HELP!! BUILDING NEW SYSTEM FROM SCRATCH!

[betrayer_]

I know this topic has probly been posted like a bezillion times bt i need some advice on this topic fast. so plz bear with me.

anyways, Im plannin to build a new system that will last, say...2 years.
I'm havin a hard time deciding wether to go nvidia or ati.

My current target is:
intel core 2 duo E6400
cant decide on a mobo
mushkin DDR2 800 RAM (1G)
Maxtor 250G sata2 16mb cache
7950gx or x1950xtx (single card)
enermax 620watt psu

AND my target budget is around $2000

Really appreciate ur help. thanx

 

[SciPunk]

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Building-comp-gaming-ftopict201515.html

Oughta get you started.

 

[purdueguy]

I am assuming that you meant the 7950GX2 since you mention the X1950XTX. Take a look at these benchmarks.

I do not currently recommend either. Wait until Monday when supposedly Newegg is getting a new shipment of MSI X1900XTX video cards. This is the best bang for the buck at $284 after MIR. Otherwise get an X1900XT 256MB for around $230 and save the 300 bucks for a DX10 card over the 7950GX2.

Edit: Meant to say E6600, not E6700.

Since your budget is 2 grand, I would get an E6600 instead of the E6400.

Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe/WIFI-AP

Everything else looks good.

Do you already have a case picked out?

 

[cptblackeye]

Step up to the e6600 processor. The previuosly recommended Asus board is good. Go for 2GB of ram, you'll be glad you did. I like this ram from Crucial for $237 if you want DDR2 800. I personally have this Patriot DDR2 667 kit for $179, great ram for the price. Skip the Maxtor and go for the better performing and more reliable Seagate 320GB 3.0Gb/s for $95. If your into serious gaming, go for a top line vid card (can't reccomend one) otherwise get a 7600GT for less than $150. I have this Gigabyte 7600GT silent pipe for $150 but the BFG 7600GT is a recommended card for only $114.
Good luck with your build.
BTW - tell us how you plan to use this rig so we can guide you a little better. Also, I prefer to use 2 HDD's, one for OS and apps and the other for data.

 

[betrayer_]

I'll mainly b using this 4 gamin and 3d animations

 

[ArbY]

Do you plan to overclock? Would you like to have the option of overclocking in the future?

If you answer No to both of these, you can save some money on memory straight off.