# Computer I am building soon **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [April 11, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641 "2006-04-11T19:15:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![benji86](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/benji86/32/7309_2.png) [@benji86](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/benji86)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/1 "2006-04-11T19:15:41Z")
So one of my friends just turned 21 a couple weeks ago, and among things that he got was a whole lot of cash (ontop of money he had saved) from his parents. He’s had a shitty dell which he has had to use for a while now and he is finally getting a new computer built by me soon. Parts were ordered last week off newegg, and all but 3 of them are there and they should get there tomorrow I’m guessing. Here’s the specs… AMD 64 4000+ socket 939 cpu Asus a8n sli premium nForce 4 motherboard eVga 7800gtx w 256mb, 256 bit PCI-E vid card 1 gig Corsair XMS ddr400 250 gig western digital HDD dvd burner and dvd player (from my favorite brand - lite on) viewsonic 19" monitor (its veryyyyy nice) Aspire X-navigator (I think this is the name of the case… cant remember off the top of my head). Simply put, its going to be smoking. I cant wait to build this machine and test it out. I told him the first thing I will be doing after its complete, is installing oblivion and playing it for a while :P. Also, I will probably be getting him one more gig of memory. We’ll see how it runs first though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Clean\_Baldy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/clean_baldy/32/7308_2.png) [@Clean\_Baldy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Clean_Baldy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/2 "2006-04-11T20:00:25Z")
Not a bad start. But, you need to do more homework 🙂 Heres my opinions. Just as background, I build computers for a living, am a consultant and have been for 3 years, and am a computer systems engineer as my day job. It is my job to know whats what 🙂 opteron dual core Opteron 165. Double the L2 cache, and even cheaper. Will overclock better, and at stock speeds run smoother. I also like the DFI ultra infinity NForce4 LanParty motherboard over the ASUS. Video card is very nice… if you want to spend a fortune 🙂 Make sure the memory is good quality DDR400… 2-2-2-6 latencies. I usually use PQI Turbo or Crucial Ballistix. They overclock well. 250 GB hard drive… get SATA II 3.0Gb/s. I’m not sure if the ASUS supports SATAII, but I know the DFI does. DVD burner… NEC 3550A is a choice among lots of people, but Lite-Ons are nice too. 🙂 what version of the viewsonic 19" LCD? And, a case is purely your call 🙂 EDIT: I just noticed you already ordered it!!! What were you thinking before getting advice? Oh well… its still a nice machine, but just not all it could be _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![benji86](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/benji86/32/7309_2.png) [@benji86](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/benji86)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/3 "2006-04-11T20:25:13Z")
Eh, I’m not going to be doing any overclocking with his machine whatsoever. I have built several machines (although not for a job like you :P) so I do my research but you are probably more knowledgable with lesser known stuff. I’ve been using Asus for a while and I’ve been very happy with them so I continue to use them until I find something better or they start to suck. The video card that I was initially going to get got sold out, so he said just spend more and get something better (LOL I wish I could do that ☹ ). The memory is definately very high quality. I have the same stuff in my system and I have been VERY happy with it. It’s actually timed at 2-3-3-6, but its good stuff. The monitor is actually a CRT as he has the desktop space for it and he really didnt want to spend a ton extra just for LCD. If I had more time I probably would’ve picked parts a little differently, but this machine will by no means be a slouch :P. I plan on upgrading my computer actually within a few months so when I do I’ll be sure to toss you a PM thouhg 🙂 EDIT: Managed to find the monitor link [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116282](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116282) ---
**Author:** ![Jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Jon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/4 "2006-04-11T20:56:22Z")
Replace PSU with antec,OCZ,Seasonic,FSP.Aim for a 500 watt.Expensive system and I wouldnt stick an “aspire” PSU in it.Good to have incase you ever go SLI. Where are your raptor(s) at? SATA will do but raptors put a nice touch on everything. I would’ve went with the opty like clean baldy said. ---
**Author:** ![benji86](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/benji86/32/7309_2.png) [@benji86](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/benji86)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/5 "2006-04-11T21:10:19Z")
yeah, I wasnt planning on keeping the aspire psu in it… shouldve added I’m gonna be replacing that. I would do raptors for him but that’s just more money spent for him. If this system was for myself, you can bet there’d be raptors in it 😉 ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 6:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/6 "2006-04-12T06:00:43Z")
I would also set up a RAID setup, disks are cheap, data is not. ---
**Author:** ![sureshot007](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sureshot007/32/7345_2.png) [@sureshot007](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sureshot007)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/7 "2006-04-12T06:31:32Z")
I know it’s the “nerd corner” and all, but if I had a pile of cash, I wouldn’t spend it on a computer that would be outdated in a couple years anyway. Moderation is the key. Get something that will get the job done, and put the rest of the cash into your car. This is a auto enthusiest board, right? ---
**Author:** ![Clean\_Baldy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/clean_baldy/32/7308_2.png) [@Clean\_Baldy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Clean_Baldy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 7:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/8 "2006-04-12T07:28:02Z")
> [@sureshot007](#): > > I know it’s the “nerd corner” and all, but if I had a pile of cash, I wouldn’t spend it on a computer that would be outdated in a couple years anyway. Moderation is the key. Get something that will get the job done, and put the rest of the cash into your car. This is a auto enthusiest board, right? I agree with this as well. I am still running my AMD XP 2800+ chip, but keep upgrading the video card. I’m only running a 6600 GT AGP card. I just got Oblivion, and even though I can’t play it at 1828032 X 18920383 I’m fine at 800 X 600 at medium settings. It looks incredible even then. I have never seen myself ever spending more than $150 on a video card. And my processor seems to be doing OK 🙂 Maybe with the AMDs next release of processors will I upgrade again… ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 7:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/9 "2006-04-12T07:36:19Z")
> [@walter](#): > > I would also set up a RAID setup, disks are cheap, data is not. +1 RAID 5 = redundancy + speed You have all this fast shit, and your hard drive is a gigantic bottleneck. ---
**Author:** ![Fetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fetter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fetter)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 7:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/10 "2006-04-12T07:49:27Z")
> [@Jon](#): > > Replace PSU with antec,OCZ,Seasonic,FSP.Aim for a 500 watt.Expensive system and I wouldnt stick an “aspire” PSU in it.Good to have incase you ever go SLI. :word: I have a 500W Antec. It also has some SmartPower thing too I think. Got it for $50 on sale cheap at CompUSA a while back. Definately a good buy. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/11 "2006-04-12T08:54:59Z")
i agree with howie and walter. Even if u get a really fast HDD and 2gigs of ram, its still only gonna be so fast. dont cheap out on that. do it right ---
**Author:** ![Clean\_Baldy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/clean_baldy/32/7308_2.png) [@Clean\_Baldy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Clean_Baldy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 8:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/12 "2006-04-12T08:58:10Z")
I like RAID 0+1 rather than RAID 5 in a home machine. Striping and Mirroring. The speed of striping, and the protection from mirroring. Of course, thats just my opinion. I dont even use RAID at home… LOL ---
**Author:** ![benji86](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/benji86/32/7309_2.png) [@benji86](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/benji86)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 9:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/13 "2006-04-12T09:10:59Z")
I personally am a fan of Raid 0+1 as well. I don’t have it set up on my computer atm cuz one of my hard drives took a shit, but oh well. =( ---
**Author:** ![BubbleSparkxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@BubbleSparkxx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BubbleSparkxx)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 10:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/14 "2006-04-12T10:31:44Z")
my current setup is an a64 / 3000 w/ 1 gig dual ddr kingstons on the asus a8n sli premium with twin gigabyte geforce 6800gt. Based on the stability of my system, I say :tup: to the system you’re building. although that 7800 is damn expensive. ---
**Author:** ![duck](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/duck/32/7183_2.png) [@duck](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/duck)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/15 "2006-04-12T10:40:25Z")
for $100 or $150 or so more he could have a 21" dell widescreen LCD. good for most anything and looks pimp. i just built a PC for about $1000 AMD single-core (will wait for the new AMDs before i go dual core) 2GB Corsair XMS RAM seagate 300GB SATA II hard drive plextor slot load dvdrw drive - overpriced @ $100 but slot load is hot to me. evga 6800GS SLI video card - plenty for counterstrike which is all i’d play and it was a GREAT deal biostar microATX board aspire microATX case yep all micro. going to be a watercooling project stuffed into there as well. i LOVE it and only $100. well i did pay almost $400 for the dell LCD but after having a 20.3" widescreen iMac there was no going back. all newegg by the way. that looks like a good setup, but as others have said… the card is probably overkill and that money could have been spent elsewhere, like on the hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![benji86](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/benji86/32/7309_2.png) [@benji86](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/benji86)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/16 "2006-04-12T18:32:47Z")
I got to say this much. I’m over his house right now, and he hooked up the monitor to his current computer. This thing is nice as hellllll… I need to get myself a 19-21" monitor =( ---
**Author:** ![Clean\_Baldy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/clean_baldy/32/7308_2.png) [@Clean\_Baldy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Clean_Baldy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/computer-i-am-building-soon/10641/17 "2006-04-12T18:44:06Z")
> [@mr. nocar](#): > > I got to say this much. I’m over his house right now, and he hooked up the monitor to his current computer. This thing is nice as hellllll… I need to get myself a 19-21" monitor =( [Slickdeals.net](http://Slickdeals.net)… get yourself a 19" Ultra LCD or whatever they call it from Dell… great gaming LCD… less than $250 after coupons. Also, the $35 coupon from Ebay is legit. ive bought them before… no problems. 🙂