Extreme Gaming Computer- Need some help

[shemer77]

Hello,
Well this is my first time building a computer and I need some help. Im running on a budget where I want to get the top parts but try and spend as least money as I can. I found some stuff and was hoping that you guys could tell me if these parts work with each other and some other reccomendations.
Case - 60$
Power - 14$ This comes with the case. Its a 450W power supply is that enough?
Processor 1,345$ Should I have this or is there something better?
MotherBoard 209$
Ram Is this good or should i get 4gb?
Graphics Card 399$
Hard Drive 100$
Optical Drive 50$

One thing im not sure though is if these are all compatibable. Thanks a lot for helping.

[LeftyAce]

Okay, can you let us know your approximate budget? Although for the cost of that processor alone you could build a machine that will easily handle any current game on maximum settings.

The most important thing that everyone overlooks is the powersupply. A good one is going to cost closer to $100, but a bad one can at best cause instability, and at worst die and take other expensive components with it. Here's our recommended list: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

The 520W Corsair unit should be plenty (and is good quality and looks slick): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%2b520
but if you want some upgrade headroom for a more power hungry video card in the future, get the 620W model: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%2b620

I'd start with an Intel Core2Duo e6600 or Core2Quad q6600. The q6600 is going to drop to $266 on the 22nd, btw.

We generally recommend ASUS motherboards for their superior reliability/stability. Take a look at the P5K line.

2GB of ram is fine, but get a dual channel kit (2x1GB). If you don't plan on overclocking, DDR2 800 ram is fine. This would be good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...eselect%2bddr2

32 bit operating systems recognize between 2.75 and 3.5 GB of ram if you put 4GB in the system. 2GB is plenty for any game out there right now.

With the downgraded processor, you could afford to get the 8800GTX graphics card...we recommend eVga, as they're who supplies the engineering prototypes to nVidia; they're good quality :-)

Here's a cheaper lite on drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057

You want SATA interface for a modern motherboard.

From everything I've read, the raptors aren't much faster than the new Seagate 7200.10 drives. Here's 320GB for $80: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...gate%2b7200.10

Lastly, I'd suggest ordering all your parts from the same place, and NOT ebay. Newegg has superb customer support, and good prices.

[shemer77]

Hey thanks Ill check that out. My price limit is 1000-1500$ Also im gonna be running XP till Vista sorts out all its bugs. I updated the stuff see if these work out.
Case - 60$
Power - 170$ Processor 475$
MotherBoard 144$
Ram 80$
Graphics Card 399$
Hard Drive 80$
Optical Drive 37$

Not sure though is if these are all compatibable. Thanks a lot for helping.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Im not sure if I would wholeheartedly suggest that case. If you must have bling, I would rather suggest a Thermaltake case.

The Corsair 520w here is only $95 with free shipping and will handle your setup with power to spare.

I would wait until July 22nd when the Q6600 will be dropped down to $266 (OEM Bulk). Save a good bit of cash.

Is there any reason why you need a motherboard with onboard video? A P5K would be better suited to your needs, faster too.

I personally prefer Evga branded cards. Good support.

Everything else looks good.

[LeftyAce]

Good idea to wait for vista.
Don't forget to buy a copy of XP though! Home edition should be fine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116056

Mr.Ferrari has a good point on the motherboard.

The rest of that looks good, and comes to almost $1500 by my count. If you can wait 'till July 22, the quad core will go down to $266, so your total will be closer to 1300. Otherwise, do you have keyboard, mouse, and monitor? I think you're just about set.

[shemer77]

Hey thanks a lot guys. Yea I already have everything else including xp and vista. I have some basic know how of how to build computers since all my friends and family builds computers. However I was wondering if anybody had a really indepth guide on how to build one so i can put these all together and NOT SCREW UP.
EDIT: What motherboard would you guys reccomend? Also what case?
BTW I am going to wait till the price comes down.

[Jimmy0]

For the motherboard I would suggest just the plain P5K or possibly the Deluxe.

For the case perhaps an Antec P180 (or 180B), or perhaps something like a Cooler Master one, or a Thermaltake case.

[freakitchen]

Take a look at these guides as a starting point:

http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html

http://www.mysuperpc.com/build.shtml

The author of the latter link tries to make parts recommendations, you can safely ignore them

Mr Ferrari has already recommended the ASUS P5K motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180

[shemer77]

thanks guys this helped a lot. Just one last question. Are these all compatibable cuz I would be in a lot of trouble if like something dosent work with something else or if it dosent fit into the case.

[LeftyAce]

Yes, all is compatible.