Hi guys,
I am wanting to buils a new computer come the first of the year but I have no clue as to what to get. I am wanting a gaming computer. I have a friend that says AMD is the way to go. I just want the best bang for my buck and not have to upgrade for a while. Im not into overclocking due to lack of knowledge. If not this setup then what should I get. I just want the best and fastest system for the money. I will be getting everything from Newegg. This is the setup that I was thinking about

NZXT Zero ATX Full Case-----------------------------------------------159.99
Thermaltake Toughpower W0117RU 750W--------------------------------189.99
ASUS Crosshair---------------------------------------------------------249.99
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+------------------------------------------------169.99
Crucial Balistix 4GB(4X1GB) BL2KIT12864AA804---------------------------219.98
Western Digital WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM-------------------------------59.99
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit--------------------------289.99
Lit-On Combo drive SHC-52S7K-05-OEM----------------------------------24.99
Koutech Io-FPM220 Multi card reader------------------------------------29.99
AeroCool Gatewatch-BK Temp and fan Controller-------------------------52.99
Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium------------------------------------111.99
Thermalright HR-03 Plus VGA Cooler--------------------------------------54.99
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extremem CPU Cooler------------------------------64.99
2 Scyth S-Flex SFF21F 120mm fans for thermalright heat sinks-------------39.98
Thermalright AM2 RM Retention Bracket------------------------------------2.49

Not much to go on in regards to budget or needs,

But I think this should be able to handle anything you need to do.
http://www.falcon-nw.com/config/te [...] lateId=110

Let is know if you need more power or less power.
More Expensive / Less Expensive

I edited post hope this is better info. This is already pushing it for budgetwize.

I am currious as to AMD VS Intel Comparison. What is better for gaming VS price? Are they comparable in price VS speed?

If you plan to OverClock, the Intel Chips offer far better performance for the price. If you will not OC, then the price vs performance is much closer. AMD also offers very low priced CPUs that are still decent for gaming since Gaming is more GPU than CPU dependent.

So my setup is ok or are there changes I should make. Is there any overkill that I selected?

Intel is the way to go, i would get the e6750 219$ oc's like mad and beats the crap 6000+ which is a waste of money. and for an intel motherboard get the gigabyte p35 ds3r. which supports the upcoming 45nm cpu's coming out the end of this year.

You can get a 590 board for $100 less
and the 5600 can run the ram at the full ddr2 800 speed.

NZXT - I'd get a Centurion 534 or similar and save about $100.
Toughpower - Nice, but for that cash you can even get a PC Power & Cooling PSU.
MB/CPU - make them GA-P35-DS3R and Q6600 instead - this change will cost you about $30, I guess
RAM - get 2x2GB modules so you can upgrade to 8 GB later
WD160YS - get a WD5000AAKS instead; you don't need an enterprise-class disk and 160GB is too small anyhow
GTS - make it GTX ACS3, and ditch the VGA cooler. The ACS3 has a fantastic cooler already
What is the retention bracket for?

I'm too sleepy at this hour to check prices, I'll let you do the real work I'm guessing it would cost you about $200 more than your original list, but it's worth it.

Edit: if money is tight ditch the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme too. Since you're not overclocking it won't do much good. It will do some good, but not worth $65 and the video card upgrade is much better value in your case.

thanx for all your help

How is the 2.4ghz faster than the 3.0ghz processor?

aevm,
Will the setup that u suggested be better and faster than my projected setup? Also cant find the 8800GTX ACS3 u suggested.

Wow! What is your budget? $1,500? We can help you better if we know your limit to your budget. Intel is the better CPU right now for the $ (if you can afford it). AMD has alot of more inexpensive CPU's right now (especially under $100).
The Gigahertz race (how is 2.4ghz faster than a 3.0ghz processor) is not the same now. The newer architechure (chip design) is different than it was a year ago. So don't get fooled by the old gigahertz thing. If you get a C2D it will be much faster than a P4 chip by a long shot.

I really only want to spend around $1500 to $1700 total. I will not be building this til 1st of the year and I know things will change and prices will go down. I just want to kind of get a jump on things and see what I am looking at when the time comes. But I would like the best comp for the money and gaming.

the e6750 isnt 2.4 ghz its 2.66ghz its much much faster than amd 6000+ even the new 3200+ isnt as fast as the e6750. if you dont believe me look at the benchmarks http://xtreview.com/review208.htm


unless you are blind the e6750 wins everytime

so you are better of getting the e6750, and after than you can overclock it very easily to 3.6 or more with stock hsf.

the e6750 is much better for gaming also will go great with a 880 gtx

Srry for all the stupid questions but now im confused first was suggested the Q6600 and now the E6750. Is the E6750 better than the Q6600 also the GA-P35-DS3R mother board only has 1 pci 16X slot so if I want to get another 8800 in the future this MB wont work any other MB suggestions? Thanks for all your help in understanding all this stuff guys. You are great.

Firstly motherboards, yes it only has one pci-e x16 slot but there is no need for two because it doesn't support sli the p35 chip doesn't. secondly unless you play games at 1920 x 1200 there is no need for sli your better of just getting the next best card. because the performance boost isnt doubled 't when you have 2 cards there is only a small performance increase. therefore you are better of getting a single card if you are playing at say 1680 by 1050.

but if you do play games at 1920 by 1200 then by all means get a 680i board like a Evga 680o board. so you can get 2 8800 gtx later on.

cp