OMG another building thread

[shadowarmy75]

So, I need a computer that can handle new games reasonably well, and for under 900 dollars. Right now I have this as base idea:

Motherboard: No idea.
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Manchester 2.4GHz or Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KS 320GB 7200 RPM
Video Card: Radeon X1600PRO 256MB
Sound Card: I'll just get the cheapest one I can find.
Case: XION XION II XON-103 Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply
Cooling: No idea.

I need a bunch of help on compatability and if my power supply is enough. I was also wondering if I should wait til Vista comes out to buy things or just do it now. I was thinking that people would build theirs when Vista comes out and it would drive up prices. I also thought he the difference wouldn't be much.

[Shazbot]

I think that you would need a better video card than what you have, it's fairly old now, and massive to boot...

[shadowarmy75]

Well right now I'm playing RTW on a GForce so I think that'll hold for a while.

[Arakorn]

Get the Intel CPU. Conroe (Core 2 Duo) is much better than AMD's X2 right now! And as you can see the 6400 (which is equal to the FX-62) is 10$ cheaper!

And I'd also get a better GPU than that.

[Spart]

Yeah, C2D is a lot better choice, but that graphics card won't really keep up with that. Well, it's easy to get a new gpu, make sure your motherboard and processor are up to date (=Core 2 Duo).

[Incinerate_IV]

Powersupplies that comes with cases are a piece of crap, buy a separate one.

For a list of good parts look in this thread:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52737

[krazykarl]

I was quite happy with my Coolermaster case, it has very good airflow and excellent construction for a $50 case. I put an OCZ GameXtreem psu in it.

[shadowarmy75]

Taking that advice in mind, I have come up with this:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
Graphics: BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE GeForce 7600GT 256MB
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KS 320GB 7200 RPM
Sound Card: I'll just get the cheapest one I can find.
Case: APEVIA (ASPIRE) X-Plorer ATXB8KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
PSU: I'm planning on overclocking and not sure what I should get.

I do have one more question. Are the PSU that come with the cases really that bad? I'm going to buy one for under 60 bucks anyway if I get a case without one so does it make much of a difference?

[Scarlett Letterman]

I was quite happy with my Coolermaster case, it has very good airflow and excellent construction for a $50 case. I put an OCZ GameXtreem psu in it.

I don't think you need to spend that much on a mobo. And your best bet is to use the on board sound on the mobo.

[Spart]

They're not all crap. Antec and Nexus for example are good brands, but I would still buy the case and the PSU separately, so I would get the best possible. Otherwise it seems good. Gpu is enough if you're planning to upgrade to dx10 in a next year or so..

[shadowarmy75]

I'm definitely upgrading this as time goes on. I'm not looking for the best PSU but one that can handle what I have and some overclocking. I'm not looking to have double SLIs like on a Mac or anything just something that's reliable and works.

[krazykarl]

The motherboard is the most important component of the system, sure its not as flashy or high profile as anything else, but EVERYTHING pluggs into your motherboard, so a good one is worth the investment.

[Incinerate_IV]

For a mid-high range system this PSU should be more than enough.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

[Freddie]

For a mid-high range system this PSU should be more than enough.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

Have to disagree at 400watts that PSU is under powered, it has the ampage (2x 12 Volt rails 18 and 16 amps) but is lacking the watts. Add to this he wants to go DirectX 10 in the near future it would be worth while getting a 600 Watt PSU such as this one.

[shadowarmy75]

How's this one? I don't know how you guys are seeing what ampage from the PSU's but this one is 550W.

[Incinerate_IV]

How's this one? I don't know how you guys are seeing what ampage from the PSU's but this one is 550W.

Wattage don't mean anything in a PSU, it's all about the 12v amps.

The 400W PSU I posted earlier is fine, but like freddie said, if you want to get a high end DX10 card later on you probably need to a better PSU. The $100 OCZ GameXstream should easily handle that load, the $144 seasonic is way too much.

[UnderdawgIV]

The 7600GTS (Same as 7600GT) is going for $100 at the 'egg.

[shadowarmy75]

I'm probably going to wait till Vista since I just found out that it comes out in December so it won't be that long.

[AlfonsoVIII]

Vista will be out to businesses only around November and December. Consumers cannot get it till March, maybe. The business version that will come out will be more expensive, like $400 based on what I read.

[shadowarmy75]

Retarded Microsoft. I'm probably still going to wait. It looks so good.