NEWEGGAGE for JCOM

JohnCarterofMars · Registered User Joined: 12 Aug 2001 Posts: 1113

heya folx, just thought I'd post the research I have been doing on building a new box for the upcoming release of HL2 and the increasingly amazing games they keep coming up with these days. I'd love to hear you thoughts and ideas on this. I basically picked what looked like it would be compatible and fullfill my needs for now and in the future.

Anyway, here it is, the total cost of this outfit looks like it will be around 950 USD... I am about 1/4 of the way to having enough money saved to buy it...

POWER SUPPLY: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-159-015&depa=1

COOLMAX 500W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply, 1 x 120mm fan, 3 Speed Fan Control Switch (Auto, Low, Medium), SILVER, Model "CX-500"
Model# CX-500 Item # N82E16817159015

Specifications:
Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 500W
PFC: Yes
Power Good Signal: 100-500 ms
Hold-up Time: Not Specified
Efficiency: >65% at full load
Over Voltage Protection: on all output
Overload Protection: on all output
Input Voltage: 115~132 VAC
Input Frequency Range: 50~60 Hz
Input Current: 10/5.5 A
Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@45A, -5V@0.5A, +12V@28A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2.5A
MTBF: Not Specified
Approvals: Not Specified

MOTHERBOARD: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-121-185&depa=1

Intel "D865PERLL" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -OEM
Model# D865PERLL Item # N82E16813121185

Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 478 Intel Pentium 4(HT)/Celeron Processors
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5-R
FSB: 800/533/400MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for DDR400/333/266 Max 4GB
IDE: 2x ATA 100 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X/1X(0.8/1.5V), 5x PCI 2.2
Ports: 2xPS2,1xCOM,1xLPT,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),3xIEEE1394(Rear 1),Audio Ports(5.1 CH + Digi out)
Onboard Audio: Analog Devices AD1985 Codec
Onboard LAN: Intel 82562EZ(ET) 10/100Mbps Ethernet
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x Serial ATA, RAID 0
Onboard IEEE1394: Agere FW323
Form Factor: ATX

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-116-161&DEPA=1

Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
Model# BX80532PG2800D Item # N82E16819116161 Specifications:
Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Northwood
Operating Frequency: 2.8GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.525V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)

CASE: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-133-135&DEPA=1

Thermaltake XaserV WinGo V8000+ Silver Gaming Tower, Model "V8000+" -RETAIL
Model# V8000+ Item # N82E16811133135

Specifications:
Case Type: Mid Tower
Color: Silver
Material: Chassis: 1.0 mm SECC, Front Door: Plastic
Drive Bays: 5.25"x 5/0, 3.5"x 2/3 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2x USB2.0, 2x audio, 1x IEEE1394
Power Supply: N/A
Cooling System: 1x 80mm top, 1x 80mm front, 2x 90mm side, 1x 90mm rear
Motherboard Compatibility: Micro ATX, Standard ATX & Extended ATX(Dual CPU)
Dimensions: 19.3" x 8.1" x 22.9"(HxWxD)
Features: 2 Smart Fan fan speed control knobs, Side panel security lock & 3-way front panel lock, WinGo EL lamp with 3 way function inverter

CD/DVD DRIVE: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-152-025&DEPA=1

NEC 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A SILVER, OEM
Model# ND-2510A SLVR Item # N82E16827152025

Specifications:
Write Speed: 2.4X Double Layer DVD+R9, 8X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 8X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 32X CD-R, 16X CD-RW
Read Speed: 4 #alien

CD-ROM, 12X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ Me/ 98SE
Features: Vertical operation possible, Anti-dust seal, PC 2001 Certification, MultiRead compliant.
Packaging: OEM (No Software)

HARDDRIVE: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-144-327&DEPA=1

Maxtor 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model 7Y250M0, OEM Drive Only
Model# 7Y250M0 Item # N82E16822144327

Specifications:
Capacity: 250GB
Average Seek Time: 9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: S.M.A.R.T. compliance features
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Packaging: OEM Drive Only

SOUNDCARD: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-171&depa=1

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS GAMER Limited Edition PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
Model# 70SB035000013 Item # N82E16829102171

Specifications:
Channels: 7.1
Max Sampling Rate: 192kHz
Signal-Noise Ratio: 108dB(SNR)
Hardware Decode: Dolby Digital EX, DTS-EX
Digital Audio: 24-bit
PC Interface: PCI
Connectors: Line-In/Out, Firewire(IEEE1394), Mic-In, MIDI, Analog/Digital CD Audio in(See Details)
External Box: N/A
Remote Control: N/A
Special Features: DVD-Audio, THX Certified, EAX Advanced HD

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-030&depa=1

PDP SYSTEMS DDR Memory 184-Pin 1GB PC-3200, Model PSD1G400 - Retail

Model# PSD1G400 Item # N82E16820220030 Specifications:
Manufacturer: PDP SYSTEMS
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization:128M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime

VIDEO CARD: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=14-102-303&DEPA=1

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK -OEM
Model# RADEON 9800SE 128 Item # N82E16814102303
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9800SE/325MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/580MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video Out)+DVI Connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: 2 Cables, Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz

I appreciate any input you gurus might have on getting a better price or getting better hardware for the right price.

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JohnCarter, Warlord of Mars

Stevo · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 2:46 pm Post subject:

I read about 3 lines of that but looks good!

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Gurrg · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 3:12 pm Post subject:

Nice!!

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[njk]Nopeace4u-DBD · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject:

bump that vid card to 256 mb

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JohnCarterofMars · Registered User Joined: 12 Aug 2001 Posts: 1113

yah i was thinkin that. might as well, by the time I am ready to drop the dough on this baby, 256MB should be cheaper...
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JohnCarter, Warlord of Mars

DaKon · Ville Supporter Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 2342

Also look at the WD 10k rpm sata drive. It has a lot better seek time.
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`RaphX · Registered User Joined: 24 Mar 2002 Posts: 1556

I believe the non-Sapphire version of that video card is better (I think Sapphire messes them up too much), and may have a better warranty.

Bright Red Nipples · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 4:29 pm Post subject:

This is the case I have HERE. It's a little cheaper and comes with a power supply. It comes with 1x120mm fan and has a spot for 1 more (which I did install). It moves a ton of air at a lower speed than 80mm fans. Slower speeds = less noise.

I did upgrade to a 480w ps although it wasn't necessary. The ps that comes with it is very nice.

The case was recommended to me by our scary canadian JD. I was so impressed with it I recommended it to Frag as well who bought one as well.
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John Doe · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 4:53 pm Post subject:

Jcom, two things for you to check/change.

The board supports dual channel DDR ram and a single 1 gig stick will perform much slower than two 512mb sticks of ram in a dual channel config. Choose a dual channel kit if you can. Try corsair, crucial or Kingston ram.

The video card, a Sapphire 9800SE frankly blows. Your better off getting a 9600XT or even a 9600 Pro as they will perform better than a 9800SE. Dont look at a 9800 of any nature from Sapphire due to them playing silly bugger games, stick with a ATI or another quality name and get a 9800 Pro.

Thats it from the Canuck front

PM me if you want more of my thoughts.
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Bright Red Nipples · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 5:40 pm Post subject:

Simpleman · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject:

Clay Pigeon · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject:

I would consider getting a 2 gig dual channel kit for those memory hungry applications of the future.

sgt stutter · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:33 pm Post subject:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-160&depa=1

I would look at the 10K WD raptor, I know there's not as much space but these drives are great. My son has two 74 GB in a RAID-0 config and man is it fast and the warrenty is 5 years

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only

Model# WD740GD
Item # N82E16822144160

Specifications:
Capacity: 74GB
Average Seek Time: 4.5 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 10000 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: High Performance SATA Interface
Manufacturer Warranty: 5 years
Packaging: OEM Drive Only
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Albino Gibbon · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:03 pm Post subject:

I would have to agree with the others on choosing a different vid card. The SE is a scaled down 9800. It has 4 pipelines instead of 8 and also it is only the 128 bit version. Although you can unlock the other four pipes with a modification, you may not feel comfortable doing that. Also, if you get a bulit by ATI 9800 SE, it isn't moddable. What makes this card weak isn't really the available video memory (used to store textures) but the 128 bit memory architecture and only having 4 pipelines. If you can find a 9800 Pro for under $200.00 it would be a great deal. Just make sure it is the 256 bit version, not the 128. They sell both. You may also consider a PCI-E setup. It will be pretty mainstreamin in about 6-8 months. So if you were to upgrade your m-board later, you will have to slap a new vid card in as well. Then in a month or so, you can get a 6600 GT PCI-E for $199.00. 8 pipe, 500/1000 clock setup it will be close to the 9800 PRO in performance. It is only a 128 bit card, but its clock speeds make up alot of ground.
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kubrick · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:

Ditto on the vid card. A 9600Xt would be better than the 9800SE. Also, Celerons aren't the best for gaming. If you can afford it, get a regualr P4.