software  
Item# N82E16827152029

$82.00

One of the fastest and best all around drives available. Loaded with features and software.

Fans
Antec 120mm Blue LED Case fan, Model "77095"  
Item# N82E16835129016

$19.99

This will be your rear fan, as it is the only fan that the case or other component does not include.
___________________________________________________________
Grand total: $ 3033.98+ shipping

This is just the tower. You may still need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

This would be a screaming system. If it is too expensive, some parts could be eaily downgraded, such as lower the RAM to only 1GB, or going to a lower end Audigy 2 sound card.

[Nito]

Who's is better? Marks or Carsicks, which ever one is better Im getting :D

[Nito]

GEt the best possible peices New Egg offers  =)

[Carskick]

Okay, I'm done with the tower, as seen above. For other components, here are some suggestions

Speakers
Klipsch ProMedia ultra 5.1 Personal Audio System  
Item# N82E16836119106

$344.00

Klipsch is one of the best consumer speaker/amplifier companies in the world, and these 5.1 computer speakers are known for their superrior sound, so they should suit you

Monitor
SAMSUNG 910V-Black 19" LCD Monitor -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16824001162


Samsung monitors are very good, and this 19" LCD has the best responce time of the 3 available on NewEgg, so I chose it.

Keyboard and mouse are more personal prefrence. I would purchase them localy, or at least go to a local store and feel what you like.

[Mark H]

Carsick picked out a faster processer, but for the most part you won't notice too much difference in performance between them. The one I picked is a little lower priced for the hardware, but the one Carskick chose will be slightly faster.

The monitor I chose is one of the best out there and has a very large screen. In the end, you have to choose.

I would still look at cases on your own as you might not like the ones we chose.

Mark H

[Carskick]

Who's is better? Marks or Carsicks, which ever one is better Im getting :D

Marks and I used a lot of similar parts. Most likely, the system I built would be a little faster, but Mark's will be almost as good for not nearly as much money, probably about 2/3 the price.

[iansl]

My list of vague specs that would be a great gaming machine for not quite as much as Carskick's

Athlon 64 3500+
512x2 DDR400
2x74GB WD Raptor HDDs in RAID 0 (not 1, I think that was a typo Cars)
250GB 7200RPM HDD
16x DL DVDRW Drive
16x DVD ROM
Good 2.1 or even better 5.1 speaker system
Antec 480W PS
Good looking, good airfloow, good 'n' sturdy case
Win XP Pro (maybe with Virtual PC and Win98 so you can play some older games)
Laser Mouse (maybe that'd be nice, it's the one in PC Magazine, looks really cool)
Multimedia Wireless Keyboard (type from the freedom of your lap)
21 or 22" NEC CRT (NECs are the best at monitors, I think, and CRTs are the best for gaming)
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 SOmething (doesn't really matter too much, except that some have 7.1 and some have a front panel)
Floppy (yeah, you still need it I think)
nVidia GeForce 6800GT or ATI Radeon X800 (ATIs are better at DX, nVidia's bettter at OGL)
Maybe I got everything...if I did that should be one heckuva gaming system. If not, then I'll let one of the admins or carskick fill in the cracks...

...and you'd also maybe want extra fans or something like that...

[trav]

for a sound card, i recommend the Audigy 2 LS if you gan get it :)

And, yes sound DOES matter in gaming, greatly ;)

[Nito]

Thxs a lot Carsick for your help, I think ill be getting that comp, this is a great forum thxs for all the help

[Carskick]

Yeah, I meant RAID 0.

Anyways, glad you liked it NITO. I hope your parents let you spend that much. If you do end up getting that, you will have a very nice system. Also, as Mark said, you may want to look at cases yourself and find one that suits you. Good luck, and tell us how it goes!

[slaxorz]

It has been recently found especially with doom3 that raid 0 has no performance boost and actually in doom 3 and a couple of other games the fps drop a couple digits.  I found this shocking myself since falcon northwest and all these other great computer makers are using it on their high end models.  I personaly run a raid array with 2 80gb wd caviar and i have never been able to notice a differance. but to be on topic if you have no monetary concern i would suggest just buy a complete system through falcon northwest.  I seriously believe they are the best custom system configurer.

[Carskick]

slaxorz is correct. A RAID 0 configuration doesn't always give a great performance boost, but it rarely hurts fps. Loading times should be drasticly reduced, however. And if price is not a factor, you might as well go for it.