Building a Custom desktop PC.

[sergiogarcia9]

Hi... im thinking about building a custom pc, and i wanna know if anyone could recommend some good parts, as this is my first custom pc... until now im thinkin about this combination:

Motherboard: ASRock 939N68PV-GLAN
　
Processer: Athlon 64 X2 5000+ 1 MB 2.6 ghz
　
Ram: Corsair DDR2 RAM XMS2 2 x 2 GB

Harddrive: Seagate Barracuda /ATA) 7200.9 500 GB

Is it gonna work for a good media center and maybe a gaming computer?

Thanks on Advance
- Sergio Garcia

 

[Lordbob75]

This computer (as is, plus HDD) will NOT function AT ALL.

First off, your mobo uses DDR sticks, and you are getting DDR2! Not gonna work (believe me, I have tried).

Second, the mobo itself is fine, but it uses DDR, which is a bit outdated. I would recommend a mobo with DDR2 minimum, DDR3 if you want to be up-to-date.

The processor is a little crappy. With a 1mb L2 cahce, you will not be very speedy. The 2.6 ghz is fine though. If you want a tough gaming rig, go with a quadcore though.

Your RAM (if it fit the mobo) is fine. Though you may want some higher than 800 mhz. That is a little on the slow side. 1066 would better fit. More RAM never hurts either.

I am assuming that HDD is SATA, not EIDE (not clear as it says ATA). 500 gigs may show to be a little small at a certain point, but you will be fine for now.

For everyday use, this computer will run just fine (with the right RAM). You may have issues opening and closing multiple windows, and computing large things, but will run fine. Not a high end gaming rig, so stick with games with lower requirements (not crysis. lol)

~Lordbob

 

[Lobito Gris]

Sergio, a few comments...

Everything LordBob said is correct, except for one thing (sorry bob). Crysis (and that game generation) could run on this computer... always on minimum specs, but runs just fine... you can see on My System Specs that my computer is not a very hi-tech, but you could have some fun for a while..

about buying a corsair brand RAM.... i don't know how are the prices over there... but in Argentina a corsair is up to 3 times more expensive than a kingston, or a supertalent.... dont get me wrong... corsair it is an excelent memory module, but in your case, if money is an issue, i would buy a cheaper one (never under DDR2 800mhz), and invest the difference in a higher speed CPU, maybe even a quad core....

Another thing is that no respectable gamer uses an on board graphics card... as you can se on my profile, i use an ASUS EN7300GT 256mb (an antique) and i am currently playing Far Cry 2, having finished Crysis, Crysis Warhead, CoD4, always on minimum specs...

Anyways, i hope i've helped... let us know what you get...

 

[Lordbob75]

Sergio, a few comments...

Everything LordBob said is correct, except for one thing (sorry bob). Crysis (and that game generation) could run on this computer... always on minimum specs, but runs just fine... you can see on My System Specs that my computer is not a very hi-tech, but you could have some fun for a while..

Another thing is that no respectable gamer uses an on board graphics card... as you can se on my profile, i use an ASUS EN7300GT 256mb (an antique) and i am currently playing Far Cry 2, having finished Crysis, Crysis Warhead, CoD4, always on minimum specs...

I didn't say it wouldn't play it, I meant that it would be kind of pointless. Perhaps I worded it wrong. :shock:

Anyways, definitely include a graphics card in there if you plan to do gaming or anything graphics intensive.

~Lordbob

 

[PhoneyVirus]

How much do you want to spend $$$ $$$$

 

[sergiogarcia9]

I dont know how much im gonna spend yet but im thinking something aroud 600-1000 $

 

[Jaqie]

I Personally got these items for a low budget gaming system (a few items held over from my aging athlon64 x2)
Gigabyte GA-EP43-UD3L
Intel Celeron e1500 dual core celeron (dont let it fool you its an actual core2 duo with all but 512KB L2 disabled) I got this because it was $63 shipped for me and Ill upgrade it later
4x PC800 Kingston 2GB sticks DDR2
LG 22x DL DVDRW, SATA
(all items below from older comp)
Silverstone ST400 PSU
Seagate 7200.10 320GB 16MB SATA2 HDD
GeForce 7900 GS/OC 256MB PCIE 1.0 x16

The cost for a low end LGA775 system is insanely low, even 8GB DDR2 i got is a whole $80 here in the states... even me on a severely limited budget can afford a core2 based system now.... and yes for your information I am VERY much an AMD fan, this is my first intel desktop since a 386... but there is just nothing that can compare to the price/performance of the core2 right now.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Jaqie: These specs sounds good, im gonna look into it. Thanks

 

[skunksmash]

mate.... i wouldn't wish an Asrock board on my worst enemy...

the parts Jaqie listed are better than the list in the OP, this is also a chip to look at.... E2180, its got 1mb cache, x10 multi, OCs like a monster, & its pretty cheap..

it is 65nm & 200mhz slower per core than the celeron, but its got an extra 512kb cache & its a SOLID BEAST, i had mine running 3.2ghz 24/7 for 2 years....& its now running in my back up rig & going strong...






SK

 

[Lebon14]

Here's my take on it. Budget : 650$ (without case, power supply, OS and monitor)

Asus P5N73-AM (PCI-E 16x v1, DDR2, Socket 775)
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 3MB cache
OCZ PC5400 (667MHz) DDR2 2x2GB (OCZ2VU6674GK)
nVidia BFG GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200RPM (SATA)
LG GH22NS30 CD/DVD burner/player (SATA)

Those are about ~606$ CAD. price are approximative taken on TigerDirect.ca - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Accessories, PC Components & Electronics

You have to plan a case and a powersupplu on top of that.

As for teh build itself, it's a pretty OK config. Not too shabby. Does the job for every single things : from work to games and media center. Also, note that it's a µATX (microATX) board. So, you may want to purchase a case for it (a smaller case in fact).

Also, if you want a media center, you might want to add a blu-ray player with a large screen. If you do that, you'll go way over you budget. Think about it coz Blu-ray is fun

 

[Mark]

I say stuff the budget and buy this first and then go from there I wish I could


GeForce GTX 295 Red Edition
PART NUMBER: 017-P3-1294-AR


Image Gallery

Specifications

Features

Support
Download PDF Spec Sheet Performance

NVIDIA GTX 295

576 MHz GPU

480 Processing Cores

400 MHz RAMDAC
Memory

1792 MB, 896 bit DDR3

1998 MHz (effective)

223.8 GB/s Memory Bandwidth
Interface

PCI-E 2.0 16x

DVI-I, DVI-I, HDMI

SLI Capable
Resolution & Refresh

240Hz Max Refresh Rate

2048x1536 Max Analog

2560x1600 Max Digital

Requirements
Minimum of a 680 power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 46 Amps.)

MSRP: $564.99 USD

EVGA | Products

 

[skunksmash]

I say stuff the budget and buy this first and then go from there I wish I could


GeForce GTX 295 Red Edition
PART NUMBER: 017-P3-1294-AR


Image Gallery

Specifications

Features

Support
Download PDF Spec Sheet Performance

NVIDIA GTX 295

576 MHz GPU

480 Processing Cores

400 MHz RAMDAC
Memory

1792 MB, 896 bit DDR3

1998 MHz (effective)

223.8 GB/s Memory Bandwidth
Interface

PCI-E 2.0 16x

DVI-I, DVI-I, HDMI

SLI Capable
Resolution & Refresh

240Hz Max Refresh Rate

2048x1536 Max Analog

2560x1600 Max Digital

Requirements
Minimum of a 680 power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 46 Amps.)

MSRP: $564.99 USD

EVGA | Products

., great addition to any custom build...

SK

 

[sergiogarcia9]

ive looked at some new parts, what do you think?

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H 780G Sockel AM2+
Phenom X3 8650 2 MB (AMD Processor in a Box (PIB)) (Cooler (fansink))
4 gb Corsiar ram
500 gb Seagate

 

[ibocpro]

sergio,

I do not know what pricing is like for you so that may mean the difference, but for $600 - $1000 in the states that is a very solid mid to high end system.

I agree with get DDR2 at the minimum, no reason for DDR. DDR3 can be great if you match it up with Amd's AM3 motherboards or if you go the Intel route, drawback there is price and limited options.

I have to redo my system specs, been busy , but I am currently using the Phenom II 920 X3 on a AM3 Gigabyte MA190XT-UD4P motherboard with 4gb of G.Skill DDR3 1333. I went back and forth with this and my "old" system (in specs) and found that the X3 with DDR3 does better than the X4 with DDR2 with stock RAM speeds. It improves desktop and game experience very well, video encoding is still better on the X4 but that is going to be my second work machine with the X3 my gaming general use machine.

Point being that here in the States the X3 920 Black Ed goes for $130 with free shipping online, $150 for my MB, $150 for a GTS 250 512mb, $90 for a Corsair TX650, $60 for 500gb HD, $70 for 4gb DDR3, $25 for DVD-RW, and even $60 for a nice case and you are still under $800!

So if pricing is close you can have a very solid mid level system that will play games all most maxed at 1680 x 1050 without issue. If you wanted to go even stronger put another $100 on the video and get a Core 216 or a good ATI at that level, sorry I stay with Nvidia so not much help there but go where the value is. Same note with the Intel side, I am not putting Intel down I am just not familiar with them as I also stick with AMD but I am pretty sure the Intel would cost you much more for the same level.

AMD bonus is that the X3 II 920 is black ed so on air cooling and stock a little bump to vcore I am running my 2.8Ghz at 3.6Ghz stable.

Do let us know how this goes for you, always fun to build new systems!

Cheers!

 

[ibocpro]

Good board, I am using the DDR3 atx version but Gigabyte is a very solid board, I love the latest Ultra Durable line.

You can put the AM3 Phenom II X3 in the AM2+ board, so again with the black editition you could bump it to 3.4 to 3.8!

Iboc,

 

[PhoneyVirus]

I don't go anywhere not even for shoes to put on my feet to let you know how much I love Computers I locked my self in the room for 3 years+ studying Computers ya I build my self three PC's one for the Family and Recycled old hardware lots of times, Yes I came out to eat and shower lol. If your going to build one now the next upgrade should be in 3 years anything before that will only get you 20% to 30% performances with out OC it.

Example My 3DMark06
Old System: P4 @ 3.00GHz 1MB L2 Cache 90nm CPU Score: 914
New System: Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz 6MB L2 Cache 45nm CPU Score:2845
Well over 120% in Performances, 3 Years Minimum 4 Years Maximum for Full Upgrade.
Moore's Law "That" they have a 30% to 40% in telling the future Intel show that with there 32nm Westmere-based Core i7 processors that was running XP/Vista OS last month.

Now for GPU 2 years to the most, Mother, Ram, CPU is all in one when you buy it that's it, maybe one CPU upgrade if you didn't get the right one the first time and maybe a fat HDD down the road but that's it. So with a 94% Average in Upgrading & Repairing PC's I got a couple of chapters left but who cares about floppy drive or serail ports here's what i got and better then a X2 that a Intel Pentium Duo Core can smoke for little or noting. Here it is prices are going to change so try to get something close to what's here:

Motherboard: Asus M3N72-D

AMD Phenom II X4 810

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB[/FONT] $39.99 NCIX.ca

EVGA GTX 260 core 216 get the new 55nm not the 65nm $265.99 tigerdirect.ca

Corsair VX550 Watt or PC Power & Cooling Silencer for tha price

NZXT Tempest case or look at my profile and see my case Apollo $99.99 NCIX.ca

Microsoft Vista Home Premium $151.99 tigerdirect.ca
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OEM[/FONT] $116.99 NCIX.ca

Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB or the Caviar SE16 640GB $89.99 NCIX.ca

Samsung SH-S223F or any Liteon DVD drive will do

Parts:
Price:
Motherboard $128 + US
CPU $169 + US
Memory $39.99 CA
Video Card $265.99 CA
Power Supply $89 US
Case $99.99 CA
Operating System $100 US
Hard Drive $89.99 CA
Optical Drive $23 CA
Total: $1,005.95

Prices will change hope this helps!

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Would this work for a processer?: AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition Triple-Core Processor - 2.40 GHz, 3.5MB Cache, Socket AM2+, 95W, 65 nm, 3 Year Warranty, Retail Boxed LINK: [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Phenom-Black-Triple-Core-Processor/dp/B001F4WZNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1238096437&sr=8-1]AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition Triple-Core Processor: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

 

[Lebon14]

AMD processors are cheap but performance wise, you'll be better to choose an Intel CPU which is maybe more expensive but they are worth the price.

By the way, if you get that AMD CPU, don't be surprised that it hardly overclock (if you are an overclocker...)

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Like a Core 2 Quad ?

 

[PhoneyVirus]

Yes this is a good CPU and just right on the Minimum 2.40GHz is good for Games watching move Ripping burning DVD/CD and downloading all that porn lol Crysis calls for a Intel Core 2.0Ghz so your should be good but it's not all about the CPU if you want to game buy a good Videocard the one thats there is the best for mid range I'm getting 50+ FPS @ 1680+1050 with 2xAA hell the 4850 is a bang for the buck too look @ my System Spec on my Profile but for a media center it's over kill hope this helps!