1st build for Graduation Project

[mr.addison]

Hey guys, i've decided to build a computer for my graduation project this year and got a couple questions that i hope can be answered. First off, I should you know I have a pretty good understanding of computers otherwise I wouldn't have gotten myself into this. I've also been looking through this forum and saw many combinations of what hardware and obviously its personal preference and what you will be using the computer for, but my question is, are there a lot of compatibility issues with today's hardware? I'm also not looking to put any more than $600-700 into it and if possible to make it a decent gaming machine, so If anyone can get me started off with some hardware recommendations and some answers to my questions that would be great. Thanks in advance, Addison.

[m4gery]

there aren't a lot of hardware compatibility problems usually as long as you know what parts you're choosing. is the $600-$700 budget including the monitor before we suggest anything?

[mr.addison]

Originally Posted by m4gery there aren't a lot of hardware compatibility problems usually as long as you know what parts you're choosing. is the $600-$700 budget including the monitor before we suggest anything?

no, already got one lined up for it

[drummerboy92]

$700 is a pretty tight budget for a gaming machine if you want it to play current games. You sure you can't get ahold of a few extra dollars?

[mr.addison]

Originally Posted by drummerboy92 $700 is a pretty tight budget for a gaming machine if you want it to play current games. You sure you can't get ahold of a few extra dollars?

yea, if $700 can't do the job I probably won't lean toward a gaming setup, its only my first build and I'm trying to just see if this is something I may be interested in for my future. So lets just stick to a basic build.

[drummerboy92]

Case: Cooler Master $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068

Harddrive: Seagate 320 GB 7200.10 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

Video Card: EVGA 7600gt $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115013

Optical Drive: Lite-On CD/DVD Burner $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

RAM: Corsair 2GB DDR2 675 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145015

Motherboard: Asus P5K $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180

Operating System: Windows XP Home OEM $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Pack%2b-%2bOEM

Power Supply: OCZ 600W $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

The total is $765 but I know someone can find a cheaper power supply. I just can't find a cheap one I'm willing to recommend. This computer probably won't play games coming out now, but games that came out a few months ago it should be able to play on low settings. It has a very good upgrade path.

[mr.addison]

thanks a lot drummer, now that i least have base for a build I can research a bit more

[jer888]

That power supply is overkill for that build. Look at something cheaper from FSP, Antec, or Xcilo.

[Katreat]

Drum posted a good list and the only shortcomming to that system for current games is the video card. Unfortately, a video card to play newer games will eat half you budget. But with that system you would have an easy upgrade path.

If you can squeze $50 more from somewhere you could go with a Radion x1950 that will play most anything today at under $200. It wont do 10x, but most new games will be backward compatible with 9x for years to come and it has screaming speed.

Kat

[mr.addison]

thanks guys for all your input