Ok, I understand a fair bit about computers, but I'm no where near an expert. This will be my first system ever built from scratch and I have some ideas that I've already researched and some questions. I'd just like some general advice. I want to play all the most recent games and those to come for some time.
I'm likely going to go with an Intel 2 Duo processor only because most of the games today (and to come) don't use the extra two cores, although the games supporting SSE4 show good preliminary testing there's only something like 3 games that actually use it. Any thoughts on this?
I'm thinking about a dual core that is unlocked so that I can OC the multiplier as well, but I'm not sure where I can get one. Otherwise I'll be just doing FSB OCing (I've never actually overclocked anything, but I'm excited to try).
As far as motherboards... Maybe something from Asus around $100? This is one area where I don't have a really clear idea.
I'm not really worried about the hard drive, just something with a decent amount of space. I figure I want to spend more money on RAM in this case, but if someone could recommend one to me that'd be great.
As for RAM I am fairly certain I want 4 gigs, of which brand I'm uncertain. I'll most likely be running 64-bit Vista OS, although it is known at the moment as a gamer's worst nightmare. This is up for debate though, I'm mostly just afraid of when XP becomes obsolete.
PSU... I am not sure what a good amount of Watts for this component is (or the brand), nor how much I should be spending. I've heard that I should be spending around $100-$200.
I'd love to splurge for the GeForce 8800 Ultra for my Graphics Card, although I realize that the 8800GT's with the 112 pipeline are best price/power ratio. I'm also not sure about SLi, I heard there are some issues with some games and it doesn't make THAT much of a difference. One ultra instead of two 8800GT's?
For cooling I'm looking at Aerocool Turbine (14 blade) fans. I have to admit though, liquid cooling sounds SO cool, haha. I'd also really like a case with some good cooling aspects and some decent space, if someone can give me roughly what the dimensions of a relativley spacious (but not absurdly monstrous) case would be, I can browse through some of them.
That's about it really, the other stuff doesn't particularly matter a great deal, but I'd still appreciate the input if anyone was partial to a specific aspect.
Thanks!
-Rob
I'm likely going to go with an Intel 2 Duo processor only because most of the games today (and to come) don't use the extra two cores, although the games supporting SSE4 show good preliminary testing there's only something like 3 games that actually use it. Any thoughts on this?
I'm thinking about a dual core that is unlocked so that I can OC the multiplier as well, but I'm not sure where I can get one. Otherwise I'll be just doing FSB OCing (I've never actually overclocked anything, but I'm excited to try).
As far as motherboards... Maybe something from Asus around $100? This is one area where I don't have a really clear idea.
I'm not really worried about the hard drive, just something with a decent amount of space. I figure I want to spend more money on RAM in this case, but if someone could recommend one to me that'd be great.
As for RAM I am fairly certain I want 4 gigs, of which brand I'm uncertain. I'll most likely be running 64-bit Vista OS, although it is known at the moment as a gamer's worst nightmare. This is up for debate though, I'm mostly just afraid of when XP becomes obsolete.
PSU... I am not sure what a good amount of Watts for this component is (or the brand), nor how much I should be spending. I've heard that I should be spending around $100-$200.
I'd love to splurge for the GeForce 8800 Ultra for my Graphics Card, although I realize that the 8800GT's with the 112 pipeline are best price/power ratio. I'm also not sure about SLi, I heard there are some issues with some games and it doesn't make THAT much of a difference. One ultra instead of two 8800GT's?
For cooling I'm looking at Aerocool Turbine (14 blade) fans. I have to admit though, liquid cooling sounds SO cool, haha. I'd also really like a case with some good cooling aspects and some decent space, if someone can give me roughly what the dimensions of a relativley spacious (but not absurdly monstrous) case would be, I can browse through some of them.
That's about it really, the other stuff doesn't particularly matter a great deal, but I'd still appreciate the input if anyone was partial to a specific aspect.
Thanks!
-Rob