1st Time Builder

[korky99_04]

Hello All,
As you can see I am new to this forum, but it appears to be populated with people who are much smarter than I and more than willing to help so it is where I want to be. I am looking to build a gaming computer, specifically one that will play "Elder Scrolls: Oblivion" (official specs). Additionally, I will use this desktop to suppliment the work that I do on my laptop (Toshiba A75, 3.02MHz, 1GB RAM, 60GB HDD). I am a lighting designer so I will also be using AUTOCad and Vectorworks and a little video and picture editing. I would really like to do this for under a grand, but I want it to be something that I can use for a long time and that is upgradeable. This is what I've got and I would appreciate all input you might have to offer because I'm not qualified to tell if this stuff will work together the way I want it to. Also, if there is a component that would work better then the one I have listed, or if one component is disporportionally low or high quality and would make more sense to be something else, please let me know.

There should be a link to the Newegg.com page for each component.

Case: ASPIRE X-Infinity ATXB6KLW-BK/420 Black Steel ATX
Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII ATX12V 550W
Mother Board: ASUS P5SD2-X Socket T (LGA 775) SIS 656 ATX Intel Motherboard
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 / 3.0GHz 630 800MHz FSB LGA 775 EM64T Processor
Processor Cooling Fan: Included with Processor
Memory: Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 675 (PC2 5400)
Video Card: XFX PVT42EUDE3 6800 XTreme 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
Sound Card: For now I will use the onboard one, but I plan on upgrading in the future.
CD-ROM Drive: NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A I guess, this is a shot in the dark.
Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s
Floppy Drive: MITSUMI USB 2.0 Internal digital card reader with Floppy Drive

Total Price: $820.00 + S/H

Also, Does it matter if the North Bridge of the Motherboard and the Graphics card are made by the same company. I couldn't find anywhere where it said what card would work with what motherboard.

Also, I guess that I should mention that I have the OS (XP Professional), monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot guys.

[glc]

Don't use a SiS chipset motherboard. Spend the extra money on a P5LD2, you will be glad you did, it has an Intel chipset. No need for the HyperX ram - save some cash and go with DDR2-533 Corsair Value Select and consider 2gb. The video card has a somewhat crippled core - you would be a lot better off spending more and getting a 6800GS or better - it's the video card that makes the most difference in game performance.

[786ARS]

get a version of the case w/o a psu, you will save money.

[Kareeser]

786, really?
I was under the impression that a combo case w/ PSU would be saving me money...

[glc]

Not when you are also buying a PSU.

[Kareeser]

Ah, I see.

[786ARS]

also, in reply to your question about the north briodgem no it doesnt matter. But if it has an nf4 northbridge and two pci-ex lanes, the you can experience sli.

[korky99_04]

thanks all.
I appreciate the help.

[korky99_04]

Also, a question about video cards. I'm a bit confused. I tried to find a 6800GS on newegg but am confused. I am used to looking at the ATI cards. Will someone please make a link to a card like the one glc mentioned.

[korky99_04]

Updated Info:

Mobo: ASUS P5LD2-VM Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory

Are these better?
I guess it is more memory so that is obviously better, but also more expensive.

[786ARS]

dont get a micro atx mobo, they are resrictive in that very few support sli and have less expansion slots, and sometimes only two ram slots.

[glc]

P5LD2:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131538

6800GS is going away. Here's a 7600GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130283