Looking for some help on a $1500 computer

[kevorski]

I have a budget of about $1500, i could probably go for $2000. I would like to get a computer with about 2GB ram and is powered by AMD. I would like to play games like F.E.A.R. and HL2 with no problem what so ever. If someone could give me some advice on what i should use that would be great.

[myrgo_31]

is that all your going to be doing on this comp is gaming? if so, i'd get the 3700+ or the 4000+ san diego.

with that kind of budget, get the 7800GTX 256 meg version for about 450-500 bucks at newegg

the asus A8N Premium is a good one, get that for the SLI features and stuff

get dual channel RAM (2x1GB) corsair, patriot, OCZ work really well

with the price of hard drives these days, get as much as the budget will allow. at least a 200 GB with 16 MB Cache is about as good as it gets.

Antec, enermax, thermaltake, xclio, OCZ make good, reliable PSU's. Get at least a 450 watt, and if you plan on SLI, get an SLI certified PSU

cases are a matter of preferance.

put whatever money left over on two 7800GT's or one 7800GTX, then you could add another one in the future

[pc master]

Is that a definate $2000.If so then that will warm up the pot. Okay As for hard drive go fo samsung. I had one and they are really quiet and perform really as well.


I would avoid AMD's for now because within the next few months or so they are dropping skt939.
Although it will seem a little crazy. Try this video card. Sure it is $750 but it is the best performing card so far.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143044

[jfk]

Is that a definate $2000.If so then that will warm up the pot. Okay As for hard drive go fo samsung. I had one and they are really quiet and perform really as well.


I would avoid AMD's for now because within the next few months or so they are dropping skt939.
Although it will seem a little crazy. Try this video card. Sure it is $750 but it is the best performing card so far.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143044

For a gaming system, I would go with the AMD, contrary to the above opinion. I would look at a 3700+ or 4000+ as the best "value" in an AMD single core processor. The 939 socket will be around for a while yet, so it is ridiculous to avoid AMD on this assumption.

I would also avoid Samsung HDD's. You'll get a better warranty with Seagate or Maxtor. Probably the most recommended around here are Seagate, WD and Maxtor.

Finally, yes, that is the "hottest" video card out right now. Unfortunately it is 1) GROSSLY overpriced and 2) Out of stock everywhere.

For a video card, to get the MOST bang for the buck, look at a 7800GT, 7800GTX or X1800XT....these three offer most of the performance of that linked video card for between $200 and $350 LESS.

For your build, use the search feature and type in "$1500 build" or "$2000 build" as there is a ton of these threads. You should get some sound ideas from that.