Help a Noob, $600-$800 for Gaming PC

[aduckie]

Hey,

I would really like to spend as much as possible on a high-end gaming PC, although my limit is somewhere in between $600-$800. I have built a PC in the past, but it's garbage right now. I have not been involved with computers for a while, so I was wondering if you guys could help me out.

I was thinking of getting an E6600, but those things are extremely expensive. I may be getting a GeForce 8800 for free because I am a member of the press, but that is unconfirmed for now.

Mainly, I want a system that will last me at least 2 years into Directx10. I also would like to play current games, like CS:S, WarRock, etc.

Multiplayer is a must, so I know I need a boatload of RAM for that.

My current system is:

Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.93GHz
512MB RAM
200 GB
NVIDIA GeForce 6200
IBM G70
Creative Sound Blaster PCI
ASUS P4P800X Motherboard

Yea, it's a crap AGP system. I'll just move this to the other room and get rid of my Pentium III 533mhz.

So, any tips guys? Thanks so much.

 

[asusman]

C2D E4300 overclocked to 3.0 or so
P965 chipset motherboard
2 GB RAM
700 watt brand name psu
8800 vid card

It's not rocket science.

 

[aduckie]

C2D E4300 overclocked to 3.0 or so
P965 chipset motherboard
2 GB RAM
700 watt brand name psu
8800 vid card

It's not rocket science.

Could you tell me if I need a different heatsink, and what type of RAM is the best? There are so many different RAM types.

Also, which 8800 is the best? Should I wait for the budget dx10 cards?

 

[lordaardvark2]

Could you tell me if I need a different heatsink, and what type of RAM is the best? There are so many different RAM types.

Also, which 8800 is the best? Should I wait for the budget dx10 cards?

as a poor highschool student, i'll be going for a very similar build in just a bit... as in April when the intel price drops come. if you haven't heard of them, the e4300 that was recommended previously will fall from ~$160 now to $113, which will be AWESOME.

the 4300, and any other c2d for that matter, is an amazing overclocker... i bet you know that too. anyway, lots of people have a ton of success with just the stock heatsink/fan, so i wouldn't worry too much about that... one place i'm going to try to cut costs

i'd like to show you the components i'm looking at but i don't have them bookmarked on this compy... sorry... but to address your gpu questions, i'd definately wait a bit on that too; ati is supposedly doing a full launch (with low, med and high parts), and the awesome-sounding 8600 ultra is due soon, so those are some dx10 parts to be on the watch for.

good luck w/ your build!

 

[aduckie]

Thanks man, I guess I'll wait it out and buy a Wii until all the good/cheap stuff comes out.

 

[lordaardvark2]

awh man, i've been trying to find a wii since before christmas! they're always out, and they can't hold one for me... its awful! my bro and i want one sooo bad... urgh. i hope you can have better luck finding one than i! :lol:

yeah, well for the specific specs of your upcoming build, i'd say probably use the gigabyte ds3, its a GREAT board, some people can get 500 fsb w/ it 8O :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

and then of course the e4300 once its price drops:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

and yeah, you could probably get a gig of either ddr2 667 or ddr2 800, and a nice new dx10 card, and be super-good to go...! that SHOULD be in the budget... it better be, because thats what i want for about the same price

anyways april/may is supposed to be the magical time for release dates and price drops... have fun till then...!

 

[aduckie]

If you want a Wii, Target is getting around 20-60 a store tomorrow. Better line up!

 

[lordaardvark2]

8O

*gets in line now*

:lol:

crap the closest one is in savannah... too long for a sunday drive when i have a project due... so close...! i want a wii!

thanks tho, gettin me all excited for nothing j/k

 

[dragonsprayer]

look for a really good deal on ebay -then add a new gpu and maybe a psu. you can get huge deals on used systems with nice Case, cpu's and ram.

i just picked up a g5 shuttle although its ancient 915 chips set it came with vista home premium retail! 1 gig ram, 150 gig hdd, 6600 gpu - sure its got a celeron d but for my im and homework only daughter what a steal! it was just built too looks brnad new.

the barebones is $300 alone. i paid $400 for it.