Looking to make a $1000-1500 PC

[Tudd]

Hey, I'm looking into building a new computer for myself. I plan on using the computer mainly for gaming, but also use it somewhat for graphics work. I can recycle my monitor, keyboard, and mouse so those don't have to be added, but as for everything else I'm pretty new to, so I'm gonna need some help. I want it to run games like WoW, CS, and BF smoothly and also be able to run other applications at the same time (say having WoW open, listening to music, and looking at thottbot.com). As I said in the topic, I would want it to be somewhere in the $1000-1500 range.
If anyone wants to throw out some links from Newegg to get me started that would be awesome! Thanks for the help.

I like the look and simplicity of http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119077 so if you could work from this that would be great...or if you have a different set up I'd be open to that too!

[jer888]

heres a start. you'll still need to pick a video card

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M sharing L2 Cache = $309.00

Motherboard: ASUS P5B = $128.99

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB = $305.00 ($265.00 after $40.00 rebate)

PSU: Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-450 ATX12V 450W Power Supply =$59.99

Optical 1: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM = $18.99

Optical 2: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE = $30.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s =$79.99

that all comes to 933$ before rebate

for the case, if you like simplicity and functionality i would go with
Antec Performance One P180B but the case is more of a personal thing

[Tudd]

Wow, thanks a lot...I actually do like that case that you linked, it is very clean and black, which is nice. As for a graphics card what would you recommend (ATI vs. nVidia?). I'm thinking something between $150-300 would be good, possibly a 512mb one too.

[chuck4456]

Let's change that a little:
INTEL C2D E6600
ASUS P5B DELUXE or ABIT AW9D MAX
CORSAIR XMS PC6400 2GB
SAPPHIRE X1950PRO Video Card
SEAGATE 7200.10 250GB SATA 16mb PRT HD
PC POWER & COOLING SILENCER 750 PSU
and the LITE ON of course...................

[Tudd]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 Let's change that a little: INTEL C2D E6600 ASUS P5B DELUXE or ABIT AW9D MAX CORSAIR XMS PC6400 2GB SAPPHIRE X1950PRO Video Card SEAGATE 7200.10 250GB SATA 16mb PRT HD PC POWER & COOLING SILENCER 750 PSU and the LITE ON of course...................

From what I read on Newegg, the graphics card you suggested had a problem with over heating and then rebooting the computer. This may not be the case with everyone, but I'm not sure if I would want to take the chance. As for everything else what kind of price range are we looking at? and what does yours have that jer888's doesn't?

[chuck4456]

That was one review. SAPPHIRE's are quite reliable and perform very well. If you case cooling is the way that it's supposed to be, you will have no problems. The guy probably had a lousy POWER SUPPLY. I did forget to add this. Mine is offering you a 2 video card option. Ya never know.

[Tudd]

Well I really appreciate the help, i'll just have to look into it a little tomorrow and then hopefully I can order it. Another noob question i have is, what about a sound card? and is there a big difference between a DDR3 256 and DDR2/3 512?

[glc]

Use the onboard sound - you can always add a sound card later. I would not spend big bucks on a video card right now - get a decent midrange 256mb card because you will have to upgrade later to be fully DirectX10-compliant. Something in the X1950 Pro class would be a great choice.

Carefully research components to save money - example, you do not need super fast ram unless you plan on overclocking. You can even use DDR2-667 value ram in that build without hurting performance at stock processor speeds. The baseline P5B motherboard is good enough, no real reason to spend more money on a Deluxe. All you need is one optical drive - and I recommend the SATA version of the Lite-On DVD burner. A PC P&C power supply is outstanding, but not necessary. If you get the Antec P180, you must have a power supply that's not physically oversize and that has long cables due to its mounting location - I'd probably get an Antec Neo HE or a Seasonic S12 in the 500 watt range.

[andper10]

Yes, if you look at the Sapphire forums, that X1950Pro video card has some serious overheating problems. They released an "ultimate version" of it with a Zalman HSF because of the overheating: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102070 . If you are looking for a good midrange placeholder video card, the X1900GT is a steal right now ($135; normally around $200) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102022 . Just pick a case that you like. Go for a Seagate 7200.10 HD w/ 16MB Cache. You might want to look into an X1950XTX or an 8800GTS. I would recommend:

$309 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003
$129 - ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030
$95 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140
$430 - eVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130071
$31 - LITE-ON Black 16X DVD... - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106013 - I haven't used a SATA Version, but if glc likes it, then I would definitely look into it.
$208 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098
$90 - Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116169
$120 - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001
$130 - Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129017

That is $1542 before shipping, so if you want to get an X1950XTX or even X1950XT, that would help the price. You could also go with the first case that you mentoined. A case is really a personal choice. Just choose one that you like the look and features of. Enjoy your build!

[Jimmy0]

I wouldn't bother going with an 8800 GTS yet, I would wait till sometime next year before getting one of the new DirectX10 cards.

[chuck4456]

I agree with GLC on the P5B and the SeaSonic PSU. He's right about the RAM too. If you're not going to overclock, go with the VS 2GB. The X1900GT is a steal (right now) because it's a second, slower revision. It's junk. I'd go with the X1950XT. Video cards are by nature, hot. Video card overheating is caused by poor case management, the majority of the time. If the video card has a little room to breath, and your case ventilation is well-planned, you shouldn't have an overheating issue with a video card. Most overheating with any component is caused by improper installation techniques, and lousy assembly.

[Tudd]

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate all the help and effort you've given. I'm just going to look over a couple more things and hopefully get an order off tonight or tomorrow after I take a little more time choosing! Again, much thanks to all who have helped, but I may have a question or two more in a bit when I start to look at things again.

[jer888]

and if you get the P180 case, you defiantly shouldn't have any problems with overheating with some moderate cable management and cleaning periodically

[andper10]

Your friend will save money if he just orders everything at once because of the shipping charges. But if he really needs to spend it before it "sprouts legs and walks away", then I guess that it is ok.

[glc]

The new comparison ratings are now out at Tom's Hardware - the best gaming cards under $200 are now all Nvidia across the board - under $100 is the 7600GS, $130 is the 7600GT, and $180 is the 7900GS. ATI takes top honors in the next pricing tier and Nvidia takes over again at the very top end. Even a 7600GS will do okay and make an excellent placeholder card till the DX10 dust clears. I'd do that and put a new DX10 card and a copy of Vista on your Xmas list for *next* year. The less you spend on this thing now, the more impressed your dad will be - and that bodes better for future upgrades.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/12/...for_the_money/

[Smidget]

Originally Posted by glc Use the onboard sound - you can always add a sound card later. I would not spend big bucks on a video card right now - get a decent midrange 256mb card because you will have to upgrade later to be fully DirectX10-compliant. Something in the X1950 Pro class would be a great choice. .

So, if I'm reading this right, there will be new DirectX10 compliant video cards? When will those be out?

[Alaron]

Yes, technically they are out now. The Geforce 8800 series is DX10 compatible. But as the new year goes on, more and more cards will come out.

[Smidget]

Thx.

Any info on when prices will start dropping for those cards?