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General discussion

Building a Pc

Apr 18, 2005 7:02AM PDT

Hi,i need help in building my new pc.My maximum is $2000,i'll be using it mainly for gaming and i'd appreciate advice on the best i can find for that amount.Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Frankly?
Apr 18, 2005 7:13AM PDT

Try the new Intel dual core CPU with EM64T, XP, 1 GB RAM and the Nvidia SLI equipped system. Toss in some 600+ Watt power supply and at least 12 inch fans (one in, one out) and you'll be close to the bleeding edge.

http://www.slizone.com/content/slizone/build.html for reference.

Bob

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re
Apr 18, 2005 7:31AM PDT

that'll get me to how much?

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If done proper.
Apr 18, 2005 8:07AM PDT

The box will not touch the floor and hover on the air exhaust.

Bob

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Gaming PC
Apr 18, 2005 7:30AM PDT
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re
Apr 18, 2005 7:49AM PDT

looking at both suggestions,thanks guys.

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jcrobso
Apr 18, 2005 8:00AM PDT

let'd say i spend $815 on the chip,how much for the other components?

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I configured one on cyberpower.com...
Apr 18, 2005 8:13AM PDT

that came out to about $1900..it is:

CASE: NZXT Nemesis Metal Mid-Tower Case 400W W/ side-panel Window (BLACK COLOR)

CASE UPGRADE: 12" COLD CATHODE NEON LIGHT (BLUE COLOR)

CPU: (939-pin) AMD ATHLON64 3800+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology ~ CSL503

CD: 16X DVD ROM (BEIGE COLOR)

CDRW: LG GWA-4161 16X DVD

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thanks cv4stm
Apr 18, 2005 8:19AM PDT

I already have the keyboard/mouse and speakers,so i reckon i would take a few $s but nice configuration none the less.

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building a PC
Apr 19, 2005 5:38AM PDT

Check out www.newegg.com
A good video card for gaming $200~300.
A very nice case $70.
A 200 GB HD $99
1 gb menory today is $88
a DVD burner $50~99
A realy good MB from MSI $150
This gets you up to about $1600
If you need XP Pro OEM add $140
Go to the site and look around. John

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P.S.
Apr 19, 2005 7:38AM PDT

C-Net has a course on building your own PC, just click on the button in the tool bar on the left. John

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As to building you own
Apr 19, 2005 8:42AM PDT

I like (and agree with) the suggestion of the new Pentium CPU, BUT! it's going to cost around $1100 for the CPU (plus a brand new mobo (new tech) so that is expensive, and really good cooling (unless you want it to idle @ 65C and load at just under 80) and a huge PSU

so i'd not do that on a $2000 budget (on a $3000 budget i'd do it)

SO
my suggestion is to buy an Athlon64, as it's going to handle your gaming needs
you don't need an FX series chip, as the high end desktop series will suit you (also, DO NOT buy the Cyberpower system, for $1900 it's a rip off)

I would suggest an Athlon64 3500+, 3800+ or 4000+ (i'd suggest the 3700+, but it's Socket 754 (no PCIE for that socket, so it'd be stuck to a single graphics card)

So an Athlon64 3800+ is probably the best blend of prce and performance (around $400, the 4000+ is nearly $600, and the 3800+ is about 10% slower)
for the motherboard, I WOULD NOT BUY THE ASUS, get the DFI LanParty nF4 SLI-DR or DFI LanParty UT nF4 SLI-DR (the UT is cheaper, but not sure which features it loses to be cheaper)

as to the graphics, I would select 2 GeForce 6800's as the cost is managable ($400 CPU, $220 mobo, 2x$325 gfx card...it's gettin up there)
next to that you'll need a hard drive (Newegg has a 250GB SATA drive for $131 right now (i'd grab it)
WindowsXP Home or Pro (your choice, Pro only adds greater networking features, if it were me, i'd buy XP Home)
and then a sound card
I suggest the Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS Gamer Edition (the Gamer Edition is an Audigy2 ZS but includes 5 games (some of which still cost $20+, so it's just a decent deal imo)

you can always step down on the CPU (what i'd do) and get better gfx (it'd actually give you more power, no joke, dual 6800U's or 6800GT's with a 3200+ vs dual 6800's or 6600GT's with a 3800+, the 3200 system would win)