Setup for gaming platform

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ricky Romaya
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Ricky Romaya

A friend of mine asks to build a (ultimate?) gaming platform using Intel
Pentium 4 processor for under US$1000. What setup would you suggest? Which
mobo vendor should I use, and if possible, which model (and chipset)? The
same question goes for the display adapter.

Also, for display adapter, should I go for PCI Express or AGPx8 version?

TIA
 
Buy the best you can get. PCI Express, try them 6800 Ultra cards with 512MB
of RAM. You'll have change from $1,000.
 
A friend of mine asks to build a (ultimate?) gaming platform using Intel
Pentium 4 processor for under US$1000.
Click to expand...

Not ultimate if you want a P4 and under $1000 total.


What setup would you suggest?
Click to expand...

The same things everyone has been recommending the last
dozen times this type of thread has been asked? That is a
suggestion to reread the past similar questions, not just to
be rude but rather that after the first few times it's asked
the replies from all the threads combined will be a better
answer than only any one thread will generate.

Which
mobo vendor should I use, and if possible, which model (and chipset)? The
same question goes for the display adapter.

Also, for display adapter, should I go for PCI Express or AGPx8 version?
Click to expand...


Asus, Intel, whichever Geforce 6800, and PCI Express.
 
For a thousand,you won't get anything close to "ultimate". A high level cpu
and graphics card alone will cost around $800.00. And Athlon 64's will beat
any Pentium 4 for gaming,for less money.
 
Ricky said:
A friend of mine asks to build a (ultimate?) gaming platform using Intel
Pentium 4 processor for under US$1000. What setup would you suggest? Which
mobo vendor should I use, and if possible, which model (and chipset)? The
same question goes for the display adapter.

Also, for display adapter, should I go for PCI Express or AGPx8 version?

TIA
Click to expand...

To be an ultimate system one would have to more than double the price.
High end, matched SLI cards go for over $1,200 on ebay.
 
Ricky said:
A friend of mine asks to build a (ultimate?) gaming platform using Intel
Pentium 4 processor for under US$1000. What setup would you suggest? Which
mobo vendor should I use, and if possible, which model (and chipset)? The
same question goes for the display adapter.
Click to expand...
What would I suggest? Well $1000 won't build you an ultimate for a
start.

Firstly, ditch Intel and go for AMD socket 939. Not only is it cheaper
but AMD lead the benchmarks for gaming.
Secondly, don't go for the top end card but one below it - say a 6800GT
instead of Ultra.
Thirdly, IMO there's not much point going stupid with RAM. 1GB should
be adequate.
And lastly...
Get a 74GB Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM drive for the main OS and
applications. It'll make the system appear a whole lot faster. Put a
200GB SATA in for data storage.
 
Actually,you can get a pair of 6800GT's for around $800 at places like
Monarch or CompUSA,I've rarely seen real bargains on Ebay,always someone who
pushes the bid over retail price.
 
Conor said:
What would I suggest? Well $1000 won't build you an ultimate for a
start.

Firstly, ditch Intel and go for AMD socket 939. Not only is it cheaper
but AMD lead the benchmarks for gaming.
Secondly, don't go for the top end card but one below it - say a 6800GT
instead of Ultra.
Thirdly, IMO there's not much point going stupid with RAM. 1GB should
Click to expand...
be adequate.
And lastly...
Get a 74GB Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM drive for the main OS and
applications. It'll make the system appear a whole lot faster. Put a
200GB SATA in for data storage.
Click to expand...

If it's just games, then he probably won't want much space for data
storage. 74Gb will probably be a little small for all of his games
though. $1000 seems to go a long way, seems to go almost as far as
£1000 :-o.

I can't see this comming to less than $1000 with the case, and a good
PSU etc., but I don't know about American prices.

It doesn't say what things are needed either. I'm guessing that he
doesn't need any peripherals within this price?
 
Well, I have suggested to use AMD, but he insists on P4. What I want to
know is what mobo chipset and vendor (Asus/Gigabyte/Any) to use. Also,
for display adapter, which vendor should I choose the 6800 card from?

BTW, the US$1000 is for the whole unit, including casing, PSU, etc. If it
isn't enough for the ultimate, at least guide me for best buy
configuration.

TIA
 
Asus P4C800E Deluxe $182.00 Mobo (onboard sound and nic)
Corsair TWINX1024-3200C2 $128.00 Memory (2 512 sticks)
MSI Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 AGP Pro 4X/8X GPU $368.00
Intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott Chip $193.99
ViewSonic VP191B Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor $422.99
SENNHEISER PC 135 USB PC Headset $55.00
Western Digital Raptor 73GB Drive $245.00 #
Western Digital Raptor 73GB Drive $245.00 #
SONY DVD-ROM Drive $25.00
Lian Li PC-75 ATX Case $185.50
VANTEC Stealth ATX12V 470W PSU $80.00
LITE-ON USB Keyboard $6.10 *
RAZER Diamondback Mouse $45.00

Total $2180 (newegg.com prices)

*Pry out Microsoft key, between ctrl and alt keys, with a teaspoon
#RAID 0 Performance Array
 
Asus P4C800E Deluxe $182.00 Mobo (onboard sound and nic)
Corsair TWINX1024-3200C2 $128.00 Memory (2 512 sticks)
MSI Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 AGP Pro 4X/8X GPU $368.00
Intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott Chip $193.99
ViewSonic VP191B Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor $422.99
SENNHEISER PC 135 USB PC Headset $55.00
Western Digital Raptor 73GB Drive $245.00 #
Western Digital Raptor 73GB Drive $245.00 #
SONY DVD-ROM Drive $25.00
Click to expand...

Try Sony DW-D26A 16X DVD+/-RW DVD Burners, Double Layer 4X DVD+R, OEM.
$51.99

http://www.directron.com/directron/dwd26ab.html
Lian Li PC-75 ATX Case $185.50
VANTEC Stealth ATX12V 470W PSU $80.00
LITE-ON USB Keyboard $6.10 *
RAZER Diamondback Mouse $45.00
Click to expand...
Total $2180 (newegg.com prices)
Click to expand...

Try www.directron.com. It's in Houston not far from where I live. I
know some of the people there and they are very consciencious about
their business. My son bought his system from them - had them
integrate it and burn it in all for $27 extra - well worth it to get
past infant mortality. I am about to build a new system using their
components. I can't find them any cheaper and they are right here only
about 10 miles away.
*Pry out Microsoft key, between ctrl and alt keys, with a teaspoon
#RAID 0 Performance Array
Click to expand...

I am considering the Enermax 352 RAID 1 box.

http://www.directron.com/directron/es352b.html

--

Map of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
http://home.houston.rr.com/rkba/vrwc.html

"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.
All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and
denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the
country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
--Hermann Goering
 
Bob said:
.... snip ...

Map of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
http://home.houston.rr.com/rkba/vrwc.html
Click to expand...

That combines quite well with another quote, so I have coopted it
:-) Unfortunately the result, while instructive, exceeds the
normal 4 line limit, so will be rarely used.

--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." -- G. W. Bush.
"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the
leaders. All you have to do is tell them they are being
attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism
and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way
in any country." -- Hermann Goering.
 
That combines quite well with another quote, so I have coopted it
:-) Unfortunately the result, while instructive, exceeds the
normal 4 line limit, so will be rarely used.
Click to expand...
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." -- G. W. Bush.
Click to expand...

GW Bush was the most sought-after speaker when he was governor of
Texas. But he lost his public speaking gift when he moved into
national politics. I imagine I would too, since Texas is so different
from the rest of the US.

"Our country's a place of limitless hopes and
possibilities, and nowhere is that spirit more
alive than in the great nation of Texas."
--GW Bush, U.S. President from Texas

"One thing that makes George Bush such a great
president is that he does not govern according
to public opinion polls."
--John Cornyn, U.S. Senator from Texas
 
Try Sony DW-D26A 16X DVD+/-RW DVD Burners, Double Layer 4X DVD+R, OEM.
$51.99
Click to expand...

No software on that. None on the one I suggested either, don't think. Good
thing WinDVD is bundled with this Motherboard, as WMP sometimes annoys the
hell out of me, when I'm trying slow down a porno to half speed. I've never
used a burner or printer for that matter to game. Guess if the game had huge
save files, I'd need something to archive it on. I'd just say get a fast
CDROM, if my bud didn't just get EQ2 and find it on DVDs. I figure on
replacing the DVD as it dies, if the game has alot of drive churn after the
installation, it won't live long to merit buying extra features in this
part. But I don't know your uses. Maybe you burn stuff.. I don't.

If he's using DUN to game, just get an Asus P4C800 nondeluxe, its cheaper.
If Asus is too salty, get a DFI Mobo. Can also pickup a discount graphics
card too, as your not gonna be running in high rez thru high pop zones over
dun. If your goin Shooter, then go with best gpu. I'd wager he's goin for
a first person shooter or MMORPG. And by his interest in 'ultimate' he may
even wanna pvp online. He'll need a very fast link to stay competative, so
saving money is paramount, fast links are expensive.

I went with an expensive mouse and monitor. Could remove a Raptor. The
55USD headphones are silly, but cheaper than a high end subwoofer and
surround sound. Aswell, I think you might save ALOT on another case, Lian
Li is by no means low priced. Brushed alloy mounting brackets to turn the
entire case into a heatsink. It must have front USBs port access tho.

Also I picked a small footprint tethered USB keyboard as trusting your life
to a rechargable battery is futile. A small light keyboard is easier to
handle in the excitement of the game. Atleast for me, anyway. I don't want
to accidently bring up the calculator or browser. Your clicker finger will
hate your typos from dead batteries. I wouldn't skimp on the PSU, its
important to get a quiet quality PSU.

Thanks for allowing me to help. Good day.
 
BNR said:
No software on that. None on the one I suggested either, don't think. Good
thing WinDVD is bundled with this Motherboard, as WMP sometimes annoys the
hell out of me, when I'm trying slow down a porno to half speed. I've never
used a burner or printer for that matter to game. Guess if the game had huge
save files, I'd need something to archive it on. I'd just say get a fast
CDROM, if my bud didn't just get EQ2 and find it on DVDs. I figure on
replacing the DVD as it dies, if the game has alot of drive churn after the
installation, it won't live long to merit buying extra features in this
part. But I don't know your uses. Maybe you burn stuff.. I don't.

If he's using DUN to game, just get an Asus P4C800 nondeluxe, its cheaper.
If Asus is too salty, get a DFI Mobo. Can also pickup a discount graphics
card too, as your not gonna be running in high rez thru high pop zones over
dun. If your goin Shooter, then go with best gpu. I'd wager he's goin for
a first person shooter or MMORPG. And by his interest in 'ultimate' he may
even wanna pvp online. He'll need a very fast link to stay competative, so
saving money is paramount, fast links are expensive.

I went with an expensive mouse and monitor. Could remove a Raptor. The
55USD headphones are silly, but cheaper than a high end subwoofer and
surround sound. Aswell, I think you might save ALOT on another case, Lian
Li is by no means low priced. Brushed alloy mounting brackets to turn the
entire case into a heatsink. It must have front USBs port access tho.

Also I picked a small footprint tethered USB keyboard as trusting your life
to a rechargable battery is futile. A small light keyboard is easier to
handle in the excitement of the game. Atleast for me, anyway. I don't want
to accidently bring up the calculator or browser. Your clicker finger will
hate your typos from dead batteries. I wouldn't skimp on the PSU, its
important to get a quiet quality PSU.

Thanks for allowing me to help. Good day.
Click to expand...

I like working with virtual drives a lot more than leaving the
CD/DVD-ROM in the tray, they are much faster, quieter, and saves wear &
heat. Daemon tools is still free, most CD & DVD burning software has
some kind of virtual drive software with it as well.

Some games it will force you to install it from the virtual drive if you
are going to play it from the virtual drive, or at least reassign drive
letters. EA is really bad about doing that with their games as a truly
lame antipiracy measure.

--Timbertea
 
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