Need advice on new computer

[dylancaster]

Hey guys, I just recently decided to build a new computer from scratch (now that my Compaq Presario v2000 laptop is out of date and slow). I have had the help of someone who is pretty good with computers, but would really appreciate yalls input.
So far what I have come up with is this (Gaming MMORPG, long lasting, school work-papers) Want to spend under $1000 with whatever trade off i get for my laptop.

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.0GHz not sure if I will decide to overclock yet)
Video: XFX GeForce 8600GT 512MB
Memory: Crucial Ballistix (2X 1MB) DDR2 800 (only $40 after rebate)
HardDrive: Wester Digital Caviar 320GB
Power: Rosewill Stallion 550watt v2.2
OS: Vista 32-bit

I really want to build a desktop, so any advice will help a lot and go along ways for me. At the moment everything comes out to about $1010 including 17'' flatscreen, case, speakers/keyboard/ dvd drive. Thank You, ~ Dylan

 

[klobnitrones]

I would get this ram instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
the performance difference would be extremely small if any
and get an 8600 gts for about 100$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084
my friend has one and he has no problems with COD 4 and vista 64 bit is the same price so i would just get it
but it would be fine as is

 

[dylancaster]

anything else you think would be worthwhile to change?

 

[dylancaster]

Can I put a DDR3 video card in this build? The RAM is ddr2, but I think the cpu and mobo can run ddr3. If so, I will look for another $100 video card. Please let me know what you think. ?
is this one better? MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail ($110 - max i will spend)

 

[amd_fanboi]

kill the 8600gts...

kill it dead... anything HD3850 and above is good... in your budget, i anm sure you can get the 8800GTS 512 ^^

likewise, kill the E6750 - get the E8400 (.5 or something ghz faster, not to mention it can oc to at least 4 ghz ^^)

gddr3 and 4 are ok; you'll be able to put them in that mobo...

 

[mlaporta]

If you don't need RAID which it seems you don't from the 1 hd you listed I would go with the GA-P35-DS3L a rock-solid board.

Not sure what the difference in price is on the processors but compare what you listed to the E8400 which is a better selection HANDS-DOWN.

Stick with DDR2 800 just as good and cheaper.

Memory - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
(Don't think 1066 is worth the price for the marginal performance)

Hard drive - Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB 7200.11

I don't see a case listed not sure if you have one but if you want a combo case+psu this is a great selection:
Antec Sonata III 500 Black ATX Mid Tower Case w/500W Power Supply

PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX Power Supply
Case - Antec 900 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Video Card:
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB
(If you can swing it get the GTS it's faster and runs cooler)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S203B SATA

(Get the "Retail" version of the optical drive in order to get software with it. This will include the decoder you'll need to watch movies on it.)

 

[mlaporta]

If your patient and wait for specials from buy.com you can get an awesome system for $1,000

 

[dylancaster]

Any idea when they will restock the E8400?

 

[mlaporta]

I myself have no clue, you may call buy.com or newegg and see what they say. So it doesn't make you feel bad I myself am waiting on one so I can order an E8400 myself.

 

[dylancaster]

Which of these power supplies is better? I don't want to spend more than $75, just want something that will work. And I updated my rig.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817182087
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182089

Basically 700Watt versus 550Watt

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.0GHz not sure if I will decide to overclock yet)
Video: XFX GeForce 8600GT 512MB (don't want to spend more than $100)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix (2X 1MB) DDR2 800 (only $40 after rebate)
HardDrive: Wester Digital Caviar 320GB
Power: Rosewill Stallion v2.2 550Watt or 700Watt
OS: Vista 32-bit

 

[mlaporta]

Tier 2 is the minimum you should get for a psu which is one of the most important components when building a computer. As you can see the company\power supplies you selected are not on this list.

I went to buy.com and the psu I suggested was $79.99 delivered with google checkout.

Tier 2 Brands - Top Quality components With Top Notch Stability:
Antec Neo HE
Akasa PowerGreen 80+
CoolMax CTG-750W/850W/1KW
Cooltek CT
Corsair HX
Enermax Liberty
Enermax Infiniti
Enhance ENP-GH
Fortron (FSP) GLN
Hiper Type-M >650W
Hiper Type-R >650W
iStarUSA PD2
iStarUSA PD3
OCZ GameXStream
OCZ EvoStream
PCP&C Silencer 610
Seasonic S12
Seasonic M12
Seasonic Energy Plus
SevenTeam ST <600
Silverstone EF
Silverstone OP/DA <700W
Supermicro/AbleCom
Thermaltake Toughpower >600W
Xclio GreatPower
Zalman ZM
Ultra X3
Ultra X-Pro

 

[dylancaster]

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail ($79.99)
is this better?

 

[amd_fanboi]

that's a darn good PSU if it's the HX... looks like it's the VX, though

 

[dylancaster]

Thanks for all the help, I'm good now.

 

[geofelt]

For a gaming pc, the vga card is the most important component. Pick the best you feel comfortable buying from this list: http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/03/the_best_gaming_graphics/index.html The ddr3 memory used in the vga card has no connection with the type that is used on the mobo, don't worry there.

E8400 is a winner, don't settle for anything else.

gigabyte p35-ds3l is very good.

Ram is cheap, I suggest a 2x2 kit of cordair ddr2-800. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 Lots of memory makes vista fly, and games are using more and more memory.

Don't go cheap on the PSU. Pick a psu that is tier 2 or better from this list: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088 Rosewill is quite far down on the list.
look for a psu with 25 or more amps on the 12v rails. Wattage means nothing and can be misleading. Look at this list: http://www.***.com/forums/cases-psus/110-psu-reference-list.html I would look at the PC P&C silencer 470 or Corsair 450VX at a minimum.

Most atx cases will work. If you look at a case with an included psu, only look at Antec; their psu's are good.
Look for free shipping; cases are heavy and shipping can easily cost $30+. I see that newegg has my favorite case, the Antec Solo for $50 after $30 rebate with free shipping. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018 It is solid and very quiet. If you want "bling" look elsewhere.

Most hard drives are very good these days. WD has never failed me.

Get a sata dvd burner. The Samsung 203 is very quiet, and does the job. I think there is a litescribe version if you need that.

As a student, look into an educational discount on Vista. Since you will not have any legacy devices, there will be no problems with the 64 bit version drivers. That will let you see the full 4gb instead of about 3.3gb that a 32 bit os can see. I would suggest home premium to get the media center application. With a tv tuner card, you can use your pc as a TV or pvr.

Lastly, see if you can scrape up a little extra for your monitor. You will be with it for several generations of pc technology. Look for a lcd with 6.7(not 6.2)million colors and a viewing angle of more than 160 degrees.

---good luck---

 

[kitisi]

Im new to building computers and i learn alot here after reading all the posts what would the finish machine look like, im looking to build one soon appreciate any help

 

[Onus]

Kitisi, you should start your own thread for your question. Thank you.

 

[mlaporta]

We can help!

 

[kitisi]

didnt mean to offend anyone, I was reading what Dylancaste had posted originally and several people made suggestions and I was wondeing what the conclusion was sorry

 

[dylancaster]

should i go with Vista 32 or 64? I heard there were quite a few things that couldn't run on vista 64 bit... for the video card, I'm not that big into gaming, just play a free online MMORPG every once and a while so that is why i chose that card. I am going to repost my list of things, so you can see what I have right now, all of it. Just remember, I want to spend no more than $1000 and I want this thing to last, so probably won't overclock + I don't know how. And this is really close to $1000, so i can't spend too much more on one thing- i would have to sacrifice something else. Keep that in mind if you comment please Thanks millions!

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059 $99.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $239.99

Graphics card: XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150247&Tpk=pvt84jyajg $99.99 ($10 rebate not added)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565 $64.99 ($25 already removed, $25 rebate = $39.99)

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098 $74.99

Power Supply: Rosewill Stallion Series Dual Ball Bearing Fan RD600N-2DB-SL-BK ATX V2.2/SSI, EPS 12V 600W Active PFC Power Supply-SLI Ready, Auto Switching/90-264V UL, FCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182087 $64.99 ($25 already removed)

Optical drive: ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156 $38.99

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106
$49.99 ($10 rebate not included)

Monitor: Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005&Tpk=n82e16824254005 $165.99

Speakers: Logitech S-220 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014 $22.99

Keyboard: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156 $21.99


Vista Home Premium 32-bit system builders pack
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202 $109.99

 

[Wolfshadw]

@Kitisi -

It's not that you offended anyone. It's just a lot easier on folks if your build questions are in a their own thread. That way we don't confuse your questions and/or components list with DylanCaster's.

-Wolf sends