1st build

[Coulter45]

I want to attempt to build my first computer. I am looking for a machine for primarily gaming and media. I would like to keep it to under about 1300. This is what I have so far.

Motherboard
ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Video Card
BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSOCE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 OC HDCP Video Card - Retail

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

Ram
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 -


PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply - Retail

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

Optical drive
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM

Case
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -


Thanks ahead of time

[minsonngo]

Looks good. You did your research.


The Corsair you picked out is overkill... go with the 520 watt version here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001



All you need if you do not already have it is a good monitor... keyboard and mouse... surge protector... and the OS.

Take a look at Samsung or Acer if your looking for good monitors. They provide a good bang for the buck.

As for the surge protector... APC or Tripp-Lite are good.

OS... we advise sticking with XP for now until Microsoft releases the first service pack for Vista.

[Staren]

You really did your research before posting. That is almost the exact system I'd spec for the price. I would go ahead and switch to the 520HX as minsonngo already suggested. 520 watts is more then enough for a single card set-up even if you add a storage hard drive or two.

You might want to look at the 8800GTS made by EVGA. It's just as good quality but little cheaper at Newegg and could save you a little extra cash.

[DarkPacMan77]

This is rather similar to the build I am considering myself. I will post it soon.

-DarkPacMan77-

[Bwentali]

heh, this actually is my build.

Case is different but that usually comes down to style anyways.

[Coulter45]

If you build it let me know how it turns out. I don't have a sound card that is something that I do not need correct? Will this build handle a game like Crysis when it comes out? The monitor I am looking at is

AL2223Wd Black-Silver 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 800:1 Built in Speakers - Retail

Will this display in high def?

Thanks again for all the help/

[blue60007]

The motherboard has onboard sound so you are covered there. Will it handle Crysis? It's hard to tell since the game isn't out. It should play it no problem but it looks like it'll be a very demanding game on maxed out settings.

What exactly do you mean by high def? The monitor's native resolution is 1680x1050. It doesn't look the monitor has connections for a directly connecting a high def TV feed... Are you asking about high definition movies (HD-DVD, Bluray)?

[jer888]

the motherboard has a sound card built in. That should be adequete.
Yeah that should play DX10 games fine.

That moniter will work but this one would be better for gaming.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001096

It is more expensive, but it has a better response time which is important for gaming and a better contrast ratio. It dosent have built in speakers though so you would need to pick up some. Get 2.1 speakers (2 speakers and a subwoofer)

As far as HD, the samsung is HDCP so it will be able to display copyright protected movies like blu ray and hd dvd. The acer I can't tell from the newegg specs but it may be.

[minsonngo]

Here are some Acers with HDCP support too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009094

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009111

[blue60007]

HDCP is the important thing to look for if you want to play HD movies.

To me, the Acer X222Wbd and the SAMSUNG 226BW look like the best choices. The Acer has a glossy screen and might be a turn-off though. Otherwise the specs look identical.

[Bwentali]

Originally Posted by Coulter45 If you build it let me know how it turns out.

that is a can-do boss. I got all parts on order and items should arrive around friday by my estimates. Enough time to re-study assembly and dream about the new hotness in the mail.

I will have to keep results posted in my first post however, I will try to get pics up and describe the process, but that is a 50/50 shot (dang you lazyness!)