Help building new gaming machine

[Vitter]

Hey guys. I'm working on building a new gaming PC and handing over my other system to the girlfriend. I'm having problems selecting a video card and i'd like some info on DDR memory.

Here's what I got so far (each contains link to newegg w specs). I'd appreciate comments on any of these, especially if you have some advanced knowledge about a particular subject (like processors or video cards):

ASUS 875P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-449&catalog=280&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1) - This motherboard supports hyper threading and has an 800mhz FSB. The other version i'm looking at supports ICH5R chipset instead of ICH5, but does NOT support hyperthreading. I'm not too sure what ICH5R is, so i'm thinking of sticking with this one for the HT technology.

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512KB Cache, Hyper Threading Technology (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-156&depa=1) - It's either this or the 2.8 GHZ. Again, it has 800mhz FSB and supports hyperthreading.

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-416&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1) - Getting 2 of these for a total of 1gm memory. Any comment? I don't know much about memory.

Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-022&catalog=14&depa=1) - 7200 RPM and an 8mb cache. If anyone believes that this model (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-148&catalog=14&depa=1) would be a better pick (it's only a few bucks more), please tell me why.

Lite-On Beige 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-199&catalog=5&depa=1) - Lite-On, 2mb Buffer, 52x, etc. Standard stuff.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-162&catalog=57&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1) - Decent sound card, from what i've seen. Comments appreciated.

Now we get to the area i'm having a problem with. A VIDEO CARD. I haven't kept up to date on all the latest news, but i DO know this. I want either a 9800 Pro or one of the new GeForces. I want 256mb.

My main question is, what is DDR2? Is it something big? Or should I just go for something that's standard DDR and I know is reliable.

I'm thinking of getting this Saphire Radeon 9800 Pro (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-290&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1). Only thing is, the other one has DDR2, it can be viewed here (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-340&catalog=48&depa=1) .

They both cost about the same. Does anyone have any tips? Should I even go with this manufacturer?

[Vitter]

I won't be able to post until late tomorrow but I would greatly appreciate any help, especially with what video card re-furbisher to go with.

[Rbstr]

Someone move to tech forum!

Thats a great mobo, Asus is a very good quality mobo maker, if you have the extra bucks you can get the p4C800-E Deluxe if you want a few more features like ATA-133 raid(but it looksl ike you won't need it)

Thats good memory, 2x512 for a GB of memory is what i recomend for gaming

Get a western digital 8meg cashe HD the WD's are the best on the market(if you want a VERY fast drive get a WD raptor its a 10k rmp SATA drive, its the best on the consumer market)

The Audigy 2 ZS is great i love it.

A 256mb card does not perform any better than a 128mb card. get either the 9800Pro 128mb or the 9800XT 256(as it does not come in 128mb versions) forget the ddr2 version it offers no real perfomance enhancment over the pro and is not as good as the XT.

Its doen't matter what manufacturer you get the card from as the all have to conform to minimum specs, ASUS makes a nice XT and a 9800Pro, Saphire is a good one to go with as well.

[FlakMan]

http://cloud.faereal.net/Pictures/Dir_!/Funny%20Pictures/WrongForum.jpg

[Rbstr]

Harsh most people forget the tech forum exists so first time offences are excused

[dscytherulez]

I have the sapphire radeon 9800 pro 128mb and its nice. You will only see a dif with 256mb cards while playing games like half-life 2.

Going against everyone else, I'd say...if you have the money, buy the best, go for the 256. People that say 256mb's are a waste only see the turn, people with 256mb's tend to see the road ahead.

[Rbstr]

Most games barley use 64mb in textures, 258 is a total wast unless your buying your card for 3 years.

[dscytherulez]

Most games barley use 64mb in textures, 258 is a total wast unless your buying your card for 3 years

Ok lemme get this straight...buy a 128mb and have it last a couple of months, or buy a 256mb card and have it last over a year and only pay a little more? See what I'm saying? Buy the best if you got the $.

It's like what my mom does. She buys cheap pairs of shoes at like $25 a piece, and she ends up having to buy like 5 altogether, and I buy a pair of $80 shoes and they last a whole damn year. Who ends up paying more? :)

[Fragmatic]

Or not buy a card now and wait a few months for the next gen of cards (PCI Express)

[Rbstr]

i never said a 128mb card wouldn't last 2 years did I?

Also fast cards need less memory, its the slower ones that can benifit a bit

[Squick]

Ok lemme get this straight...buy a 128mb and have it last a couple of months, or buy a 256mb card and have it last over a year and only pay a little more? See what I'm saying? Buy the best if you got the $.

It's like what my mom does. She buys cheap pairs of shoes at like $25 a piece, and she ends up having to buy like 5 altogether, and I buy a pair of $80 shoes and they last a whole damn year. Who ends up paying more? :)

Almost too uneducated to respond to. Do your research, 128 meg card will be current and fine for at least two more years.

[OneManArmy]

seriously dscyth show me wehre the fuck you get your information from? and the paint can you've been huffin doesnt count.

256mb over 128mb memory on a gfx card shows little to no improvement in fps or any benchmark program. and if you want proof of that jsut go to any review site. from toms hardware to extremeOC to andtech or whatever fits your fancy.

[Ait'al]

www.futurepowerpc.com (http://www.futurepowerpc.com) has the cheapest vid and sound card prices i think. Atleast vid card prices.

[Dharkbayne]

I just got a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro for 217 off of Ebay, I'm happy, it was 300 on FuturePowerPC

[Veteran]

Wait a year to build it.

[OneManArmy]

Wait a year to build it.


not a half bad idea, but instead of waiting a whole year wait until the games you really want to play are out. chances are by then something(s) should be cheaper..(of course unless your current rig is a POS 3000 and you cant play anything)

[Rbstr]

Wait a year to build it.

If we all waited for that "next best thing" we would never every buy anything

[NoSurrender]

Personally id stick with the 128mb with the facts stated by everyone else. Second are u reusing a case and if you are what is that Power Supply rated for?

[Ait'al]

I was refering to vendors Dharkbayne. There are other issues obviously when you buy ebay. Not saying its a problem.

[Rbstr]

www.buyxg.com has a few things at great prices, but newegg is propbably the best for buyin everything at the same time

[Daleon]

A friend of mine just upgraded his 9800 Pro to a 9800 XT.... he has way WAY to much money to burn. He doesn't play PS anymore, mostly DaoC and if anyone who has played it a decent bit knows what Relic fights are like. They can turn into slide shows at times and make the worse PS zergs look like Q3 running at 400fps. He says he does see a decent difference in performance between the two and has even increased his video quality settings with the new card. Some of its from the increase in clock/memory and built in OC I am sure. Its really hard to say if the memory actually plays to much of a difference so between the 2 cards stock if your going to choose I would say get the XT unless you want to try OC'ing the 9800 Pro.