Need help on building gaming PC!!!

[Squigi63]

After much thought I decieded to build a new comp. I was thinking of starting off with an Anthlon 64 3200+ 939 pins, ~1gb of RAM and either going AGP 6800 GT or 2 6600 SLI(I don't know which one would be better in the long run). Other than that I have nothing. I was wondering if some of you guys help. I have ~1200 USD, I plan on taking my DVD-RW and CD-RW out of my current comp so what i need...

Motherboard
Video card(what ever you guys thing would be the best)
Case(something not too small and not too flashy aka gay)
RAM(I want something really fast to take advantage of 939pins)
HDD(optionial, I have 120gb that I'm currently using but if I can afford one)
Soundcard(I heard that Turtle beach's Catilena is a good cheap card)

I'm really looking for input and if you guys can some good links to trusted sites with good service. I want the most bang for the buck and any help is greatly appreciated.

[eternal11]

the processor, you might want to go with a 3600+, from ChrisRay's reviews, two 6600GT's in SLi kick the crap out of a single 6800GT, so I'd go with the SLi setup and get an ASUS A8N motherboard. The RAM, I would go with the Corsair XMS PC3200 series, and get the 1 GB dual channel model. HDD's id go with a seagate raptor in either 36gb or 74gb just for your main system files to get ultimate performance. make sure to get a good PSU also, id recommend those antec true power 500+ or something around there.

[ChrisRay]

Unless you plan on playinmg @ 1600x1200 with 4xAA/16xAF, ((any other resolution with AA/AF has proven fine to me)) I have been very satisfied with my 6600GT SLi setup. In some places its alot faster. Other areas its the same speed. And in some places its a wee bit slower.

[Squigi63]

Okay, I looked up everything at newegg and it came to $1,129.27 and thats dis-including the hard-drive, case and power supply.

Heres the big problem, there isn't a 3600+ so I just put in a 3500+, is that what you meant?

I'm going to save this and put it off for 2 weeks so I can add more money to the pot(I make ~150 a week and I've been saving since mid Dec. But if no one has any input then I will go with イタルナル11 on this. Thanks fo the help.

[ChrisRay]

Theres a 3400+ Clawhammer (non 939) a 3500+ Newcastle, (939) 3200+ 939, 3800+ 939, and a 4000+ 939.

[n_w95482]

There's also the 3500+ Winchester. They use a 90nm process so they run nice and cool, as well as being able to overclock pretty well .

[Kanodin]

Thats plenty to build ya a pretty kick ass 939 pin 64 bit system, remember this website it is your friend..


newegg.com

[ChrisRay]

Originally Posted by n_w95482

There's also the 3500+ Winchester. They use a 90nm process so they run nice and cool, as well as being able to overclock pretty well .

Bah Newcastles run cool. Mine idles @ 37C. And Only loads @ 44C. I havent seen max OC results for Winchester. But all A64 currently seem to top out around 3.6 Ghz.

[n_w95482]

I never doubted they ran cool as well but Keith's Winchester runs exceptionally cool considering how fast it's running. I looked on Anandtech's forums for a couple of minutes and I saw a bunch of A64's running about 2.6-2.7 GHz. Both cores run a lot cooler than my overclocked 2500+, right now it's running at 47 C with my case's side panel removed and Folding@home running .

[ChrisRay]

Originally Posted by n_w95482

I never doubted they ran cool as well but Keith's Winchester runs exceptionally cool considering how fast it's running. I looked on Anandtech's forums for a couple of minutes and I saw a bunch of A64's running about 2.6-2.7 GHz. Both cores run a lot cooler than my overclocked 2500+, right now it's running at 47 C with my case's side panel removed and Folding@home running .

think it has something to do with AMDS CnQ technology. My Athlon 3200+ loaded at around 53C and idled around 47C as well.

[n_w95482]

Good point, I forgot about Cool and Quiet . Now I really want a Socket 939 system . Perhaps this summer....

[ChrisRay]

Originally Posted by n_w95482

Good point, I forgot about Cool and Quiet . Now I really want a Socket 939 system . Perhaps this summer....

Yes, I wont argue that its definately a competant gaming chip. And it most applications its just as fast as a p4 of similar rating for stuff like Windows. With the exception of Divx encoding. But meh I have never even done that. And in games. Its exceptionally fast. Blows my 3200+ Into smitherines. I have gotten my 3800+ to 2.6 Ghz. But I cant help but think, "Why?" Its the second fastest AMD processor currently sold. I cant even think of a good reason to do it.

[dukenukem]

Could you take it past 2.6ghz,that is if it' runs completely fine,go for the highest speed possible.man once i get a job i will try and save up for athlon64 fx-55 and get a 30inch widescreen lcd for that system,although it would take a few months to save up,For oroginal topic maker go with the 2 66oogt's in sli,they work very good and will be way cheaper then 2 6800 gt's or ultra's.

[GeneralClaymore]

you could go with a Winchester 3500+ and just overclock it. then either Msi Kt800 939 or a NF3 mobo. then go with either 6800GT if you perfer nvidia or X800pro vivo and mod it to Xt if you perfer Ati. then get atleast pc3500 ram like kingston,pny or cossair for ocing.

make sure u get a cpu hsf that gonna cool down ur cpu good enough and some As5.

[Squigi63]

you could go with a Winchester 3500+ and just overclock it.

Overclocking isn't an option. I shouldn't have to overclock this thing.

then go with either 6800GT if you perfer nvidia or X800pro vivo and mod it to Xt if you perfer Ati.

I'm pretty sure I'm going with dual 6600GT's only because I feel that newer games will be able to take advantage of SLI.

[Kane]

Take advantage of is irrelevant. SLi increases performance accross hte board, and games do not need to be developed with SLi in mind.