Thoughts on PC Build

[gpascal]

I am looking to pull the trigger on the system below but would like feedback, if available.

I am not a "hard" core gamer but want the system to have some flexibility. I play WOW 90% of the time and not much else. I do want the ability to run multiple programs (nothing like video editing) while playing a game so that went into my choices.

Any feedback is appreciated. The entire build below is coming out at around $1,200 with tax & shipping and I think is pretty decent for what I am getting. Not including software as I am using XP Pro (already own). The system is being built to upgrade to WIN 7 in the future.

I am not "sold" on the ANTEC 900 case yet. I am going to look at a buddies tonight to check it out. I want a very quiet case with good cooling (and a top fan for venting). The ANTEC seems to be the best rated for those needs.



Motherboard: - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX

Processor: - AMD Phenom 9950 Agena 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition

RAM: - 4GB - Corsair (PC 8500) (2 x 2gb) Dual Channel

Video Card - EVGA 01G-P3-N981-TR GeForce 9800 GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
Sound: On board - 8 channel

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
DVD Rom - ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT

Network - On board Gigabit
Wireless - TRENDnet TEW-623PI 32-Bit PCI Rev. 2.1/2.2/2.3 Wireless N-Draft Adapter

Case - ANTEC 900
Power Supply - BFG Tech GS-550 550W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.8

Monitor(s) - QTY 2 - Acer V223-WBD 22" Widescreen TFT LCD Monitor (Black)

[glendalf81]

just a quick piece of info for you, xp cannot be installed on SATA HDD'S as it does not have any SATA drivers built into it unless you have the SATA drivers for your mobo on a floppy in which case you will need to hit the option to install a third party raid driver during the install, and of course you will need a floppy drive in your new machine

alternatively you can build the SATA drivers into an xp install disc which is a bit tricky but google "installing xp to SATA" it will bring up a few sites which explain how to do this

[KarmaKiller]

^That is untrue.
I just got reinstalling my OS (XP Pro SP3) on my sata HDDs no issue.
I have no idea what your talking about. I've installed XP hundreds of times on SATA HDDs without installing drivers.

[RicheemxX]

Its probably a bit late since this thread is a couple weeks old but IMO I'd skip the AMD build altogether and go Intel. For not much more in cost you would have a better foundation. Even if you did stick with the AMD system I'd throw a little more money out there and get one of the new CPU's. You could skip the Antec 900 go with the 300 for $50 less and add that cost to either the GPU or better CPU and you'd be far better off.

On a bit of a side note, I don't see any mention of an aftermarket cooler or overclocking. If you aren't a heavy gamer and aren't OC'ing you could also save a little cash and go with a more budget minded motherboard. You might only shave $20-30 but again that could be spent on a better CPU, more memory or other peripherals.

[darkertint]

You only need to worry about Sata drivers on older motherboards. My new gigabyte motherboard for my i7 installs xp without having to install any third party drivers. I would also go with intel over amd... my new i7 is blazing fast and with the stock fan i had 8 cores running at 3.5ghz. My whole system was only $1000 and that was for an i7, 3gb ddr3, 9800gt, dvd burner, 1tb hard drive

[adrumm]

it looks ok but if its 90% Wow i wouklld go for a cheaper build, but well i know after you get this youll be goigninto many other games

another thing. for 1200 you coulddo an i7 920 build.
much better IMO

for cases try: NZXT Tempest
best ventillation out there, the best in my opinion for mid-towers
much better than antec 900

[adrumm]

oh an go for ddr3 and the EVGA gtx 260 core 216 55nm

[cksboy15]

This thread pretty much died long before you posted. Even then the i7 can only be used with ddr3 at the moment.

[adrumm]

huh?

[cksboy15]

thread started april 2nd and wasn't posted in till the 15th then darkertint posted on the 24th and you followed suit.