New member, new build.

[Zephyr]

Hi. Well, this is gonna be my first computer build here so please help me out. Well, I have a few questions if you don't mind answering them.

Is sli right for me? I mean, the games I'll probably play are counter-strike and probably a few new games.

When is the nvidia 8 series coming out?

What are some good brand names for nvidia video cards and Lcd monitors?

I'm kinda on a budget (at most, $1300) but this is gonna be my build. I'm not planning to upgrade anything anytime soon (Well, but maybe my processor and video card).

amd x2 4000

Ultra X-2 connect 550 power supply (Should I keep this or but a ocz gamexstream instead?)

Asus crosshair

Artic Freezer Pro 64

Corsair ddr2-800 twin2x2048-6400 C4

Seagate 7200.10 250 gigs 16 mb

Nvidia geforce 7600 Gt

*need a lcd monitor suggestion*

*need a dvd burner and dvd player suggestion*

If you have any recommendations I'll be glad to listen.

 

[sirheck]

no you dont need sli but an sli capable mobo is good
you can always add later the 76gt will play all games fine

not at max settings but at medium and high settings

as for nvidia brands go with
<evga,xfx,asus pny,bfg,or any other> it really doesnt matter

for the power supply as good a quality as you can afford

and monitors a 19 inch is fine just make sure and understand
what the native resolution is <1280x1076 or 1600x900>ect
you want to run your videocard at the nativeresolution of the monitor
for best results the higher the better.

but the higher resolution will drop your frame rate in gaming

 

[towely]

The "sweet spot" for LCDs seems to be in the 19" segment right now. You can cop a pretty decent one for 200-300 bucks CAD or so.

SLI only makes sense if you have like a 24 or 30" LCD.

 

[f1nal_0men]

Hi. Well, this is gonna be my first computer build here so please help me out. Well, I have a few questions if you don't mind answering them.

Is sli right for me? I mean, the games I'll probably play are counter-strike and probably a few new games.

When is the nvidia 8 series coming out?

What are some good brand names for nvidia video cards and Lcd monitors?

I'm kinda on a budget (at most, $1300) but this is gonna be my build. I'm not planning to upgrade anything anytime soon (Well, but maybe my processor and video card).

amd x2 4000

Ultra X-2 connect 550 power supply (Should I keep this or but a ocz gamexstream instead?)

Asus crosshair

Artic Freezer Pro 64

Corsair ddr2-800 twin2x2048-6400 C4

Seagate 7200.10 250 gigs 16 mb

Nvidia geforce 7600 Gt

*need a lcd monitor suggestion*

*need a dvd burner and dvd player suggestion*

If you have any recommendations I'll be glad to listen.

SLI isn't worth the money. Unless you want the absolute best SLI isn't worth the money. An SLI capable motherboard isn't a bad idea at all though.

Nvidia's, or ATI's for the matter, next gen cards could be out as soon as september or as late as Q2 of next year... No one can tell forsure. It's not worth waiting for it.

Good processor but your better off with Core 2 Duo wich is Intel's new processor. Google some benchmarks and decide for yourself. If you really want AMD then the 4200+ is the best price/performance dual core currently.

The 'Ultra' power supplies are more flash than quality, I recommend the OCZ gamexstrem like you mentioned. The 600 watt model will suffice.

The rest of the build looks good. What kind of case are you going to be using? And good quality dvd drives brand is Lite-on. They are really affordable, although most brands are good. Sony, LG, BenQ... Plextor is the Porsche of the cd/dvd drives.

 

[Zephyr]

Thanks guys. Well, I guess I'll stick with my build then. Oh and I'm building the computer with the Ultra Aluminus case. Is there anything wrong with the case?
I did some research about the core 2 duos processors. I'm sort of a amd fanboy so that's why I having faith that amd would come up with something better. But I have to admit, intel did come a long way...
Well, thanks for the suggestions about the 19 inch monitors but I don't think i can afford at teh moment. But are there any brand names I should look out for? I mean, my 17 inch Sharp monitor recently died on me.

Ultra Aluminus Case

amd x2 4000 or x2 4200

OCZ 600 watts gamexsteam

Asus crosshair

Artic Freezer Pro 64 (Cpu cooler)

Corsair ddr2-800 twin2x2048-6400 C4

Seagate 7200.10 250 gigs 16 mb

Evga Nvidia geforce 7600 Gt

*need a lcd monitor suggestion*

*Lite-ons or Pioneer dvd drives*

If you have any recommendations I'll be glad to listen.

 

[f1nal_0men]

As far as monitors go, every brand can make premium monitors and every brand can make complete crap. Do some research and look read opinons and reviews. I honostly can't give you a legit suggestion since monitors aren't my thing.

As far as your case goes, can you give me a link since "ultra aluminum" is a little generic and I can't find exactly what case you mean. I have heard of Ultra, and again they are just for looks and there quality is sub-par. If your on a tight budget for a case you could go with Cooler Master, Antec, Thermaltake, even Lian-Li... Here are a few cases I recommend...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119074
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119075
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112099
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133165

Those are just a few recommendations, there are alot of good cases out there. Do your research, if you can buy aluminum (most of these cases are steel) then get it, aluminum is lighter and dissipates heat better. Also remember, you get what you pay for.

 

[Zephyr]

Well, here's the site where I bought my case.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1215768&Tab=0&NoMapp=0

Here's a review.

http://techgage.com/article/ultra_aluminus

If you want to look at more reviews, go to yahoo and type "Ultra Aluminus review"

Ultra Aluminus Case

amd x2 4000 or x2 4200

OCZ 600 watts gamexsteam

Asus crosshair

Artic Freezer Pro 64 (Cpu cooler)

Corsair ddr2-800 twin2x2048-6400 C4

Seagate 7200.10 250 gigs 16 mb

Evga Nvidia geforce 7600 Gt

*need a lcd monitor suggestion*

*Lite-ons or Pioneer dvd drives*

If you have any recommendations I'll be glad to listen.