The best system for $1000

[Garnier]

My friend is now planning to build a new computer instead of upgrade the old one, with a budget of probably no more than $1000.

I figure the best choice would be an nvidia/intel pc, based around the conroe 6600 and the 8800GTS, with 2GB Ram.

Here are newegg links for the specific stuff I found, but I don't know if these are the best choices or not. I'm sure some of you are much more expert on the subject than I am.

e6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003

8800GTS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133193

Power supply.. I doubt this is the best choice, I'm just throwing it out there.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341001

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134046

That all comes to around $700, but we'll need a case, mobo and hard drive.

[Roman Clone]

http://stores.tomshardware.com/searc..._house_mlink//


This site is my only piece of advice.... and Don't get a maxtor hard drive, don't ask why, just don't buy one.

[spartan_phalanx]

Actually an E6750 is a better bang-4-your-buck chip, the only difference here is that you would need the newer motherboard (p35, G33, nForce 600). I would go for an EVGA 8800 GTS, lifetime warranty, customer service and step-up program. Power supply is fine, but modular cabling is really nice to have. Just remember to stick with solid brands. RAM I would say OCZ Gold, cheap and really solid RAM. HDD really depends on your storage needs, I'm partial to Western Digital but Seagate has a longer warranty (5 years). Let me know the size your looking at and I can give you a solid recommendation. Here is a quick Hard Drive $/GB chart to get an idea.

[Garnier]

No more than 160/200 GB I would say.

And since he almost certainly won't be overclocking, I don't think getting 800mhz RAM is a good idea at this point.

[spartan_phalanx]

If he won't be overclocking then that's fine, most of the components I suggested are of the latest models including faster speed RAM. The reason I suggested that RAM is because it's cheaper and faster than what you had posted (future). Also I use it and it works great. Hitachi has a nice 320 GB drive that's very affordable.

August 2007

[Garnier]

Well we just picked out the parts on newegg:

Intel E6750 $205
8800GTS 320MB $270
2GB Kingston 800mhz $130
WD Caviar 250GB $110
OCZ 700w PSU $110
Intel P35 mobo (we made sure it supports the CPU, GPU and RAM) $110

[Roman Clone]

Ha Ha! Well Done Garnier!

[mrmouth]

$110 for a 250gb Caviar? Am I missing something, new revision?

I just picked up the new revision of 250gb Seagate, a real strong performer and as spartan_phalanx mentioned it has the 5yr warranty. Smaller, less noisy and generates less heat than the Caviar, perpendicular recording. This drive is making a real name for itself.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262


edit: sorry, just saw that you ordered already.

[Garnier]

I got my price mixed up, it was only around $70 I think.