First build - list + advice

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astromattical

n00b
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Jul 18, 2008
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This will be my first build after years and years of Dell and Gateway computers. My current computer is a Gateway C2Q2.4 Q6600, 2gig of RAM, 8500GT (256). It does the job, but not well enough. And the job is gaming. Specifically Flight Simulator X and other high-end games.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $119
SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail - $289
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail - $79.99
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $149.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail - $199.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders - OEM - $179.99
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail - $53.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM PLUS
Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Premium Computer Tool Kit - Retail - $100.98

TOTAL - $1,180.90

No video card selected yet, but I'll probably go with the 4850. Here's where I need advice - I want to try to knock down the budget some, keeping at or below $1,000. My biggest fear is that if I go a little cheaper, I'll get junk that won't work. If anyone out there knows of quality parts that make a good gaming rig for around $1,000, please let me know!

I've done my research at this site, but for some reason no matter what I select, I always get +$1,500 rigs. I can't get myself to choose parts that are a bit cheaper. I just don't know if they're good or not!

EDIT - Oops. Forgot the PSU. 750TX for that one.
 
Why not just upgrade your current computer by adding in a better video card? Chances are you could drop in a 9600GT or an 8800GT and have excellent results. Of course, you just need to make sure your power supply can handle it. An HD4850 is a great buy too but I doubt your power supply would be strong enough.

Instead of the Antec 900, check out the Antec 300 which is $55 total at buy.com right now. The Antec Sonata III case is also very nice and comes with a 500W earthwatts power supply. You should look at buy.com or provantage.com for power supplies instead of newegg since newegg charges more.

Instead of the $289 Samsung, consider this $229 Acer 22" LCD. The price on this LCD changes somewhat often at newegg between $209 and $229. You can get this monitor for $179 after a $60 MIR at Office Depot starting tomorrow (Link). Newegg has the "glossy white" version for $199 right now and both have free shipping. Samsung makes great LCDs, but you probably wouldn't regret choosing one of the Acers if it fits into your budget more easily.

The G.Skill memory you chose is great, but if you don't mind Mail-in-Rebates, you can get kits from Corsair, OCZ, Patriot, or Mushkin for less. Personally, I'd go with this Corsair set because it has free shipping and is fairly cheap up-front but even cheaper after the $20 rebate. It also has decent timings at a low voltage so you could probably bump it up a few tenths of a volt to reduce the timings or increase the frequency if you wanted to.

The P5Q should be a nice board. Just make sure you get something with all the features that you need.

Get an OEM Q6600 since you're buying an aftermarket cooler anyways.

Don't buy Vista Ultimate, just get Home Premium.

Don't get the Zalman HSF. Get the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 and its retention bracket.

You shouldn't need to get a tool kit. All you really need to assemble a computer is a philips and maybe a flathead screwdriver.

A 4850 would be a good choice.
 
dhc104 has got you covered. Listen and heed his advice.
 
Thanks for the great advice dhc. My gateway currently has a 450W PSU I believe - not enough not an 8800GT, right? I guess I could go to Gateway and see if I can get a more powerful PSU since others wouldn't "fit". If I could just get a better PSU and GPU, I'd be happy. I'd rather put the $1000 towards another $1000 or so in a few months a get a system without a tight budget restriction. I'm just really concerned about cooling and the PSU in my Gateway - I know it's next to impossible to upgrade systems like that. That's my understanding, at least.
 
If you want a good gaming rig, why not get a faster Core 2 Duo (E8400 or E8500). They will perform better than a Q2.4GHZ in your games. Except for video editing and compression, a Core 2 is faster (unless you get a Q9xxx).
 
Thats a decent machine you got there. Might make sense to just add a few parts and call it a day.
 
My confusion/hesitation with my Gateway is that, to my understanding, large manufacturers use connections that aren't compatible with 3rd party parts. I can't get a 750TX and stick it into my case - right? It won't work with the existing parts/connections.
 
I agree dhc.

astromattical said:
My confusion/hesitation with my Gateway is that, to my understanding, large manufacturers use connections that aren't compatible with 3rd party parts. I can't get a 750TX and stick it into my case - right? It won't work with the existing parts/connections.
Click to expand...

Why not? Last I checked many OEM's use ATX PSUs in their desktop systems. Have you confirmed that your PSU isn't ATX compliant?
 
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