Please give recommendations for a new PC!

[Uindo]

I need to buy a new computer now that my old one has finally died. I am looking for a home built high performance machine that will be able to play all current and future PC games on highest or near highest settings for at least a couple of years.

So far these are the parts I have found. I don't need a new monitor, keyboard, speakers, or mouse so those won't be mentioned. If you have any ideas on how to make this setup cheaper while keeping the same performance and high quality, please feel free to reply with some recommendations. Right now the computer will cost $1763.67. That is definitely way out of my price range especially since that doesn't even include taxes. I only have $1600 of spending money on this so the entire setup and taxes will have to fall below that number. Also I think there are no compatibility issues with any of the hardware, but if for some reason the MOB isn't compatible with something, please let me know and recommend one that does. Lastly, any recommendations for some kind of DVD+/-RW would be greatly appreciated.

Computer Setup:
ATI RADEON X1800 XT 512MB PCIE
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...=done&nextloc=

Diamond Xtreme Sound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829111002

Intel Pentium 4 660 Processor
http://www.digitallyunique.com/viewp...e=07-5597115-2

Intel Motherboard 945G LGA775DC MAX-4GB DDR2 Atx PCIE16 Pcie 4PCI Vid Gbe Sata 1066M
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...95338?n=172282

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 433 (PC 3500)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...P=OTC-d3alt1me

WD 400GB 4000YR SATA RAID 7200RPM 16B (BARE DRIVE)
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...=done&nextloc=

Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...P=OTC-d3alt1me

[jayb1234]

Two places you can cut costs are the RAM and Sound Card.

You only need the XMS RAM for overclocking. The value select line will be fine. The motherboard should have pretty good onboard 8 channel sound. You can wait and get a card later if you aren't satisfied with it.

Liteon has some pretty good burners and they come with the burning software.

You can save about $100 by getting the OEM version of windows instead of the retail one.

You are likely to need a floppy drive during the setup too.

[Cricket]

Get a smaller hard drive and when you need more space just add another hard drive later. A 200GB HDD would cost you $100 less than the 400GB HDD you have listed.

And do you really need the Intel P4 660? The P4 650 is about $150 less for a processor that is only 200MHz slower (you probably wouldn't even be able to tell the difference).

And you might want to try and get everything from one vendor to keep the shipping cost down.

Cricket

[jfk]

I would try the onboard sound before buying a card. IF you end up buying a card, get the OEM version of the Audigy 2ZS....less than $70 at Newegg and a better card than what you have listed. I agree with Cricket....get a smaller HD and the 650 processor instead. You can save a bunch there. Unless you plan to overclock, go with the value ram and save some $$$. Also, if you're set on an ATI card, I'd spend the cash on a new X1900XT (not the XTX) as it is a much better performer than the 1800 you have listed for about $40-50 more. JMO.

[pam123]

Dump the radeon 1800.
Fro $25 more you can get the latest X1900XT : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814195002

[glc]

You have some compatibility issues there. That motherboard uses DDR2 ram, not standard DDR. I also wouldn't use an Intel board for a high performance rig, they are timed and clocked conservatively for stability - and that one has onboard video too.

Here's my suggestion for an Intel build that will fall into your budget and give you the most bang for your buck. Prices are approximate, shipping included, and from Newegg.

Case: The Antec you chose, $100 after rebate
Motherboard: Asus P5LD2 Deluxe, $160
CPU: Intel 930 Presler dual core, $345
Ram: Corsair Value Select 2x1gb DDR2-667, $175
Video card: Sapphire X1800XT 512mb, $475
Hard drive: WD 3200KS, $170
DVDRW: NEC or Lite-On, $45

This should come out to about $1455, this should give you fudge for tax if you are in California. If you need to get XP Home OEM, you can cut the motherboard back to the standard P5LD2, or hard drive back to a 250gb, or the processor back to a 920. Plan on a sound card later if the onboard doesn't satisfy you. The dual core processor is a good futureproof, games will be coming out soon that can take advantage of it.

EDIT: Pam snuck in here - if you want the X1900XT, just cut back the mobo, processor, and hard drive as indicated. The processor speed is a minor factor compared to the video card.

[Uindo]

It must have been quite a bit of trouble on your guys' part to help me out like this. Thank you very much.

Only problem now is that the internet (Newegg, other sites, etc) seem to have run out of the recommended ram ever since I first searched a few days ago. Looks like it'll be the waiting game 'til it shows up again. =/