First Build - Need advice (little experience)

[M2DaC]

Alright, I'm planning to build a new computer in the near future and I have been researching for a little while and have come up with most parts. Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Here's the list of components:

CPU & Motherboard:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3520084

Memory:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&Sku=C13-2022
I was going to get 2 of these to get 4 gb's. Don't know if this is necessary of even desirable as I have heard that some windows vista only uses 3.2.

Power Suppy:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2974472&CatId=1483

Hard Drive:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2273393&Sku=TSD-500AS2

Video Card:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3484817&Sku=E145-8822
This card is tentative because I don't know if its worth the money for what I need.

Case:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1215768&Sku=ULT31824

Cooling? Don't know if this is necessary but if so, I was thinking of this:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2146651&CatId=493

Finally, I will be using this computer for daily task such as word processing and web browsing but would also like the ability to play high-end games such as Bioshock, Crysis, Call of Duty 4 and such. My budget should be around a $1000 dollars but can be adjusted to meet needs.

Thank you in advance for any help.

[Cricket]

My first suggestion is don't buy your parts from TigerDirect...they're one of the worst on-line vendors on the planet. Take a look at Newegg, ZipZoomFly, MWave or Directron instead.

Are you dead set on AMD and SLi?

Don't use a Ultra power supply...they aren't as good as some reviewers claim. There are much better alternatives out there and since the power supply is the most important component in your computer you really don't want a sub-par example powering your new system.

The rest of your parts look fine...but what about a optical drive?

:) Cricket

[hitchface]

Hey there,

Welcome to PCMech!

Good looking rig, for the most part. I have a few thoughts.

You will only really need 2 gigs of RAM. That is the perfect kit to go with as well, so no sweat there.

I'd change out the PSU if I were you. Ultra is a hit and miss brand with power supplies. PC Power and Cooling, Corsair, Sparkle Power and Fortron Source are all good brands.

You can afford to go much cheaper on your video card. ATi's HD 3870 is a sweet card for over 100 dollars cheaper than that nVidia unit. It isn't as good, but you'll be able to run those games quite well. I run a 7600GS, and I can run Call of Duty 4 on medium settings.

The extra cooling option is nice, especially Zalman units. They can be a bit on the expensive side, but I have one very similar to that, and it sure does the trick. The only thing you'll want to consider is that by using aftermarket cooling, you'll void the CPU warranty, which is 3 years. Also, you'll need a good thermal compound and learn/know how to apply it. Most any will do, but Arctic Silver 5 is the most common.

That's all I've got for now.

EDIT: Gotta refresh before posting ;)

Also, NCIX is a great e-tailer to work with. I second Cricket's suggestion against TigerDirect. I've been using NCIX every time a local store doesn't have what I need, and they are on par with Newegg for service and delivery times.

[M2DaC]

Thanks for your input! As for me being set on AMD and SLi I don't know. I'm pretty sure i want a Nvidia card just because I've heard great things about them but as far as an AMD chip set I don't have a strong preference. What would you suggest instead?

[Masaki 7-11]

The processor is meant for overclocking and won't void your warranty since it comes without a cooler. Most games will work fine with a slower video card, but the 8800GTS 512MB is one of the best video cards for the high end. The version you picked out is the older and slower version which gets outperformed by cheaper cards like the HD3870 and 8800GT. The MSI motherboard you picked out should be fine even if you are going with ATI, so long as you still want to use an AMD processor, have had a good experience with MSI motherboards, but the utilities aren't very good, so you might not have a very good experince with the software (drivers work well though).

[hitchface]

Ah yes, didn't see it was a black edition. Yeah, the Zalman heatsink will do nicely.

When considering your video card, think in terms of what you want, and then think of what is out there. From the sounds of things you want bang for buck, since you want an all purpose PC for a thousand bucks. The best bang for buck nVidia card is the 8800GT, while ATi's just happens to be its top model, the HD3870.

[M2DaC]

in the instance that i decided to use an intel chip what would you recommend and what are the benefits or intel, i ask this because im looking around and i dont see too many people using amd.

[flanzig1]

The Intel Core 2 Duo series are generally faster than the relative equal AMD CPU. The E6750 is the sweet spot for gaming machines and the Quad E6600 for gaming and multitasking.

[hitchface]

Intel owns the market. For the price, their chips are just flat out faster. AMD is playing catchup, and doing well at it, but for the time, Intel is quicker.

[M2DaC]

alright.. i guess intel is better. i guess im going to do my homework and find out which one suits me best. what would be your suggestions?