New Computer Parts

[gclol]

It's my first time building a computer. I have a very small budget, is this good?

Cooler Master Centurion 541

http://centralcomputers.com/commerce/ccp22349--23cm20np-cooler-master-centurion-541-black-w-o-po-rc-541-skn1-cascm-rc543r.htm

Antec EarthWatts EA380

http://centralcomputers.com/commerce/ccp55280--antec-earthwatts-ea380-380-watt-atx12v-v2-0-powe-ea380-powantea380r.htm

Asus P5GC-MX 945GC

http://centralcomputers.com/commerce/ccp57347--asus-p5gc-mx-945gc-core2duo-ddr2-matx-pci-e-w--a-p5gc-mx-motasup5gcmr.htm

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE

http://centralcomputers.com/commerce/ccp41346--creative-labs-sound-blaster-audigy-se-28sb0570vp29-cddcl-sbaf2s.htm

Seagate ST3160811AS/ST3160815AS

http://centralcomputers.com/commerce/ccp52952--seagate-st3160811as-st3160815as-160gb-sata2-8mb--st3160811as-drisea31601s.htm

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6400 - BX80557E6400

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4893650;jsessionid=DSXBgB5MJ6TyEirQkdMf5A**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Patriot 2GB PC2-6400
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/495...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

BFG GeForce 7900GT OC 256MB
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/477...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I'll be using the DVD drives from my old computer, so the total is.. $656.
Any suggestions?

[Sniper1432]

Re: New Computer Parts

good for BF2 but I would suggest getting an 8800 GTS 320mb for later games

[DarkyShines]

Re: New Computer Parts

good for BF2 but I would suggest getting an 8800 GTS 320mb for later games

It'd be worth doing it now, not only for the DX10 compatibility but you'll gain an overall better performance with BF2.

What operating system are you going to use? Only get an 8800 or equivalent DX10 card if you get Vista.

[Stormy{CAN}]

Re: New Computer Parts

Do yourself a favor and do not get the Audigy SE (or the X-Fi XtremeAudio for that matter). The card is pretty much a POS, and for gaming is a complete POS.

If gaming is going to be your main use for a sound card don't get anything less than the X-Fi XtremeGamer and up,

http://centralcomputers.com/commerce...0000-59540.htm

it costs more but the sound quality and performance in games is far and away better than what you have selected.

[TheSpark29]

Re: New Computer Parts

good for BF2 but I would suggest getting an 8800 GTS 320mb for later games

Considering his whole system he spec'ed was $650, do you really think a $300 graphics card is a good idea? I don't. If his budget was say, $1200, then I'd think it would be a good idea. But for such a small budget, I think a 8800GTS is a BAD idea.

I don't know where you live but if you live in the US, I would buy from Newegg.com. I spece'd out a cheaper computer for you to use. It will be 90% as fast as the one you picked out, but for $150 less! Total cost is $500

Cooler Master Elite- Cheap and simple. I prefer 120mm fans over 2 80mm ones.

Antec EarthWatts 430W- Decent product, plenty of power, cheap. There's a rebate at Newegg so that's why I picked this one.

Abit IB9- The motherboard you picked out uses a 945 chipset which is several generations old. This motherboard has 965 chipset which has more features and is newer. It's one of the cheapest "new" motherboards out there that's made by a repeatable company.

Intel Pentium Dual-Core 2160- OK, so it's not a Core 2 Duo. This CPU only has a fourth the cache of Conroe CPU's. But on the bright side, this thing can OC to 3GHz on stock cooling!! If you OC this to 3GHz, you will have a pretty fast system. At $85, it's a real deal.

2GB of Patroit DDR2-800- Brand doesn't really matter here. Any DDR2-667 or DDR2-800 would be fine, even if OC'ing.

Sapphire X1950 Pro- This card is cheaper than a 7900GT, but is still 90% as fast. In fact, in some games it's actually faster than a 7900GT. It doesn't matter which one you chose because they offer similar performance. I picked the X1950 Pro because it's cheaper. With either card you will be able to play BF2 at all high settings! :yay:

Seagate 160GB Hard Drive- Again, brand doesn't matter (much) here. Just a HDD.

And I'd skip a Sound Card. I know some people would say that's a stupid decision, but when you're on a budget, I don't think sound cards are necessary.

This system will be capable of playing BF2 at all high setting at 1280x1024, with good FPS. For $500, it is a good deal. Good Luck!

[megawhompertoo]

Re: New Computer Parts

^ i agree with spark.

have to look more closely at some of the choices in the morning.

[gclol]

Re: New Computer Parts

Thanks, everyone.

So if I don't get a sound card for my computer will it have any impact on the performance or sound quality in BF2/other games?

[Shrooms(Scott)]

Re: New Computer Parts

MY father has an AMD motherboard that comes with onboard audio, in bf2 the audio settings is set to medium and software mode, it runs great

[camper.]

Re: New Computer Parts

Thanks, everyone.

So if I don't get a sound card for my computer will it have any impact on the performance or sound quality in BF2/other games?

Lower sound quality and slightly lower performance in CPU-dependant situations. To me, the difference between onboard and discrete is negligible (from Realtek HD audio to Audigy 2 ZS).

This setup will be good for DX9 games, but it's not future proof in any way, shape or form.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: New Computer Parts

http://www.xpcgear.com/sap100186l.html

if you're going to stay with dx9 (not a bad idea) i recommend mine. :)

stay with onboard sound until you have a friend with x-fi + good speakers, and then decide.

seagate hd's have a 5-year warranty; unless you can find some cheap single-platter samsungs, then they make a lot of sense.

[gclol]

Re: New Computer Parts

Is this motherboard any good?

ECS G33T-M2

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5329938;jsessionid=7ilYAVnmpqDrvZkwbl5hZQ**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[signa]

Re: New Computer Parts

I would ditch the soundcard and use the saving to upgrade the power supply to a bigger antec. $0.02.

[Kixfox]

Re: New Computer Parts

good for BF2 but I would suggest getting an 8800 GTS 320mb for later games

Why should he overkill?

[=98=]

Re: New Computer Parts

Why should he overkill?

Because BF2 is a two year old game, and it is likely that he will want to play newer games coming out like Crysis or Far Cry 2... thats why!

[Kixfox]

Re: New Computer Parts

Because BF2 is a two year old game, and it is likely that he will want to play newer games coming out like Crysis or Far Cry 2... thats why!

But he said he had a tight budget. So he probaly can't overkill.

I didn't overkill with my computer, and I had a very tight budget. I bought it for $570