I plan on getting this tomorrow, curious as to what you guys think. I already have a sound card, HD, CD, and DVD. Not looking to spend any more money than what I've already got put together. I currently have a Dell Dimension 8200 - 1.8ghz p4, 512mb, and radeon 9600. I just play CS 1.6 atm, but I may play newer games in the future. I also like to listen to music, watch videos, and do multimedia. I'd also like to keep the parts from outpost.com Thanks.

CPU: E2160 - 79.99$
Motherboard: http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5372008
RAM: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4960001
VIDEO: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5468359
CASE: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4977211

I chose the e2160 processor because it can be OC to 3.2ghz w/ stock cooler, I read the article about it on the main site. I also may plan to get a quad core or w/e 8cores they plan on coming out with which is why I chose a cheap dual core that can be overclocked to hang with the top rated c2d. Now what would be an ideal speed to run it at so its not bottle necked with the XFX 8800GT I plan on getting? I originally chose the 8600GT w/ the e6750, so I was thinking of overclocking to 2.6 or 2.8ghz. I also got 2GB of ram. My main concern is, does the case have enough room/power for the video card and the overclocking I will be doing with the CPU? Thanks.

Also, if you don't mind where can I find an article about building a new computer.

yea that is a decent build in future you might want to get sata burners and hard drive to reduce clutter in the case and speed the whole system up a bit. regarding how to build your new computer just follow the instructions you get with all your parts and before you buy make sure the +12V amperage on the power supply is more than 26 amps to power your 8800 gtim not sure if that case will be big enough you need at least 10 inches between the back of the case and your harddrive cages to fit your card. hope that helps

is 500watts enough?

Why are you buying from Fry's / Outpost? The prices are not great, especially on the 8800GT...256mb for $250, no thanks.

Go for this:

Spend a few more $$$, wait a week and get the BEST 512mb version with upgraded fan:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125081


OR

wait for them to come in stock at newegg for $209 for 256mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150264
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130314


$73 - e2180 oem:
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=E2180
$21 - Freezer Pro 7 CPU cooler (don't listen to that article if you want your CPU to last more than 1 year at 3.2ghz+)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134

$75 - Antec 900 case, can hold 7x120mm fans and a 200m
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021
$61 - Corsair Power Supply 450watts, 33amps, 80+efficiency (don't use the CRAP that comes with a no name case) http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx [...] 66485.html

Here is a list of power supplies from best to worst, notice Ultra is at the bottom:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] p?t=108088

does it have to come from frys?

The store is only 15mins away. I changed the 8800GT to the 512mb version. I also changed the case and PSU to a 500watt. My only question now is, is the e2180 > e2160 in terms of what I read in the article? I don't think I'll OC until I get the aftermarket cooler which will be in a week or two, I'll just get my computer nice and running first.

Besides the high prices, that Ultra case is very expensive considering their power supplys are junk. The local Fry's here no longer sells Ultra PSU's so I guess they are dumping them online.

Noya has some very good suggestions, although I would save even a bit more on the vid card. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121219

I have an e2140 running 2.8 with 1.3 v using the stock cooler. try an oc with stock, you'd be surprised.

The local Fry's just had a great deal on an Antec Sonata with 500w Earthwatts for ~$59, but I think it was Thursday only. If they did not sell out, they will likely put it on again very soon as they often do. Very good quality and similat look to the Ultra, better looking IMO.

I got a Coolmaster case and a separate Thermaltake 500W powersupply. Now I'm thinking of downgrading the graphics card a bit so I can save a good bit of money. What do you guys think?

Good luck with Thermaltake. They are just slightly better than Ultra. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] p?t=108088

Coolermaster makes excellent cases though.

Which vid card are you downgrading to?

A 3850 tlmck posted, better than the 8600 you were going to get and comes with better/after-marketish fan. Both run at $200 good deal price/performance wise.

What are your temps under load during gaming and video encoding? What case?

Here's a good deal on a CPU cooler. If your going to get one may as well get it now. Most of them have to be installed with the MB out of the case and it's just as easy to do while your building. Good luck

http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6835103031

I'd never buy anything from Fry's

Its all referbished junk, there prices might be great but there quality sucks.

My dads friend, who is a computer specialist is fixing someones laptop that they just bought from Fry's and it crached on them the next week.

Fry's is the worst electronic store there is, yea sure they got alot on stock, and alot of products but quality is what matters, gotto Best Buy or something.

You cannot really blame Fry's for a bad laptop. They did not make it.

I have shopped there for years, and have bought new, refurb, and "off brand" products. I been very pleased overall. On the few occasions when I have not been pleased, I simply retuned it, no questions asked, other than "would you like a refund or store credit?".

At Best Buy I would always have to wait for some teenager to pull his finger out of his nose before waiting on me. They were also always conveniently out of stock on sale items, and their regular prices are ridiculous. I have not shopped there in years.

Wow, how different we are I've been to Fry's once and that was 4 years ago, total junk. Best Buy on the other hand I go every week.

My favorite is Best Buy and Circuit City.

Price dosent matter even if i'm paying $100 more, who cares. Best Buy is also closer to where I live, and they are the Best, price is a total junk lot.

I dont know if any of you have noticed this but I have, When I pay more for something it actually works better