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Is this a good gaming PC?

I am about to buy a gaming desktop pc and I want to make sure I buy one worth while. I plan is to have one custom build for best performance and graphics. So I want to know if these system components excel in both of those areas. Here`s the list… System components overview: Intel CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, 1333FSB (Dual Core) 6000K New 45nm technology Intel Core 2 Duo Dual Core CPU Model number E8400 CPU speed 3.00GHz x2 FSB 1333MHz Cache memory 6000K Socket 775 Intel CPU Fans : Cooler Master Intel Heavy Duty fan For Intel Dual & Quad core CPU Support up to 3.8Ghz Rated speed : 4600 rpm Air flow : 35.9 CFM Noise : 41 dBA Rated voltage : 12 v Heat sink material : Aluminum
Intel Motherboards : ASUS P5N-E SLI nForce 650i, 1333FSB, SLI PCI Express, Sound,1GB LAN, iEEE CPU Support up to FSB1333 Supports DDRII x 4 DIMM Supports memory up to 8Gb 2 x PCI Express x16 slot Supports nVidia SLI 2 x PCI, 1 x PCI E x 1 4 x Serial ATAII connectors 1 x IDE(PATA) connector 7.1 CH HD Audio Gigabit LAN iEEE Fire Wire * 6 USB 2.0 DDR2 memory : 4GB (4x1GB) PC5300 DDR2 667 Dual Channel 4GB (4x1GB) PC5300 DDR2 667 Dual Channel PCI-Express Video cards : SLI Dual GeForce 8500GT 512Mb x2 PCI Express 16X (2 cards) SLI Dual GeForce 8500GT 512Mb x2 PCI Express 16X (2 cards) Hard Drives : 500.0GB Hitachi/ IBM 7200RPM SATA2, UDMA 300 8m cache 500.0GB Hitachi/ IBM 7200RPM SATA2, UDMA 300 8m cache Hard Drive Fans : Hard Drive Cooling Fan Aluminum Internal Hard Drive Cooling Fan Aluminum Internal DVD Recorders : LG 18x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW (black) LG 18x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW (black) Sound Cards : Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Network Cards : Wireless 802.11 G 54MBs PCI Network Card Wireless 802.11 G 54MBs PCI Network Card Cases : APEVIA X-JupiterJr. Black, 250MM Side Fan, front USB,iEEE,Temp control APEVIA X-JupiterJr. Black, 250MM Side Fan, front USB,iEEE,Temp control Power Supply : Okia 600W ATX Power Supply Okia 600W ATX Power Supply Keyboards : Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader Keyboard & Wirelss Mouse combo Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader Keyboard & Wirelss Mouse combo Speakers : Logitech X-530 5.1 6-Piece Subwoofer System Black Logitech X-530 5.1 6-Piece Subwoofer System Black Operating Systems : Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic DVD Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic DVD Monitors : KDS 20” Black Wide Screen Flat Panel LCD Monitor KDS 20” Black Wide Screen Flat Panel LCD Monitor

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Answer #1

You’re on the right track, but I would suggest the following changes; also I’m not sure what your budget is like:

I would not recommend the NForce chipsets - SLI is not a very good return on investment and I’ve found there are less issues/ more stability in the Intel chipsets. A model I recommend is Gigabyte’s GA P35 DS3L.

Go with 800 or even 1000Mhz memory (I recommend Corsair Dominator if you have the cash), this will allow you to overclock your processor from 10 to 25 percent faster.

Hard drives, I like Seagate, but that’s a personal preference. You may look into a faster primary OS /apps drive (WD Raptor or Seagate RE2) and a ‘vanilla’ drive for media storage.

DVD recorders are a dime a dozen - 20X drives are available for a couple bucks more.

Sound: in our high end systems we use X-Fi cards - but the on-board sound systems work very well and have almost all of the same features. I’d say use the onboard sound.

Wired is always better then wireless (1000 mb/s vs 54), I’d also buy a USB adaptor instead of an internal card, much easier to replace/upgrade share later on.

Hard drive cooling fan is probably not necessary.

Case is fine - I’m sure it wasn’t real expensive.

Power supply - DO NOT EVER buy a cheap power supply, not sure if the Okia is cheap or not, but look into Enermax, Corsair, Antec brands. 500 to 600 watts in a decent power supply will do.

I prefer Logitech peripherals over Microsoft’s. I’d go cheaper here with a media keyboard and regular optical mouse.

I also would spend less on the speakers. - I’ve NEVER seen the right setup for rear pc gaming speakers - buy a nice 3 piece.

OS: Would either buy XP OEM Vista Ultimate - not sure if I would go part way.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

This breaks out the differences between versions.

Monitors: the price break is at 22” meaning it’s really expensive to go up the next size to 24” but the gap between 19 20 and 22’” is realatively small. I like the Viewsonic monitors quite a bit.

What have I missed? Also why have I been telling you to spend less on certain items?

VIDEO CARD!

No matter what you do, please DO NOT get two 8500’s and SLI them. You are wasting your money. From pricing here - an 8500 GT is $75 to $90 two of them $150 to $180.

Take this money, plus the money saved from the other items and but one 8800 GT 512MB. You will bet better framerates in ALL games (SLI has to be coded into the game for any real benefit). With the processor you have the games will be limited by the video card.

If you have any questions, email me at anthony[at]wilkinsonsignature.com.

Answer #2

when you get a good graphics card COD4 and frontlines: fuel of war

Answer #3

good enough pc. apart from the nvidea chipset motherboard is a big letdown, Nforce is a terrible chipset. and you should sell those graphics cards and go for a single ATI 4870 1GB or 4890 if you can afford it. and also overclock the cpu a bit.

Answer #4

I’d have to say that this pc would def. be gamer-worthy. I would still tweak this all a little bit myself, but it wouldn’t be necessary for it to work very well. However, I will say this RIGHT NOW: DON’T GET WINDOWS VISTA. what you should do is get Windows Xp Service Pack 3, its new, it looks exactly like windows vista, but runs a lot faster. Also, make sure that any OS you use is a 64-bit OS. When you go to buy(or download, depending if your a internet pirate like me) ask for Windows Xp Service Pack 3. DON’T GET WINDOWS VISTA. Also, something that I would recommend for all gaming pc’s to have is Steam. If you don’t know what it is, Fun Mail me.

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