new pc build

wems

n00b
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
32
I want to build a good LONG LASTING comp for under about ~1300$
I already have a monitor/keyboard/mouse
Are the prices of the processors and vid cards going to drop soon?
I want this comp mainly for gaming such as COD4, mass effect, Warhammer Online...
Also for multitabling poker with full hud (can be pretty cpu extensive, or is atleast with my
current 2.4c setup)

Processor:
Q6600 194$
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80864&prodlist=celebros
-heatsink ($36):http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
- retention bracket:

Motherboard:
uncertain here, I want something that has good longevity and something that supports
crossfire.

GPU:
should i go with nvidia for SLI later on the road or ATI? ive never owned an ATI before and ive been pretty happy with geforce but it doesnt mater too much to me.
Visiontek HD4850 190$
http://www.buy.com/prod/visiontek-r...i-e-2-0-directx-10-1/q/loc/101/208177814.html

Ram:
Gskill 4gb 80$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 640gb 90$
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008688&prodlist=celebros

PowerSupply: 95$
Corsair TX 750w
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-tx-...x-cmpsu-750tx-atx12v/q/loc/101/206178325.html
this might be too much power I dno

OS: 105$
Windows Vista Home 64bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

CD/DVD drive: 25$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Case:
Im a little uncertain what case to get... I want something simple yet functional, and something that will stay cool and wont be too tight of a fit, but I dont want a huge tower either....
Antec Three Hundred 55$
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-three-hundred-atx-computer-case/q/loc/101/207906549.html

and im guessing some miscelanious items such as fans and that compound or w/e will cost about 30$ ?
 
Good selection of parts man. You must have been reading hehe. As far as the mobo, an Asus P5Q or P5Q pro for $130/$150 is good already. The P5Q Pro supports Crossfire. As far as the PS, it is more than enough for that setup but, what the hell, it's a good price for a PS like that. Plus, later on, you won't have to bother upgrading your PS down the road. This gives you more headroom for future upgrades.
 
also should i wait a few weeks for some certain items? like is the CPU and vid card going to drop prices pretty soon?
 
I am not sure if that Q6600 will drop in price. The 45nm Q9550 will drop in price to $316 around there. Not sure when though. The video cards will go down in price a little but, not much. You may see some brands offering better MIR than others. However though, even if you build your system right now based on those specs you listed, those are very good prices already. You are not paying no $400 on that Q6600 like before. Also, at under $200, that HD 4850 delivers great performance for its price.
 
The TX750 is overkill, but at that price, it's a steal.

If you need some additional fans, pick up some Yate Loons from either Jab-Tech or Petra's Tech Shop.
 
could anyone suggest a good website with a good step by step on piecing together a pc?

this computer will be my 3rd build... my 1st build was from a barebones system... my second was a full build(but that was uhh4+ yrs ago) so... i feel like a complete noob again :)

thanks
 
could anyone suggest a good website with a good step by step on piecing together a pc?

Check the stickied FAQ or look in my sig for the link. There's several PC building guides if you look around there.
 
and this is another dumb question im sure...
but do I need a thermal compound with this heatsink??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
I have artic silver 5 atm, but Im uncertain if I will need to use it?

also are there any last minute things I should look into buying? my CD ROM came in bubblewrap and not a box, so im guessing I need a SATA cable (when did they stop using IDE cables for cdroms??)
 
All heatsinks require thermal paste, that S1283 will come with some...however since you already have some, you're good to go.

Most boards come with two SATA cables.
 
Okay so Ive got the computer and its amazing, I cant believe how smoothly everything went (well installing the heatsink was a pain in the ass and probably took an hour and fear of breaking motherboard and my fingers).... But now I hear what i guess is white noise when Im using my sennheiser HD280 headphones, and when I open up counter-strike source I hear it real bad... Should I try and install better drivers or would a cheap sound card do me good??

any suggestions welcome :) for a sound card Id like it if possible for me to hook up my headphones and a mic to the front too so
 
Which motherboard did you end up getting?

Try updating the sound drivers first, and if they don't offer any improvement, then consider a sound card.
 
well i love the new case, ive ran counter-strike with an average of 215fps (wtf), i ran mass effect at full settings and it looks awesome, and ive played some warhammer online (which my old comp would lag out in big scenes) and uhh i love everything about this comp except for the sound... well the sound is good its just the white nouse, and I honestly think its more of a headphone jack than the computer itself, but I guess ill have to test that out on something

gl to your purchases
 
Did you end up getting the parts listed in your first post? What resolution do you game at?
 
wems said:
Okay so Ive got the computer and its amazing, I cant believe how smoothly everything went (well installing the heatsink was a pain in the ass and probably took an hour and fear of breaking motherboard and my fingers).... But now I hear what i guess is white noise when Im using my sennheiser HD280 headphones, and when I open up counter-strike source I hear it real bad... Should I try and install better drivers or would a cheap sound card do me good??

any suggestions welcome for a sound card Id like it if possible for me to hook up my headphones and a mic to the front too so

Danny Bui said:
So onboard sound wasn't good enough for you?

no I just dont like the white noise im hearing...
 
X-Fi extreme audio has excellent sound quality and can be had for under 50$.
 
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