New PC components...same case.

[Colb]

I am thinking about a new build for many reasons. One is that i game every now and then, and would like to be able to run Oblivion with average to above average settings. My current PC is over 3 yeras old.

What I am looking at:
CPU: C2D...guessing a E6300 and overclock it.(guessing I can spend for a pricy cpu in the future)
MoBo: not sure if I need top of the line($400...?) or the $200 ones?
Ram: looking for 2Gb of something, not sure what speed I need
Video: if i can shell out the dough.....a lower end 8800(not looking to do sli)
PS: something that can power this rig and fit in my case(see below)

I allready have a case, hard drive, DVD.

So I need a little help on the mobo, ram, and PS. I have never been a big overclocker, but will I need a higher speed RAM if i plan on overclocking the C2D? Gaming Mobo....is it worth the high price? PS, it seems that most PS are made now with a top mounted fan, which my case does not have a hole for....and I am not cutting.....lol

Any help? And am I heading in the right direction considering I want to run Oblivion with good visuals?

[flanzig1]

CPU: C2d E6300
Mobo: Asus P5B series/pick one with the options you need
Video Card: get a place holder until more DX10 cards are out: Nvidia 7600GS
Ram: Corsair Value Select DDR2 667 or XMS2 800 CAS 5 for big OC.
PSU: an XClio 450BL will power the above,if wanting 8800 then something around 550W.
As for the fan on top, it's actually on the bottom, they just take the pictures with the fan up to show the 2 fans.

[maxnik]

ASUS P5B-E Motherboard - $150
P5B boards seem to be proven reliable boards at this time
Corsair 2GB XMS2 - RAM on sale $164
This is very good RAM for the money and overclockable too.
FSP 500W PSU -$85

most people get Geforce 7600 Video card for about $90 and wait till DX10 dust settles and prices come down.
I have xClio PSU with fan on top and it's fine.
Actually you can look at my signature and get most info.

[Colb]

Thanks for the info.

For the 7600, which one at newegg would give me the best performance?
GT or GS?

I do intend of getting a better card eventually, so should I be looking at a 550+, or will a good 500 do?

Also, will a higher clocked single core give me a better bang for my buck, considering the C2D are dropping in price in about 2 months and that I almost never run more than 1 app at a time?

[glc]

The fans you see are actually on the bottom - the pics show it upside down so you can see the internal fan. Definitely junk that Apevia PSU. If you want to totally futureproof yourself, spend the bucks on a Corsair 520HX.

The 7600GT outperforms the 7600GS.

[Colb]

OK, see if yall can check out this wish list.

Is the 680i chipset mainly for sli? Or is it also the best gaming chipset out there? I don’t need sli, but I do want the best future proof chipset.

I am thinking about going with that P4 for the same reason I am going with the 7600GT.....to upgrade later. I really don’t need to upgrade now, but considering is it quickly becoming bogged down too easily, an upgrade in the near future is a necessity.
I know the 7600GT is a pretty good jump from my current 9700pro, but will the P4 be able to push it?

So now it narrows down to my motherboard chipset question, and the choice to go with a C2D 6300 or the cheap P4.

[glc]

The P965 is the best chipset for P4/P-D/C2D right now. Even a Celeron-D can "push" a 7600GT, that's not an issue. If you don't want a C2D right now, get a P-D 915 or 925, that's the most bang for the buck. If you can wait till the end of April, C2D prices are going to drop significantly and lower end processors based on C2D will be coming out.

Your wish list is not public - its asking for a login.

[Colb]

ok, that clears things up. Thanks for the help.