First TIme Budget Gaming Build

[esmith7075]

After using a Dell with a Pentium D 2.8, 1 gig ram, and an x600 for a few years I've decided (after lots of research) to build my own computer for the first time. I want it to be ~$850 or so. I will be overclocking some of the components. It will be mostly for gaming, but also for audio and video encoding and *gasp* schoolwork . Right now I play TF2, CSS, Half Life 2 Games, Halo PC, and 2142. I want to be able to play all these on max settings and also play CoD4 and Crysis, as well as other new and future games. I'll be using 32-bit XP and 32-bit Vista later. Anyway, here is what I'm thinking of....

CPU
Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036
I plan to get this to 3.2 on stock cooling like Tom’s did.

MOBO
GA-P35-DS3L or ABIT IP35V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059&Tpk=p35%2bds3l
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127034
Which of these is better? Like I said before, I want to overclock. I don't need RAID or anything fancy. I'll be using the onboard audio.

GFX
I have a $50 BestBuy gift card, so I plan on getting my video card from there.
They have BFG and PNY versions of the 8800gt. I heard these brands are not very reliable, though. $202 for BFG or $220 for PNY (after gift card).
They have VisionTek hd3870 which I heard is a good brand to buy from. Dual slot cooler is nice. Is ATI image quality really better than Nvidia’s? $154.
The hd3850 is the worst performing of the three. But also cheap at $94.
Which one should I buy? I'll be gaming at 1680x1050 or maybe 1280x1024.

RAM
A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066
It's a really good price. One question though, should I swing for the 2x2 gig kit instead?

DVD BURNER
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153
Don't really care on this one as long as its fast and not extremely loud.

CASE
Cooler Master Centurion 5 Black Case with Side Window front 80mm fan rear 120mm fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077
Il ike the side window. Is the cooling good enough??

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
I might add more storage later if I need it.

MONITOR
Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009108
Acer AL2016WCbd Black 20" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009131
Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005
Which one should I buy?

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003
Good quality and price. I think it'll be enough to power my system.

Thanks for any and all comments and advice!

 

[qmalik]

"The hd3850 is the worst performing of the three. But also cheap at $94. "

where? I have not seen or heard of such a low price for that.

 

[esmith7075]

d'oh. All of those are what they would be after -$50.

 

[hypermagic]

Your build sounds alot like mine, but I've already got a Monitor, HDD and Optical, I might get a G92 8800GTS.

The Proc is good for your Budget. Just remember proper Installation techniques and get some AS5.

The Mobo's are solid, but go for the DS3L

Case is Solid, I'm getting the same.

PSU is solid too, but look into PC P&C, or a Seasonic
I think I'm getting a Seasonic, but Seasonic makes Corsair PSUs so You're good.

I think I've seen Adata DIMMs in a Tom's testing machine once, so If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for us. 4GB of memory isn't recommended unless you run Vista 64, which I hear is a pain to find drivers for.
Crucial, OCZ and Kingston are good. I'm just getting a 1GB OCZ S.O.E. DDR2 800 Stick for $25

Go for the 8800GT, just find the cheapest one and go for it. I'm a XFX devotee, but any brand will do you good.
GIGABTYE sells a 8800GT with a Zalman Cooler, but It's kind of hard to find...

I'm no expert on monitors, just get the best one for your budget (Cheapest)

That's all I got, good luck with your OC and happy building.

 

[esmith7075]

Okay. Thanks for the advice :]

 

[hypermagic]

No prob mang