My first Build

[Hoffren]

Greetings

I am building a new computer which will basically be used for gaming (EQ2, maybe Vanguard.) Before I begin buying things on Newegg I just wanted to check with everyone here to make sure i've got everything i need. I'm trying to stay right around the $1500-1700 range.

1. GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 LGA 775 Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
2. XFX PVT80GGHD9 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 GRAW Bundle HDCP Video Card - Retail (still may do the 640mb one)
3. OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V
4.Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
5. pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
6. Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Perpendicular Recording
7. Random case, CD/DVD drive, windows xp, sound card.

So what do you guys think of this build? Is their anything i can swap out for a lower price which will still allow me to play all current and future games?

Thanks for all the input

 

[alcattle]

1. Motherboard is not what you need, you won't be doing SLI. You can save money and get a better board like Gigabyte -DS3 or one of the Asus MB.
2. You can go with the 320 version and save without losing a lot. Games are not using all that memory. What monitor are you powering, and what resolution?
4. Make sure you have a HSF, OEM's do not come with one.
6. Good drive but will want more Space for data and media files.

 

[jeff_2087]

alcattle:

1. He might be going SLi in the future, the 680i will leave options open. And whether or not the DS3 is better anyway is highly debatable. The 680i is well known as a fast board and good at overclocking. Saving cash isn't a good reason to go down to the DS3, if he wants to save money he should lose the Raptor first.

2. That's true that games currently aren't using that memory at mid/low resolutions. At high resolutions, and possibly in future games, and definitely if he might consider adding another GTS in SLi later, he'd want the 640mb version.

OP:

Looks pretty good overall. Card somewhat depends on your monitor's resolution and if you'd consider going SLi in the future. About things you can swap out for a lower price, the Raptor would be the first to go. IMO they're a total waste of money outside of the video editing department. You'd boot Windows a few seconds faster, and get games to load slightly faster. There'd be no performance difference in playing games.

 

[Hoffren]

Made a few changes.

May still got with the 640mb card over the 320.

changed the hardrive

 

[jeff_2087]

Looks good, though the G965 version is a very poor overclocker. The P965, on the other hand, is a champion. So if you're overclocking, skip the G965 and get the P965.

If you're not overclocking, the G965 will do great, but you could possibly save money on DDR2 533 or 667 instead of 800 because there'd be no definite difference at stock speeds. But if 533/667 isn't much cheaper, or cheaper at all, DDR2 800 will work fine.

Also Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Perpendicular Recording is a bit cheaper and a bit faster than the ES, but nothing to write home about on either counts.

 

[Hoffren]

I'm Feeling pretty good about my current list. I totaled it up on newegg and it came out to around $1350. I will still need to get some software like windows XP, however. Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I probably won't be ordering for a few more days so if anyone has any last ideas let me know

One last question: can anyone recommend a good cooling fan?

 

[TenGig]

looks good. But if I were you I'd get a cheaper CPU (6300 or 4300). Spend the money saved on the 640mb 8800.

 

[Hoffren]

Well I just ordered everything and it should be here in 3 days! Thank you all for the help and i will let you know how it goes!