Need help with 1st time build, please.

[russian_seabass37]

hi peoples,

i bought a dell XPS 400 about a month ago and tried to turn into an awesome gaming machine, so i bought a whole bunch of stuff for it, but in the end, my pentium D 820 2.8 Dual-Core processor turned me down. the reason for that was that my video card was too strong. so anyways, i am going to sell it (i already have people wanting to buy it), but before selling it, i want to build my own gaming machine. and i mean gaming (not the best but pretty close).

now, this is my first time ever building a computer so i thought of asking before spending and wasting money like i did with the XPS 400. ok, so here are the parts that i ALREADY HAVE:


video card: eVGA 7950 GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI-Express

RAM: SUPER TALENT 1GB 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM 667

monitor: LCD 19-inch Flat-Panel Monitor


now, again, i want to make an awesome gaming machine. i already have the best video card on the market and some RAM so i really don't need that much stuff. if maybe, some of you could give me some advice on what to buy, that would be awesome. anyways, here are the things i NEED: (by the way, i have $600-700 to spend)


processor: some type of core 2 duo, of course

RAM: probably one more GB would be fine, just what kind?

Motherboard: no clue whatsoever. please help on this one!!!!!!!

PSU: i have a PSU, but i will leave in the XPS to sell, so i need a new one. any ideas?

case: also, no clue whatsoever.

keyboard & mouse: i can probably figure this one out on my own


well, i think that's it. if i missed anything, please add it to the list, other than that, that's it. so please give me any suggestions on what to buy.

thanks in advance,
sebastian

[flanzig1]

First, probably wasn't the CPU limiting the XPS with the 7950 video card. More than likely the PSU was too small for the extra load.

Will need a budget.

And the ram may not be reusable, it's probably not on any mother boards QVL list for ram.

As for a case, go to Newegg.com and use the search option with the things you want in a case:color/material/size/# of hd&cd bays/etc.

[moodyblues100]

Will need a budget.


(by the way, i have $600-700 to spend)

*

[blue60007]

You really should have two identical sticks so you can run dual channel...a single stick will hold things back. I haven't heard of that brand so I can't comment on it's compatibility.

I'd look at an ASUS P5B motherboard ($140) with an E6300 ($180). As for the PSU, you can get a FSP Forton unit for around $50 and find a case you like the looks of. Don't forget your storage drives (hard drives, optical drives) unless you already have those. Also, you'll need an OS...you can get Win XP Home OEM for around $90 on Newegg.

[russian_seabass37]

thanks for replying guys. ok, these are the parts i'm going to buy; can you tell me if they're ok?

processor: core 2 duo 2.4 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003

video card (already have): eVGA 7950 GX2 1GB PCI-Express

motherboard: ECS P965T-A (V1.0) Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135022

PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V ATX12V 550W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932

case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

as for the RAM and keyboard/mouse/etc. i will be able to pick out myself

[blue60007]

That's not a quality motherboard...the ASUS board I mentioned is higher quality (that's why it costs more). I don't think you'll need the PSU with an 8 pin auxillary connector with the P5B (might double check that though).

[Cricket]

To build an awesome gaming machine your need a bigger budget so that you don't have to buy cheap sub-standard parts (like that ECS motherboard) for your computer.

I'd get the ASUS P5B (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030), a C2D E6400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004) and this Sparkle Power 550 watt PSU. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103517) These three items cost $450 compared to $488 for your selections but you get a much better motherboard to work with.

:) Cricket

[blue60007]

Heck, if you need to cut costs further, drop to a E6300. The difference between that an a E6400 isn't all that great.