Building a new gaming rig

[notalent420]

Well folks, I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do. Build my own computer. I always said the next computer I get I will build it myself. But I always ended up going the OEM route. Anyway, over the next couple months I am going to be purchasing parts. I decided to wait until the 3800 X2 comes out and the confirmed specs for the R520 emerge. For now I am just going to list the parts that I know I will have.

Case: Cooler Master Praetorian PAC-T01-EK Black All Aluminium Alloy ATX Mid Tower (Only ATX case that I found that has less than 8 inch width)
PSU: Cooler Master Real Power RS-550-ACLY ATX12V/ EPS12V 550W Power Supply (Might get PCP&C if someone can justify the cost difference)
Memory: No definite brand but I'm going to want 2GB PC3200. Suggestions would be helpful.
Hard drive: Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300S0 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive (Read good things about this line of drives. I especially like the 5 year warranty at 16MB cache)
Optical drives: LG Black IDE DVD Burner Model GSA-4163BK (I want this one for DVD-RAM compatibility)
LG Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model GDR-8163B
Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speaker
Keyboard/Mouse: Was looking at the Saitek Eclipse and the Razer Plasma Diamondback but if it's not worth the "pimp factor" then I could always go for something cheaper.

Well that's all I have in queue for now. I do not want to overclock if I don't have to. I want something that will last for at least 2 years with the option of upgrading even in those 2 years. Not sure if I left something out. Anyway thanks ahead of time to those that contribute.

 

[Stugots]

Buying half now and waiting for other to come out is not a good idea. Save your money, wait till EVERYTHING you want is available and buy all at once.

 

[notalent420]

What if I just buy the case and PSU now? or maybe just the case.

 

[Russ]

Case: Cooler Master Praetorian PAC-T01-EK Black All Aluminium Alloy ATX Mid Tower (Only ATX case that I found that has less than 8 inch width)
your choice.

PSU: Seasonic S12 for sure. Silent and efficient.
S12-500 $105: http://www.case-mod.com/store/seaso...-500-watt-atx-power-supply-p-1579.html?src=fr
S12-600: $130: http://www.case-mod.com/store/seaso...-600-watt-atx-power-supply-p-1580.html?src=fr

Memory: Well, there's some pretty much guarenteed 2-2-2-6 @ 235-250mhz for $106 each here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146545
And some stuff for $80 each that is suspected to be the same thing (no one's bought any and reported here): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146190

Hard drive: Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300S0 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
good choice! Get it from ZZF though (newegg has bad HDD shipping, could be DOA):
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=100719-6

Optical drives: LG Black IDE DVD Burner Model GSA-4163BK (I want this one for DVD-RAM compatibility)
ok.

LG Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model GDR-8163B
ok.

Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
ok.

Speakers: if you want something cheap, there's the Logitech 5.1 X-530 on newegg for $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121118

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech MX-518 $40
any keyboard.


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I doubt the 3800+ X2 will serve you for 2 years without overclocking. The 4200+ or 4400+ will come closer, and you can get one of those now.

If you have the money, I'd throw a 7800 for $549:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321952

a MSI neo4 or Asus A8N or something and a 4200+ in that rig and get it going RIGHT NOW!

And if you don't have the money, then a 3200+ Venice, DFI, and a 7800. (And then OC of course, you can always learn how to).

 

[forumposter32]

Here are my random thoughts on this. As far as video cards go, I might get X700 Pro as the cheapest one, then the 6600 GT then 6800 GT. Above that, well, I'm too cheap.
(I mean those for PCI-E.)