$800-1000 *Challenge build*

[Shez]

So I know there are countless pleas for help on this board... so here's another.

I've been out of the hardware loop for several months now. I was getting ready to buy a new computer a while ago and then couldn't get the funds together for what I wanted. Luckily, I seem to be able to afford a new computer in the 800-1000 buck range. Right now my computer is an ooooold P4 in serious need of an upgrade and anything new will be a major upgrade.

I was going to post my old rig list but I figured it so out of date with the price drops and new products that I might as well start from scratch. The only parts I know that I want are...

GeForce 8800 GTS (320MB version) ~$300
Core2Duo (haven't a clue which one)
As much RAM as possible

Everything else is completely up to you hardware wizards. The only things I need from the computer are

5.1 Surround (either on the mobo or I can cannibalize a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Audio)
Vista compatible (dx10 here I come)
Gaming capibility - i figure the Core2Duo and 8800 GTS aught to do it

I seriously appreciate any suggestions that people post.

 

[pous]

Case - Centurion 534 = $50
Mobo - Gigabyte P35 DS3R = $130
GPU - 8800GTS 320 = $300
RAM - G.Skill 2x1GB DDR2 800 = $85
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 320GB = $75
PSU - Antec NeoHE 550W = $90 (might be on sale now for lower at newegg)

So that's about 730 before CPU and shipping.

Add about 180 for the E6550 and you're at 910 or so.

Not sure if you needed a monitor with this, but that set-up without a monitor should be pretty awesome for you.

There's a few things you could lessen if you did need to squeeze in a monitor and be under 1,000 but take a look at some of those parts and see what you think.

Edit:
Forgot to mention, for about 30-35 you can get a nice Sony NEC Optiarc DVD read/write drive (Sata format), it's a good drive, from newegg.

I'll be honest, I've got that same case, mobo, psu, hdd, ram, and dvd drive and it's all going awesome with a Q6600, 8800GTS 640 and 20" acer monitor. My set up came to about 1500 though, so getting the 8800 320 and the e6550 will save you some money. Also, getting that psu you'll be sure to be able to upgrade in the future to higher gpu/cpu if you felt like it.

Good luck with your build.

 

[Solariscs]

That looks like a good build, or save some money with a DS3L motherboard and get yourself a 6750 CPU. The Antec 550W is around 60 at newegg now, so that's a good deal.

If you have any questions at all, let me know, Maximus9102 at yahoo or aim. I'll be glad to help you out.

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Will you be overclocking?

 

[lunyone]

DS3L (like Solariscs said) $106 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128059

Antec 550W $60 shipped (after $45 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103941

Case - Centurion 5 $50 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119047

GPU - eVga 8800gts 320mb $277 after MIR (available "step up" program for 90 days)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130082

CPU - e6750 $200 shipped, best bang for the buck on the Intel side, unless you get the q6600 for $80 more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

Monitor - Sceptre 19" WS $165 after $30 MIR, nice and cheap for the money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16824112002

20x DVD Burner (retail) - $36 shipped, comes with Nero software
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106079

Memory (currently out of stock due to price) - $60 shipped after $30 MIR, also is CAS 4!!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144062

OS - $112 shipped Vista 64bit premium, Won't need to upgade later, so good buy here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116204

If your not adding in OS or using the monitor above you would be at ~$870 shipped!! - $95 in MIR's = $775 total.

 

[Shez]

Thank you Pous, Solariscs and lunyone!

I luckily don't need a monitor or any of the peripherals. For another $30-60 could I pump some more memory? I've heard that Vista is an extreme RAM hog. And speaking of which, is the 64bit or 32bit Vista a better buy?

 

[Onus]

Neither Vista is a good buy until 1Q2008 when the first patches are officially released. You might have no problems, but then again you might have all kinds of grief. Your call. If it were me, until then I'd get XP.
The previous build suggestions have all looked good.

 

[zenmaster]

Do not buy Vista-64 is you plan on running older software.
It does not support 16-bit software in any fashion.
Many slightly older 32-bit software programs used 16-bit installers which would render the software uninstallable.

If you are only going to be using newer software, Vista-64 is not a bad choice.

 

[pbpenguins412]

You can always dual-boot Vista and XP...

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Do not buy Vista-64 is you plan on running older software.
It does not support 16-bit software in any fashion.
Many slightly older 32-bit software programs used 16-bit installers which would render the software uninstallable.

If you are only going to be using newer software, Vista-64 is not a bad choice.

I've been running Vista 64X and haven't had any problems other than the lack of firewalls when it first came out, myself.

 

[WR2]

To get a good idea on what games/programs Do or Do Not work in Vista check the Vista Software Compatibility List
http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List
It also gives advice on how to get games/programs with problems in Vista running better.
Its not unusual to use WinXP compatability mode option and run program as administrator option to get the best results.

I've been able to use Win98 games and even had some older DOS based games (using DosBox ver 0.72) running under Vista.

As pbpenguins412 says if you're still unsure about the XP/Vista question you can go the multi-OS boot option.
http://apcmag.com/5023/dual_booting_xp_with_vista

 

[lunyone]

Thanks, WR2, for the info on Vista compatability. Is that good for any version of Vista?

 

[WR2]

The list has 3 sections:
(1)Works
(2)Has problems, but they can be solved / minor unsolved
(3)Heavy Problems, Currently Incompatible

The list is maintained & updated by Vista users and results vary somewhat. There isnt any formal testing program.
When the information is available the list will show what versions of Vista have been tested.
More often than not missing x64 info just means no x64 user made a report.
If the x64 info is missing in one section (Works) it might also be listed in another section (Has problems).
Example:

 

[Shez]

Is there a reason to go with 64-bit and not 32-bit, to avoid the problems that seem to be involved with a 64-bit? Ie are things headed towards being all 64-bit and therefore it would only make sense to buy it now?

 

[Onus]

IMHO, it doesn't make sense to buy any version until bugs and issues are under control. It doesn't matter whose fault it might be (M$, h/w vendors, or software devs), but until it works with what you want to run, wait. If it works, then gopher it.

 

[aadamszc]

Is there a reason to go with 64-bit and not 32-bit, to avoid the problems that seem to be involved with a 64-bit? Ie are things headed towards being all 64-bit and therefore it would only make sense to buy it now?

From what I understand, the 64bit version can use more ram and run 64 bit apps, but..then again, I could be totally wrong.

I luckily don't need a monitor or any of the peripherals. For another $30-60 could I pump some more memory? I've heard that Vista is an extreme RAM hog. And speaking of which, is the 64bit or 32bit Vista a better buy?

you could probably get a decent (2x1GB) thing or ram for about $60. If you got the mobo that lunyone and solariscs said, you could fit a total of 8BG or ram in there right now, but you really won't need more than 4GB.

 

[pbpenguins412]

There's some really nice Corsair XMS2 for $64 after MIR on the Egg right now...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034