I think I've decided

[Brian]

I think I'm gonna go with MainGear!

Whew! Feels good to finally decide. HUGE load off my mind.

Before I place my order, I want to put a few finishing touches on my gaming build and get some feedback from anyone willing to give it.


Black Aluminum Finish
MAINGEAR 750W Ultra Quiet Power Supply
Asus P5N-E SLI nForce 650i SLI
E6600 Core 2
Zalman CNSP8000 Ultra Quiet Heatpipe Cooler
2GB Corsair DDR2 PC5300 DDR667 (2x1024MB)
Western Digital Caviar SE 200GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache - SATA II
20X Dual Layer DVD±RW Drive w/ LightScribe Technology - black
NVIDIA GeForce 8600GTS 256MB PCIe
Onboard 8-channel High Definition Audio
Dual Gigabit LAN
Logitech® X-230 Speakers
SAMSUNG 731B Black 17" 2 ms DVI LCD Monitor
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-Bit)
Logitech® Media Keyboard
Logitech® Optical Mouse
1 Year Maingear Warranty

$1,874.90

If you could upgrade any one thing...what would it be? If you had to downgrade something....what would it be?

Do you see any glaring weaknesses? Any oversights on my part?

I'm shooting for mid-range gaming, high upgradability, and under (or slightly over) $2k.

Thanks!
Brian

[theDreamer]

My questions are:
~Do you need the keyboard & mouse? Personally I am not a fan of the generic Logitech keyboard or mouse. I would suggest looking at a G5 or G7 mouse. Both are identical other than the G5 is wired & has weights, oh also the new rev. 2 of the G5 has two buttons for forward/backwards while browsing. The G7 I do not believe has been updated with that yet.

~Graphics card would be my upgrade, but I know you are on a budget and want to stick to certain things. Personally I would take a 8800 card currently, but for light gaming that one should be fine.

Beyond that it seems very good.
Good luck with your order.

[RottynDawg]

For a mid-range gaming system with potential to upgrade down the road, I think you have a very solid build. The only thing I would personally add to that with those qualifications is a 20"+ LCD so that you can run 1600x1200 or if you're a widescreen fan...a comparable widescreen LCD.

Happy purchasing...can't wait to see pics of it :)

[MaxMercury]

Hi Brian,
(and hello to MG regulars),

I'm a regular at the forums at Puget Custom Computers, which Brian mentioned in his "Hello" thread. I come here in peace and PC enthusiast fellowship. :)

Anyway, Brian, I agree with what others have said regarding possibly upgrading your video card to an 8800, such as the 8800GTS 320MB.

In addition, I suggest you go for the Western Digital Caviar SE 250GB hard drive, which will only add $5.00 to your total, but would give you not only 50GB of extra HD space, but you'll get a drive with 16MB cache instead of 8. The 16MB cache drives really fly, IMO.

Also, personally, I think it's best, if you can, to try out such things as keyboards, mice, speakers and LCDs before you buy. I realize that these days brick and mortar stores are dwindling, and there might not be an electronics shop near you. But if there is, I suggest going there and trying out some of the above components.

The Samsung 204BW 20" LCD (which MG offers) is, by all accounts I've read, an excellent gaming LCD. (You can find various threads on this LCD if you do a Google search.) Also, I hope MG doesn't mind if I say this, but you can probably get a lower price on any LCD of your choice if you buy from a 3rd party reseller. I do understand the allure, however, of wanting to just buy everything from your custom PC builder -- easier and more convenient and possibly adds to the overall excitement.

Good luck!
-- Max

[rcb]

Personally, I'd go with a stock CPU cooler and upgrade the video card to an 8800 GTS 320MB version. I know people here have said they don't like the 320MB version, but Tom's Hardware rates it a best buy for the money and says it's only slightly slower than the 640MB version, here's the link http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/06/11/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page3.html.

I'd also suggest you get your monitor at an online retailer and save $100 or so. I like zipzoomfly, myself (no, I don't work for them). I think that's what most folks do. If you do that, you can pocket the extra $100 or use it to add a sound card.

Whatever you decide, I think you'll be glad you went with MG.

[RottynDawg]

Welcome MaxMercury!

Posts like this are exactly what the industry needs and exactly what only a few have achieved. Happy to read your post and agree with all of your comments.

[MaxMercury]

Thanks for the welcome!
You have a nice forum here -- very well-organized. Well, I don't want to stray off-topic. Just wanted to acknowledge the welcome.

-- Max

[Brian]

Hi Max!

For a second there I thought I was on the wrong forum!

This is what I have so far:

Black Aluminum Finish
750W Ultra Quiet Power Supply
Asus P5N-E SLI nForce 650i SLI
E6600 Core 2 (2.4GHz)
Intel Quiet CPU Cooler
2GB Corsair DDR2 PC5300 DDR667 (2x1024MB)
Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache - SATA II
16X DVD-ROM - Black
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB PCIe
Onboard 8-channel High Definition Audio
Dual Gigabit LAN
SAMSUNG 731B Black 17" 2 ms DVI LCD Monitor
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-Bit)
Logitech Media Keyboard
Logitech Optical Mouse

$1,822.90

Yeah I might shop around a bit for the peripherals, it depends.

[Eternal]

That's a great mid-range setup you have there. If I were to modify one thing, I would really stress that you stick with the Zalman CPU cooler. Stock coolers are alright, but that Zalman will make a big difference in your CPU temps. Depending on where your computer is in your room/office (temps) and how long you use it, for a few extra bucks I think it's worth it for the peace of mind alone. It's up to you though, you have a nice setup either way :).

[Brian]

Yeah I've flop-flopped alot on the cooler issue.

[MaxMercury]

Hi Brian!
I agree with Eternal that you should stick with the Zalman CPU cooler. Not only will it provide your PC with superior cooling but it'll increase the aesthetic cool factor of your system, i.e.. those Zalmans are very smart-looking, IMO. ;) Love all that shiny copper!


16X DVD-ROM - Black
Since you're not getting a floppy drive (yes, I still use 'em), I think it's important that you get an optical writer, not just a reader. There are many scenarios where having the ability to burn a CD or DVD will come in handy.


SAMSUNG 731B Black 17" 2 ms DVI LCD Monitor
Between rcb and me, there are now two votes to buy your LCD from someplace other than MG. It looks like they don't mind, and it seems they encourage you buy your LCD wherever you can find it at the best price. (See this thread: http://www.maingearforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=471)

As far as the particular Samsung you're interested in, I see that it's selling for about $168 on Amazon, about $60 less than MG's price. Be aware, though, that this monitor comes with no backplate or rear panel that covers up such things as the fine print on the back such as serial #, model #, certifications, and so on. Your cables and connections are also completely exposed. (See images at Amazon.) However, if you plan to have your monitor facing a wall, this should be no problem. It's an annoyance to me due to the way I have my home office designed, so it's one reason I've bought NEC LCDs in the past, which tend to be pricier, but at least they have backplates!

Who would think that anyone would care as much about the rear of an LCD as the front display panel? ;)

For more info about LCDs in general, I think this is a very good guide:
LCD Buyer's Guide at AnandTech (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y)

I hope that helps! :)
-- Max

[Brian]

Hi Brian!

Since you're not getting a floppy drive (yes, I still use 'em), I think it's important that you get an optical writer, not just a reader. There are many scenarios where having the ability to burn a CD or DVD will come in handy.

Fortunetly I'm networked with my wife's pc, she has a burner on hers. I figure if I need something burned I'll just move it to her comp for that.


For more info about LCDs in general, I think this is a very good guide:
LCD Buyer's Guide at AnandTech (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y)

Thanks! I'll check it out. Still got a few days before I can order so that gives me plenty of time. :)

[Brian]

I found some peripherals, what do you guys think?

Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178

Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005

Ideazon MERC Gaming Keyboard $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161019

So if I were to get these and boot up my new rig for the first time with these...they would work? Wouldn't I need to install the drivers and other software first?

I can just imagine setting it all up for the first time and not being able to use the peripherals because of Vista incompatabilites or something...am I a n00b? :)

[theDreamer]

Ok, the MX518 is classified currently as the best gaming mouse.
I personally have gone back and forth between many, Diamondbaack, 518, G7, Diamodback; I enjoy the Diamonback so much. Yet the reason I got mad at my 518 was two buttons broke on it. Though for gaming it is very good.

Gaming keyboard:
~If you want a top gaming keyboard look at the G15, and then if you need more buttons pick up a gaming pad. The keyboards with gaming pads are built in I personally feel are not up to speed & lose the control with two separate items.

On the monitor, that is beyond my knowledge in what to do.
Though the MX518 can work without installing any software, but without it you can not customize things to far with it. Gaming DPI v. Work DPI, etc. On the keyboard I have not clue how it works out of the box, but I am sure it is fine just have to install some things to get it to work with all the key bindings, etc.

[rcb]

I found some peripherals, what do you guys think?

Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178

Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005

Ideazon MERC Gaming Keyboard $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161019

So if I were to get these and boot up my new rig for the first time with these...they would work? Wouldn't I need to install the drivers and other software first?

I can just imagine setting it all up for the first time and not being able to use the peripherals because of Vista incompatabilites or something...am I a n00b? :)

I think you're taking a big chance with an unkown, at least to me, monitor. When I bought my new rig at the end of February, I asked the MG techs about a monitor. They told me that they sell on their site what they like at the current time. They said that they aren't affiliated with any particular manufacturer. That really helped cut through the B.S. for me, b/o every monitor review I had read said something different and I was left totally confused. So, I'd go with a model that they sell on their site, even if it means going with a smaller monitor (but buy it somewhere else, to save money). Heck, you plan to upgrade later, anyway, right? To me a smaller monitor of good quality is better than a big monitor of poor quality.

If you want to know if your peripherals will work with Vista, sure they will. But, the drivers may not be compatible with Vista, which means you won't be able to use any of the extra features they come with. Your mouse will work just like an ordinary mouse, for instance. Check the manufacture's web site to find out if the drivers are Vista compatible.

[Brian]

I think you're taking a big chance with an unkown, at least to me, monitor.

I managed to find a monitor that Maingear sells, so I'll go with that. Well within my price range.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3167728&CatId=12


If you want to know if your peripherals will work with Vista, sure they will.

Ah, cool.


But, the drivers may not be compatible with Vista, which means you won't be able to use any of the extra features they come with. Your mouse will work just like an ordinary mouse, for instance. Check the manufacture's web site to find out if the drivers are Vista compatible.

Good idea.

[rcb]

I think you're taking a big chance with an unkown, at least to me, monitor.

I managed to find a monitor that Maingear sells, so I'll go with that. Well within my price range.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3167728&CatId=12


If you want to know if your peripherals will work with Vista, sure they will.

Ah, cool.


But, the drivers may not be compatible with Vista, which means you won't be able to use any of the extra features they come with. Your mouse will work just like an ordinary mouse, for instance. Check the manufacture's web site to find out if the drivers are Vista compatible.

Good idea.

That all sounds good to me, but I'm just a gamer. I strongly suggest that you call MG and ask for their suggestions. They will give you advice you can feel comfortable trusting and they have zero sales pressure.

Then comes the hard part, waiting for delivery!

[whorton5]

In my opinion, you can't go too wrong with Samsung or Dell. I have to LCDs - one a 20" Samsung and the other a 24" Dell. Buy through the Dell website or thru Newegg (for the Samsung) and it's hard to go wrong. Both have good warranty and return policies.

[confuzzledmeam]

NVIDIA GeForce 8600GTS 256MB PCIe
SAMSUNG 731B Black 17" 2 ms DVI LCD Monitor



Hi Brian,

Here's a link for some good Samsung monitors, while one monitor add about another $60 (for the 20-inch widescreen), it should be plenty of good eye-candy!

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Monitors/sem/rpsm/context/99001426/catOid/-12965/N/40001426+21012965/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do

These monitors have received some stellar reviews. Also, depending on what your plan is, upgrading to the 320 MB 8800 gts graphics card will definitely help out a lot in terms of performance. But you can always upgrade later, especially when prices fall down a little more. :D

Best luck with your order! Maingear is a solid choice!

[XBarbarian]

OMGZ0rz!

d00d!

Westy 37" FTW!

total pwnage!