$1500 Gaming-I need a lot of help

[Needs_help]

Hi, I've never built a computer, and i'm very behind on a lot of things. Hopefully i'll be able to build one, and stay as close to 1500 as possible, but if i need to fork over a bit more i will, if it seems worth it. I'll need lots of help and hopefully someone here can do that. I'm looking for a primarily gaming system. As far as AMD vs. Intel, which ever one works best, i dont really know what makes or breaks either one. Right now i'm planning on keeping my speakers and sub from my current computer, and maybe the monitor. I do want to get a wireless mouse and keyboard. I upgraded hardware before, and i usually learn pretty fast, so hopefully with plenty of help i'll have a great new computer, instead of a small fire. I need to know everything that i would need to get this running, i use cable connection, no routers and i'm more concerned with have power than graphics, so if i could sacrafice a video card to get something else i would do so, as long as the video card can still run most any game, Thanks everyone!

[giantkoreandorq]

Here's a good site that can lend you a hand for a top notch system for both AMD and Intel.

AMD:
http://www.legitreviews.com/systemguide/2/

Intel:
http://www.legitreviews.com/systemguide/6/

The only thing I would be against is the look of the case. It's not exactly the most eye appealing, but its a good case.

Also, do you want to get an upgrade now? I would suggest getting a PC later this year because new sockets for processors will come out.

[Needs_help]

what kind of upgrade?

[not important]

The links provided by giantkoreandorq are a good starting point, except for the Sony DVDRW's.IMO
Go to Newegg and look around and do some comparison shopping.

[FireByyrd]

Use the build it guide that this website has, it helps alot, I used it

[giantkoreandorq]

Originally Posted by Needs_help what kind of upgrade?

What I meant was a new computer.

Anyways, later this year, there will be a new size for AMD processors, M2, (If you plan to buy one) which means that there will be new motherboards for their processors. In my opinion, I was suggesting to get a new computer once the new motherboards for the AMD processor come out.

[spartan015]

that case is like... dont. bad idea. my friends comp i think he got it built from best buy... problems with cooling, bad design. like he has the thing sitting on its side and open cuz it jus gets too hot...

IMO wired is been known to be more reliable and better response for gaming, but nowadays bluetooth is getting it up there...

personally after i looked at performance and stuff i would recommend an AMD

[jayb1234]

That video card calls for at least 400W, so that case isn't the best choice.

Heat issues with it are possible too since it is not compliant with Intel's Thermally Advantaged Chassis specifications.

These Antec cases are.

The P180 comes without a PSU, there is a 500W, a 480W, and if you buy directly from Antec you can have them change the PSU in the case you get to whichever one you want.

The sony drive is OEM, get a liteon instead, it will come with the burning software.

Hard drives, look at the 16Mb cache models like this one, same price range but better performance.

You could drop down a bit on that video card and still get pretty good game performance.

[gary_hendricks]

Hi Needs_help,

Here's a list of components I'd suggest you get to build that $1500 PC:

Processor Athlon 64 3000+ (2.0GHz) $223
Active Cooler (Included in CPU retail box) NA
Motherboard Asus K8V Deluxe $98
Memory 2X 512MB (1GB) Kingston DDR400 $174
Case Antec SLK-3700 BQE $63
Power Supply Antec 350W (included with case) NA
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 160GB SATA $112
DVD-ROM / CD-RW Asus DRW-0402P/D $94
Graphics ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (256MB) $140
TV Tuner Card Hauppauge WinTV-Radio $70
Monitor 19" Samsung 950b $155
Speakers Logitech Z-5300 5.1 $130
Audio Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS $85
Floppy Mitsumi floppy and card reader $35
Keyboard Microsoft Natural Multimedia $20
Mouse IntelliMouse Optical $15
Operating System Windows XP Home $82

Total = $1496

The above system is great for gaming and general multimedia usage.
Getting a wireless mouse and keyboard may bump up the total a wee bit.
I thought the Radeon 9600 Pro will be ok for you since you mentioned you want power more than a good video card.

Hope this helps

[glc]

Gary, I don't think that's a well balanced $1500 USD gaming system at all. The poster already has speakers and a monitor, doesn't need a tuner and a sound card, and a 9600 Pro is not even close to being a *modern* gaming card. I'd do Socket 939 or an Intel 775 and PCI-Express in that price range. $94 is twice what a decent DVD burner would cost. The poster also asked for wireless keyboard and mouse.

[blue60007]

I'm assuming since his location is in Singapore, that might be $1500 in the local currency, not US currency. Assuming the poster is in the US, you need to do the conversions first...

[Needs_help]

Yeah, sorry i havent posted in forever, i've just been lazy. I'm hoping to build this in July, but i'm really worried because i've never done this before. All help is MUCH appreciated. I still have no clue what parts I'm going to use. You're suggestions would be awesome!

[blue60007]

If you aren't going to buy for another few months, you may want to wait to start making a list of parts...new video cards or whatever are likely to come out before then and price drops and whatnot...In the meantime you could start reading on the general procedures on how to build a PC.

Oh, you could pick out things that won't change in price much. Like cases and power supplies.

[Davermonk]

I think the "research" part is almost as fun as the "build" part. Kind of like window shopping

There are a lot of different sites out there that compare different components. Most of the folks here give outstanding advice, but when it's all said and done, you are the one paying for the parts. Make a list with several components in each category and go do some research. In the process, you'll learn a lot more about what you'll be buying.

And of course, you'll find out that the advice you read here was right on the money!

[ya basta]

Lurking here, reading the threads and using the search engine is a great way of doing the research necessary for a new build.

Also, using the saved wishlist function at newegg will help you know what fits in your budget.