Need help Tech junkies

[nokuku4u]

Dear Cybertech forums,

I checked all the sticky topics but they didn't seem to help. I used to know a decent amount about computers. I just recently found out about ddr2 and all this new stuff is confusing me. Can any of you guys advise me if this is suitable setup? I don't have a limit to how much money but I'd like to keep it low (don't we all). I just want a good enough computer that can handle its own on full settings for these new games.

Motherboard:
Asus m2n-sli deluxe socket am2 570 MCP ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131013

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+ 3.0Ghz AM2 processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103759

or
AMD Athlon 64 x2 5200+ 2.6Ghz AM2 processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773

Ram:
Hyperx 1gig ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134014

or

G.skill two 1gig sticks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098


Video card:
EVGA GeForce 7900GS
http:http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130056

Power supply:
http://powmax.com/pics/power/demon480w.htm



Do these all work together? Should I pay a little more for the video card or get the more expensive processor? Like I said earlier. I just want a gaming computer that can handle today’s games on full settings. I don't want a super computer that can play the next decade games.

[photolady]

Money is no object, eh? Okay use the above motherboard, with the AM2 3.0Ghz, the G. Skil memory and change the power supply to one of a more stable brand (listed below). PowMax are cheap and cheaply made, you sure don't want it to blow up and break all your new components.
Enermax
Enlight
HIPER
Fortron
Thermaltake (these are really good)
Xion

For the video card, that 7900GS will of course play present games with no problems, but I'm wondering about if it was the GS that was a problem or the GTX. And I'm not a fan of that manufacturer, while BFG cards carry a lifetime warranty and I've found their tech support to be better also.

[Digerati]

I would dump the PowMax supply - they do not have a good reputation. Instead, I recommend a PSU from Antec, Enermax, Fortron, OCZ, PC Power & Cooling, Muskin, Seasonic, Sparklepower, Thermaltake, or Xclio. I would also recommend you get one a little more powerful, considering the video card you have selected. I recommend 550W - 650W.

For RAM, I recommend 1 Gb/core - so with dual core CPUs, get at least 2GB (2 X 1Gb) - either way, make sure you get your RAM in pairs - not a single stick so you can take advantage of the motherboard's dual-channel architecture.

Buy Windows with your hardware.

[nokuku4u]

ty for your guys' replies.

i take it my power supply sucks. okay i'll get a better one.

what do you mean is wrong with the video card/ lots of problems with it?


and what do you mean get windows with your hardware-- or is that your signature?

thanks,
heath

[photolady]

I'm not sure about that video card as I said before one of them either GS or GTX was a problem for many people. But I think it was the GTX model that was the problem.

As for the reference to buying your XP or Vista, you can get an OEM cd/dvd cheaper than retail if you buy it at the same time you buy your computer parts. Note that if you do purchase an OEM copy, whenever or if ever you get rid of that computer, you have to give who ever gets the computer the Operating System also.

[Digerati]

I agree that OEM optical drives are cheaper, but note that not all come with cables. That said, replacing the flat ribbon cables with round cables is a good idea anyway as they restrict air flow much less.

However, the big disadvantage to buying OEM optical drives is you will not get the necessary software to play all DVD movies and that can be a bummer. If you buy at least one retail version, you will get all necessary software - probably an end-user (runtime) version of PowerDVD or Nero to play any prerecorded DVD.

[nokuku4u]

wow STOP!

O.K., change of plans. I just figured out what SLI is and i don't care for having dual videocards. I just want a good ASUS board thats not SLI cause i have no need for sli. Is AM2 sli technology?


Here's what I'm getting so far

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+ 3.0Ghz AM2 processor

Video Card:
EVGA GeForce 7900GS

Ram:
G.skill 2x 1Gig
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098


Can anyone find me a good Asus MoBo thats not wasted money on SLI technology?


Thank you guys for all your help

[l337_GuY]

AM2 is the name given to that Processor Socket, made by AMD. SLI is by nVidia.

Can anyone find me a good Asus MoBo thats not wasted money on SLI technology?

It's only an extra PCI-E 16x slot, and a better chipset. It's there if you want to utilize in the future - You might find your PC is not up to scratch with the newer games, And instead of upgrading the entire PC, You can just add an extra 7900GS which will give you up to twice the performance.

However, Here's a few motherboards with single PCI-E 16X slots.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131172

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131040

[Rich M]

Asus has had many problems this past year and I appreciate the brand loyalty, you might want to reconsider that reading other forums on Asus board problems.
I have always had good luck with Biostar but the main brands for Amd these times are Msi and Gigabyte and whatever you do, make certain that whatever board you buy, the ram is matched to it as dual cores really are getting tougher and tougher. I would not be buying GSkill as Asus site is useless for matching ram, and there seems to be no configurator for gSkill to match their ram. Lately ram compatibility has been the single worst problem in new system builds as technology gets more and more demanding.

[Digerati]

Lately ram compatibility has been the single worst problem in new system builds as technology gets more and more demanding.

I am seeing this too. Even among same brands. Dual-channel architecture is placing huge demands for matched pairs of RAM and makers are trying to comply. And with the proliferation of dual core processors, and the higher demands of Vista, folks are opting for more RAM, often using 4 sticks per machine. Testing individually with MemTest86+ shows nothing wrong with the RAM, and the motherboards test out fine with other RAM, but when all 4 sticks are installed, stability problems develop.

An option for builders is MWave's "Motherboard Bundles" Wizard - which only offers compatible RAM for selected motherboard/CPU combinations. Anyone can use the Wizard to help muddle through the parts selection process. For US buyers, (since MWave only ships in the US) you can have MWave assemble and test your bundle for only $9 more - this is a huge plus as the buyer knows from the Wizard the parts are compatible, but for only $9 more, you know those specific parts are compatible too.