System to built for gaming?

[next61]

Newbee question: I need advice in building a system for gaming, making DVD's and recorning TV shows and music from a DirectTV satelite box. What case should I use, mobo, RAM, CPU, DVD recorder, etc. Budget is $ 3000. Please help.

 

[Kurisu]

Here is my recommendation:

AMD Athlon XP 3000+ (2700+ for 45% of the 3000+ price)
nForce2 chipset MB, like the Asus A7N8X Deluxe, water-cooled (see nForce2 review today)
2 sticks of 512mb PC2700 (1024mb Total)
Either 8mb cache ATA-133, or Serial-ATA HD
ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder 9700 Pro
Audigy 2 (don't really need this, since the MB has good sound)
Zip Drive, probably need a floppy drive too
Lite-On or Plextor CDRW
Sony DRU-500A DVD+RW (this only from Tom's review, haven't researched any)
Case, I like the Antec SX1040BII style (check out <A HREF="http://www.virtual-hideout.net" target="_new">www.virtual-hideout.net</A> for ideas)

Do some research and see what you come up with. For prices, forget that BizRate crap, use <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_new">pricewatch</A> for the lowest prices on stuff. You should be able to build the best of the best for $3000, including a 21+ monitor. Maybe later I will see what I can build for that amount.

-This Signature for Rent-

 

[dhlucke]

Check out newegg.com for great prices and service. The only thing that might kill you is sales tax if you live in CA.

I wouldn't bother with a zip drive or a floppy unless you absolutely need them. If you don't need them for a specific purpose, don't buy them.

With that budget, I would set aside a large portion of it for an awesome monitor. There's no reason for a 3000+ at the current price; use the money for a monitor. Start looking at a 22" or greater monitor.

I recommend the JB Special Edition drives from Western Digital. They have a 3 year warranty and 8MB cache.

I also like Antec cases. They're great to work with.

The A7N8X Deluxe has the equivalent of Audigy sound. If you want better sound, get the Audigy 2 or something similar. I'm not familiar with the competition.

Don't forget WinXP pro.

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