Rate This Build Please!

[Semulin]

Ok, since every one on this site and all my friends have said that making your own is the way to go, I may give it a shot.

Here is my first attempt at putting together a system. My goal is to have a good gaming system for at or under 1000.

Will all these parts work together?
Did I leave something Out?
Am I paying too much?
What Kind of case should I get to ensure proper cooling?
Anything esle?

Thanks guys!

Mother Board :
Intel "BOXD925XCVLK" 925X Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL
**This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.


- Specifications -

Supported CPU: LGA775 Pentium 4(HT) Processors
Chipset: i925X + ICH6R
FSB: 800/533MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR2 400/533 (Intel PAT) Max 4GB
Slots: 1x PCI-Ex16, 2x PCI-Ex1, 4x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 1xCOM, 1x LPT, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 3x 1394(Rear 1), 1x RJ45, 2x SPDIF Out, Audio Ports
IDE: 1x ATA 100 up to 2 Devices by ICH6R
SATA/RAID: 4x SATA by ICH6R with RAID 0/1
Onboard Audio: Intel High Definition Flexible 8-CH CODEC
Onboard LAN: Gigabit LAN
Onboard 1394: 3x 1394
Form Factor: ATX


$189.00

Processor :
Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 530 3.0 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
(limit 10 per customer)

- Specifications -

Model: Intel Pentium 4 530 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Prescott
Operating Frequency: 3.0 GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB
Voltage: 1.4V
Process: 90nm
Socket: LGA 775
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)
Notice: This Processor Works with SocketT (LGA775) Motherboard ONLY!


$180.00

Ram : CORSAIR VALUESELECT 240-Pin 1GB DDR2 PC2-4200, Model VS1GB533D2 - OEM
Manufacturer:

CORSAIR
Speed: DDR2-533(PC2-4200)
Type: 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 4
Support Voltage: 1.8V
Organization:128M x 64-Bit
Bandwidth: 4.2GB/s
Warranty: Lifetime


$227.00

Video Card:
CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce 6200 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, PCI-Express, Model "SE6200/256" -RETAIL


- Specifications -

Chipset/Core Speed: nVIDIA GeForce 6200/300MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 256MB DDR/500MHz
BUS: PCI-Express X16
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out (S-Video/Composite) + DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9(Shader Model 3.0), OpenGL 1.5
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536
RAMDACs: 400MHz
Retail Box (See pics for details)

Model#: SE6200/256
Item#: N82E16814145109

$132.00

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD1200JD, OEM Drive Only (limit 20 per customer)


- Specifications -

Capacity: 120GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: Not specified
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Packaging: OEM Drive Only

Model#: WD1200JD
Item#: N82E16822144151

$86.35

CD rom drive :
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM


- Specifications -

Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R9, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

Model#: ND-3500A BK
Item#: N82E16827152032 $63.99

OS : Win XP home $100ish

Case : TBA - less than 100$

 

[andvruss]

You can get a 6600GT for around the same price as you are for a 6200; I haven't heard too much about the 6200, however. I don't have experience with Intel mothernboards, and limited Intel processor knowledge, but it has been proven that AMD does a much better job at gaming than Intel, and Inel is better at multi-tasking and using programs such as Photoshop, Adobe video editing, etc.

Edit: I edited half my post, becuase Ithough the prices were on top of the item (eg hard drive for $130.)

 

[Broken_Erika]

The store i work at sells used HP Vectras for under $500 canadian,
these vectras are P4 1.7, 512mb rdram, 40 gig hd and 16mb rage128pro agp video.

 

[MarineCorps]

The store i work at sells used HP Vectras for under $500 canadian,
these vectras are P4 1.7, 512mb rdram, 40 gig hd and 16mb rage128pro agp video.

Not a good PC there. A 1.7Ghz P4? 40 GB HD? and the Graphics card? Memory is good

 

[MarineCorps]

Ok, since every one on this site and all my friends have said that making your own is the way to go, I may give it a shot.

Here is my first attempt at putting together a system. My goal is to have a good gaming system for at or under 1000.

Will all these parts work together?
Did I leave something Out?
Am I paying too much?
What Kind of case should I get to ensure proper cooling?
Anything esle?

Thanks guys!

Mother Board :
Intel "BOXD925XCVLK" 925X Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL
**This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.


- Specifications -

Supported CPU: LGA775 Pentium 4(HT) Processors
Chipset: i925X + ICH6R
FSB: 800/533MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR2 400/533 (Intel PAT) Max 4GB
Slots: 1x PCI-Ex16, 2x PCI-Ex1, 4x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 1xCOM, 1x LPT, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 3x 1394(Rear 1), 1x RJ45, 2x SPDIF Out, Audio Ports
IDE: 1x ATA 100 up to 2 Devices by ICH6R
SATA/RAID: 4x SATA by ICH6R with RAID 0/1
Onboard Audio: Intel High Definition Flexible 8-CH CODEC
Onboard LAN: Gigabit LAN
Onboard 1394: 3x 1394
Form Factor: ATX


$189.00

Processor :
Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 530 3.0 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
(limit 10 per customer)

- Specifications -

Model: Intel Pentium 4 530 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Prescott
Operating Frequency: 3.0 GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB
Voltage: 1.4V
Process: 90nm
Socket: LGA 775
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)
Notice: This Processor Works with SocketT (LGA775) Motherboard ONLY!


$180.00

Ram : CORSAIR VALUESELECT 240-Pin 1GB DDR2 PC2-4200, Model VS1GB533D2 - OEM
Manufacturer:

CORSAIR
Speed: DDR2-533(PC2-4200)
Type: 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 4
Support Voltage: 1.8V
Organization:128M x 64-Bit
Bandwidth: 4.2GB/s
Warranty: Lifetime


$227.00

Video Card:
CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce 6200 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, PCI-Express, Model "SE6200/256" -RETAIL


- Specifications -

Chipset/Core Speed: nVIDIA GeForce 6200/300MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 256MB DDR/500MHz
BUS: PCI-Express X16
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out (S-Video/Composite) + DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9(Shader Model 3.0), OpenGL 1.5
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536
RAMDACs: 400MHz
Retail Box (See pics for details)

Model#: SE6200/256
Item#: N82E16814145109

$132.00

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD1200JD, OEM Drive Only (limit 20 per customer)


- Specifications -

Capacity: 120GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: Not specified
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Packaging: OEM Drive Only

Model#: WD1200JD
Item#: N82E16822144151

$86.35

CD rom drive :
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM


- Specifications -

Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R9, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

Model#: ND-3500A BK
Item#: N82E16827152032 $63.99

OS : Win XP home $100ish

Case : TBA - less than 100$

Thats a nice Gaming PC there. Your not gonna find a better place to buy then newegg. SO your not paying to much.

 

[Zakharov]

Ram : CORSAIR VALUESELECT 240-Pin 1GB DDR2 PC2-4200

It looks like you are planning to buy a single 1GB stick of RAM. Current motherboards operate RAM in dual channel mode, so I would recommend two 512MB sticks instead.

Considering that you are looking to keep to a budget, I think DDR2-533 memory is too expensive. PC-3200 DDR-400 is around half the price and perfectly suited to the rest of your system. I would only recommend DDR2 memory to someone with an unlimited budget buying a top-end system. Stick with Corsair though, it is a good brand of RAM.

This also means that you can save on the motherboard as you can get one that takes DDR memory. With the savings on the motherboard and RAM you could upgrade your choices of cpu and graphics card.

For a gaming system I would second andvruss' advice and go for an AMD cpu, unless you have a definite preference for Intel. For AMD, make sure to go for socket 939, preferably a Winchester (90nm) core. I would also suggest a retail cpu (not oem) as you will get the correct heat-sink and fan included.

I also agree with andvruss about the video card. For only a little bit more the 6600GT is much better than the 6200.

The HDD and DVD drive seem fine. I would recommend Win XP Pro if it's not too much more than XP Home.

One extra thing you will need is a decent power supply. Check when you buy the case as sometimes a PSU is included. I would suggest a case with no PSU and then get at least a 400W PSU by a reputable brand such as Antec.

I hope this helps you make your decision. If you have any questions, please ask.

 

[Comraddict]

that is very naive configuration
* motherboard is not worth that money. you shouldn't spend more than $120 for motherboard
* graphic card is lame. considering how much it cost and how little it offers

My suggestion is cheaper mobo and 6600GT. And order it thru newegg.com.

 

[DaEezT]

Intel + nVidia

I'd go for a Abit AX8 (VIA K8T890 chipset) with a AMD Athlon 64 3200+ and some Radeon X700 Pro card that suits your taste (TV/VIVO, 128 or 256 MB etc).

That mobo should be at least 50$ cheaper than that Intel thingy you got which makes up for the higher CPU price. And honestly: I'd never pay more than 150$ for a mobo and even that is the absolute upper limit.

The X700 Pro has a good power/$ ratio. Costs about 30-40$ more (depending on the model) but easily has twice+ the power of the X600 or nVidia 6200 since both the nVidia 6200 and the Radeon X600 are cheap chipsets with only 4 pipes and 128Bit bus.

On a side-note: Did anyone here ever install Windows XP on a SATA HDD? It's loads of fun!

 

[Zakharov]

Intel + nVidia

Why do you dismiss these manufacturers out of hand without any reasonable argument to back it up?

Intel chips are much better for video editing and similar tasks, whilst AMD wins hands down when it comes to games.

I would agree that ATI is the way to go when comparing R9x00 cards against the GF FX series, but reviews and benchmarks have shown that the GF 6x00 series just edges out the RXx00 series.

The X700 Pro has a good power/$ ratio. Costs about 30-40$ more (depending on the model) but easily has twice+ the power of the X600 or nVidia 6200 since both the nVidia 6200 and the Radeon X600 are cheap chipsets with only 4 pipes and 128Bit bus.

I should point out that the X700 line also has a 128bit bus, as does the 6600 line. Only the RX800 and GF6800 lines have a 256bit bus.

Depending on the price it is a toss-up between the 6600GT and the X700 pro. The 6600GT has support for DirectX 9.0c (Shader Model 3 etc.), which makes it slightly more future proof. For that reason I would go for the 6600GT, though the X700 is by no means a bad choice.

Another point to note is that there is no need to pay the extra for 256MB of video RAM instead of 128MB. The difference is only noticeable at high resolutions with AA and AF turned up. Only if you are paying for the top end cards will you need 256MB.

 

[DaEezT]

Why do you dismiss these manufacturers out of hand without any reasonable argument to back it up?

Intel chips are much better for video editing and similar tasks, whilst AMD wins hands down when it comes to games.

Because I'm tired of repeating myself every other day and I also didn't want to highjack this thread. If you want a Intel vs AMD discussion feel free to open up a thread and I'll be happy to join you but I'm not gonna stray from this thread more than I already did with this statement.

At least we agree that, since it's a gamimg system, the CPU should be an Athlon 64.

I should point out that the X700 line also has a 128bit bus, as does the 6600 line. Only the RX800 and GF6800 lines have a 256bit bus.

Depending on the price it is a toss-up between the 6600GT and the X700 pro. The 6600GT has support for DirectX 9.0c (Shader Model 3 etc.), which makes it slightly more future proof. For that reason I would go for the 6600GT, though the X700 is by no means a bad choice.

You could always go for a good old AGP card like the 9700/9800 pro series to get your hands on some 256bit memory bus goodness

I agree that the price will probably make the decision between X700 Pro and 6600 GT since both are pretty much equal in performance.
The X700 supports DX9 which should be enough. Most of the features that come/came with b/c (like the Shader you mentioned) won't lead to higher fps, more like the opposite. With a total cap of 1000$ you'll never run any games using all the nifty things your card could do and I know that from experience.
I own a 9700 Pro and I got Trueform deactivated by default. I tried it once with NVN (can be activated in the nvn.ini) and the fps loss was insane. Same goes for AA and AF which I seldom bother to raise past 2x anymore.
From what I can tell the X700 Pro is usually cheaper so I'd go for it because of the mentioned good power/$ ratio.

But if you can get your hands on a 6600GT for the same price then there is no reason not to take it.
The most important thing is that you stay away from something like the 6200 or X600.

 

[Robert_B]

The Radeon 9800 is still a superb card, not much behind the X800 (until you get to testing the ultra-high resolutions of new games).

I'd go with the geforce 6600 as it's very, very good - and has a great bang-for-your-buck levels!

 

[Zakharov]

The only problem with the 9800 is that it is AGP only. Semulin is looking at a PCI-E motherboard, so he will need a PCI-E card. Otherwise I agree it is a great card.

@Semulin, are you checking this thread? Any update on your build?

 

[Sanaz]

This was on his other thread, I guess this is done (but thanks for the info, I'm looking at a new AGP video card myself):

I finally went with Dell. Ordering through the Small Busness side of their web site I was able to get what I wanted for less than $900. Would have cost me at least $200 more to make it myself, pluss all the time involved. My fingers are crossed, and I'll let you all know what I think of Dell down the road.

Thanks again for all your imput, you all helped me make the decision!

 

[Zakharov]

...(but thanks for the info, I'm looking at a new AGP video card myself):

You shouldn't necessarily take all the info here into account for your specific purchase decision. It was aimed at Semulin's requirements. I might recommend a different card depending on your budget and intended usage.