Building a PC

[xhunterx405]

Hi everyone I would like some help in building a new PC for all the things i need. I would like to keep it under $1500 USD however I am willing to go as high as $2000 USD if it is truely worth it. I will be using the computer for: Serious gaming, basic video and audio editing, as well as school. I have been using a crappy emachines PC for several years now and while it sucks it is quite reliable, just cant play much in the way of 3-D games ! I want to build this new PC from the ground up, not going to salvage anything. I also need a nice monitor to be included in this budget. Any info you can give me will be excelent!

P.S. I am not doing anything with HD currently and have no plans to use it anywhere but my TV so HDMI input/output is not important.

 

[Onus]

Here's one build:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: Nine Hundred
Item #: N82E16811129021
$139.99 -$10.00 Instant $129.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-P35-DS3R
Item #: N82E16813128050
$129.99 $129.99

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 320-P2-N811-AR
Item #: N82E16814130082
$279.99 $279.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-620HX
Item #: N82E16817139002
$189.99 -$20.00 Instant $169.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80562Q6600
Item #: N82E16819115017
$294.99 $294.99

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail
Model #: BL2KIT12864AA804
Item #: N82E16820146565
$109.99 $109.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140
$79.99 $79.99

Logitech G11 Silver & Black USB Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
Model #: 967929-0403
Item #: N82E16823126009
$58.99 -$5.00 Instant $53.99

Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail
Model #: ET.2216B.0D0
Item #: N82E16824009094
$249.99 -$25.00 Instant $224.99

Logitech G5 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - Retail
Model #: 931376-0403
Item #: N82E16826104191
$45.99 $45.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail
Model #: LH-20A1S
Item #: N82E16827106057
$34.99 $34.99
Subtotal: $1,554.89
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You could probably shave a little on the case, RAM, mouse, and KB; but you might want to add speakers, another hard drive, or a GTX instead of the GTS. You could also get a e6750 instead of the quad. But hey, this is just one example, and I am sure you'll get a bunch of other good suggestions and can mix and match.

 

[xhunterx405]

There seems to be some poor feedback for both the motherboard as well as the HDD, maybe not the best choice?

 

[Onus]

Excellent choices; both. I'm not the only one around here who will say so. One thing I've learned that seems to particularly apply to Newegg reviews, "there's always a drone." I've personnaly used that drive, and I've bought Gigabyte mobos. Other than one drive RMA, all have worked well.

 

[aevm]

Another vote for GA-P35-DS3R. As for Seagate, there's a reason why they have such a huge market share, you can trust them.

The one thing I don't agree with in that build is $46 for the mouse, yuck!!! I have a $15 mouse that has even survived 2 years of Diablo 2

 

[dswissmiss]

Another vote for Gigabyte & Seagate. That list jtt283 posted looks perfect.

 

[avarice]

A silver and black mouse? What in the world are you thinking!!!!! That's just wrong wrong wrong wrong!!!!!

Ok - that's the best criticism I can give this build.

Cheers.

 

[Onus]

Funny funny funny. It is the KB, not the mouse, that is silver and black.
You're right though, a silver and black mouse makes me think of Fellowes, or some other cheap brand that may or may not work.

 

[lunyone]

Build looks pretty good. You can add or shave off alot of things, but overall looks pretty sound. The keyboard/mouse issue(s) you can work out yourself. People have preferences on what works best for them, so go to a Best Buy/Circuit City or wherever you can sample new keyboards/mice and make your decision upon that. Good luck with your build, I wish I had the $ to buy a new rig

 

[lghtmup98]

Possibly add an OS? Do you have the full version of XP already?

 

[xhunterx405]

If everyone agrees that this is a good build then I will definitly consider it.
And yes I will need an OS for this machine, I was just going to get XP.
Would you say that the case listed covers all my cooling needs, or should I look around for more/different fans, cooling compound or anything else?
Also, about the case: Will it fit all of the above components? And is there a problem with having the PSU on the bottom as opposed to being near the top of the case since it will make alot of heat isnt it best to have it above the motherboard and cpu so it dosnt heat them up, or is this something that wont even make a diference?