New gaming rig

[Akill]

Hi guys, im a newb around here

ive spent a little while getting up to speed on hardware, originally i was going to get a 6800 gt for my system (to replace my shoddy 5200 >< )

but then the 7800gtx was released, and for that id need a new mobo(pci-e) and a new processor- hey why not build a new system? this is going to be my first put together box, my parents never gave room for creativity before but now ive got my hands on a nice sum of cash . Well anyway ive never had this much money in my life and i doubt i will again so i dont want to make any mistakes

ive put together this list, all from various online uk shops:

gpu gigabyte gforce 7800 GTX 256mb
cpu AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Core
case ThermalTake Tsunami Black Aluminum
psu AeroCool Turbine Power 550
HD 200Gb Maxtor Diamondmax Plus 10
dvd LG 16x DVD-ROM Black IDE OEM
motherboard Abit AN8 Fatal1ty NF4 Ultra
RAM 1Gb Corsair PC3200, 2-3-3-6

im not making a mistake here am i? nothing in the setup is holding anything else back is it? i doubt the dvd player, harddrive or case will effect much though.

also im stuck for a monitor, does anyone know of a good DVI 17" that is a joy for games, or a DVI 19" which i can also play games well on, but not spend much more than £250 (doubt its possible though )

thx guys much appreciated

[Jinx]

I would say that a 7800GTX with a 3200+ Athlon would cause a bit of a bottleneck.....the CPU with be the slowest factor in that setup and will be where the system is limited. I would try to squeeze a bit more cash out to go up to something like a 3500+, or possibly a 3700+ (if you don't want to get your hands dirty and overclock) or go for a 3000+ Venice that has monumental potential for overclocking (if you do want to get your hands dirty!).

As for a monitor, HERE you will find a 19" monitor with 12ms response for only £258 incl VAT & Del.......not a bad deal I think you'll find.

[sawyen]

3200+ won't be a bottleneck once you're willing to overclock it, 2.5Ghz is almost guarenteed (but if it isn't its not my fault)... I wouldn't mind going the extra distance on overclock to save myself an extra penny... but thats just me...

If you're really willing, the next big step would either be a dual core 4400+ or a 3700+ single core.. whichever fits into the bill... the extra 512kb L2 really helps alot in games... since ur getting 7800GTX, I'm assuming you're playing games..

[Stewart]

since ur getting 7800GTX, I'm assuming you're playing games..

The thread title of 'new gaming rig' was also a bit of a pointer, I found.

[sawyen]

ehehe.. me bad...

[Smokey21]

Looks good. Maybe swap the mobo for the normal AN8, and save a bit of cash, and get a 3500+ Venice or 3700+ SD which is what id get. If you can afford a 7800GTX, you can afford a 3700+ and justifiy it.

[BUFF]

I would definitely go with the regular Ultra over the Fatality (better Vdimm & sound) or spend an extra £10-15 & go with the Fatality SLi.

[Akill]

thx for the info- i was hopin to overclock the 3200 cuz ppl have said its a dream to OC, thats also why i went with the ftal1ty board its supposed to have some nifty OC features. does anyone know if i can overclock the 3200 a fair bit with the stock fan? i dont want to get a big ol' noisy fan at the moment. i might look at spending a little more on a better processor but im already hitting my budget with a nice 19" monitor and XP pro

[sawyen]

3200+ on stock, you should be looking at 2.5~ maybe 2.6ish.. higher would be a little difficult, not that its not stable... maybe it'll be a little hot.. I never liked the TIM that came stock, never hurts to buy one of those arctic silver 5 silver compound..

[mekworld]

Since I haven't got the cash for the other parts can't comment, however just got 2 x F419 AG NEOVO 19" with DVI (12ms Response) for less than 190 notes a piece. Bargain tastic they are.

[Akill]

XP Home should be more than enough mate, save you a packet as well.

you can get xp 64 bit edition if you buy pro, is it worth it?

[Akill]

fair enough- i hope that more games are made in 64bit soon

[Akill]

anyone have a clue what longhorn will retail at? knowing microsoft though will prolly be about £200 lol

[arthurleung]

Since you are ONLY going to be using a 19" Monitor, you'll be limited at 1280x1024. Buying a 7800 will not give you any better image nor speed (I doubt you will feel the change from 100fps to 200fps).

The most stupid thing one could do is to buy the top of the line graphics card but using a lowly 15" monitor and play at 1024x768. Whats the point buying the top of the line graphics card? 1024x768 with 64XAA (Just assume there is one), won't look better than 1920x1200 with 4XAA.

If you are looking forward to make your hand dirty, go get some GeiL One DDR600 memory.

[Smokey21]

Agreed Arther.

Id personally not get anything less than a 20.1" LCD, or a 19" CRT. The CRT would allow you to play at 1600x1200 if it was a good quality one, and be a lot cheaper than the LCD, and well be better for games.

[Akill]

i would get a CRT if it wernt for the fact that the 7800 only uses DVI

well id like a lcd with 1600x1400 unfortunately i suspect that would cost about £400?