First time building gaming pc have compatibility ?'s

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hamitaltintop22

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My friend built an okay gaming pc for about $500 dollars. I plan on changing a few things on his build like the graphics card and cpu. I have about $650. This is my first time building a pc, so I will need lots of help and I have questions about compatibility. I plan to play games like assassin's creed and crysis on medium very smoothly. My friend could play crysis on medium very smoothly but he had windows xp and I plan to get vista. so will l have to alter his computer build?.

Okay. So this is the build my friend used. The computer case and psu he got from newegg is deactivated so out of stock. I need suggestions on a case and a psu. Also since I am going to get vista instead of xp should I get a better cpu and more ram? Finally, should I stick with the same graphics card? Compatibility and how smoothly the computer runs are my concerns. Remember the $650 limit.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332 $119.99 ($89.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)
EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116063 $79.99
Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128077 $64.99
GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106263 $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136075 $44.99
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098 $44.99
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

So far the total is about $350 after mail-in rebate excluding os, psu, case, mouse, keyboard, monitor and possible changes in cpu and graphics car. Trying to keep within $650.

For the computer case and psu I am looking at this. Will it be compatible with the rest of the parts?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166014
Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BK Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply - Retail $84.99 ($59.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate)

Thanks for the help ahead of time.
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Actually, I realized I can find a cheap monitor, mouse and keyboard locally. Also since I am a student the OS will be a lot cheaper. So my limit is going to go down from $650 to $550. The only real compatibility issue is the computer tower. Some upgrades maybe necessary since I will use vista.
Please reply and leave suggestions.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811166014
Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BK Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply - Retail $84.99 ($59.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate)
 
Proximon

Proximon

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hamitaltintop22

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Hello, and thanks for replying. Very much appreciated.

My only concern with the case you recommend is whether or not it is big enough for the graphics card, etc. If it is then I would prefer to go with the case you suggested.

While looking at the cpu link, I realized that there is a cpu and psu combo. Your cpu and a Rosewill psu seem okay. The link for the psu is below. Is Rosewill a good brand

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182016
Rosewill RP500-2 ATX12V v2.01 500W Power Supply 115/230 V CSA, UL, TUV, FCC - Retail

The combo of cpu and psu is $155. Assuming I got the mobo you suggested and the combo, my total becomes $525. Assuming that, all that would be left to find is the case.

Case without psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166005
Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-B Blue Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $77.99 ($57.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)

I realize that both the cases I have suggested are sunbeam transformers but I really don't care what brand the case is. My two criteria for the case is appearance and size (is it big enough).

Thanks for the help. Please continue helping.
 
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hamitaltintop22

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For the graphics card should I stick with the 8800 GS ($90 after Mail-In rebate) or should I go with 8800 GT or 9600 GT? Both are same price ($120) at newegg but the 9600 has $30 mail-in rebate.

8800 GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133232
PNY VCG88512GXEB-FLB GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

9600 GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143130
BFG Tech BFGE96512GTOCE GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Will either fit on the mobo you suggested? Which one is better? Ultimately, which one will work better on my build?

Sorry for asking so many question. Thanks for the help.
 
Proximon

Proximon

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It runs hot and is made from less than stellar parts, but at the price range and size it's OK. A decent decision since money is tight. Don't expect it to last too long, but it might get you through a few years.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=32

No on the case, sorry. you probably like the looks but you need more intake in the lower front of the case. Even if there is a fan there it's badly blocked.

BETTER DEAL ALERT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Perfect budget case and PSU, both for 100 bucks. You take that deal ;)
 
hopkiller

hopkiller

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when you get more money or if you don't mind spending a bit more and you want a good size case with great air flow get the antec 900
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Thanks for the suggestions.

The dvd burner, the hard drive and ram are no longer available at newegg. Need suggestions on what to get.

For the case and psu I will get the combo Proximon suggested.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813135059

Graphic Card 8800 GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133232
PNY VCG88512GXEB-FLB GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

One question. Is the case big enough for the 8800 GT? Does it fit my mobo? Still not completely sure about which graphics card to get.

Total without dvd burner, hard drive and ram is about $400.

Looked at newegg for some new parts.

RAM- $57.00 ($32.00 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Hard drive- $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145213
HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725032GLA360 (0A35411) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD burner- $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136147
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

So total is about $500. Need suggestions on ram, hard drive and dvd burner. #1 question is compatibility.
 
Proximon

Proximon

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Yep I noticed that PNY card last night.

There is also a dual slot cooled 9600GT from EVGA at the same price. The 8800 GT is faster, but only slightly. The EVGA has better cooling and that nice warranty.
 
turk555

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Hey, the links for your case, mobo, and cpu don't work. Can you update them? Thanks
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Sorry, made a mistake with the hyperlinks. If you click on the links for the mobo, cpu, case and psu, you will find that they don't work. My fault. Accidently felt a space in the URL. The links are below and the mobo, cpu, case and psu are the same that Proximon suggested. I changed the hard drive, dvd burner and ram and later figured out I didn't have to. I thought newegg no longer sold those items but actually I made the same mistake with the links. But if the new hd, dvd rom, and ram are compatible with the rest of the parts I would prefer to keep them versus the old parts.

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Special savings on CPU & hard drive combo, ends 8/31

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$50 combo discount w/ Antec 500W power supply, ends 8/17

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135059
ECS P35T-A LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Supports 6 SATA-300, 1 eSATA & 2 x16 PCI-E slots

And sorry turk555 i just noticed your comment while I was writing this.
The links should work now.
 
turk555

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good price for the case, especially because it has free shipping. But it does not come with the PSU, that is another $50. Now I am not an expert on computers, I just started too, but what about this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144026
Granted that the PSU is not as good, but wont it last. Plus you get some style points with this case. Correct me if I am wrong in something.
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Can you give a link for the 9600 GT from EVGA? Thanks.
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Turk555, the case might be too small. Also the cooling doesn't look that good, since there is only two small fans. I think I will probably go with the one proximon suggested even though it isn't very visually appealing, assuming it is compatible.
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Okay. I found the dual-slot 9600 GT from Evga. Reviews on newegg say that it is a good card. I have two concerns. First concern is whether or not there is enough space in case for this big a card (reviews say 9 inches long). Second concern is that I want to use this computer for playing games like crysis and COD 4 very smoothly on medium settings. Will 9600 GT suffice or should I go with 8800 GT? $10-20 isn't that big a price difference to have much impact on my decision. Will cpu slow down the card?
 
turk555

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Yeah, I think that would be more important then looks. Well you can always get LED Lights for your case, if you wanted cheap style points.
 
Proximon

Proximon

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Yes get that case, please. I'm certain on this one.... unless you want to drop 50 dollars more on one, then I can find you a better looking deal. You can add two LED fans to the front as you can afford it.

The size of your card: It's more a factor with the motherboard, usually. I see nothing about this motherboard that will interfere. The case is a full sized mid-tower, and will not block anything.

You can play Crysis and COD4 on medium settings on a 22" monitor with that card. At lesser resolutions, you would get high settings out of COD4 and mixed med-high out of Crysis.

Playing on a CRT at 1280x1024? I wouldn't be suprised if you got mostly high settings in Crysis... Not the same as Crysis "very high." That's the territory of far more expensive computers.

It's not a huge deal either way. I happen to be a BIG fan of dual slot cooling, so that is the way I lean for your budget. Others will tell you the 8800GT is faster and just get that.... let me find a review that compares for you:

This seems like a good comparison. They test on both your games with both cards:

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/666/1/
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Thanks for every thing guys.
Okay, so this is how the build looks like.

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Special savings on CPU & hard drive combo, ends 8/31

Graphics Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130360
EVGA 512-P3-N860-TR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
EVGA dual slot cooling design technology

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$50 combo discount w/ Antec 500W power supply, ends 8/17

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135059
ECS P35T-A LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Supports 6 SATA-300, 1 eSATA & 2 x16 PCI-E slots

RAM- $57.00 ($32.00 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Hard drive- $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145213
HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725032GLA360 (0A35411) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD burner- $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136147
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

I am planning on ordering these. Any final things to add?
I like the fact that the Evga 9600 GT is dual-slot, I don't want to worry much about cooling. That reminds me. Should I buy any fans?
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Is there a compatibility issue with the case and motherboard? The case has the place for the psu at the bottom instead of the top. Will that conflict with the pci slot of the graphics card?
Wait, never mind. Now that I look at the images, I don't think there will be compatibility problem. Am i right?
 
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hamitaltintop22

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Okay. How about this one:
DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
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
Special savings w/ LightScribe combo, ends 8/31

It got good reviews on newegg and got a few customer choice awards.
It is $10 more than the IDE, so #37. So total is $540 ($490 after mail-in rebate).
 
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