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Thread ID: 87330 2008-02-17 08:46:00 New Computer bk T (215) Press F1
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641184 2008-02-17 08:46:00 Friend asks me to build a 'Powerfull' computer for him for serious gaming. His budget is <$4K. I've worked out the following main components:

MotherBoard: ASUS P5K-E WIFI/AP
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo processor E6850 3.00GHz 4M 1333MHz
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 11 3.5 500GB SATA 7200RPM 32MB Cache
Graphic: ASUS GEFORCE 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E
PSU: Enermax EG565P-VE24P Whisper II, 535W ATX PSU
Memory: CORSAIR 2GB DDR2 Twin2X unbuffered 4-4-4-12 DDR2-800
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 Black nVidia SLi Ready

Your generous comments and suggestions will be much appreciated.
bk T (215)
641185 2008-02-17 08:57:00 The only thing Im not sure of is the PSU as I dont know anything about them really. The rest sounds ok to me:thumbs: rob_on_guitar (4196)
641186 2008-02-17 08:57:00 Current issue of PCWorld has an article where they're building a 'monstor" machine. But they're doing it over a few issues. So perhaps you could email them and ask for the components they intend to use in advance. Greg (193)
641187 2008-02-17 09:08:00 Ditch the 8800GTS 640MB. For about the same price, you can get the 8800GTS G92 512MB. qazwsxokmijn (102)
641188 2008-02-17 09:08:00 Friend asks me to build a 'Powerfull' computer for him for serious gaming. His budget is <$4K. I've worked out the following main components:

MotherBoard: ASUS P5K-E WIFI/AP
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo processor E6850 3.00GHz 4M 1333MHz
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 11 3.5 500GB SATA 7200RPM 32MB Cache
Graphic: ASUS GEFORCE 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E
PSU: Enermax EG565P-VE24P Whisper II, 535W ATX PSU
Memory: CORSAIR 2GB DDR2 Twin2X unbuffered 4-4-4-12 DDR2-800
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 Black nVidia SLi Ready

Your generous comments and suggestions will be much appreciated.

That doesn't look like a monstor machine to me. For gaming he should have 2 top end cards. Along with a much larger p/s. I can't recall is that CPU a quad core? is he likely to overclock? another cpu might have better abilities.

How about the other parts? just the one hd? get 2 and raid them that should get the games loading up quicker.

DVD burner? fans ? 3rd party Cpu cooler if overclocking?

22 inch LCD?
apsattv (7406)
641189 2008-02-17 09:08:00 Switch 8800GTS 640MB for a 8800GT cheaper and performs better , ASUS model still good though.
Maybe a Core 2 Duo E8500 at 3.16Ghz instead of a E6850 as its a newer 45nm model and faster clocks for cheaper see here (forums.anandtech.com)
hazza87 (12499)
641190 2008-02-17 09:28:00 I'd go for one 250B HDD for the OS and a monster 500GB or 750GB for the rest and also more RAM.

2GB RAM?? Even Dell laptops offer 3GB and that too on their lower level ones (special offer only though)

A nice big screen and a TV Tuner card and some nice speakers and you're all set:D
beeswax34 (63)
641191 2008-02-17 11:59:00 Prices from www.pricespy.co.nz
GPU:GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB, (G92) PCI Express $479.85 x 2 for SLI if you want.
CPU:Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450, 2.66GHz Quad Core CPU $554.73
HD:Samsung 750GB SATA 7200rpm hard drive $241.82 x 2 if you want,because you can!!!
MB:XFX MG-N780-ISH9 Nvidia nForce 780i SLI ATX Motherboard $447.36
LCD:Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW 22" LCD 1680x1050 2ms $485.00
Ram:2GB DDR2-800 PC2-6400 SDRAM $56.95 each
OS:Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit English 1pk OEM $269.25
Optical Drive:LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray and HD DVD Reader + DVD Writer SATA $495.90:cool:
PSU:Silverstone Strider ST1000 1000W Modular ATX12V Power Supply Retail $325.10
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 Black nVidia SLi Ready

Thats what I would call a 'Powerfull' computer for him for serious gaming.:cool::thumbs:
memphis (2869)
641192 2008-02-17 20:53:00 F

MotherBoard: ASUS P5K-E WIFI/AP
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo processor E6850 3.00GHz 4M 1333MHz
Graphic: ASUS GEFORCE 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E
PSU: Enermax EG565P-VE24P Whisper II, 535W ATX PSU

Get the new CPU - E8400, cheaper and more cache.

Graphics card is old too. Get the GT.
PSU is fine.
pctek (84)
641193 2008-02-17 22:09:00 Prices from www.pricespy.co.nz (http://www.pricespy.co.nz)
GPU:GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB, (G92) PCI Express $479.85 x 2 for SLI if you want.
CPU:Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450, 2.66GHz Quad Core CPU $554.73
HD:Samsung 750GB SATA 7200rpm hard drive $241.82 x 2 if you want,because you can!!!
MB:XFX MG-N780-ISH9 Nvidia nForce 780i SLI ATX Motherboard $447.36
LCD:Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW 22" LCD 1680x1050 2ms $485.00
Ram:2GB DDR2-800 PC2-6400 SDRAM $56.95 each
OS:Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit English 1pk OEM $269.25
Optical Drive:LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray and HD DVD Reader + DVD Writer SATA $495.90:cool:
PSU:Silverstone Strider ST1000 1000W Modular ATX12V Power Supply Retail $325.10
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 Black nVidia SLi Ready

Thats what I would call a 'Powerfull' computer for him for serious gaming.:cool::thumbs:

Thanks for the interesting inputs.:thumbs:

1. Why do we need 2 x GPUs, what are the advantages?

2. OS - preferred to run XP. 64 bit vs 32 bit - advantages & disadvantages?

3. HDD x 2 - Having RAID 0 (?) will give better performance?

4. PSU. What are the advantages of having such a 'high wattage' PSU? Isn't it a waste for having those 'extra' power, if the system does't really need it?

5. Samsung 22" LCD monitor seems to be a good choice - that's what we have in mind. :)

6. What speaker system do you reckon its good for games? As I'm not a gamer at all and my friend knows very little about computers (but he has some extra cash to spend), therefore, inputs from true games will be much appreciated.
bk T (215)
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