First time building computer -- tell me what you think!

[Norbix]

Hey guys, I guess I can be considered a hardware noobie. But I've been doing research and browsing forums a lot because I want to build a new gaming computer for this year. I'm going to be games such like Vanguard, Crysis, and UT2k7. My budget is around 1800, including monitor. Here goes!

Processor

-Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 2.4ghz - $313

Graphics Chip

-EVGA 8800GTS 640mb $390

Memory

-CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2
6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory 4-4-4-12 timings. - $219

Motherboard

-ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
$126

Motherboards are a gray area for me. I found this motherboard on a site that was recommending parts for building computers. Let me know what you think.

Power Supply

-Antec Phantom 500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply (link)
$159

Now, power supplies are also a gray area for me. Let me know what you think.

Case

-COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05 ATX mid-tower - $50

Hard Disk

-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $75

Hard disks I don't know too much of, either. However, this has a 16mb Cahce and 7200RPM's so I'm assuming it's good. Let me know what you think.

DVD Drive/burner

-LITE-ON LightScribe Black 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM
$39

Sound Card

-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 - $75

Speakers

- Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 - $79

Monitor

-Dell 22" Widescreen LCD monitor - $296


This totals out to - $1821


I'll be using my existing keyboard and mouse. Please let me know what you guys think of this, I really need a lot of help as I'm not too sure about what I'm doing.


P.S - This is my first post. I'm more of a reader than a poster, but I'd just like to say hello to the Tomshardware community. I find your posts very helpful. : )

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Hey guys, I guess I can be considered a hardware noobie. But I've been doing research and browsing forums a lot because I want to build a new gaming computer for this year. I'm going to be games such like Vanguard, Crysis, and UT2k7. My budget is around 1800, including monitor. Here goes!

Processor

-Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 2.4ghz - $313
Looks good.

Graphics Chip

-EVGA 8800GTS 640mb $390
What resolution will you be gaming at?

Memory

-CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2
6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory 4-4-4-12 timings. - $219
I suggest Patriot Extreme Performance Cas 4 RAM.

Motherboard

-ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
$126

It is a good mobo, but I suggest the DS3. It depends on your needs.

Motherboards are a gray area for me. I found this motherboard on a site that was recommending parts for building computers. Let me know what you think.

Power Supply

-Antec Phantom 500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply (link)
$159

I'd suggest Antec Power Trio 650w. If you want more power for some strong upgrade room then a Silverstone 750w.

Now, power supplies are also a gray area for me. Let me know what you think.

Case

-COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05 ATX mid-tower - $50

Looks fine.

Hard Disk

-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $75

Hard disks I don't know too much of, either. However, this has a 16mb Cahce and 7200RPM's so I'm assuming it's good. Let me know what you think.

It ain't bad.

DVD Drive/burner

-LITE-ON LightScribe Black 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM
$39

Do you want LightScribe?

Sound Card

-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 - $75

Speakers

- Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 - $79

Monitor

-Dell 22" Widescreen LCD monitor - $296

A-yup. Dell has some nice monitors.

This totals out to - $1821


I'll be using my existing keyboard and mouse. Please let me know what you guys think of this, I really need a lot of help as I'm not too sure about what I'm doing.


P.S - This is my first post. I'm more of a reader than a poster, but I'd just like to say hello to the Tomshardware community. I find your posts very helpful. : )

Are you going to be overclocking?

 

[Norbix]

Sorry! I forgot to mention this bit.

No, I do not plan on overclocking. As I am afraid I will break something. : )

 

[Norbix]

What resolution will you be gaming at?

-The maximum possible with maintaining a playable FPS. I'm assuming this will be around 1900x1600 resolution.

I suggest Patriot Extreme Performance Cas 4 RAM.

-Suggestion approved! Thanks, but may I ask why? I have never heard of patriot as a brand.

It is a good mobo, but I suggest the DS3. It depends on your needs.

-Would that be this?
As far what my needs are, they aren't overclocking. My needs are basically to have a fast motherboard for stock parts. : )

I'd suggest Antec Power Trio 650w. If you want more power for some strong upgrade room then a Silverstone 750w.

-Suggestion approved! I doubt I will be upgrading until I will buy an entire new computer again in 2-3 years. So the Antec Power Trio 650w it is! Thanks.

It ain't bad.

Good enough for gaming? Should I get something better?

Do you want LightScribe?

Being that I do not know what LightScribe is, I'm going to say no? : )


Thank you much for the helpful reply!

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Sorry! I forgot to mention this bit.

No, I do not plan on overclocking. As I am afraid I will break something. : )

In that case...

Processor

-Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 2.4ghz - $313

Graphics Chip

-EVGA 8800GTS 640mb $390

Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609085
Grab two of these modules. Very awesome stuff.

Motherboard

Will you be upgrading to a quad-core?

Power Supply

-Antec Power Trio 650w
$109.99

Case

-COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05 ATX mid-tower - $50

Hard Disk

-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $75

DVD Drive/burner

-LITE-ON LightScribe Black 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM
$39

Sound Card

-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 - $75

Speakers

- Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 - $79

Monitor

-Dell 22" Widescreen LCD monitor - $296

 

[Norbix]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609085
Grab two of these modules. Very awesome stuff.

Whoa. This seems to be a downgrade. May I ask why you went from Patriot ram to this stuff?

Will you be upgrading to a quad-core?

Honestly, I am not sure. If there will be a strong need for it in the next year or two, then probably yes.

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609085
Grab two of these modules. Very awesome stuff.

Whoa. This seems to be a downgrade. May I ask why you went from Patriot ram to this stuff?

Well, you're not overclocking. That stuff is reliable and cheap. If you ever intend to overclock, that stuff OCs well too.

Will you be upgrading to a quad-core?

Honestly, I am not sure. If there will be a strong need for it in the next year or two, then probably yes.

The DS3 is probably a good choice then. Even though you won't be using the overclocking ability the Rev 3.3 has FSB 1333 support and it['ll run quad-core.

 

[Norbix]

Okay thanks, I will go with the DS3. However, I'm still confused about the ram. Even if it is reliable and cheap, it is slower than the RAM you suggested me earlier. Why would I want something slower?

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Well, C2D natively runs with DDR2-533 RAM. DDR2-667 lines with 1333 fsb. DDR2-800 is normally only reachable with overclocking.

If you make the RAM run faster it'll be waiting for the CPU to catch up. (I think.)

 

[exarrkun]

because if you won't be overclocking, you won't notice the difference on a core 2

 

[Norbix]

Thanks much for the replies, that makes a lot of sense! So you're saying this RAM is the best bang for the buck? Is there anything, doesn't matter if it's too much more expensive, that will provide a better noticeable performance?

 

[tekzor]

patriot ram has bested my corsair ram MANY times. I have always got great OCs and regular performance with Patriot. I realy trust that brand, go for it!

 

[gloppppp]

Good choice on HDD I use them,their cool and qiuet.

 

[Norbix]

patriot ram has bested my corsair ram MANY times. I have always got great OCs and regular performance with Patriot. I realy trust that brand, go for it!

I'll take your word! Thank you for the advice, sir.

Good choice on HDD I use them,their cool and qiuet.

Thanks, however I can't take credit for that. I found it from an article. : )