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Jumping into the PC gaming world head first... - Page 2  

post #31 of 74
2/20/05 at 6:14pm
You've got some really good stuff picked out there. However, rather than skimping on the sound card, I'd grab an Audigy 2 ZS since that really does make a difference in terms of sound quality and in addition, I'd pick up some good 5.1 speakers if you can afford it. The sound card should run you well under $100 and the speakers could go from around $50 for Z-640's to $250 for the very good Z-5500 Digital's. The other thing that I would definitely change would be the keyboard and mouse. Get the MX510 mouse from Logitech or the Diamondback Razer Magma. I cannot stress how important the mouse is for gaming.

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post #32 of 74
2/20/05 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally posted by ragedogg69
Just found a website (once again thanks to this forum) that has the best prices ive seen.

The problem is i keep seeing both good and bad reviews from this site. I worry about getting too much of "get what you paid for". But im asking around to see what the story really is.

Anyone use them?
A lot of people have problems with their computers being dead on arrival. I honestly wouldn't bother and I'd go ahead and build the computer myself. It's easy and takes like 30 minutes to do.
post #33 of 74
2/20/05 at 6:46pm
Quote:
Originally posted by UnknownSou
However, rather than skimping on the sound card, I'd grab an Audigy 2 ZS
What ever you do, don't geat a Creative if you want a stable working computer that dosen't add a lot of bloatware.
Go for the X-Mystique 7.1 Gold talked about here.

I will also give a vote for a good power supply and ram.


peace
post #34 of 74
2/20/05 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally posted by SIMJEDI
What ever you do, don't geat a Creative if you want a stable working computer that dosen't add a lot of bloatware.
Go for the X-Mystique 7.1 Gold talked about here.

I will also give a vote for a good power supply and ram.


peace
Creative's cards do have a lot of bloatware that's opitional to throw on. Either way, anyone with any intelligence would just install the drivers and nothing unnecessary like AOL.
post #35 of 74
2/20/05 at 9:46pm
Quote:
Originally posted by ragedogg69
Just found a website (once again thanks to this forum) that has the best prices ive seen. www.cyberpowersystems.com

The problem is i keep seeing both good and bad reviews from this site. I worry about getting too much of "get what you paid for". But im asking around to see what the story really is.

Anyone use them?

Honestly, I don't know a thing about them. I tried looking up their profile on ResellerRatings and couldn't find a thing.

The only online retailer that I will deal with is Newegg. IMO, they are the best. Do you have a friend (trustworthy of course) that could assemble your computer for you? If so, you could just order the parts from Newegg and have them build your rig.

BTW, years of experience in dealing with online computer parts outfits has taught me that you indeed “get what you pay forâ€.
post #36 of 74
2/20/05 at 10:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by UnknownSou
It's easy and takes like 30 minutes to do.

Okay, I call Bullsh*t. :D


As far as a friend to build it for me, I do infact have my old best friend from high school and middle school that actually built my first PC. (which had no real problems)



But as far as the more i research, the more building a PC seems to be the best option. It is intimidating as hell but like some of you have said, it makes you learn the ins and outs of your own computer, so when something does go wrong, you have an idea of how it can be fixed.

The only thing missing is tech support and a money back garauntee.
post #37 of 74
2/21/05 at 9:35pm
Thread Starter 
Ok now im really leaning towards building the PC myself.

Here is what i have picked out from Newegg.com:

SILVERSTONE Black ATX Desktop Case, Model "SST-LC03" -RETAIL
Sony Black 52x32x52x16 Combo Drive, Model CRX320E Black, OEM
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920, OEM
SAMSUNG 40GB 7200RPM Light and Slim IDE Hard Drive, Model SP0411N, OEM Drive only
Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth -RETAIL
Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
ASUS "K8N" NVIDIA nForce3 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
SilverStone Tech. 400W Super Silent Power Supply w/ 120mm Fan and SATA Connector, SST-ST400 -RETAIL
AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
Microsoft Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2 -OEM
Sapphire ATI RADEON X800 XT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/VIVO, 8X AGP, Model "102A2610400-BLU" -OEM Bulk

Total with $50 shipping: $1476.23

Thoughts? suggestions?
post #38 of 74
2/22/05 at 1:13am
Looks nice. If you want to be able to upgrade the processor and video card in 1.5 or 2 years, then I recommend you go socket 939 and PCI-E. It'll cost you maybe 70 bucks more, but your options in 2 years will be much greater.
post #39 of 74
2/22/05 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice. I looked around and added these:

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NF-9" NVIDIA nForce4 4X Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Socket 939 Processor - Retail
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X850 XT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, PCI-Express, Model "100106" -OEM

and im now at 1552.45

Thoughts?
post #40 of 74
2/22/05 at 7:32am
Well, at this point its probably a good idea to go Socket 939 and PCI-E........combine that with a move up to an 850XT.....I'd do it for $75 more....

You'll be happy, thats a great box your putting together. :)
post #41 of 74
2/23/05 at 7:23am
Thread Starter 
Okay, I took the plunge. I have decided to build it myself. And I placed an order with Newegg yesterday. Some items have already shipped, but I was planning on getting everything next week because I am heading to Las Vegas this weekend. Oh well, just need to ask one of the neighbors for a favor.

Here is what I picked out:

SILVERSTONE Black ATX Desktop Case, Model "SST-LC03"
Sony Black 52x32x52x16 Combo Drive, Model CRX320E
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Socket 939 Processor
SAMSUNG 40GB 7200RPM Light and Slim IDE Hard Drive, Model SP0411N
Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
GIGABYTE "GA-K8NF-9" NVIDIA nForce4 4X Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X850 XT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, PCI-Express, Model "100106"
Microsoft Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2 -OEM
SilverStone Tech. 400W Super Silent Power Supply w/ 120mm Fan and SATA Connector, SST-ST400
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920
Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth

So hopefully everything will go smoothly. I have already read up on installing much of it and I must confess, it sounds fun. :D
post #42 of 74
2/23/05 at 8:23am
Congrats on your purchase!!

I just finished building my HTPC/Gaming box this Friday. Just waiting on my 10m DVI cable so I can continue to play HL2 on my 106" screen! :D
post #43 of 74
2/23/05 at 9:35pm
Thread Starter 
Well sh*t,

This couldnt be simple could it? My neighbors are heading to san deigo this weekend so they cant help me out with my packages. And I dont know my other neighbors well enough to ask them. :( So another question:

Do I leave a note telling Fedex taht I wont be home and not to leave the packages?

Or do I have them put it in my garabage bin (empty) to keep them safe from weather and thieves? (this way i could build the computer Sunday when I get back)

Both sound good to me. :D
post #44 of 74
2/24/05 at 2:42am
Try calling FedEx themselves and tell them of your situation and they may have a option to hold it in their local warehouse either for you to pick up or deliver at a later date.


peace
post #45 of 74
2/24/05 at 7:20am
Thread Starter 
Well good news. I was able to get a friend from work to drop by my house friday nite and put the packages under my backyard patio.

So I can have my cake and eat it too. :D
post #46 of 74
2/24/05 at 2:45pm
Good deal Dogg. Keep us updated on your progress.
post #47 of 74
2/27/05 at 12:15pm
I think on the tracking page on FedEx you can click to make it signature required. Not sure.

I finally got the computer together. Now I remember why I hate windows PCs. I was very disappointed to see how crappy my video quality was on games but then I found out the drivers on nvidia's homepage are outdated and I got newer ones from guru3d.com. I am literally astounded at how good the drivers are for use on my television. It knew it was a Hitachi 51uwx20b! And you can choose 480p, 720p, and 1080i right from the desktop! Not only that but the new drivers have overscan correction (much needed on RPTVs.) No offense Rage, but I'm so glad I didn't go with an ATI card. My onboard sound didn't work so I had to go with my old soundblaster live, which pisses me off, but I was planning on getting that DD Live card anyway. Or maybe nvidia will release a soundstorm card (please, nvidia! Why are you being jerks?) Half Life 2 looks great on my tv but I'm really disappointed by Far Cry. The draw in is horrible but it wouldn't be so bad if it didn't happen when you aim your gun. Lame! Stupid programmers. I swear the real time speech in Half Life 2 looks real. Oh, and thanks for telling me the MX Duo sucks after I bought it, people!!! I am right at the limit of six feet and can't get it to work reliably. Don't know how to rememdy this. We shall see.
post #48 of 74
2/28/05 at 12:02am
Thread Starter 
Ok, back from Vegas... dont ask.

Got the HTPC running downstairs on my Hitachi. Still needs an audio cable for the DVD ROM but other then that, all hardware is finished. No problems with my FedEx. Had a friend put it under the backyard patio.

I got as far as setting up my basics, Got all drivers and the network going. Altho, installing the bluetooth keyboard and mouse was a pain. Had I not had this KB and Mouse on this computer to swap out, i dont know how i would of installed windows. ATI is working great and has no problems displaying the picturein the right scan rates, but overscan is a killer.

Does ATI support overscan correction? can i trick it like Powerstrip does? Or am I best off going with Powerstrip?

One more thing, The case i got has 2 extra fans but the mother board only has one output to power them. Is there an adapter that will split it?

Well after the long drive home and the long install, I desperately need sleep. Tomorrow comes the games. :D
post #49 of 74
2/28/05 at 2:48am
Quote:
Originally posted by ragedogg69
Still needs an audio cable for the DVD ROM
No you don't, that method is long obsolete. All sounds travel digitally thru the pci bus now skipping the inferior DAC in the DVD drive.


peace
post #50 of 74
2/28/05 at 7:04am
Thread Starter 
i stand corrected. hehe thanks. ill put the finishing touches on today then.
post #51 of 74
2/28/05 at 7:30am
Thread Starter 
Well this couldnt be easy could it.

Before heading off to bed I had it download its windows updates then turned it off. Now when i tried to turn it on, it gives me the blue screen of death while loading windows and resets itself.

Help?

Ill have to fix this after work tonite.
post #52 of 74
2/28/05 at 10:16am
Dogg, try restarting your computer in safe mode by pressing the F8 key during the boot process (during the BIOS load screen).

Once in XP, go to Device Manager and see if there are any IRQ or resource conflicts, then report back to us.
post #53 of 74
2/28/05 at 12:03pm
Quote:
Originally posted by ragedogg69

Does ATI support overscan correction? can i trick it like Powerstrip does? Or am I best off going with Powerstrip?
I'm pretty sure there is an overscan correction feature in the ATI driver panel, but its only enabled on the component output.
post #54 of 74
2/28/05 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally posted by ragedogg69
Ok now im really leaning towards building the PC myself.

Here is what i have picked out from Newegg.com:

Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth -RETAIL
Personally I'd reccomend going with the Logitch Bluetooth desktop set. The main reason I went with Logitch over the MS one, is that the logitech bluetooth hub doubles as a charging station for the mouse.

With the MS version you'll have to remove the batteries whenever you need to charge/replace them. Not a huge deal, but I really like the convenience of just tossing the mouse in the holder when it's ready for more juice. :)
post #55 of 74
2/28/05 at 5:44pm
Thread Starter 
Ok did safe mode but it turned up nothing, so i did a system restore point. And tried the exact same thing. And same results. So now im doing another restore but this time im staying the hell away from Windows Updates.
post #56 of 74
2/28/05 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Well got everything running, but i decided to skip powerstrip for now just cuz i wanna play some games hehe.

I loaded it all up and when i finally got HL2 going it kept erroring out due to video. So I ended up with a small window that is doing 480p instead of HD. I guess ill search around for a fix but i see no options to change it in game or out. :(
post #57 of 74
3/2/05 at 8:51pm
Thread Starter 
bump...

still cant figure this out
post #58 of 74
3/3/05 at 10:06am
One reason I don't recommend that inexperienced folk build their own without someone present the first time to help out. Things like setting up the BIOS in particular can get hairy for newbies. Your problems are pretty vague and could be a number of things, incredibly tough to troubleshoot over a message board, imo.

You shouldn't have to ignore the SP2 update, eventually, you will need it, when MS decides to cut off support for nonSP2 clients, as they are doing currently with nonSP1 clients. So rather than ignore that, you need to solve the problem.

On the HL2 problem: are you able to run other 3d games? When does it error out, on loading screens or when the 3d menu comes up, or when the game launches, etc? Way to vague to give anything like advice. I'm not sure how much we can help, but we will need more info to try.

Sorry I came in late, haven't been reading the board in a couple months. Looking over that parts list, it says you already have SP2. I also wish I could have guided you away from a few 'budget' items (never cut corners on your pc, wait until you can afford it: my philosophy). Budget RAM, a subpar hard drive, and a power supply made by a case company...I would have bitched about those choices at least.

Anyway, no use going on about it now, let us have some more details about your problems and let's see if we can get you up and running with some A+ gaming.
post #59 of 74
3/5/05 at 9:21am
Did windows load the correct driver for your display?

When I installed my ATI card...and whenever I upgrade the CAT driver, I have to update it off the default generic driver...and to a custom driver that Karnis had posted on the HT Computer area.

Are you able to select and achieve the proper res for the windows desktop..etc.?
post #60 of 74
3/6/05 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 
okay,

sorry i havnt updated you guys. I decided to ditch the catalyst software and go strictly with Powerstrip. This was an incredibly smart move on my part. I created a custom monitor driver for my Hitachi 65S500 and found someone here on the forum with an ATI card and my model line TV who sent me over settings for custom resolutions. The weird thing is, the 1776x1000 resolution worked well in 1080 timings, but the 720p rez that he sent me would not sync. I still have no idea why since we literally share the same manual. But I was able to find some resolutions in powerstrip of 720p that work well and really minimize overscan.

So I have all 3 games, (half life2, far cry and doom 3) running in 1776x100. With all the settings in HL2 maxed out and everything on very high in the other two. Doom should really learn from the other 2 games as far as customizing the graphics settings, but it wasnt too hard to get everything set up the way I wanted it.

After some difficutlies, I was able to get the 7.1 surround going. It was kind of a pain. But well worth it. I downloaded some WMV HD clips and they look amazing, as did my T2 Xtreme HD DVD.

Building it myself really has giving me knowledge that i didnt have before.. or wanted. :D But I am glad I did. Now if only I could find a system fan cable splitter i would really be done. I rather do this then strip the wires on the case fans and combine them.

thanks to all who replied.

Oh one more question. Is there anywhere in windows i can see my temperatures of my PC? I can do it in set up and this requires me to restart my PC.
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