Jumping in feet first!

[Rettaman]

Hello,

First I have to say, this forum and Rob's web-site is a godsend! I have been wanting to build a PC for the longest time but was also unsure if I could actually do it. I know PCs from a user stand point inside and out but I have no clue on how to work with BIOS and the technical stuff. So a few questions.

Comparing a prebuilt system specs to that of a custom built has got me rather confused. For instance, I have been watching newegg for quite a while now and have come across some of the ABS systems.

The system I have been looking at is this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883102029

This is the specs of the parts that I have gathered up from reading all the advice given here on the forums:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129021)

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131142)

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130082)


CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139001)


Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115029)

Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136055)


LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106073)

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102006)

How does my list compair to the pre-built one as far as performance? What else do I need/should get?

I am a hardcore gamer, mostly MMOs but dabble with FPS and RTS games. My current system can barely play Oblivion, and I have been told that the next game I plan on playing will need at least the minimum specs of what Oblivion's recomended specs are.

Any guidence would be helpful!

Thanks!

[Jamie Nixx]

Well as a fellow hardcore gamer, that rig, put quite simply, will blast anything away :D

I did notice however, theres no ram?

I recommend Corsair XMS2 CL4.

And i would not go for the pre-built system, its rubbish with a capital R.

The 8500GT would struggle to play anything.

Build your own, thats the best way to get a good understanding of how computers work.

Plus myself and someothers will always be on hand to help you out if you get stuck ;) :D

[Rettaman]

Ah, the Ram.

Okay, that was another confusing issue. You say get "I recommend Corsair XMS2 CL4."

This is the list of all the Corsair XMS2 I found on newegg and none of them say "CL4"
Memory choices (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000170147%2050001666%201052308477&page=1&bop=And)
Then you have the choices of "PC 4000" or "PC 6400"? what ever that means.

[Jamie Nixx]

This is the Ram you want....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

It comes with a $40 rebate :eek:

PC6400 and the numbers equate to what speed the Ram runs at, for example if you have PC6400 memory, it runs at 800Mhz, if you chose PC5400 it equates to 667Mhz ect, the higher you go the faster the speed at which the Ram runs, the highest speed of Ram the motherboard you chose can run is 800Mhz (PC6400) which is pretty much the norm for speed.

[Rettaman]

Cool! Thanks Jamie.

How upgradeable is this system going to be? Whats its life expetency as far as keeping up with any new games on the horizons?

[Jamie Nixx]

For maximum upgradeability, you might want to think about a motherboard with a P35 chipset as apose to one with a 650i chipset, but be prepared to spend more money.

As far as games go, that rig should be good for at the absolute least, about a year, but that rig should in theory play games with the eye candy turned up for years to come.

[Rettaman]

Is the only difference in the P35 and the 650i the type of ram it would take? From DDR2 to a DDR3?

[Jamie Nixx]

No, only some P35 boards support DDR3 memory, its just a later board with a more upto date chipset.

If you want a board that supports DDR3, i hope you have deep pockets, because they cost a lot.

I wouldn't bother though, DDR3 is not really being used, its far too expensive.

[Rettaman]

So, what is so upgradeable about the P35 if it isn't the memory?

[Jamie Nixx]

Nothing much really, but it has a much more upto date graphics chipset.

[Rettaman]

Okies, thanks for clearing that up!

Thanks again for your help and advice!

[Jamie Nixx]

No probs.

I personally would stick with the Asus P5N-E, the chipset is awesome and has been proven to be better with more high end graphics cards, and seeing as how you have an 8800GTS on the list, that combo would be excellent.

[The Wise Monkey]

The Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R board that I have supports both DDR2 and DDR3 RAM, so you can buy the good Corsair stuff to use now and then upgrade to DDR3 if/when you want to. :)

[Amosmoses33]

Jamie,
does the P35 chipset have boards that are SLI?
Thanks

[Jamie Nixx]

No sorry mate, all the P35 boards only support Crossfire, there is a bios hack you can do to recognise SLi but i wouldn't bother.

[Amosmoses33]

10-4, that was just for my own education, i learn something everyday :) have a great weekend.

[Jamie Nixx]

Its a bit dumb when you think about it.

Intel make chipsets for boards, that only support ATI crossfire, and who are ATI owned by...........AMD, who are Intels biggest rival, the mind boggles eh :D