Ok i was looking at a Hp computer and i was wonderign if it would be good for gaming.
It has a:
AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+
250 gb hard drive
1gig of ram
and im going to add the Ati x800 xl card.

Tell me what you think.

nobody?

this post wasn't even up for 30 minutes and you had already bumped it?
this isn't n00b chat where hundreds of people are watching at any given time. Maybe a few people every hour come to this forum.
Next what kind of gaming do you want to do?
We can't help unless you're specific.

ill disreguard your last comment.....umm i just want to do normal gaming like hl2 css, bf2 etc... nothing extreme like doom3.

1. Do !!!NOT!!! get an hp for gaming cuz when you do want to play the more intence games like FEAR (the best game in the world IMHO) or Doom3 you will not as easly be able to upgrade.

2. Dont waist your money on an amd 64 bit chip unless you will be running windows XP 64 and i dont know many people that would at this point.

I heard teh amd64 is very good for gaming and besides what the hell else am i suppost to buy a p4? No way.. Also i dont really do intense gaming because i stick mostly to hl2 and css, bf2eatc..

AMD pwns Intel. You can argue stability, but in pure power there is no contest.

dont EVEN bring GHz into it, cause it will not even matter. Power > GHz.

a 1.81GHz AMD 64bit chip can out-perform a 3.5-4 GHz Intel P4 chip.

The system you have picked out will run those games fine. I built my own system around an AMD 3500+ and i could not be happier with it.

While you could probably build your own system for way less than the price of that comp, that computer will do fine.

Personally, i wouldnt get an HP. I dont like how cramped their designs are, and like somebody else mentioned it will be hard to work in there. But, the answer to your question is yes

oops, double posted!

You dont need Windows x64 to run an Athlon 64 CPU. Also, an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ is only about $150.


XB_xpmoder- I would build my own PC. Forget the HP. Another thing about the Athlon 64's is overclocking. For instance the AMD 64 3000+ runs at 1.81Ghz and outperforms any P4 under 3.4Ghz. Here is an example http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/half_l...otout/page4.asp
Now remember how the AMD Athlon 64 is running at 1.81GHz? With nice ram and a nice motherboard, this sucker will fly. I have an Athlon 64 3000 that is clocked at 2.7Ghz. I ran benchmarks at that speed and it outperforms an AMD Athlon 64 FX-55. Not bad for a $150 chip, eh?

Thats it amd pwns all i just looked at that link, that kicks ass!!!

Ok i found a computer combination that i can make a decent gaming computer out of, tell me if this is good.

Amd 3800+
1gig ram
X800 ati vid card

the only problem is that their is only 2 motherboards that support this processor
and it only has agp slot and i would like to have pci express since its faster.

Is there any other motherboards that will work with this processor??
This is the only thing that i can find http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Is the Athlon 64 3800+ A socket 939 or 754. I need to know or you can provide a link. I would get a S939 CPU as you can upgrade.

you seem to be confused...

ANY s754 mobo works with ANY s754 processor, and ANY s939 mobo works with any s939 processor.. theres not certain mobos that work with certain speed a64's

and whatever socket you get.. i would defiently reccomend a DFI Lanparty NF3 250Gb for S754 and a DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D for S939, as they are the best mobos avail

It the 939
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103531

I just thought it only had 2 mobo's that supported it because on new egg there was a link that said "supported motherboards" and their was only 2 in it.
Also i checked the lan party motherboard and on a reveiw it says its not good for a first timer and i never built a pc is it that confusing?

i dont see how it cant be good for a "first timer" its not like its any more complicated then any other motherboard out there... the only reason i could think of is because it has more extensive overclocking settings.. which you really shouldent be messing with if your a "first timer" anyway

Ok this is the components that i am going to get:
Amd 3800+x2
120gb hdd
Asus A8N-E nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
1gig ram
Ati x800 xl video card\
Ok but i need help on deciding a case should i get totally clear acrylic or just a regular case with a window??
And my cost should come to $990 but prolly $1000 with shipping.

depends on if your going to be moving it around or staying in one spot.. i wouldent get a acrylic if you plan to be taking it places.. and your motherboard choice disapoints me, i think you should read some comparison reviews heh but whatever its your money not mine

Im glad you said that, but i want to stick with pci express. Whats wrong with this mobo i did a check on it on new egg it got pretty good reveiws..

Also its prolly gonna sit in one place while i play games all day long lol (well not all day ) so ya acrylic would look nice but i have to make sure it comes with a psu. Im buying it local so idk .
Also i have 1 more question.
I have a dell that im on right now and i was wondering do you think that the windows xp cd that came with it work fine? It dosnt have any drivers on it, but just wondering......

umm DFI makes 3 different PCI-E Models.. but anyway...

i would look at reviews from trusted hardware sites.. like anandtech and tomshardware.. not people on newegg.. that are just happy the thing turned on so they give it 5 stars

Quite the contrary, scince its about the same price as a 32 bit, it doesnt hurt. So when they do start introducing 64 bit applications, you arent screwed and have to upgrade again.

exactly the wickedjester!! 64bit is the way to go, since vista is gonna support it whynot getit now vista in a year anyway.

I dont support pre-built systems by the big names ever, whatever the use, just because you can build a custom config (or get it built for you) thats superior for the same $$. If you really just want to play games, AMD is the better choice, for performance and cost. get the nvidia 6800GT instead of the x800. the ATI card doesnt perform as well, and costs more. ATI cards dont really shine now like they did with the r9000 series.

Something else you may want to look into are dual core processors. Not sure how much of a boost you'll get for dishing out so much more $$ since they're still so new.

Personally im not much of a pc gamer, and i wont buy an AMD (already got an old 1400 Tbird). HL2, FEAR demo, and Doom3 work fine on my radeon9600pro at 1024x768 with medium-high settings.

in your component list you didnt specify what kind of RAM, and any sort of optical drive.
And yeah, tons of motherboards support your processor. Any motherboard with the appropriate slot/socket will work.

Case doesnt really matter IMO unless you really want one with the cold cathodes, window, and the flashing lights. Personally i prefer something sleek and professional. Just make sure you have adequate cooling and ventilation.

edit: pick a quality power supply. i'd say at least 400W, from antec or enermax or something well-known. Ive had 3 generic ones in previous pc's. 2 of which died in under a year from normal usage.

wattage dosent mean dick anymore.. these days its all about the amperage on the 12v line.. minimum reccomended for an athlon64 system is 12v@26A or a dual 12 rail PSU

No, I am pretty sure that your XP install that came with your Dell is something called OEM. It will only work on a dell bios outlined in the install files. Most pre-package corperations do this to sell more units (with the "READY TO USE!" marketing). By making a deal with MS Dell makes more money because it already has an OS, and MS gains costomers who will most likey come back for more of their products after the upgrades become necissary.

you will have to *cough* find *cough*, sorry, i mean BUY a win XP pro copy if thats what you are looking for

yes yes yes yes yes.

my first build was with a stock 350 watt switching and it shorted after 2 minutes. make sure the PSU you get has high ampage, but also make sure it has over or at 400 watt. The ampage over the 12v line is good, but the wattage has to be high to properly power all other drives and such.

when you eventually upgrade to raptors you will know what i mean :-)

Ok thanks guys ill get a *copy* of windows xp pro.

I suggest you read reviews for the Geforce 6 series

The image quality does not match ATI's. The 8xS AA for Geforce 6 series is worthless because it runs so slow. Battlefield 2 is sponsored by Nvidia and between the Geforce 6800 GT and the Radeon x800 Pro, the Radeon runs faster. Half-Life 2 runs much better on any ATI card. Still want to argue this fact, check the benchmarks from tomshardware between the Geforce 6800 Ultra and the X800 XT. http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/2...tournament_2004 Oh and the x800 wins every test but OpenGL tests, but anyone already knows Nvidia runs OpenGL better. OpenGL isnt used very much anymore anyways. DirectX has taken over and I would want a faster DirectX card. Geforce 6800's are no cheaper, they are about the same price.............really they are more.

Cheapest AGP Geforce 6800 Ultra...................$419 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814127144
Cheapest AGP ATI x800 XT..................$389
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814102423
Cheapest PCI-e X800 Pro................$249
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814102465
Cheapest PCI-e Geforce 6800 Ultra...................$469
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814122214
Even the slower Geforce 6800 GT is................$319
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814122209


Hmmm it would seem the 6800 costs more(according to newegg) and has worse overall performance (according to tomshardware).

So for PCI-e $249 will get you a X800. I would call that cheap. I have two friends with the exact same system except for GFX cards. One is an ATI man and one is a Nvidia man. Both bought MSI neo4's, AMD Athlon 64 3500's, 2GB of Cosair XMS, 160GB SATA Samsung HDD's, SounbBlaster Audigy 2 zs. One with a Geforce 6800 Ultra and one with x800 Pro and yes the ATI machine plays everything but OpenGL games faster.

Now, I still rock my ATI 9800XT. It still works just fine. Yes HL2 @1024x768 with all settings at max and 6xAA 16xAF. Very playable and I only have the AMD Athlon 64 3000 system, 1GB of ram, SB Audigy xgamer, 3 160GB SATA HDD's, and the MSI Neo2. Well highly overclocked.

i have owned both a 6800GT and a X800 in the past 4 months.. and i can say i defiently miss my 6800GT...

the drivers are light years beyond what ATI gives ya.. and are constantly being updated..

i miss the digital vibrance... and the SM3.0 suppourt would have been nice... also the ability to play BridgeIt (the most addicting game ever)

my X800 Pro has all 16 pipes unlocked, is flashed with a x800XT bios, and is clocked faster then a X850XTPE... sure the 3dmarks are impressive (6700 in 3dm05) but the FPS that i get in HL2 is almost identical to the 6800GT....

the X800 PRO PCI E models cannot be unlocked.. so the performance is going to be far below a PCI E 6800GT...

so yes actually that 6800GT is looking like a deal

Here's some tips from another comp builder and benchmark'er

For the 3800+ X2, I'd recommend gettting a DFI LAnParty nF4 Ultra. Asus has been having little problems here and there with the dual cores. DFI's run them like a breeze.

A 6800GT or Ultra will make you much happier than an X800. Stick with PCI-E

Stick with OCZ RAM if your going to overclock....which you should.

The onboard audio on a DFI mobo is ok, but for the extra $100-$1500 you can get a sweet Sound Blaster Audigy 2ZS.

Make sure you get a nice power supply. dont buy a bunch of good sutff and cheap out on the heart of the computer. Go with OCZ, Enermax, Antec. At least a 450w power supply, specifically make sure there is at least 24A on the +12v rail. Or a combined 27A or more if you get a dual +12v PSU.

Here's a link to my rig's specs, also look around on the site to get some more ideas.

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/myri...php?myrigid=231

Nvm,

Ok so its
Amd 3800+ x2
1gig
Lan party board

But now i need help on deciding the vid card please dont be fan boys about anything i need to have the best card of teh 2

Ati x800 xl
or
Nvidia 6800gt
????????

Ok if i sell my extra processor that i have laying around then i can afford everything including the ocz ram which i calculated and it over shot me about 70 bucks.

Also i have a dell pc that came with windows xp home ed. would i be able to use that same cd. This is what it says on it. "OS already installed on your computer, Reinstallation cd
MS Windows Xp Home Edition Including Service pack 2"

Then in small print it says.

"The software is already installed on your computer. Only use this cd to reinstall the operating system on a Dell Computer.

This cd is not for reintsllation of programs or drivers"

I know it says not for a dell but i dont think i can afford a new windows xp.

no, its oem if it came with a dell

dell windows cd's only work in dell pc's

Ok thinks guys also on the dfi mobo i looked at it and didnt see sound ports whats up with that? I cant afford a sound card no way!
this is what im looking at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813136152

I also cant seem to find a 6800gt pci-e with vga out all i can find that is pci-e is dual dvi.

Its sex right on that page that is has onboard Realtek audio. Read the page dont just look at the picture.

The reason you dont see the audio ports is because you can physically remove the audio port cluster from the mobo.

there is audio.. all the pics show it with the audio module disconnected... the DFI boards comes with an audio module that plugs into the board where the big gap is on top of the USB ports..



and whats wrong with Dual DVI? the card will come with 2 dongles you plug into the DVI ports to hookup a VGA monitor

Ok kool i feel really noobish right now

i got an audigy2 ZS for $70 CAD like 5 months ago; not too expensive. Keep in mind if you dont have decent speakers, you dont really need anything more than the onboard sound. To me, if you really just want to play games, and yo'ure not much of a music/movie buff, the onboard sound is PLENTY.

and yeah, dell discs will only work on dells. I tried this myself. My old pc with Windows ME died. i couldnt find my WinME disc so i tried to borrow my friend's dell disc. I used it to to reformat just fine, then during windows installation it gives you a message saying "we're sorry, your pc is not a dell system" or something like that. and it just stopped there.

and for the record, x800 cards ARE more expensive where i am (canada) by at least $40 for the lowest-end models compared to the 6800's. Newegg doesnt ship to canada (which sucks, since they do have good prices) but what can i do... The two cards are really neck and neck in benchmarks. Practically, you wont notice much, if any, of a difference. Go with what suits your budget. The nvidia drivers and software are a little bit friendlier, but ATI's gone a long way from their crappy drivers.