First Time Builder In Need Of Help

[wwatson2002]

Hello all. I just want to thank everyone who shares their knowledge of computers in these forums. It really helps us less knowledgeable ppl make dicisions. This will be my first build and a friend recommended AMD. Being that they are a little cheaper I probably will. I will mainly use the computer for gaming and plan on slightly OCing being that it will be my first time. I would really appreciate it if I could get some advise on the parts I have priced for my system. The budget for my tower including OS is $1000. Here is what I have so far.

AMD 9950 BLACK 2.6GHZ 125W AND BIOSTAR TA790GX COMBO DEAL $233.98

ANTEC 900 CASE WITH ANTEC 650W PSU COMBO DEAL 164.98

VISIONTEK 4870 512MB $274.99

G.SKILL RAM 4GB (2x2GB) 800MHZ PC2 6400 DUAL CHANNEL $49.99

WESTERN DIGITAL HDD 500MB $59.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD BURNER WITH LIGHTSCRIBE $25.99
TOTAL: $809.92 WITHOUT OS

All parts were priced through Newegg. I don't have a fan/heatsink because my friend said I wouldn't need one. If you notice any changes that would benefit my system, I would love know. I'm looking for all the help i can get. If you can find something to change that will lower costs and raise performance let me know. I really appreciate all your help. Thanks alot.

 

[slomo4sho]

You don't need a fan/heatsink unless you plan on overclocking. That said, I would recommend looking into a Intel build:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 bundled with ASUS P5Q Pro is currently $254.98
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/AddToCart.aspx?Submit=ADD&ItemList=Combo.138376

The Antec 900 bundled with the NeoPower is a good choice

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit will run you $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Also, go with the SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB, well worth the extra $25($10 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102795

 

[wwatson2002]

Thanks for the input. The reason I was going with the AMD chip is because i heard when intel releases their new chipset, all older models would not be upgradeable. Also I heard that quad is the way to go, and AMD would be comming out with a new chip that would not require a MOBO upgrade. Again this is just hear-say so I can't be sure. Again, thanks for the feedback.

 

[slomo4sho]

For gaming, duals actually work better than quads. Intel's new i7 cores do use a new socket type but you can always up grade to the existing model of core quads in the future if you need to.

You can get a after market cooler and easily overclock the E8400 to around 4GHz

 

[icyicy]

The E8400 is more than enough for gaming.
You would see a difference if you went for the more expensive Q9550.
Then you also have the much more expensive Extremes QX9650/QX9750.
That being said, I'm sure you realize there are plenty of upgrades to be done without the need to go into the new i7 that needs a different motherboard (and so far offers almost nothing new for gaming). And that is without considering the fact that you will have a hard time finding a game that takes full advantage of even your current CPU.

 

[wwatson2002]

Cool, thanks alot. I realy didn't think about it like that. I could always upgrade to a quad when they produce games that utilize it. Now when I do upgrade to a quad, do I have to upgrade the MOBO? And with OCing what is the best budget heatsink to use? Thanks for your time.

 

[slomo4sho]

The bundled MOBO supports quad cores.

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler is one of best air cooler out there...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004&Tpk=Sunbeam%20Core%20Contact%20Freezer

 

[aeiouandxyz]

^^ Intel fanboy...
Go with what you have. We (consumers) need AMD so that Intel won't sell their E8400s for $1000. AMD processors don't perform as well as Core 2 processors but irl, who's going to notice. Applications are going to be coded and optimized for quad cores in the near future. The hard drive you chose is older technology and the price on newegg is the same as the their 640GB model.

 

[slomo4sho]

^^ Intel fanboy...

I actually have 3 AMD based computers and only 1 Intel at home currently, I am just directing him towards parts that provide him the most bang for his buck.

 

[dirtmountain]

Both have good points, the 9950 with the 790GX/750SB is a good choice..... so is the E8400 and the P5Q Pro. At stock clock the 9950 beats the Q6600 and overclocked the Q6600 beats the 9550. The E8400 will beat them both in most games at stock clock and will beat them both in most when overclocked, the exceptions are games optimized for quad cores. Both motherboards offer 8x/8x crossfire. A good place to check out benchies that show CPU scaling is this article using a HD4870x2 by Legionhardware
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=770 you can check out different games you might play or ones that interst you and make the call.
As for hard drives i'd go with the Western Digital 640GB SATA Good amount of storage, good speed, free shipping and $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

*EDIT* good place to check for cooler reviews is here.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm
as you can see the Sunbeam core contact scores #1 for cooling and has good marks for quiet, especially when fan is on low from the included fan control.