I'm getting a new PC thread - I'm finally getting one

[ZFR]

Not wanting to continue the thread here I'm starting a new one. My budget is a little tighter than I expected. The computer is to be used mainly (only?) for gaming.
So here goes. prices in euro (approximate, converted from Polish currency).

mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI nVidia nForce4-SLI - 115.00

processor: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ BOX (Socket 939) Venice - 97.00

memory: Kingston DDR 1GB PC-400 CL3 - 122.00

graphics card: GeForce 7900 GT Gigabyte 256MB HDTV & DVI (525/1440) (PCI-E) - 286.00

HDD: Seagate 250 GB Barracuda 7200.10 (16MB, ATA/100, zapis prostopadły) - 82.00

monitor: 19" LG Flatron F900P - 177.00

DVDRW: NEC DVD+/-RW ND-4571A LabelFlash bulk silver - 39.00

sound card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE OEM - 25.00

speakers: Creative Inspire T6060 5.1 retail - 62.00

case: Tracer TRO-211 Mondeo 400W - 42.00

keyboard: logitech something - 8.00

mouse: A4-TECH Navigator Opto-Radio 429 (RP-649) - 18.00

floppy drive: something brandless nameless as long as it works - 8.00

printer: HP PSC1410 - 72.00

TOTAL: 1153.00

So here is what I'd require from you:

What is the weakest link that would limit the games performance?
If you could spend say an extra 250.00EUR on that, what would you improve? processor, memory, graphics card, mobo? Not improving anything is also a very good option, since I'd be vary happy to save that money and not spend anything more if the above specs are good enough.
And lastly, if you have used any of the above products, or otherwise know them and have any comments about any particular one, I'd be happy to hear why is it good/bad.

Thanks in advance!!!

-ZFR

[Zebodog]

Pretty decent bang for the buck.

I think you'll find that the onboard audio of that motherboard is equivalent or even better than the Audigy SE OEM. You don't see much improvement in audio until the 2ZS or X-Fi. Lose the soundcard and save the money.

You're probably aware of the limited upgrade path with the S939. An AM2 board will save yourself some money...longterm.

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Zebodog: Pretty decent bang for the buck. I think you'll find that the onboard audio of that motherboard is equivalent or even better than the Audigy SE OEM. You don't see much improvement in audio until the 2ZS or X-Fi. Lose the soundcard and save the money. You're probably aware of the limited upgrade path with the S939. An AM2 board will save yourself some money...longterm.

hmm.. would I be able to use the EAX in games if I use the mobos soundcards?

[Lavindathar]

I'd take 2GB of Ram.

Your gonna need it, sooner rather than later. Might as well get it now, and have everything running perfectly.

More and more games are needing around this mark with RAM now.

[SecretMaster]

Hmm well if you are using it for gaming, then I'd recommend ditching the Socket 939 board and processor and go AM2 with a X2 3800. Dual-core will start becoming more and more useful in gaming as multithreading/hyperthreading technology is coming into use.

It may end up costing you a bit more (depending on what you get, but it still might only be like $50 extra). Of course that will also force you to switch your RAM type but I still think you can make your price range.

[Zebodog]

Originally posted by ZFR: quote: Originally posted by Zebodog: Pretty decent bang for the buck. I think you'll find that the onboard audio of that motherboard is equivalent or even better than the Audigy SE OEM. You don't see much improvement in audio until the 2ZS or X-Fi. Lose the soundcard and save the money. You're probably aware of the limited upgrade path with the S939. An AM2 board will save yourself some money...longterm.

hmm.. would I be able to use the EAX in games if I use the mobos soundcards? [/QUOTE]EAX 1.0 and 2.0, but not 3.0.

[Ilander]

*sigh*

I can't wait to build my next one...it'll be a gaming one...

Okay, my points...

1) Hard drive...I'd think you could get a Serial ATA 3.0 GB/s (SATA II) drive...they're about that price (I've looked), and give you a little better speed.

2)Onboard motherboard can handle EAX. It's more than sufficient for a gaming PC if you're wanting to trim the fat. The card...well, it might give you a little bit of a boost, but I doubt you'd notice the difference for that price range sound card.

3)You may want a 500 W power supply.

Those are my only suggestions.

[ 09-21-2006, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Ilander ]

[T-D-C]

Are you really going to use the floppy drive??? I took mine out and put in a flash card reader instead (8 in 1)

If you just take that out you will save 8 euros.

Not much comes on Floppy these days as most people use USB sticks or CD/DVD

[Hivetyrant]

As has been said, ditch the S939 CPU and get an X2 (or even an Intel Conroe-I have one so they must be good )

Also, as Zebodog said, you are better off with the onboard sound than with that sound card

[ZFR]

OK, first of all, I will scrap the soundcard, as per your suggestion and save the money.

Now for the processor.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ - 167.00
Intel Core2 Duo E6300 1.86 GHz - 195.00

So I think I'll be going with the AMD. But now questions:
First of all how to choose a mobo. What mobo would you suggest with the amd processor? What should I look for when choosing one?
Second, given the above processor and graphics card what RAM should I get? Again, how to choose?
Third, how does one choose a case (other than the way it looks?) and how will the 500W power supply affect performance.

Thanks all!