Game Addicts' Gaming PC specifications

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x2 said:
Well, it's that time again, time for a new build! Don't have much so far, just my samsung dvd burner, sound card, and I just ordered a Corsair 400 Watt PSU :D I am probably just going to go with an AM3 system, but I am not sure yet. I do have a question, though. How important do you guys think dual channel memory is? I ask because to save some money I might just buy a single stick of RAM for now just to get up and running, and then add more later. I'd buy the same sticks down the line, but I know sometimes they change chips so dual channel might not work. I've done a little reading and opinions seem to be pretty mixed.
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There is a pretty big difference between single and double channel. However, the move to triple channel will net you about a %1 increase in performance. I would say go for the dual channel, you won't regret it. I would also do it now, buy a dual channel kit. Mixing memory later on can be VERY problematic.
 
Thanks Polygon, I will definitely just spring for the dual channel kit now. What's your take on Crucial brand memory? I mainly use Mushkin but there's some good deals on Crucial right now.
 
x2 said:
Thanks Polygon, I will definitely just spring for the dual channel kit now. What's your take on Crucial brand memory? I mainly use Mushkin but there's some good deals on Crucial right now.
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Crucial is very trustworthy and I try to use them whenever I can.
 
Good to hear! Now I just need to find a motherboard. Who is making reliable boards these days? My last one was a Gigabyte that pretty good but flaked out on me sometimes.
 
Crucial, Muskin, Corsair, PNY, and OCZ are all reputable memory brands. I have personally used Crucial, Corsair, and PNY and found all very reliable.
 
Over the years I've used Kingston Hyper X, Corsair, A-Data, and Mushkin. Never had a problem with any except the A-DATA :P I've heard OCZ is decent but their actual company rep's are what keep me from ever buying it. I've heard a few of their rep's say that having a couple errors in memtest is normal and acceptable :o
 
I really only use Mushkin. I've never had a stick fail and it loves to be over clocked. Granted it is more expensive. They also seem to have good timings. However, Crucial, Muskin, Corsair, PNY, Kingston, and OCZ are all good brands that will back up their product.

x2 said:
Good to hear! Now I just need to find a motherboard. Who is making reliable boards these days? My last one was a Gigabyte that pretty good but flaked out on me sometimes.
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It just depends on when you're buying and what socket and chipset you're going for. Do you know if you're going for an AM3 socket for sure? If so, which processor? Let me know and I can suggest a board for you.
 
Well I can say for sure I am going with an AM3 system, mainly because the last 3 systems I built were AMD and that is what I am used to, plus I do not need absolute cutting edge tech. Depending on how I budget things I would either go with this CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688 and overclock the crap out of it, or this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680. For motherboards both of these look decent to me- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131603 I have not even considered Asus for my last few builds but they seem to be getting a good rep again and I do like the 3 year warranty on this board. So let me know what you think of this. Thanks!
 
Either processor would be great. The first one is a great bang for your buck but if you're not on a tight budget the second one is well worth the extra cash. For the boards I would go with the second one. As for boards, you really need to shop around because everybody makes bad boards. My last DFI was awesome but I haven't been too happy with my current one. Each time I build a new system I look at pretty much all of them since they're all hit or miss. Asus makes some great boards but you'll have to spend around $200 for the good ones.
 
Well, I went a different route than planned, mostly due to budget. I decided to go with a DDR2 board that supports all the current AM3 CPU's. This way I can get a nice AM3 CPU and then upgrade to DDR3 down the line when it is a bit more mainstream. It seems that right now everything DDR3 is pretty expensive and not a whole lot better than DDR2 unless you pay a premium. So, I got this little Gigabyte board and 2GB of G-Skill memory. Now I just need the CPU {going with that 2.8GHz Regor chip} and case which will be my next order.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128407
 
So, I have an old Pentium III machine that I've wanted to keep so that I can play some games that won't play on newer 64-bit operating systems. I figured that I would salvage some auction sites and try to find some cheap upgrades for that PC. I was able to score an nvidia 6800gs from EVGA, but unfortunately, it's AGP slot was keyed for a different voltage.

But, in a very lucky move, that 6800gs was able to work in a friend's computer and his old 6600gt works in my Pentium III machine. So, he got an upgrade from a 6600gt to a 6800gs, and I got an upgrade from an mx440 to a 6600gt. Yay, now I can play Quake III: Arena on higher resolution!

That PC now runs at 850mhz with 640mb of RAM and runs Windows XP professional 32-bit. It is still waiting for another 256mb RAM stick (replacing a 128 stick and totallying 768mb of RAM) and a front panel USB bay. I am also slightly considering putting a Celeron 1.4 ghz processor slocket into it for a nice processor boost.

Anyone else have an older PC they're upgrading?

I guess I'll have to post pics of the old PIII when the upgrades are done!
 
I've thought about upgrading my older PC's (I have 3 sitting around with Pentium II and III's.) But I already have modern 3 PC's in the house. I've tried to think of ways of reusing them but I haven't thought of any. They're just not efficient when it comes to power, seems kind of a waste. I might keep one to create a MAME machine though.
 
Though my girlfriend has a decent laptop, I only own two desktops; my aforementioned Dell Vostro that's been modded so much it's barely a Dell anymore, and the old Pentium III-based Dell Dimension T850r.

I figure I'll keep the T850r as my backup Windows XP 32 bit computer as I move this other one into the 64 bit domain.
 
i have my old PC that i keep around for shoots and giggles. its basically an HP Pavillion A1230n CPU MOBO combo with 4gb (2 2048mb) of OCZ DDR PC3200 ram. stock 200gb SATA HDD and if i can find a decent PCI-E card (8800 or greater) ill be done with it. im hoping to build it for a friend so he can get into L4D.
 
Phoenix, you can find some pretty solid deals for graphics cards online if you're still looking.

If I remember correctly, 8800's are still going for quite a bit more than they should be for their age. I'd recommend checking out a GT 240. While slightly less powerful, Tom's shows that you can play L4D at more than adequate settings (1920x1200) with ~50-55 FPS. Much less expensive a card too, and requires less power.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-240,2475-15.html
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2143984 <- $30 after MIR
 
I don't have a "gaming" computer, but I have a new computer and this one can actually play something other that WoW.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 215 Processor
4 GB Ram
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
 
Windows Vista 64bit
i7-940 (stock)
Asus P6T Deluxe Mobo, Palm Edition
2 x GFX GTX 295's
6G DDR3 (nfi about timings)
Dual Asus 25.5" monitors
Logitech Gear: G19, G9, Z5500, G25
Saitek X52

I'd swear it was state-of-the-art when I paid nearly $10k AUD for it 18 months ago! Now I'm thinking I will need to update the cards and clock the CPU for Crysis 2.

Problem now is, with so much crap installed on it, it could really do with a reinstalled OS... but I can't be bothered moving that much data around!
 
NZXT Gamma Case
Vista 32bit
ASUS M4A785-M Motherboard
AMD Athlon II X4 630@ 2.8GHz
XFX Geforce 9800GT
4GB DDR2 RAM
550 Watt Diablotek PSU
Seagate 720GB HDD
 
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