Build For A Friend - Opinions

#  Apr 30, 2009 at 9:32 PM

Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Post Count: 1188   delti90 82019 Specialty: Engineer Steam ID: VegetariansSuck GamerTag: VegetariansSuck   My friend bought The Orange Box during the $10 weekend and he loves it but his computer runs it like crap, so he asked me if I could build him a cheap computer that would run it fairly well. Here's what I've come up with: (The case and PSU aren't listed because I already have spares that I'll give to him) I feel this a pretty mid range computer that would be able to run tf2 on medium - high. Give me some opinions on what I could/should change, or is this fine? Qty. Image Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price Update EVGA 512-P3-N973-TR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Model #:512-P3-N973-TR Item #:N82E16814130435 Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Mail in Rebate Note (Add) $129.99 -$5.00 Instant $124.99 Update GIGABYTE GA-MA780G-UD3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Model #:GA-MA780G-UD3H Item #:N82E16813128382 Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $89.99   $89.99 Update AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor Model AD775ZWCGHBOX - Retail Model #:AD775ZWCGHBOX Item #:N82E16819103300 Return Policy:Processors (CPUs) Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $64.99 -$5.00 Instant $59.99 Update SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC5 - Retail Model #:T800UX2GC5 Item #:N82E16820609027 Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $24.99   $24.99 Update HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM Model #:HDP725050GLA360 Item #:N82E16822145215 Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $59.99   $59.99 Update Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard and Mouse - OEM Model #:B2L-00047S Item #:N82E16823109156 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $21.99   $21.99 Update Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM Model #:AD-7240S-0B Item #:N82E16827118030 Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $23.99   $23.99 Subtotal: $405.93 Select All - Select None

#  Apr 30, 2009 at 9:52 PM

Join Date: Sep 21, 2007 Post Count: 3893   Hellblazer 77363 Specialty: Engineer   Black Edition processors do not include heatsinks, so you'll need one of those, or just go with a non-black edition processor. ECS mobos are crap. Get a different one.

#  Apr 30, 2009 at 10:18 PM

Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Post Count: 1188   delti90 82019 Specialty: Engineer Steam ID: VegetariansSuck GamerTag: VegetariansSuck   Oh shit, I didn't even mean to pick that motherboard, this is the one I'm going to use: Update ASUS M2N-E SLI AM2 NVIDIA nForce 500 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Model #:M2N-E SLI Item #:N82E16813131096 Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $69.99 -$20.00 Instant $49.99 As for a heatsink I guess I'll go with this Update XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail Model #:HDT-S963 Item #:N82E16835233001 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $24.99   $24.99

#  May 01, 2009 at 12:09 AM

Join Date: Jun 05, 2008 Post Count: 1452   midgetmunky13 85409 Specialty: Heavy Steam ID: Midgetmunky13 Clan: {Teaefftoeff}   dont get msi. They are terrible.

#  May 01, 2009 at 12:31 AM

Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Post Count: 1188   delti90 82019 Specialty: Engineer Steam ID: VegetariansSuck GamerTag: VegetariansSuck   I had an MSI 8800GTS for a year and never had a problem.

#  May 01, 2009 at 3:23 PM

Join Date: Sep 21, 2007 Post Count: 3893   Hellblazer 77363 Specialty: Engineer   MSI is fine, I have three MSI motherboard and two graphics cards in various computers I've built without any issue.

#  May 01, 2009 at 3:31 PM

Join Date: Oct 03, 2007 Post Count: 668   pathos_street 77866 Steam ID: pstreet   That mobo does not have PCI-e 2.0, so you won't be getting the maximum data bandwidth to and from your 9800gt. Also, you need a case and power supply.

#  May 01, 2009 at 4:03 PM

Join Date: Jun 29, 2008 Post Count: 1020   oofy15354 86204 Specialty: Sniper Steam ID: oofy15354   besides the case and PSU, my only recommendation is to stay away from open box items. they're probably fine but i dont trust them. ur choice though

#  May 01, 2009 at 5:41 PM

Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Post Count: 1188   delti90 82019 Specialty: Engineer Steam ID: VegetariansSuck GamerTag: VegetariansSuck   Quote: Originally Posted by pathos_street That mobo does not have PCI-e 2.0, so you won't be getting the maximum data bandwidth to and from your 9800gt. Also, you need a case and power supply. Shit, how did I not notice that. And I stated in the first post I have a case and psu I'm giving him. Anyway I'm switching to this mobo. Qty. Image Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price Update GIGABYTE GA-MA780G-UD3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Model #:GA-MA780G-UD3H Item #:N82E16813128382 Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) $89.99   $89.99

#  May 01, 2009 at 5:47 PM

Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Post Count: 3577   Big Lou 78077 Specialty: Demoman Steam ID: {TF2F} Big Lou GamerTag: Real Big Lou Clan: {TF2F} Community   I LOVE MSI. Also, that original list is nearly identical to the PC I'm building my mother (minus GPU).