new gaming pc

Hi.. I want to get a new computer, and I want to make sure it will be good for gaming and it will be upgradable.
I don't know a ton about computers, but I know a decent amount. I don't really want to build a computer by myself.. but I definately don't want to get a Dell or anything. I looked into some barebones.. and I would like to find one that will require the least amount of building on my part. I'm hoping I won't have install hard drives and processors and stuff. Extra RAM and vid cards I can deal with.

Anyway I found the pinned topic very helpful, but I was hoping some of you could help me out or give me advice. Here's what I've been looking into, so you can get an idea of what I want.

- 939 Socket..
- AMD Athlon 64 X2-3800+ Dual Core Processor.. (maybe the 3500+ cuz its cheaper.. except is that Dual Core?)
- 2 512 ram sticks
- Chipset: I don't know much about this.. maybe the nvidia nforce4. Is the NVIDIA nForce3 250 GB good?
- 80GB+ hard drive
- Don't really need a monitor, mouse, or keyboard
- Not sure about Power Supply or cooling system.. Just want it to work.
- PCI-express is a MUST. But I'll probably go with an nvidia 6600 or something.. not gonna spend 300 dollars on a card.. but as long as its pci-e it should be ok

Here are some things I've found.. although each seems to be lacking in some area:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...1638821&CatId=0

-that one has low power supply.. I dunno what that means though.. maybe that's okay? I also don't know if the Nvidia nforce 3 250 gb is good... other than that the system seems pretty good.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...sp?Base=1501174

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produ...te=pricegrabber

http://www.cpusolutions.com/8004744...ems.asp?CartId={BE9BFB54-C5C5-44B0EVEREST-B465-876C28C093F6}&Cc=AMDGAMBB&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=


Thanks in advance for any help.. As complete a system as possible is best for me I mainly play COD.. counter strike.. want to start playing aoe3. I don't play hundreds of games.. like 1-4.. So I don't know.. I probably don't need to spend a crap load of money.. but I definately want to be able to upgrade it..

 

I couldn't seem to edit this.. but rather than build it myself I would prefer to just go to MonarchComputer or something.. and customize one.. except I'm not really sure if I need the DualCore and what type of RAM I need and stuff.. When I try to customize something there I find a list of about 10 different 1GB ram setups.. I dunno which to choose.. and the Dual Core is what costs the most.. that adds about 300 dollars.

 

What are you going to use the computer for??? If you are going to use it for multi-threaded applications like video editing, 3d rendering, or running Windows Server 2003, then an Athlon X2 might be useful. If you are like the other 99% of the computer using population, a dual core processor is a waste of money... Don't spend the extra money on a dual-core processor. Just get a faster single-core processor.

 

Well I just play games and I often run a lot of applications.. but not big ones.. just regular things like a bunch of webpages, microsoft word docs, etc.. i'm a minimizer.

what single core processor would u suggest for gaming? Anyway to save money helps.. but if i'm only going to save 50 bucks or so then i'd rather just get the dual-core. then again, i dont want to save 150 bucks if it wont be great for gaming

 

Hi ppl.. couple questions..

What single core AMD Athlon 64 should I go with?

Secondly, this: http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=130099
or this:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=130150

I guess I'm leaning towards the Zalman.

Thirdly, I'm not sure what mobo to get. MSI K8N or Asus A8N nF4 SLI

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185125 Outs them both, but be sure to buy some Arctic silver 5 to use on the chip. Opteron 170 (939pin) is a great dual core processor, but OEM it sits at about 400-420$. If I had to choose a amd64 single core processor it would be nothing under Amd64 3700+ Sandiego (235$). I had the 3700 and I have the opteron now, Personally I can feel the diffrence between these guys, to give you an idea I can run two intensive application games under the dual core (I had The movies, and Battle Field 2 running simultaneous, was a mistake but still). Im also a multitasker / minimizer.

 

Well maybe sticking with the dual core amd athlon 64 x2 3800+ is best then.. cuz if i go to the single core 3700+.. its only about 100 dollars less

 

You may want to look for opteron dual cores 939pin, theyre made on higher grade silicon then X2's, so potential of OC'ing / stability might be greater on them.

 

I dunno though.. I don't think I need the best PC ever.. even though I will be gaming.. and I don't want to spend a ton of money.
I don't really want to build it myself.. I don'tknow a ton about computers..

Here's what I think I'm going to configure:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=80232

 

Configs from websites dont work when linking.

 

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4714/compspecs27yh.th.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4714/compspecs27yh.jpg

I'm not sure about the motherboard. In an above post I think I gave links to 3 possible mobos..

Thx for help Omegamerc

 

get the CPU with no box fan saves you about 20$ Go for the thermaltake PSU, IMO I don't trust antec anymore (2 psu's failed). Dont use that thermal grease, imo its crap, go for arctic silver 5 (buy @ Compusa/or similar). Do you care what type of RAM your using? ie: Value(generic), performance (OK), enthusiast (high end). To get an idea, under or up to 100$ is generic, around 150$ is performance, around 200$ its high end.