Need a new CPU/Mobo/Video/RAM

P

Phewl

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
83
Hiya [H],

I'm in the market for a new machine, I've been out of it for about 3 years. This machine is going to be running Vista, and will primarily be used for browsing, looking at pictures and burning DVDs. I'd like to get 2 - 3 years of this type of use out of it.

I want to give a small consideration to gaming. I've got a 360 so most of my wants would go there but I'd still like to play Counter-Strike and maybe some of the newer games to a limited extent.

My total system budget is going to be around $1100 including monitor. Could you guys make some recommendations for the cpu, mobo, RAM and video card? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!
 
Don't know what exactly all you need, or if you will be moving anything over from your other pc, or if you already have Vista, or need it, but here is a quick list with some quality parts that fit your needs, and come in under $1100 all from Newegg, which means if you shop around a bit, you can get it down a little bit in price.

Specs:

CPU: Intel E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX

Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16

Memory: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

DVD Drive: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W

Case: Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower

Monitor: Acer Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD 300 cd/m2 700:1


Total before shipping: $1,081.87

Again this is just a quick put together spec, and you can adjust as needed, and shop around for the best price.
 
We need some more answers or we cannot help you:
- Will you be overclocking?
- Does the $1100 include tax and shipping?
- What features are you looking for in a motherboard?
- Are you building this yourself or having a company do it for you?
 
Does the $1100 budget cover only the four components you're asking about plus a monitor, or is that for the entire system? If it's for the entire system, what would be your sub-budget for those components?
 
If you are looking to get 3 years of use out of it, a quad core would be the best choice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018

I would suggest going with an ATI 4850. I don't think you will find anything that can beat it price/performance wise. It definately has 2-3 years of light gaming in it.
They can be had for $140-150 AR now.

As long as you didn't go crazy with the other components, you could fit a 22" or 24" LCD into your budget. You can get a good Samsung 22" for $210 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001261
For about $100 more you could step up to a 24".

I would recommend going with 64 bit Vista. If you do, make sure to get 4 gb of ram.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 $67 AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269 $54 AR
 
I guess I wasn't detailed enough.

I do not have Vista.
I will not be overclocking.
$1100 does not include shipping but does include every component, including monitor (would like a decent 22").
I can and will build it myself.
Unsure what mobo features - I don't know what's new and exciting.
 
Then I recommend this build then:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $195
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $93
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $80
VisionTek 900241 Radeon HD 4850 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $190
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $62
Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $26
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $98
Antec 300 ATX Case - $60
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - $230
Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 OEM - $110
---
Total: $1144 plus tax and shipping

Fits all of your requirements. The quad-core CPU is a good choice since future apps will take advantage of multiple cores. The HD4850 is one of the best bang for the buck video card out now and will be more than enough for current games on your 22" monitor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top