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The Official Budget-Conscious Dream Machine!
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Senior Member

2 product reviews
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7. September 2007 @ 16:03 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Here's my machine, hope to get it going in the next few months.

I'm using my current monitor, a Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP. I probably will upgrade my speakers from my older Harmon Kardon speakers, although I love them. :) I will also be using my current mouse (Microsoft TrackBall Explorer) and keyboard (Logitech G15).

Case:
Thermaltake LanBox VF1000SWA - Silver - $139.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ductCode=371369

Motherboard:
ASUS P5K-VM - $124.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ctCode=10005881

Power Supply:
Corsair CMPSU-620HX - $146.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ductCode=373110

Processor:
C2D E6750 - $198
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ctCode=10005522

Sound Card:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatality Pro Series - $134.98
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ductCode=290248

Graphics:
EVGA 8800GTS Superclocked - $399.99 (!)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ductCode=321207

Hard Drive:
WD Raptor X - $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136011

OS:
Windows XP Pro SP2 (duh! who needs Vista yet?) - $110
http://www.ivorcom.com/shopping/third_le...&category_id=77

Extras:
Arctic Silver 5 - $10.98 (!):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835100007

3rd Fan for back of case - $9.98:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811999106

MonsterPower PC800 Surge Protector:
http://www.buy.com/prod/computer-powerce.../203078120.html

Possibly looking into a battery backup/surge protector combo instead.

Total:
$1,390.50

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 7. September 2007 @ 16:26

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AfterDawn Addict

2 product reviews
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7. September 2007 @ 16:49 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Do you really need the 640 MB? An 8800 GTS is usually avaliable for around 270 bucks these days. If you're about to spend 400 on a video card might as well get a GTX. Very nice build though.
Senior Member

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7. September 2007 @ 17:04 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Both Newegg and ZZF have the GTX (any of them) priced at >$500.

If I could get a decent GTX for $450 or less I would probably go that route though.
AfterDawn Addict

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7. September 2007 @ 18:29 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Where do you live?
Senior Member

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7. September 2007 @ 18:41 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
In the United States, Utah if you want to get specific :P
AfterDawn Addict

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7. September 2007 @ 18:46 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Where in Utah? I want to check craigslist lol.
Senior Member

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7. September 2007 @ 19:52 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
lol, I just looked and couldn't see any 8800's (at all, I searched for "8800" across the whole site for my area). :(
AfterDawn Addict

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7. September 2007 @ 19:57 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
There were no video card in my area either(Orlando), so I searched in Jacksonville and thats where I got my 7600 GT.
AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews
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11. September 2007 @ 06:22 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
A second hand video card? No offense, but I would never use something like craiglist (even if it existed in this country) for hardware. I don't use ebay or amazon marketplace for expensive components, only things like fan controllers and cables.

The build looks superb , but that extra 60mm fan is going to be noisy.



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews
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11. September 2007 @ 09:32 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Eh, got my Thermaltake Armor Series case brand-new off eBay... no video cards though. Sometimes they're just broken or sometimes they have been overclocked and abused and are on the last legs of life.

I would stick to eTailers like newegg, tigerdirect, and ebuyer.



AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
AfterDawn Addict

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11. September 2007 @ 10:14 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Likewise, with a case it doesn't matter much, there's very little to go wrong, but things like graphics cards, nah, best avoided.



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
AfterDawn Addict

2 product reviews
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11. September 2007 @ 10:45 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
My video card was bought used off craigslist. Stupid I know, but it turned out fine. My motherboard was bought refurbished and my CPU was bought of eBay. The motherboard turned out DOA but gigabyte replaced it without problems.
Senior Member

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11. September 2007 @ 12:27 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Well I was reading on Doom 3, even though its a bit older, and when fully maxed out it takes about 500MB of your Video cards RAM. I am sure newer games will only use more. This is why I went 640MB.

Quote:
The build looks superb , but that extra 60mm fan is going to be noisy.
Thank you for the compliment. Yes, the 60mm will be noisy but I don't really care if my machine is loud or not. I usually either listen to music with my MP3 player while gaming or I have the sound up to a decent level so its not too big of a deal to me.

Also, if I do find it too noisy I could always just take out the extra 60mm and keep it, just in case one of the 60mm fans that come with the case dies.

Peace
AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews
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11. September 2007 @ 15:02 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Case noise is a non-issue for me. I run both 120mm fans full blast and let it rip. My case is about a foot from my monitor. I usually have my speakers up for gaming or I use some headphones so it never bothers me.


Quote:
My video card was bought used off craigslist. Stupid I know, but it turned out fine. My motherboard was bought refurbished and my CPU was bought of eBay. The motherboard turned out DOA but gigabyte replaced it without problems.
While a fool thing to do sometimes, it seems you worked out okay. Not a bad system by any means :P



AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. September 2007 @ 15:04

AfterDawn Addict

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11. September 2007 @ 15:19 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Yeah much better than my celeron D system with built in GFX heh.
Senior Member

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11. September 2007 @ 15:26 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Quote:
Yeah much better than my celeron D system with built in GFX heh.
Nah, those are the best systems for gaming. ;-)
AfterDawn Addict

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11. September 2007 @ 16:18 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Really? I could have sworn that the 1000+ FPS I was getting outdoors in Oblivion were because of Magic not because my computer was fast! Dang it now I need to get it back from my cousin.(Runs away to cousins house)
AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews
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11. September 2007 @ 16:44 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Quote:
Really? I could have sworn that the 1000+ FPS I was getting outdoors in Oblivion were because of Magic not because my computer was fast! Dang it now I need to get it back from my cousin.(Runs away to cousins house)
LMFAO XD



AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews
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11. September 2007 @ 19:24 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Hehe, integrated graphics (shudders)
Doom 3 on Ultra detail's not to be recommended. Quake 4 is worse. I can run it at any res on high, but on ultra and it never runs smoothly, no matter what I do...



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews
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12. September 2007 @ 08:51 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Likewise with my X1800XT. One of the first true examples of how 512MB of video memory helps... obviously still not enough for you, eh sam?



AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews
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12. September 2007 @ 09:03 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Obviously not. It is for almost every other game, but not Quake 4!



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews
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12. September 2007 @ 09:13 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I think, though, that Quake 4 was better than Doom 3. Better action, competent friends, challenging AI.

My parents' computer with the 7600GT handles it with everything on high at 1280 x 1024. So it scales well. It just gets finicky with some of my cards on Ultra. X850XT is borderline choppy, X1800XT has stuttering, 7600GT is a bit better than both, and the 8800GTX is the only one without problems :P

EDIT:

I have nothing but immense respect for my X850XT. It's age is apparent but it still kicks some ass despite being 3 years old.



AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 12. September 2007 @ 09:18

AfterDawn Addict

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12. September 2007 @ 10:23 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
But the 8800 has 768MB of RAM, so no surprise...



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
Senior Member

2 product reviews
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12. September 2007 @ 12:27 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Indeed, do you think the GTS with its 640MB would handle it?
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AfterDawn Addict

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12. September 2007 @ 13:02 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I really couldn't say, but I can't say i've noticed much of a difference between high and ultra anyway, so I don't really care!



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
 
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