Need some advice

[Mitherman]

Okay, so I'm looking at getting a new pc, whether it be building my own, or getting something cheaper, and upgrading. I would love to be able to play video games on it, like LOTRO or Supreme Commander (not exactly with everything cranked, just play it). Right now, I seem to have two options. First, I could build my own. Now remember, I want to make it as cheap as possible. I have a list of my ideal parts that I would want, but it's a bit pricey for the budget I am on currently. I'll list the parts:

ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail -- $144.99

EVGA 256-P2-N765-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Superclocked HDCP Video Card - Retail -- $219.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail -- $139.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail --$164

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail -- $113

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM -- $69.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner included extra White bezel, with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-186 - Retail -- $29.99

And with the case, it comes to about $950. Now, I would rather pay more like $700 for a comp, but I don't really know how to "downgrade" this build, without completely ruining it. I know that's kinda a weird thing to do, but I don't think I can spare much money (and, the cheaper the better).
I was also wondering about whether or not DX10 is worth it at this point in time. I'm extremely happy that they've come out with the new "budget" DX10 cards, but is it worth it?

My second option would be to buy a $500 dell or something, and then just buy a video card (like the 8600GT or something). But I don't know if that would work well enough or not with a game like Company of Heroes or Supreme Commander. Again, I would love not to have to pay more than $700 for it, and any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Those budget dells are a bad idea for gaming, you'll get a limited computer and upgrading it will be a pain as you will need a new powersupply. Some dont even come with PCI-E slots.

-Since your paying so much for the P5B-E. Go for the Asus P5K (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180), built in Firewire and future proof.
Possible Downgrade: Get the Asus P5LD2 R2.0 or Asus P5L-MX. Save ya $30-60.

-You *could* go with a cheaper powersupply (Sparkle 450w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103024) $50), but you have to decide if its worth it as any high end future card will require a beefy powersupply. You can also get it HERE (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100) for $95 with FREE shipping.

-Go for the E6320 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115015) about a buck more but with twice the cache.
Possible downgrade: E4400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115014) or E4300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013)

-Save your self some ca$h and go with Corsair DDR2 667 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098)

-Lastly, go for the SATA version Liteon Sata (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057).

Don't forget the OS and Case.

[Mitherman]

Hmm, okay. Thanks for the advice. I'm wondering if that psu will be able to handle the 8600 or not. I probably won't be upgrading the video for quite some time, and when I do, I'll be able to get a new psu anyway, so I think I'll go with that cheaper one. Thanks! Also, do you think DX10 and vista are worth it?

[Cricket]

I'm wondering if that psu will be able to handle the 8600 or not.Which one? The Fortron Source or the Corsair?I probably won't be upgrading the video for quite some time, and when I do, I'll be able to get a new psu anyway, so I think I'll go with that cheaper one. Thanks!If you know you're going to upgrade the video card it might be a good idea to get the Corsair now...who knows how much more it's gonna cost down the road. Power supplies are one of the few computer parts that have seen pricing climbing rather than going down.

:) Cricket

[Mitherman]

Which one? The Fortron Source or the Corsair?

If you know you're going to upgrade the video card it might be a good idea to get the Corsair now...who knows how much more it's gonna cost down the road.
I was talking about the Sparkle 450W. Just wondering if it could handle an 8600.
Power supplies are one of the few computer parts that have seen pricing climbing rather than going down.

:) Cricket
Yeah, but that's the thing. I'm really trying to go budget right now. I'll probably have more money later, but I need a new comp by the end of July. Also, if I do upgrade my video card, it's not gonna be until at least a year from now. As it is, with the Sparkle 450W, I'm about $5 under my $700 dollar "limit" (which is actually more than ideal for me right now). Still, I think if the 450W can handle the E4300 and the 8600GTS, I'm gonna go with that.

I'll go ahead and post what I have together so far.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- $49.99

ASUS P5LD2 R2.0 LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail --$84.99

EVGA 256-P2-N765-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Superclocked HDCP Video Card - Retail --$219.99

SPARKLE ATX-450PN ATX12V 2.2 450W Power Supply - OEM -- $49.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E4300 - Retail --$117.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail -- $74.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM -- $69.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner included extra White bezel, with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-186 - Retail -- $29.99

All this comes to $696.93. Thanks for all the help so far!

[doubledragon5]

You could save more cash and get this video card for now, and the 450 watt would be enough.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

[Mitherman]

Hmm...that's a good idea. I think I'm gonna go with that. Thanks DoubleDragon.

[doubledragon5]

Your welcome good luck...

[Mitherman]

I have one more question. I have an upgrade for Windows Vista Home Premium. I also have a Windows XP OS disk laying around, and I am wondering if I can boot the Vista without having the XP OS installed first. Remember, the Vista is just an XP upgrade, not the full version. Now, I don't have a "new OS" cd key for XP, but I do have one from a PC that I no longer use. First, will I even need an XP cd key to be able to use the Vista upgrade? Second, can I use an OS from a PC that I no longer use? Or am I thinking about this in the completely wrong way?

[Mitherman]

I have one more question. I have an upgrade for Windows Vista Home Premium. I also have a Windows XP OS disk laying around, and I am wondering if I can boot the Vista without having the XP OS installed first. Remember, the Vista is just an XP upgrade, not the full version. Now, I don't have a "new OS" cd key for XP, but I do have one from a PC that I no longer use. First, will I even need an XP cd key to be able to use the Vista upgrade? Second, can I use an OS from a PC that I no longer use? Or am I thinking about this in the completely wrong way?
Anyone have an answer to this?

[Panama Red]

A friend just tried to install Vista Home Premium upgrade using the Vista disk as an install and it didn't work. Had to install XP first and then with XP running, install the Vista disk and follow the directions.

[sgtspector]

There is a way. These steps were outlines in the 02/01/2007 Windows Secrets Newsletter.
Here's a simplified overview of the steps that are required to clean-install the upgrade version of Vista:

Step 1. Boot the PC from the Vista DVD.

Step 2. Select "Install Now," but do not enter the Product Key from the Vista packaging. Leave the input box blank. Also, turn off the option Automatically activate Windows when I'm online. In the next dialog box that appears, confirm that you really do want to install Vista without entering a Product Key.

Step 3. Correctly indicate the version of Vista that you're installing: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate.

Step 4. Select the "Custom (Advanced)" install, not the "Upgrade" install.

Step 5. Vista copies files at length and reboots itself one or more times. Wait for the install to complete. At this point, you might think that you could "activate" Vista, but you can't. That's because you haven't installed the Vista upgrade yet. To do that, run the DVD's setup.exe program again, but this time from the Vista desktop. The easiest way to start setup again is to eject and then reinsert the DVD.

Step 6. Click "Install Now." Select Do not get the latest updates for installation. (You can check for these updates later.)

Step 7. This time, do enter the Product Key from the Vista packaging. Once again, turn off the option Automatically activate Windows when I'm online.

Step 8. On this second install, make sure to select "Upgrade," not "Custom (Advanced)." You're not doing a clean install now, you're upgrading to Vista.

Step 9. Wait while Vista copies files and reboots itself. No user interaction is required. Do not boot from the DVD when asked if you'd like to do so. Instead, wait a few seconds and the setup process will continue on its way. Some DOS-like, character-mode menus will appear, but don't interact with them. After a few seconds, the correct choice will run for you automatically.

Step 10. After you click a button labeled Start in the Thank You dialog box, Vista's login screen will eventually appear. Enter the username and password that you selected during the first install. You're done upgrading to Vista.

Step 11. Within 30 days, you must "activate" your copy of Vista or it'll lose functionality. To activate Vista, click Show more details in the Welcome Center that automatically displays upon each boot-up, then click Activate Windows now. If you've dismissed the Welcome Center, access the correct dialog box by clicking Start, Control Panel, System & Maintenance, System. If you purchased a legitimate copy of Vista, it should quickly activate over the Internet. (You can instead activate by calling Microsoft on the phone, which avoids your PC exchanging information with Microsoft's server.)
HTH