New Rig

Soldie

I'm planning to put together a computer within the next 2-3 weeks and since it's my first build I was just looking for some impressions.

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 ULTRA-D, nF4 Ultra, Socket-939,S-ATA, GbLAN, Fw, PCI-Express

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.4GHz Socket 939, 1MB

Corsair TWINX Xpert 3200C2 DDR 1024MB Kit w/two matched 2x512MB PC3200 2-3-3-6

XFX GeForce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express, Tv-Out/DVI, Retail

Western Digital Caviar 250GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM

The computer is being built for gaming, primarily. I want it to do well on the Doom3 and HL2 engines. From benchmarks i've seen so far (on tomshardware.com) the 6800GT seems to do well. I've picked out the parts from komplett.ie. Some thoughts:

-Are XFX good graphics card manufacturers?
-Should I bother getting a Raptor hard-drive?
-Dual-Core processor or not? I've heard it's beneficial for multi-tasking but for gaming there is little benefit, although i'm not sure
-Didn't bother with a SLi motherboard since I don't think i'll ever have two graphics cards in there, should i reconsider?


I already have monitor, keyboard & mouse and that type of stuff. Regarding the PSU/Case, I was looking at this case and this PSU. Are these suitable?

I plan on installing XP when I receive the computer, but I was told that i'd need to install the SATA drivers (from a floppy disk) so I can get it up and running, in which case i'd also need a floppy drive, would an external USB one do, or not? Also, that hard-drive I chose is SATA2, does that still work on a normal SATA compatible motherboard?

Will I require any additional fans/cooling? (I don't plan on overclocking too much).

As I said, this is my first build and i'm a tad inexperienced so i'm rather unsure on some things. Is there anything i'm missing out? Also, does all the necessary cabling come with each component or is that another thing i'll have to get?

Any answers to any of by numerous questions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

odie

How much approx will the spend be?

Soldie

Forgot the most important detail! Trying to stick to a budget of €1500 ish, give or take a €100.

Venom

I would personaly go the SLI route on the mobo as for the little extra you have to pay now you are future proofing for later and with 6800GT prices set to fall adding a second 6800GT later will be a very cheep boost in FPS performance.

Raptors are fantastic HDs especially when paired in a raid setup but they are expensive compaired to normal sata drives for the extra boost in speed that you get.

Thermaltake case's are not the best in my opinion due to them being very bulky and heavy, mediocre airflow at best and pretty crappy designed on the inside. Look at coolermaster or antec cases for a much better cases overall.

That PSU looks ok but again if I was buying one today I would go for a 500-600w one to ensure future proofing down the line. Dual SLI setups need a 500w PSU atleast.

Define not overclocking much? As a rule I always replace the fans that come with a case with better ones that give better airflow and are much more quite. A good CPU cooler is a must as well as the stock coolers that come with chips tend to be crap.

I think you are correct on the Dual Core business but alas Im new to the AMD side of things so will let other comment on the chip.

Also post what your budget is so folks here can maybe pick out better parts for your price range.

odie

Came across this on Komplett not bad for a PC with 2 7800's SLI'd

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ci.asp?sku=10136

€1,489.12

gizmo

odie wrote:

Came across this on Komplett not bad for a PC with 2 7800's SLI'd

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ci.asp?sku=10136

€1,489.12

Heh, bit of an error on their part. Click on "Customise with recommended options & Buy" and watch the price soar to €2296.03 and thats with stock cooler, 512MB RAM, no soundcard, a ****ty mouse and keyboard, no speakers and no monitor...

Khannie

Looks like a very decent machine. I'm sure I could do better with 1500 though. I spent around a grand on mine and it's a very similar spec to what you're proposing (though I didn't need a case / psu).

I'd defo get a SLI capable motherboard for future upgrades. The 4000+ will take a 2nd 6800GT for a nice performance boost in the future. Also, get an SATA2 capable motherboard as you're getting an SATA2 drive.

One way or the other, that machine will play the games you want it to like the clappers. My machine (3700+ with 6800GT) plays UT2004 at 1600x1200 with 4xAA, 8xAF and everything up full and never drops below 85FPS for DM maps (which tend to be enclosed).

Ciaran500

If you look at the DFi thread on OCUK forums they seem to be advising staying away from all cosair ram for NF4 boards. You might want to look into that.