I could use some gaming rig advice.

[Pehu]

What do you think of this setup, my first attempt at a build.


GRAPHICS CARD:
BFG GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual GPU / 1GB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card ($610)

Monitor:
ViewSonic VX922 / 19" / XTREME 2 ms Response Time / SXGA 1280 x 1024 / Silver-Black / DVI-VGA / Ghost-Free LCD Monitor ($260)

There is absolutely no reason (=it is madness) to spend money on a GX2 or an SLI system and using it with a monitor that you optimally use at a resolution of 1280x1024. Already a 7600GT would do quite well, but if you want to have all the bells and whistles I'd really go for an Ati X1950Pro or a 7900GS, either of which should pair up extremely well with that resolution.

[Maverick220]

I dont Understand........

Can you explain to me what you mean about the resolution a little better.

My choice of graphics card isnt too educated. Also, Im not too familiar with ATI, granted, Im not too familiar with Nvidia either, but I've owned 2 Nvida cards in the past, my current one is a Geforce FX 5500. Although I cant run games at the highest graphical setting, and I get major slow down. It's the most frustrating thing in the world! This is also probably due to my Intel Celeron cpu (2.8 GHz) and whatever crappy mobo I have.

I like the idea of SLI, and being able to add a second card in the future. I know ATI has crossfire, and it's the same thing as well.

Im making some progress in my selection, so far Im pretty set on the CPU I chose which is:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ / 2MB Cache / 2000MHz FSB / Socket 939 / Dual-Core / Processor with Fan


And the case Im going to go with:

Cooler Master Ammo 533

But as for everything else, Im still in research mode. You guys really help me out though, thank you. I guess the next decision I need to make is for a Motherboard. I would like one that supports high end video cards, with either SLI or Crossfire. I want to eventually upgrade to 4GB of good quality ram as well.

Anyways, thanx for listening.

[Pehu]

In short, concerning your graphics problems at the moment: Fx5500 is total and utter crap and should never have left the design table, let alone be actually manufactured.

What I mean to say is that you definitely do not need SLI or Crossfire system (of course you can buy a motherboard that supports either) to run any of the games out there at 1280x1024 (which is the resolution you will play using the monitor you had chosen). A 7900GS or X1950Pro (the Ati card is usually a bit faster and IMHO does seem more 'Vista proof' with the upper hand in shading power) will cut it at highest game settings and with AA+AF on, any more money spent will basically just go to waste and is better spent somewhere else in your system.

About that CPU you have chosen: It is socket939 meaning it will only support DDR and not DDR2, which is the way everything seems to be heading. I would suggest you would rather go for the AM2 counterpart of that very same processor and you might have some room for upgrade (and I say might, since nothing is given in computer world).
In any case, if you go for S939 and DDR memory, it is a fact that you will have to throw out your existing memory once you actually do upgrade.

[Brandito]

i would recommend an am2 system over 939, am2 will provide better upgrade paths in the future.

also as far as current video cards go ati has the upperhand with image quality since it does aa and hdr at the same time, so i'd go with an ati card.

definately get dual core, not sure which am2 cpu's are the best bang for the buck right now but a 4600 or 4800 would be much cheaper and you could easily oc them to the 2.6ghz of the fx60 probably on stock cooling.

dobn't skimp on the psu, good brands are pcpower&cooling, enermax, antec, fortron, ocz and corsair, you'll prolly want 500-600 watts, yes that's high, but with newer video card coming down the pipe you'll likely need a lot more power than we do today.

also there's no need for a dvd-rom or cd-rw, just get the dvd-rw that supports all formats, most do nowadays, if you want dual drives then get two, just get cheap ones as they're all pretty much the same.

[3dfxrain]

I like Asus and Pioneer drives.

[Niner]

Always been a fan of the Asus DVD drives. I have a Plextor drive that I didn't have to pay an arm and leg for and like it. I do hear good things about the Pioneer drives also.

[Brandito]

lite-on makes good cheap drives.

[Lenny]

Can you explain to me what you mean about the resolution a little better.

LCDs have a native resolution at which your Windows desktop and games look best. At any other resolution the LCD needs to interpolate it so it won't look as sharp. With a non-widescreen LCD like the VX922 you will want to run all your games at 1280x1024 it's native resolution for the best image. It doesn't gain you a real lot buying a very expensive high end video card since even a mid-range card will run games at good frame rates at 1280x1024. Also LCDs are typically limited to 60 or 75 Hz refresh rate which doesn't have anything to do with flicker like it does with CRTs but it does limit your max frame rates in games to 60 or 75 fps. So all you need is a video card which can consistantly drive frame rates in that range.

[Adam Bluhm]

LCDs have a native resolution at which your Windows desktop and games look best. At any other resolution the LCD needs to interpolate it so it won't look as sharp. With a non-widescreen LCD like the VX922 you will want to run all your games at 1280x1024 it's native resolution for the best image. It doesn't gain you a real lot buying a very expensive high end video card since even a mid-range card will run games at good frame rates at 1280x1024. Also LCDs are typically limited to 60 or 75 Hz refresh rate which doesn't have anything to do with flicker like it does with CRTs but it does limit your max frame rates in games to 60 or 75 fps. So all you need is a video card which can consistantly drive frame rates in that range.

While that's generally currently true, I'd be afraid that future games will lag. He could build some longevity into the machine. The best example I could think of is if he gets a moderate video setup to play some current games, when UT2007 comes out he'll be lagging with some of the eye candy enabled. If he spends a little more and beefs it up now, all games plus future game will run wonderfully, and that might be more economical than buying a mediocre video card now and a mediocre video card 6 months down the road.

[Inocense]

I am extremely happy with my Asus DVD drive and my OCZ PSU..

Also keep in mind.. Tests were done on PSU's and OCZ came out on top as far as a PSU that was EXTREMELY stable when adding workload onto it and also VERY energy efficient..

I would HIGHLY recommend this one.. PLUS at this point if you buy now it has a $15.00 mail in rebate.. ($104.99 with MIR)

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/501...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

(this is the same PSU as mine *OCZ GameXStream* only this is the 600 watt version as opposed to my 700 watt)


And this is the DVD drive that I have.. it is unbelievably FAST and very quiet..
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=170292

(also, this drive comes with a TON of burning software)

[Lenny]

While that's generally currently true, I'd be afraid that future games will lag. He could build some longevity into the machine. The best example I could think of is if he gets a moderate video setup to play some current games, when UT2007 comes out he'll be lagging with some of the eye candy enabled. If he spends a little more and beefs it up now, all games plus future game will run wonderfully, and that might be more economical than buying a mediocre video card now and a mediocre video card 6 months down the road.

True but I would never recommend anyone dropping $500+ on a video card. Maybe something in the $200-300 range if he wants to go higher end.

[Adam Bluhm]

True but I would never recommend anyone dropping $500+ on a video card. Maybe something in the $200-300 range if he wants to go higher end.

I agree whole heartedly. If someone wants to drop that cash and has nothing to lose and can afford the electric bill, fine. But I'd never recommend it myself.

[morerandomsn]

Im thinking about getting the CoolerMaster Ammo 533 case (can bee seen here... )

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...84272&NoMapp=1

Any input??? I like the design, looks mean =P

Also, what are you're thoughts on the DFI Lan Party Mobo's?

i have the DFI Lan Party Ultra-D. great board overclocks great and i really like the built in Memtest 86 feature.

[Brandito]

do you already have the monitor? if not you could save some coin and get a better image at more resolutions by going with a crt. while bulkier they still have the best image bar none. and you can run your games at pretty much any res you like.

if you don't have the room though get the lcd, but you'll want a beefier card for the new games coming down the road, eventually, very eventually i suspect that native res is gonna kill your games if you don't have the power, even with my current system i have to run some games at 1024x768 in order to keep other settings on high.

[Adam Bluhm]

even with my current system i have to run some games at 1024x768 in order to keep other settings on high.

In the past I've been known to drop a resolution to turn on some extra settings or run extra FSAA. I like a smooth picture over a high res jaggy picture.