New computer from scratch

[Garmonbozia]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Light gaming (WoW), web browsing, word processing.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

Economical but not stingy.

3) Where do you live?

Nova Scotia, Canada.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

CPU, motherboard, case, power supply, DVD drive, sound card, video card(s), monitor, keyboard, wireless network card, ethernet card, hard drive (size doesn't really matter), RAM (4GB),

6) Will you be overclocking?

No.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?

Have a 17" and want another 19" wide or 22" wide.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

ASAP

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

None.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

No. I want to use Windows XP.

I used to build my PCs from scratch several years ago but am now totally out of the loop on hardware and need some helping making a new rig. Doesn't have to be anything too fancy except that I want to run dual monitors. I currently have an NEC 1740CX 17" with a DVI cable and would like to get a 19" wide or 22" wide to go with it. I was thinking a Radeon 4850 might be a good card. Can anybody recommend a good motherboard and CPU for this configuration? Are there any power concerns I should know about?
Thanks.

 

[lowteckh]

Your budget please, in numerical $$. That determines almost everything....

 

[Garmonbozia]

Ok, let's say $1200.

 

[lowteckh]

CPU - E8400 $210 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27784&vpn=BX80570E8400&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1068 (Q6600 is a whoopin' $280 wtf)
Mobo - ASUS P5Q Pro $154 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30418&vpn=P5Q Pro&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1068
Ram - G.Skill 4GB DDR2 1066 $65 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28306&promoid=1068
PSU - Non-modular Corsair 750TX $135, $110AR http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26415&vpn=CMPSU-750TX&manufacture=CORSAIR&promoid=1068
PSU - Non-modular PC P&C S75CF $125, $105AR http://www.ncix.com/products/index....F&manufacture=PC Power & Cooling&promoid=1068
PSU - Modular Corsair 620HX $180, $144AR http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19831&vpn=CMPSU-620HX&manufacture=CORSAIR&promoid=1068
HD - WD6400AAKS $79 http://www.ncix.com/products/index....S&manufacture=Western Digital WD&promoid=1068
GPU - EVGA 9800GTX+ $200, $180AR http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34750&vpn=512-P3-N884-AR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1068
Monitor - Samsung 22" 2233BW $215 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36134&vpn=LS22CMKKFV/ZC&manufacture=Samsung&promoid=1068

Pick out keyboard, case, mouse, wireless card, optical drive yourself. Sound card and Ethernet card are unnecessary.

 

[Garmonbozia]

Thanks.

 

[Garmonbozia]

I noticed that on the specs for the mother board it says:

*When installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Hence, a total installed memory of less than 3GB is recommended.

Does this mean that if I want to run 4GB of RAM I would have to use Windows XP Professional 64-bit Edition as opposed to Windows XP Home Edition?

 

[lowteckh]

You would use Vista 64 bit and not XP 64 bit. You would be either very adventurous or stupid to use XP 64 bit as it's poorly supported and bugged to hell. You can still use 32bit, just won't have the remaining 500MB of ram or so to play with.

 

[tiraides]

Do you have an unused, legally transferable copy of Windows XP? (An OEM license that's been used on another system is not a legally transferable copy.) If not, go with Vista, as you can find the 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium for less than you would a 32-bit copy of XP Pro. (For full use of 4GB or more RAM, you would need a 64-bit OS... which means, if you're unwilling to go the Vista route, XP Pro x64.)

 

[Garmonbozia]

So, you're actually recommending Vista? I've been avoiding it like the plague. I've heard so many horror stories and I have nothing but love for XP so I was going to stick with it. No, I don't have a transferrable copy, I'm going to have to buy a new one.

 

[lowteckh]

Not Vista vs XP again. Brb need to punch wall and shoot a kitty.

People stopped avoiding Vista for a long time already. Search "Vista vs XP" if you're still brainwashed from all the Vista sucks bullshit.

 

[DazeDaze]

XP64 is viable option, not going to debate comparisons but I will say that a 64 bit XP works like a charm.

 

[lowteckh]

If it "worked like a charm", you'd actually see people use it

Read and discuss in this thread for anymore Vista and XP 64bit stuff.

 

[criccio]

So, you're actually recommending Vista? I've been avoiding it like the plague.

That reality is the complete opposite. Get Vista 64 and 4+GB of RAM and never look back. You won't be sorry.

There is about a million threads on this topic here alone. Vista is HIGHLY recommended, especially the 64bit version. Anyone who tells you otherwise is just buying into the FUD.

 

[GJSNeptune]

Or try to find XP for cheap and wait for Windows 7.

 

[DazeDaze]

If it "worked like a charm", you'd actually see people use it

Read and discuss in this thread for anymore Vista and XP 64bit stuff.

And this thread http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1333802

Small disclaimer, xp64 sp3 modded "works like a charm"

I've used xp32 then went to vista64, after over a year I am making a happy home back in xp64.