Part Recommendations

[pokilty]

Hi I'm new to these forums and I'm looking to build my own computer. I have a very flexible budget and already have a few parts in mind. For the processor I'm looking at the AMD Athlon 64 FX -57 and for the graphics card i'm getting the newly released GeForce 7800 GTX. One recommendation for a motherboard compatible with these is the Asus A8V, not sure about that one though. I need help deciding on a good cooler for this, as well as memory cards. i'm a total idiot when it comes to this so... my only requirement is that it has plenty of RAM, since i'll be rendering plenty of 3d models. Also I'd prefer a case that will hide the contents of the computer to prevent theft.

This is basically my situation... like I said i'm new to building, so if there's anything else that I need to build a computer that I left out chances are that i didn't know I need it -_- feel free to add anything else that you'd like to recommend. thanks a whole ton!

 

[PC Man Brian]

Hey, that's cool man. I just recently built my first PC a few days ago. I built it mainly for the internet but I play a few games on it. My budget was limited as well, but I got good deals. For the HP case, Nvidia Riva TNT, and the 300 SDRAM for 100 bucks. The other parts were from an old PC I had. Good luck on you're PC.

 

[Tenshodo]

So How much RAM are you looking for and what is the price range?

I think 1.5 gigs of RAM will suffice

 

[pokilty]

1.5 gigs of RAM would be perfect, i'm on a huge $3000 budget so there's probably not much need to worry there. im not planning on getting SLI graphics or anything... there's such thing as overkill even for a major power user. i'm heading over to MicroCenter right after I write this, they apparently have some "build your own computer" section, hopefully the staff is helpful.

 

[mgoldb2]

OK this is what I would get on a $3000 budget

AMD Athlon 64 FX57 San Diego 1GHz $1125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103558

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130484

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM $280
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227210

VGA 256-P2-N528-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB $600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130234

Antec NeoPower ATX 480W $116
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=17-103-924&depa=0

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3540A $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152047

Nec floppy $9
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-152-005&depa=0

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144417

CASE OF CHOISE $100

SHIPPING ~$50

GOOD HEAT SINK: thermaltake xp90C $55
http://www.frozencpu.com/cpu-tri-22.html

artic silver 5 $6
good cpu fan $15

TOTAL: $2666

 

[majistic]

Mgold, listed some very nice products.

 

[Ankush09]

yeah, I would also add on a WD 10K RPM 73GB Raptor too.

 

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

Indeed. For a comp case, you could try just getting a generic case. Hey, if it looks like crap, a theif would probably think it's crap eh? Just go to your nearby comp shops, see what kindof generic cases they've got. You might wanna try to aim for a server tower since these parts will need good air circulation. Server towers are obviously more bulky than medium sized cases, so if you intend to lug it around quite a bit, you could try going for a medium case. Some have handles, but I still suggest grabbing them from the bottom as you never know eh? and with expensive comp parts like this? definately don't use a handle that comes with it as if anything broke I'd be like committing suicide. If not then I'm sure a couple other forum members would instead. I know I would, lol.

You said you'll be doing some uber rendering eh? Hmm.. I remember reading on one vidcard company that was founded by ex-3dfx company members, and their vidcards are solely for computer animation... bleh, I can't remember, anywho, the vidcard you got should work really good anywho.

 

[mgoldb2]

yeah, I would also add on a WD 10K RPM 73GB Raptor too.

It a matter of opioun but I think the WD 10K RPM EXTREMLY overrated.

Alot of time a 16mb 7200rpm chache maxtor will perform just as well and at the same price you get 200GB instead of only 74GB.

for example the 10k RPM sucks at mutitasking

In benchmarks you get a very small advantage

7 small points

And in loading a game up you only save your self 3 secounds

I rather get over 3 times the space for the same money then such a small advantage that most people would not even be able to tell.

 

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

mgold, good point, he's gonna be doing some computer animation, so HD space will be a top priority. Speed ain't life or death, but running outta HD space when rendering a model or a video sequence? ouch. Me bud's got 4 HD's, 2 are SATA in RAID, 2 are IDE. He's constantly fighting for HD space, so he bought a new HD if I remember. It's crazy how fast an HD can fill up using programs like XSI imagesoft or whatever it was called..