first time build, budget gamer

[wickety6]

I've decided to take the leap, and build for the first time. I'm trying to put together a budget gaming pc, under $1000. Heres what I have and I'd love some feedback.


Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750

Case/psu: Rosewill R604TBLK-N 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case+450W Power Supply

Video card: MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Ram: OCZ 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P800LP1G

Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

optical drive will be lifted from an old computer, as are peripherals (mouse/keyboard), monitor will be picked out later.

I'm not worried about the ram and hard drive, as they seem straightforward (i.e. hard to screw up), but a few questions on the rest:

1. How the heck do choose the motherboard? There are so many options, I chose one based on a comparison article, but I really don't know what makes one better than another, just know that it needs to fit your processor.

2. I like the processor for the money (I am on a budget). I have considered the quad 6600, but that would blow any remaining budget.

3. Am I crazy to get a psu/case combo? Its just so much cheaper. As with motherboards, there are so many options, I'm a little lost.

4. I know the geoforce 8800 is top of line, but i don't think I can afford it. the 8600 seems to be more bang for buck, still does 3D, and will run any game out right now (will it?). once i decide on 8600 v. 8800 what next? gt, gts? again lots of options.

Thanks for the feedback.

[das1988]

1. You choose the motherboard based on the features you want, if it will fit your case, if its compatible with all your parts, if its from a respected manufacturer and based on the reviews (does it DOA alot?).
That is, what will you be using your computer for, video editing, Firewire is a must, sound recording? Then make sure the audio input quality is at least 95dbs. Dual video cards? SLI How many USB ports do you want/need, etc.. features, compatability, manufacturers, reviews.

2. Games still seem to be most taxing on the video card, not so much so the CPU.

3. I don't have any personal exp. with case+psu combos, but its a good idea to get a quality PSU because it can fry your sytem, I think thats why its so stressed.

4. GT, GTS, Its like different versions of the same series, some are faster then others, you have to do individual research here I don't know NVIDIA's naming scheme. I'm quite certain the 8600GTS > 8600GT.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by wickety6 1. How the heck do choose the motherboard? There are so many options, I chose one based on a comparison article, but I really don't know what makes one better than another, just know that it needs to fit your processor.

We recommend ASUS motherboards here, mostly because they're top quality and run very stable and are very reliable. Gigabyte motherboards are okay, but they're a second tier manufacturer where ASUS is a top tier (think top quality vs. middle quality) so if you can afford it, get a ASUS motherboard. For the latest C2D processors look at the P5K series.

Originally Posted by wickety6 2. I like the processor for the money (I am on a budget). I have considered the quad 6600, but that would blow any remaining budget.

Stick with the E6750 C2D, it's a very good processor and the only reason to get a quad core is if you do lots of multitasking...most people don't do real multitasking, they might just have lots of windows open but that's not multitasking.

Originally Posted by wickety6 3. Am I crazy to get a psu/case combo? Its just so much cheaper. As with motherboards, there are so many options, I'm a little lost.

In this case, yes...it's not a good idea to get a Rosewill PSU with that Rosewill case...questionable quality. You always want to get the very best power supply you can afford as it's the most important component in your computer. You spend quite a bit on all the other components, you really don't want to go cheap and get a low quality power supply that may fry the other more expensive component if it should die suddenly and send a big surge to the rest of the system. The Rosewill case itself is probably fine but you don't want to use that power supply...get a good quality one and have peace of mind.

Originally Posted by wickety6 4. I know the geoforce 8800 is top of line, but i don't think I can afford it. the 8600 seems to be more bang for buck, still does 3D, and will run any game out right now (will it?). once i decide on 8600 v. 8800 what next? gt, gts? again lots of options.

Can't help you here...I'm not a gamer.

Cricket