Computer Building Advice Requested

[pcdoctor]

I currently have a custom built computer that I put together in 2004. Information about the computer, it has an ASUS a7n8x-vm/400 AMD Motherboard with a AMD 2500+ 1.8 GHz Processor. The video card is a nVidia Geforce 5200 made by Gainward. The exact model is a Model Pro/660 TV. It is a 128 MB card. I have two hard drives. One is a 120 GB drive that is split into three partitions. And I also have a 40 GB Hard drive in the computer that has backup files and such on it. On the main drive, the first partition which is about 10 GB runs Windows 98. I rarely use that drive. I only set it up because that is the only operating system my scanner will work on. The 2nd partition and third partitions have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on them. It is WinXP Home Edition. The third partition I use for games while the 2nd partition is for my normal computer use such as internet and office type of stuff. All the drives including the CD/DVD Drives are IDE. The computer has 768 MB of PC2700 DDR Ram installed currently. The maximum my motherboard can support up too is 1 GB.

Now here's the issue. I have been using this computer to play The Sims 2 on. It runs pretty fair for the most part, but it can run slow at times due to possibly poor graphics and lack of RAM. I have the following expansion packs for the sims 2. They are University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets and Seasons. Stuff packs I have are Family Fun Stuff and Happy Holiday stuff. The game barely plays with all those packs on the computer. I have not purchased anymore EP's due to the fact that my computer may no longer support them due to the system requirements more so in the RAM issue and video issues. So this is what I need. I need help on putting together a good computer that can support all of the sims 2 and expansion packs and can also support sims 3 when that comes out. I want to try and not spend as much money as possible. So if anyone can come up with some good building ideas, please let me know.

Thanks

[RickyTick]

Do you have a budget?

Do you have peripherals, ie monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers?

[pcdoctor]

I'm hoping to spend no more than $500 on the project, and yes I have all the stuff such as keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor.

[RickyTick]

Case and PSU - Antec Sonata III http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Processor - E2200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

Motherboard - P45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

Ram - 2gb G.Skill DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Video Card - 9600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130360

Hard Drive - WD 640GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical - Samsung DVD R/W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

Comes out to $520.

What do you think?

[tibug]

Case and PSU - Antec Sonata III http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Processor - E2200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

Motherboard - P45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

Ram - 2gb G.Skill DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Video Card - 9600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130360

Hard Drive - WD 640GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical - Samsung DVD R/W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

Comes out to $520.

What do you think?

I would go with a slightly cheaper video card and a cheaper case/psu I think...then use the money saved to buy a better CPU..., you save about 10$ on the case/psu from the antec sonata plus you get a better psu..and about 30 on the video card...put about 15-40$ of the money saved toward a better CPU, and I think you've got a more balanced computer...nothing will be bottlenecked by anything else (I think the 9600gt would be bottlenecked by that cpu...) and the 8600gt is great...I have seen acceptable fps rates up to 1024X768 on crysis with almost everything set to high...I'm sure it'll be fine for the sims.

E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
or
E7200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052

Cooler Master Centurion case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

500 watt thermaltake psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

EVGA 8600gt 256mb gddr3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

[pcdoctor]

OK Folks: This is what I'm planning to build:

DVD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151155
$19.99

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$49.95

Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
$74.99

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770
$159.99

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027
$39.99

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144
May purchase 2 of these
$34.99

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347
$96.99

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
$164.99

Operating System:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488
$109.99

DVI to VGA Adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999902
$3.49

Subtotal: $755.36
Shipping: $32.01
Grand Total: $787.37

There are also some items with mail in rebates as well. Prices on here are without the rebates.

Tell me what you think?

Yes it's more than I expected to spend, but was told it's a better choice.

I still might purchase a barebones system and get the parts needed to make it run if it's cheaper.

[The Wise Monkey]

The video card you specified is excellent, and comes with a DVI to VGA adaptor, so you won't need the extra one.

[pcdoctor]

Sweet! Well that will save me a little bit of money. Something else I want to know, would any computer store be able to help me put the motherboard in the PC and/or the processor? Those are the two things I am concerned about doing myself.

[RickyTick]

Yes, I'm sure a local pc store would help you with that, but putting the motherboard in the case and putting the cpu in the motherboard were very simple. No harder than installing a video card. I had more trouble with the little details like what connector goes where on the mobo. :)

[chunkylover53]

... would any computer store be able to help me put the motherboard in the PC and/or the processor? Those are the two things I am concerned about doing myself.

PCdoc, I am without question the least handy person I know, yet I built my own PC. I struggle installing a dimmer switch in my house, yet I threw this beast together without blowing anything up.

I know it feels a little daunting, but trust us when we say you can do it. Take your time, follow the directions, and by the time you realize it you will be loading windows and wondering where the time went.

[pcdoctor]

Do any of you use heatsink compound when installing the processor? Should I also get more fans for a bigger CPU fan?

[The Wise Monkey]

You should always use thermal grease when attaching the cooler to the CPU - put a small blob in the middle of the CPU and clip the cooler into place. Check out this link for comprehensive instructions:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274/10

I think that it is a good idea to get an aftermarket CPU cooler as it offers you more room to overclock, if you so choose. This OCZ Vendetta 2 is excellent value at $40 after MIR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202007

If you are after something a bit cheaper, then this Xigmatek is an amazing deal at only $26 after MIR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

[Perhaps]

Do any of you use heatsink compound when installing the processor? Should I also get more fans for a bigger CPU fan?

Yes to the thermal grease.

You can judge your need for more CPU cooling by monitoring what your idle and load CPU temps are.
There are quite a few free programs that can do that for you.

[pcdoctor]

I do not plan to overclock at all.

[RickyTick]

I do not plan to overclock at all.

Even if you don't plan to overclock, that Xigmatek cooler would be a great investment at that price.

I didn't plan to overclock either, I just couldn't help myself. :D

[pcdoctor]

Well I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna build a brand new computer! Ordered all the parts off of newegg yesterday and can't wait til they get here!

[Barrister73]

From another person who had no building experience at all and received a completely dead motherboard in the first shipment; you are making the correct decision. Whatever minor problems you encounter along the way will easily be handled by everyone here.

My only suggestion is that you start a new thread for each issue you have; in order to catch the attention of anyone who has already personally solved that problem.

MRR

[Perhaps]

Well I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna build a brand new computer! Ordered all the parts off of newegg yesterday and can't wait til they get here!


Best of luck. You'll be up and running before you know it.