I want to build my own gaming PC that will be able to run next generation games such as Crysis and UT3. I plan on using the guide on this site to help me put together the computer. My budget is $2000 tops, not including monitor. I have a few questions:

* is it a good idea for a hardware noob to build his own PC from scratch?
* is it possible to combine a 8800 GTS with an eventual 8800 GTX on an SLI mobo?
*if I have windows XP on my old Dell computer can I install it on the new PC, and if not, should I get Windows Vista?

If anybody could take the time to make a suggestion on a setup for me, that would be awesome. I totally understand if a lot of threads like mine pop up and nobody wants to answer!

here is a wish list I made on newegg, does this look good? what else do I need?

Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: P180
Item #: N82E16811129154

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$124.99 $124.99

Update EVGA 122-CK-NF63-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: 122-CK-NF63-TR
Item #: N82E16813188011

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$229.99 $229.99

Update EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SUPERCLOCKED HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: 640-P2-N825-AR
Item #: N82E16814130080

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$409.99 $409.99

Update Thermaltake Toughpower W0128RU ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: W0128RU
Item #: N82E16817153040

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$149.99 $149.99

Update Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

In Stock
$313.00 $313.00

Update mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996533 - Retail
Model #: 996533
Item #: N82E16820146673

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$224.99 $224.99

Update Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$89.99 $89.99

Update NEC 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Silver E-IDE / ATAPI Model 7170A-0S - OEM
Model #: 7170A-0S
Item #: N82E16827152077

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$30.99 $30.99

Update Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #: 70SB073A00000
Item #: N82E16829102006

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$89.99 -$20.00 Instant $69.99

Update Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
Item #: N82E16835100007

Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy

In Stock
$5.99 $5.99

Update ZALMAN 9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #: 9700 LED
Item #: N82E16835118019

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$79.99 -$20.00 Instant $59.99
Subtotal: $1,709.90

First, Welcome to the Forum.
* Yes anyone can build a PC, with good advise and patience.
* no, you cannot mix cards and hope they will run in SLI. Could happen, I doubt it. Also the GTX is such a kick ass card, it will run almost anything for forseeable future.
* No, Dell versions of XP will only work with a Dell BIOS chip, you are better off with a new version of XP with the Upgrade coupon for Vista.

What do you need our advice for, you picked a great set of parts. small tweeks might be there but you have a killer rig planned.

thanks alcattle,
basically I just want to make sure I have everything needed on this list to build the complete PC aside from monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse. I am also concerned with compatability and future ability for upgrades (hence the SLI mobo).

I just don't want to order everything and find out something isnt compatable. I want to make sure my first PC build goes smoothly

1. Well, there's a first time for everything.
2. No. Must be identical model.
3. Most likely not as OEM PC makers implement some hardware checking mechanism on the install disk so that it installs only on the original computer. You can try. But I strongly sugguest you take advantage of this new build & get one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116169
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116171

OEM Windows + free update to Vista.

BTW, your list looks very hot. They're compatible with each other.

A little advice on that case. I just completed a mid-range build with the black version of that case. It looked something like:

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200JS 320GB
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz
DFI INFINITY NF ULTRAII-M2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB
FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX400-PA
SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Antec Performance One P180B Black

I was a little under-whelmed by the case. It is quite quiet, except for a high-pitched whine that comes from the 120mm fans that are included. It's quiet, and not intrusive to me at all. The fans don't connect to a fanbus or anything like that, either, there's just switches hanging off of them to choose the speed. Oh, yeah, and the optical drives are not acoustically isolated, just HDD and PSU.

The MOST important thing to remember is that the PSU goes at the bottom back of the case. If the power connectors on your board are at the top front, you'll probably need extensions for the ATX block (like I did ). Make sure your PS has LONG cables. I'm REALLY not kidding. Really.

Or, have a look at some other cases. If I had it to do over again, I'd have looked at something from Lian-Li and spent a little more for something with heat-reactive or front-fanbus-controlled fans.

Also, I know it says that there are no sharp edges on the Antec case, but there's this cage that you mount the power supply in (acousticly isolating it by not screwing it directly into the case). That mother is SHARP. I actually used it to open some packaging on the other components I got. That plus the fact that where the PSU comes through the back of the case is riddled with unfinished, sharp, kinda perforated sheet metal fingers (they didn't just cut a smooth hole out of the back of the case for some reason) that scratched me pretty good, too.

Other than that, it's a great case.

You can do alot for 2,000.

My suggestion buy a good PSU and good Case to accomodate future upgrades. But don't overspend on PSU and Case! Silverstone cases and PC Power and Cooling PSU are too expensive!

Case: Cooler Master Stacker 830/832, This will accomodate any motherboard, PSU, and long graphics card with no problem - have lots of room for fans for good airflow. Also have removable mobo try, aluminum finish, and lots of expansion bays. You can also try the Thermaltake Armor series which is a bit cheaper.

~$230-260 CM Stacker 830/830 evolution/832 depending on which e-tailer you look at.

PSU: You want at least 700W. Don't have to be modular, but of high quality. Seasonic, BFGs, Hiper, Thermaltake are good. They should have at least 2 12v rails with sufficient Ampere ratings for dual graphics card if you ever consider it. About $200 is what you want to spend on a PSU.

Seasonic M12 700W (4 12v rails, Modular, etc) ~ $150-200

Mobo: For a newbie, I wouldn't recommend Nvidia chipsets, but something like a i975X. Intel BadAxe2, Asus P5W DH, Abit Aw9D-Max for good overclocking, stability, and mature bios.

Or if you can't resist SLI: Try mobo from companies who have been in the game longer. EVGA is fairly new to the game and can hinder your first build experience and give you lots of headaches. Asus, Gigabyte, Abit.


CPU: E6600 is a midrange CPU that will offer good performance. You won't be dissapointed. Good choice.

~$320

CPU HSF: Try stock cooling first. Get some thermal paste that are not adhesive. Installing an aftermarket HSF takes some patience and experience. You can decide if you want to move to aftermarket HSF (Zalmans are good, but the Thermalright Ultra 120 is one of the best)

Video Card: Depends on how much you want to spend. I say at least $400 for next gen games. 8800GTS, preferably an 8800GTX.

~$560

Memory: Don't go cheap. Try Corsair XMS2, Kingston HyperX series. At least DDR2 800MHz for some headspace for overclocking. At least 2GB.

Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800MHz 2x1GB (6400C4) ~ $230

HDD: The HDD you picked is pretty good and sufficient for gaming. Barracudas are reliable with 5 year warranty.

Sound Card: Try On-board and see if you need to upgrade first.



CM Stacker 830/832 ~ $250

Seasonic M12 700W ~ $150 (I got mine from ewiz for 150 with free shipping - does take a week to get to you, newegg have it for 200).

E6600 ~ $315

Mobo ~ $200-250 depending on which one you get

Video ~ EVGA 8800GTX ~ $560

RAM ~ Corsair XMS2 PC6400 ($230) Get the 4-4-4-12 timings (6400C4)

Artic silver 5 ~ $6

HDD~ $100

DVD~ $30

Windows ~ $120-200 OEM Get Vista in my opinion

250+150+315+250+560+230+6+100+30+120 = $2011

This will get you going!

Just my 2 cents!

If you are like me and don't plan to overclock, i would suggest in your budget, getting a nvidia 650i mobo (the msi has a good review at anandtech) and some cheaper ddr2 800 ram (g.skill or ocz) and then using that extra cash to get a 8800gtx now.

This is a really nice build, too.

The stacker case is gigantic, though.

I'd look at ASUS to fill the MB slot.

If I would've had more money, I would have that E6600 Core2 Duo under my desk right now. Great chip.

I'd recommend one thing, though. I've been reading reviews (here and elsewhere) that Vista hinders performance in some games. I'd check to see if any of the games you play are on that list before making the jump. Personally, I would wait for Vista SP1 to come out before letting go of my XP install, unless you just can't live without the extra desktop eye-candy. Eventually you will need DirectX 10, but not before SP1 is out.

Of course, I run Sabayon Linux, a Gentoo variant with Beryl pre-installed, so I've got all the eye-candy I can stand

I'm currently looking at putting together a very similar build, if you can wait for a month or two you might save yourself a decent amount of money... supposedly intel is cutting prices mid-april and with r600 coming in May, if it kicks Nvidia's ass then you can get one of those, and if it doesn't then it will hopefully drop Nvidia's prices a little. Just some food for thought, Cheers.

is it a good idea for a hardware noob to build his own PC from scratch

NO!

and there are many reasons why.

One big reason are the ISO specs.

Best thing to do is goto www.alienware.com and get one of their pc's
http://www.alienware.com/product_d [...] KU-DEFAULT

they have great cust support too, and get a 3yr warranty.

If u dont buy from a gaming manufact, then your pc has to be put together ultra carefully, with no static voltage in your body, and must be perfect the first time, or u can wreak havoc with your new parts, and possibly lose your valuable time troubleshooting it.

Furthermore if u build your own as a new person, u will need to buy replacement parts if something fails

Whereas most manufactured pcs get a burn in period to check for defects.

BS, you gotta start somewhere with BYO (build your own). ESD is not that bad, just ground yourself before touching anything.

A similar setup from Alienware will cost you anywhere from 3000 - 3500 (Compared to 2000)!!!! Don't believe me, go configure one. An Area 51 comp starts at $2100 with a E6400 CPU, 1GB RAM, 250GB, a 7950GT Video card (+350 for a 8800GTX!!), onboard sound, no monitor. For 2GB RAM you have to add an extra $200!!! Geezus ripoff! You can easily get 2GB for $200 already.

Each individual hardware comes with its own warranty. Barracuda's comes with 5 year, CPU comes with 3 years, etc etc. You can get replacements straight from manufacturer. Alienware, dell and other companies make you pay for something that comes with the product already!

You'll have to pay for extra warranty coverage from Alienware, Dell or other crappy services (You get a limited 1 year and you pay for the rest). For 3 Years you have to pay an extra $190.

You'll get a Windows version full of bloatware!@

Just do your homework and you'll be fine.

Thank you all for your insight, I appreciate the fact that you are taking your personal time to offer me your advice!

Nossy,
Although you suggested I switch my mobo to a i975X, I ordered an eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR nForce 680i SLI on the advice of a member at the Hardforums from zipzoomfly.com for 249.99 w/free shipping. As the order was packaged before I read your post, I cannot cancel it, so I will have to really do my research before making an attempt at building this PC.

In regards to the 8800 video card line, I have read that the GTX will only offer a minimal noticeable performance difference over the 640mb overclocked GTS on systems running with 22" or smaller monitors. I figure if I buy another GTS when prices are much lower (say fall of 07 around the time UT3 comes out), I can run them in SLI mode and still get great performance. Does this sound right to you or am I way off?

Here is a newly updated list for everything else except the motherboard.
Thank you for your suggestions, and if there is something I have missed on the revised list, feel free to let me know! Thanks again!


COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN2-GP Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: RC-830-SSN2-GP
Item #: N82E16811119103

Mail-in Rebate
$259.99 -$15.00 Instant $244.99

EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SUPERCLOCKED HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: 640-P2-N825-AR
Item #: N82E16814130080

Mail-in Rebate
$409.99 $409.99

SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM ATX12V / EPS12V 700W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: SS-700HM
Item #: N82E16817151031

In Stock
$209.99 $209.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003

In Stock
$313.00 $313.00

Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK - Retail
Model #: PDC22G6400LLK
Item #: N82E16820220144

Mail-in Rebate
$224.99 -$10.00 Instant $214.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140

$89.99 $89.99

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-05 - OEM
Model #: SH-16A7S-05
Item #: N82E16827106047

$31.99 $31.99

Subtotal: $1,514.94
+ 249.99 eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR 680i (w/ lifetime warranty)

=$1,764.93

Still a bit small on HD space, I might add a 160 GB for OS/booting

Just a kick ass system!!! :!:

C'mon man, are you a salesman or something? That sounds like a bunch of sales BS if I've ever heard it. I've been working on electronics for years and I've NEVER had any problems with static discharge. I've built 100+ PC's, worked on many more, and worked on thousands of copiers that are more complex and sensitive than most computers and I have not fried a board with static to this day. OK, don't walk around on the carpet dragging your feet for 30min trying to cause static and you will be alright.

Part of the point of building your own PC is the fact that one can put something together that will equal or better the performance of an OEM for less money. Why would he want to go to Alienware and pay too much. If I went by the stock specs of the particular computer you linked to, I could build that same thing for $1242 if I bought everything from Newegg, saving myself $641.55 after shipping is figured in. And that's even with a mouse pad included (like the Alienware) and a TT Armor Extreme case, IMHO much better looking than any Alien box. Oh, yeah the Alien costs $1883.55 as configured and shipped.

Anyway new_guy, like Nossy said, manufacturers have their own warranty and are many times easier to deal with than retailers anyway. You will not have to buy a replacement if something fails, you will just have to wait a few days usually for them to receive the failed unit, test it, and send a new one. I don't think most companies cross ship so that makes it take a little longer, but Western Digital comes to mind as one that does, IIRC.

It sounds like you've done most of the hard part in picking out all the right components that will work together, building the thing isn't all that hard. Just keep your mobo manual handy and double check that everything is plugged in the right places. Most things only go in one place and one way, but the power/LED/reset headers can be confusing on some boards. I'm guessing you have another PC handy you can use to get on here and ask for help if anything comes up, so you should be fine. Good luck!

Dell windows works perfectly in other computers. I'm using my dell windows from my laptop in my desktop computer and no problem what so ever. And no there are none dell components in this build. The only thing you will get is a folder in the windows folder, that says "Dell". You can simple delete that if you do not want that folder and nothing bad happens.

Thank you. I remembered there is a way to modify the Dell OEM Windows but did not remember the specifics. I have played with Dell for many years and they do many things like that. Of course it is frowned upon by M$ so you your own judgement.

Well guys, I pulled the trigger. Decided to go 8800 GTX

Here's the specs:

COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN2-GP Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR nForce 680i socket775 SLI motherboard

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail

EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK - Retail

SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM ATX12V / EPS12V 700W Power Supply - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-05 - OEM

LITE-ON Black SATA CD-ROM Drive Model LTN-52S1S-10 - OEM

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2b w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

THQ Gift - Supreme Commander PC Game - OEM

Total cost: $2082.01 shipped


Let me know what you think! Thanks for your help in deciding the parts, I am sure I may be needing more help when putting this rig together!