new pc builder

[efaster]

Hey everyone I came across this forum looking for some advice on building a new pc. I started off considering buying a computer from Alienware, but I did some research an after so many negative reviews I changed my mind (also the price was really high). So now I'm going to attempt to build my own. I read the sticky above so I hope I provide all the information needed. I didn't choose the parts to my current system, but I put it together so I kinda have a good idea of what I need. The current system I have (to the best of my knowledge) is:

P4S5A2 ATX Intel Mothergoard Socket 423 400mhz fsb
Intel Pentium 4 1.7ghz
Aurora Geforce2 mx 400 64mb
OCZ 512mb sdram
maxtor 40gb 7200
Hp m50 15" monitor
Win 98 SE

I'm looking to build a pc that will be able to play the most recent games smoothly. And something I wont have to upgrade for quite some time. The parts im looking at right now are:

Motherboard: ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Video Card: HIS Hightech H195XTX512DVN-R Radeon X1950XTX 512MB GDDR4 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Support Video Card - Retail

PSU: Thermaltake toughpower W0105RU ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Power Supply - Retail

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail

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

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Monitor: Rosewill R912E Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail

What do you guys think of these parts? Although I kind of don't really want to exceed $2k USD, I can afford to. My current total is $1,825. I still need an os. I've been using win 98 for the past 8 years so I think its time for an upgrade x_X. What's the difference between xp home and professional? Also, can anyone recommend a case for this build? thanks in advance.

[jfk]

Looks good, but for the price on the PSU, I would MUCH prefer one of these two units:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104014

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104015

I think you will find both to be overall better quality than the TT for less $$$.

Also, I don't know much about Rosewill LCD's, but I can highly suggest Samsung and Viewsonic.

[glc]

I've never heard any major complaints about Rosewill LCD's - they are made by one of the major manufacturers. I suspect it may be an Acer.

You might consider a different brand for the video card - I try to stick with Sapphire, Powercolor, and Asus for ATI-based cards.

XP Home is all you need unless you need the advanced networking ability of Pro. That should cost you about $90.

Any name brand case that comes with no power supply should be fine unless it's DIRT cheap - those are usually flimsy and/or poorly constructed. Pick one that has the features you need, looks good to you, and has sufficient room for your stuff leaving room for some expansion and for proper cooling. I'd say if the case is less than $75 or so, check it out carefully.

What are you going to use for an optical drive? A Lite-On DVD burner will add about $35 to the tab.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by efaster PSU: Thermaltake toughpower W0105RU ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Power Supply - Retail What do you guys think of these parts?

You don't need a 700 watt power supply for that build. A good quality 550 watt PSU would be enough.

Originally Posted by efaster Also, can anyone recommend a case for this build?

Look at the Antec, Chenming, Cooler Master, Enlight, InWin, KingWin, Lian Li, Silverstone or Thermaltake cases.

Cricket

[12twelve12]

As glc stated the Rosewill LCD is a decent one but I have and highly recommend this one: (out of stock but eta is 9/29)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824179014

I have had it for about 8 months now and I love it. Great color, great black tones and zero ghosting. Height adjustment as well as tilt. Hyundai uses SAMSUNG displays by the way.

[newbuilder14]

Does 8ms response time let you get like 200fps?

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Does 8ms response time let you get like 200fps?

FPS doesn't relate to response time like that. The frame rate is determined by the video card. The response time on the monitor will determine if games blur on the screen or not. And anything under 16ms would be fine to prevent that.

[chuck4456]

Viewsonics do very well. I bought one and have it hooked up to my Smithfield. If you're going ATI Graphics, use Sapphire. I just installed my 4th to date, and they rock. Never a problem.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Do you plan on going crossfire? If yes then I would go with the Toughpower or something similar, But if your not then I would highly suggest the psu suggested by Cricket.

[efaster]

Thanks for all the replies =). I changed the brand of the video card to powercolor. I'm thinking I might go crossfire later on, but not at the moment. Shoud I stick with the psu I have or get the 550w? Decided to go with the Hyundai monitor. My optical drive will be a lite-one cd/dvd burner. I picked the following case for my system.

Thermaltake SOPRANO VB1000BWS Black Steel/Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Is there anything I'm missing that I might need like extra fans or something?

Question about XP...I read that if you try to oc or switch hardware that it will think you are trying to install it on a different system and you have to buy a new copy of it. Is that true?

[glc]

No, just upgrading common components won't be a problem - but a motherboard swap can cause activation problems.

Nice case.

[efaster]

hmm newegg has a combo deal with the processor and this power supply:

ENERMAX Liberty ELT620AWT ATX12V 620W Power Supply - Retail

It adds $50 to the tab. What do you think?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Should I go with my current psu or get the 550W?

Well if you plan on going crossfire then yes pick a psu appropriate. If not then go with something suitable for a single card setup..

And I would trust the Enermax liberty with a crossfire setup.

And your first choice, the toughpower thermaltake unit, will be great for crossfire too.