[n0ng33k]

Hi G2G!

Here is the final build for the gaming computer that I've been planning for some time now. I'm buying the parts and assembling it next week:



--> Case: $79.30 (Anitec $75.95)

Coolermaster CM 690 Mid Tower Black ATX Case

http://www.ncix.com/...re=COOLERMASTER


--> Power Supply: $109.99 ($89.99 after MIR)

Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan

http://www.ncix.com/...CustomerReviews



--> Motherboard: $151.42

ASUS P5Q Pro ATX LGA775 P45 DDR2 2PCI-E16 Crossfire 3PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN eSATA Motherboard

http://www.ncix.com/...anufacture=ASUS



--> CPU: $215.90 (Anitec $199.95)

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core Processor LGA775 3.0GHZ Wolfdale 1333FSB 6MB

http://www.ncix.com/...mp;promoid=1042



--> RAM: $104.99 ($84.99 after MIR)

Mushkin HP PC2-6400 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800 CL5-4-4-12 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit

http://www.ncix.com/...facture=MUSHKIN



--> Video Card: $209.99 ($189.99 after MIR)

HIS Radeon HD 4850 625MHZ 512MB 1.986GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card

http://www.ncix.com/...manufacture=HIS


--> Hard drive: $57.72

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 16MB Cache Hard Drive OEM

http://www.ncix.com/...facture=Seagate


--> Operating system: $149.90

Microsoft Windows XP Professional OEM

http://www.ncix.com/...cture=Microsoft


--> DVD Drive: $34.99

Pioneer DVR-216DBK Black 20X SATA OEM DVDRW No Software

http://www.ncix.com/...facture=Pioneer



Do you see anything that needs changing or that you would recommend changing?


I have a few worries/questions about this computer:

-Will I encounter any overheating issues? I've heard that the CM 690 has excellent airflow, and massive fan support, will that be sufficient enough?

-Compatibility issues? I believe there are none as I've done a massive amount of research and examined every part, but better safe than sorry!

-Static electricity short-circuiting a part, is it a big concern/risk? What can I do to better prevent static electricity from reaching the parts?

-Overclocking: How much of a NOTICEABLE difference would I experience from OC'ing my CPU to 4Ghz?

-Do I REALLY need 4 GB of RAM? I will be running a 32-bit XP Pro. Would I be better off getting a 2 GB kit or a 4 GB kit?

Thanks!

Edited by n0ng33k, 20 September 2008 - 07:25 PM.

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Hey there, welcome to the forums.

Your list looks pretty good to me, it should be a cranking system. Running a 32-bit OS means you won't be able to address all of the RAM, but I recommend to leave the 4GB there anyway - to save on "upgrading" later on.

If installed properly, you won't encounter overheating issues.

4GHz is quite a hefty overclock, depending on what you do with your computer, you may hardly notice the difference, or you could be amazed at the difference.

And static electricity is quite a debatable topic, but I recommend taking precautionary measures whenever working with computer components. To prevent static from getting to the parts, just discharge first. A simple way to do this is to touch the inside of the case before touching any of the parts.

Cheers

Troy

[Troy]

Hey there, welcome to the forums.

Your list looks pretty good to me, it should be a cranking system. Running a 32-bit OS means you won't be able to address all of the RAM, but I recommend to leave the 4GB there anyway - to save on "upgrading" later on.

If installed properly, you won't encounter overheating issues.

4GHz is quite a hefty overclock, depending on what you do with your computer, you may hardly notice the difference, or you could be amazed at the difference.

And static electricity is quite a debatable topic, but I recommend taking precautionary measures whenever working with computer components. To prevent static from getting to the parts, just discharge first. A simple way to do this is to touch the inside of the case before touching any of the parts.

Cheers

Troy

[n0ng33k]

Alright, thanks Troy! Can't wait to get this baby up and running! Hope you graduate from the Tech Academy soon, you're too helpful to be kept in school!

[warriorscot]

I usually use an anti-static wristband for protection against ESD during builds, they take a bit longer than a plain upgrade so you want take extra precautions. They cost a couple of quid so I recommend you get one its not worth it to run the chance.

A 4ghz overclock is sizeable and will produce a huge amount of heat you will need an aftermarket cooler, and 4Ghz is difficult you will need a good understanding of overclocking and voltage requirements. It also significantly reduces the operational lifetime of the CPU and at such a high clock without appropriate cooling that can be a big hit.

For a gaming computer you definitely want to be getting windows Vista both to get your memory fully recognised and the ability to use DX10 and future revisions of DirectX and 64bit versions of games which in some games makes for a good improvement in performance.

[n0ng33k]

Hi Warriorscot, thanks for the reply.

Regarding the 64-bit Vista: I've read numerous threads on Forums saying that a 32-bit OS is better than a 64-bit OS and vice versa, and I would just like to know your opinion on this issue. (Hate to bring it up )

Realistically, the only games that I'll be playing are Counter-Strike 1.6, Counter-Strike: Source, Warcraft 3, and maybe some other games not as intense as Crysis. Do you think I'll need a 64-bit OS? If not I'll stick with Vista Home Premium 32-bit.