Advice on building a custom computer

Last edited by Myrdaal on Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:16 pm; edited 1 time in total

I agree with KoolDrew and Predator, the setup looks good for what you're gonna use it for and the only upgrade I'd possibly recommend is the video card and even then a 6600GT will run anything fine.

Edit: For a sound card you may want to hold off until Creative released their new Xi-Fi sound cards.

Last edited by Nitrous on Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

I personally have a nvidia GeForce 6600. I have never had any problems with it, and it runs everything I throw at it at full settings. I have heard that the 6600GT does even a better job, so I do recommend the 6600GT at a budget video card. (PCI-Express of course).

The hard drive is also a good choice. I have the same one, but in the 200gb version. Its not much more expensive (around $20), so if you plan on doing any movie making, etc., a bigger drive might be a wise choice.

I would recommend getting a sound card as soon as you can though. They are getting cheaper, and you can get a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS at a great price. ($86.00) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...84189&CatId=107

If he has cheap speakers buying something other then onboard video would be a waste of money.

Ah, I wasn't aware they had been released.

Last edited by Greg M. on Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

X-fi = way too expensive.

Save $20 (or get a free $20 check in 2 months)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814150098
XFX 6600GT, 149 - $20 rebate

I would say upgrade that RAM a little. See if you can squeeze in 1GB of PC 4000 or DDR 433+. Then grab an after-market CPU cooler and have yourself a 3500+ performance wise.

1GB DDR 433... ($105 or so)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820221001

Last edited by Predator on Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:13 am; edited 1 time in total

Victor, most of your links do not work. If you copied them from your IFSZ post, that won't work because the forum software truncates long URL's..

And Victor, I have an idea. If you invest about 50$ more, you can get yourself a GREAT deal on a GeForce 6800, by XFX.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814150111

With this card, you will see a BIG performance difference in games like Battlefield 2, and your 6600GT only has 8 pixel pipelines.

The 6800 has 12, but using RivaTuner, you can unlock 4 extra pipelines and get 16! This is equivalent to that of the 6800GT & Ultra.

I updated your links.

I have a few questions in this one post.

I am looking into water cooling for my system. Would it be worth it to get it when I first buy the components, or wait to see if I really feel like I need it?

I was hope to get a SLI-compaptible board so I could run two graphics cards(from what I can see, the graphics card I chose was compatible for this) but it seems that my motherboard does not support this(only one PCI Express x16). Would you suggest me change motherboards to a SLI-compaptible, or not do this at all?

For you, SLI would be a bit of overkill. But, if you do plan on doing so, then the EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLI is a great choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813123246

And as to watercooling, I also think that's a bit overkill. Buy your current components, but if you are POSITIVELY sure you want SLI, then buy an SLI board, since it'd be a waste to buy a 1-card motherboard now, and then later, upgrade to an SLI-compatible board.

What do you mean overkill?

If I were to SLI, would I see a drastic change from one graphics card to two?

Last edited by Predator on Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

SLI in your situation would be a complete waste of money.