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I would like to build a pc primarliy for gaming. I don't know to much about computer components, but I've been trying to do some research and this is what I've found.

For processor, I'm almost certain that I want an amd athlon 64 3200+ with a venice core. I'm not an experienced overclocker by any means, but I heard this processor overlclocks nicely, so I would like to oc it. If I do oc it, do I need a new heatsink or cooler, and if so can you recommend me some?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 1c3grabb3r

For motherboards, I'm not sure if I want to pay for sli or not. I know its the new thing and all, but if i was to get dual graphics cards, I wouldn't get them for a while, plus they would probably have better mobos by then, and the benefits of them in games are ok, not great.

I was looking at an Epox mobo here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813123243

And I was looking at an dfi lanparty nf4 ultra-d mobo here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... KNC-goog13

My options are not narrowed towards just these two, it's just what I've seen as recommended mobos so far.

Power supplies, I really have no clue on why some are dirt cheap and why some are over $100. As long as you have enough wattage does it really matter what brand you have, and if so why?
I was looking at some so called good brands of psu's and here they are.

Antec NeoPower ATX 480W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817103924

SEASONIC S12-500 ATX12V 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151024

Thermaltake PurePower W0068RUC ATX12V 2.0 460W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817153022

As for video cards, I really want to go with Nvidia because of their shader 3.0 system. I was looking at their 6800s. I also looked at the manufacturer evga. I think prices on video cards will go down in the next 90 days and evga will let you upgrade your card after 90 days of purchase, so evga sounds like the manufacturer for me.

eVGA 256-P2-N383-TX Geforce 6800 256MB 256-bit DDR PCI Express x16

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130231

I was wondering if I could overclock it to 400+MHz core, and 1.1GHz memory if I bought this cooler.

Koolance gpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835127002

I already have dvd/cd drives, 1gig of pc3200 ram, and a hard drive.

I've been trying to get the best bang for my buck, so if you guys have any recommendations on any components to buy please reply.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

Consider the GeForce 6800GT as a graphics card that can run all currently-available games at 1600x1200 with some level of anti-aliasing enabled. If your primary goal is gaming, spending a bit more on the video card will reap benefits in gaming performance.

If the power supply manufacturers were honest about their power ratings, then you could buy based on specifications alone. Since some of them tend to be overly-optimistic about the power that the PSU can supply stably, it sometimes comes down to going with a brand that you trust. The most important outputs are the (two) +12V rails. If they are rated for a combined 30A or more, you should be in very good shape with an Athlon64 system with a single video card. If you purchase a Pentium4 with SLI of two high-end NVidia video cards, then you might need a power supply with a claimed rating of 500 watts or more.

Looking at the specs, these look interesting:
$ 44 Fortron Source ATX400-PA 400W
$ 46 Enermax Noisetaker EG325P-VE 320W
$ 77 CoolerMaster Real Power RS-450-ACLY 450W
$ 86 Thermaltake PurePower W0068RUC 460W
$117-$25MIR Antec NeoPower 480W
$ 98 Fortron Source AX500-A 500W
$106 Seasonic S12-430 430W

redux wrote:

Koolance gpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835127002

That's more for watercooling. Don't think you are going that route.

I've decided that I don't want an sli mobo so I'm going to go with an Epox listed in my post above unless anyone has a better recommendation. As for power supplies, what is the difference between a generic one and a more expensive one. As long as it runs I really don't see a difference.

A generic one is usually produced by non-reputable manufacturers and they usually exaggerate a bit on the wattage numbers. So, they may have claimed 500W output but in reality they can only supply 350W. A system that is underpowered is not a good thing.

Apart from not enough power, some of these low end PSUs (even with big wattage numbers) may not contain good components and the current that they feed to the rest of the system is not "stable" or "of good quality". Do you think a highly complex and sensitive electronic device such as the CPU and video card can tolerate voltage swings of like 3.5-6.5V when it is supposed to take 5V? As you can see this can be a serious problem.

And usually when these kinds of problems happen, it won't just be the PSU and the 1 component that is having problems. The power system is connected and if one thing blows, it usually takes the rest of the system with it.

Within the last 5 years, the PSU has become the biggest factor in system stability.

Epox makes quality boards, but I just put together a build with the one you linked to and it left me a little underwhelmed. Mainly because of a loud chipset fan. I've ranted on it in at least one other thread - its the loudest fan in the box. Check out the following before you pull the trigger:

BFGRNF4U
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra
Abit AN8 Ultra
ECS KN1 Extreme

I've read very complimentary things about the BFG board and it comes with a 3 year warranty. And the Chaintech board has been relied upon by many, tho I have no personal experience with it. The ECS board has received good reviews. [H] has reviewed both the BFG and the ECS if you have the time to cruise over there and take a gander.

Here's an Epox SLI board for about 7 dollars more than the one listed above

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813123246

i have the chaintech ultra board, cheap and its been very stable for me so if you dont want sli i would recommend that you at least consider this board due to its price. i have a pretty good oc going with it once you upgrade to latest bios ([email protected])

You might want to consider an Athlon 64 3500, instead of the 3200; 200mhz faster clockspeed, for only $35 more than the 3200. The stock cooler on the AMD chips is pretty good, I would use that first, before spending money on another cooler.

Flying Fox wrote:

redux wrote:

Koolance gpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835127002

That's more for watercooling. Don't think you are going that route.

Yup, the Zalman 700 would be a better buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835118117

[cb speak]
come in redux ... what's your 20? ... over ...
[/cb speak]

I love cb speak. What does cb stand for?

10/4 good buddy CB....as in Citizens Band(aka radio) kicker back. Whats your "back door" lookin like

Oh my goodness I quiter literally laughed out loud at that one Lickety.

Edit:
OMG, I just read this again and it still makes me laugh. Thanks Usacomp for keping your eye on the ball.

*puts on mod. hat*
Lets keep it on topic guys.

DreadCthulhu wrote:

You might want to consider an Athlon 64 3500, instead of the 3200; 200mhz faster clockspeed, for only $35 more than the 3200.

Not going to make a huge difference for gaming is it? Might as well save here. I'm in a similar situation (gaming PC build) and I'm going for a 3000, although I know I'm getting an X2 in around a year.


Shader Model 3.0 was mentioned as a reason for going the nVidia route in the original post, though the general consensus seems to be that it's a factor, but not a huge deal when it comes to selecting which company to choose.


For serious overclocking, DFI seems to be the mobo company of choice.

I have a Zalman 7000CuAlu on a AMD 3500+.
It lowered my temps by 10 degrees.
I've read good things about the CoolerMaster Hyper 6,although it weighs alot.
I've used the stock cooler for a 100 mhz overclock successfully.
I'm really not into overclocking at this point though.

if you do go with the zalman 7000, which i suggest (if not stepping up to the 7700), then go with the Cu not the AlCu, its only copper which dissipates more heat than the Aluminum-Copper combo according to the testing on toms hardware it better... and the copper just looks betterin my opinion