just a few questions...

[Moecoastie]

New poster, long time troll here

I think Ive read almost every budget gaming PC post on these boards. In fact, what little I do know about building a PC Ive probably learned by trolling these boards so before I present my question I want to thank each and every one of you for the knowledge you have shared.

So on to my question:

Im planning on building a gaming PC that is poster child for budget. In fact, its so budget that I am hoping to build it in stages and using parts from my old Dell computer and slowly replacing those parts as I find the funds to replace them.

From reading these forums I have gathered the 4 major components that I must get first are CPU, Motherboard, Graphics Card and RAM. For this I am thinking about the following.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2643933

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3803377&CatId=2531

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347

http://fxvideocards.com/ZOTAC-GeForce-8800-GTS-G92-512MB-ZT-88SES2P-FSP-256-bit-GDDR3-PCI-Express-2.0-x16-HDCP-Ready-SLI-ZOTAC-Video-Card-p-16280.html

Im guessing this will run me about $515 + shipping (and assuming MIR still apply to applicable products)

With the purchase of these items, would it be feasible for me to use the PSU, Hard Drive, DVD-Rom, and Case from an old Dell (assuming the case is large enough)?

Besides drivers, would there be any conflict keeping the existing OS on the Dell Hard-drive when installing it in the new build?

Im guessing the PSU for the Dell is rated at about 400 Watts (this will be the first item I replace after my initial purchase), will that suffice?

These are just some questions I have...any advice would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance for your time.

Moe

 

[nvalhalla]

PSU might be cutting it close. Id look into swapping the Ram for something a little cheaper and spend the extra on a P45 board.

 

[Moecoastie]

I was thinking the same about the PSU...was just hoping the fact that I do not plan to overclock any time soon or overload the PC with extra peripherals would hold me off for a month.

As far as the board goes, I do not plan to SLI any time soon as well and this board provides me the minimum requirements I was looking for. Also, the price is hard to beat. If I ever do want to upgrade my motherboard, this gigabte MoBo seems more than serviceable for another rig.

As far as the RAM, I must admit...I am extremely ignorant in this aspect. I understand matching MHz ratings and 2gigs for XP, 4gigs for vista-64bit (which I plan on upgrading OS eventually), etc... Could you possibly suggest a good buy for the 2gig range?

 

[Shadow703793]

CPU, RAM, Motherboard, GPU choices are all good. Im not sure if the Dell case would fit the motherboard as the Dell motherboards usually have a proprietary lay out.

The PSU is also cr@p on the Dell PCs imo. Consider getting this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153028
Thermaltake W0093RU 500W $45 after MIR.

edit:

Go with 2*2GB DDR2 800 RAM. RAM is pretty cheap these days so might as well go with 4GB. Go with G.Skill, Corsair, Patriot or other good brand RAM.

 

[Moecoastie]

from reading the mobo specs, it requires RAM rated at 1066mhz. Is the ram you suggested compatible?

 

[Murissokah]

Well, some thoughts here:
Quad for budget? I use an OC'ed E2160 at 3.0GHz that cost me 75US$ and is rock solid for games. I don't see any gain from goin quad.

Keeping the OS: INSANE, don't do it. You can't keep the OS after changing the MOBO. You could install the same OS again, but driver conflicts will give you hell if you don't do a clean install.

Keeping the HDD: Not advisable, though you could do it. Since you're considering a Quad, keeping an old HDD would be a MAJOR slowdown on such a new system. Unless your HDD is a good one, consider this as a temporary solution.

My choice: Going for a cheaper, overclockable dual-core would save you money and power draw, for about just as much performace. I mean it. The VGA is a keeper, and the mobo seems good (I don't know it). The money you would save on the CPU would Buy you a new PSU, and also shorten the wait on a new HDD.

 

[Moecoastie]

well, the purpose for going quad is I intend to keep the soul of this build for a while. Im not the type to upgrade often so the the processor to last me a while. While I understand the CPU you suggested would suffice now, would it still hold true in 2 years? Would it still run even the least demanding applications in that time? I could always upgrade RAM, HDD, even a decent vid card for minimal amounts of money...but the processor seems to be the most expensive of the items

 

[Moecoastie]

please know, I am not trying to "shoot-down" any of the advice you guys are giving me. Its just me thinking out loud and hoping for some clarification to some of my questions. So please, keep coming with those awesome suggestions.

 

[Shadow703793]

from reading the mobo specs, it requires RAM rated at 1066mhz. Is the ram you suggested compatible?

No it dosen't. DDR2 1066 is the max RAM speed natively supported by the board.