Yep, the same question again....

[davidmor]

Hi everyone,

I have been out of the loop as far as building computers for quite a few years now. I am currently running a 2.5ghz single core intel with a BFG 7800 GS video card and 1 gig of ram. Although this computer has done me quite well for several years, it is just getting way too slow for modern games.

I am looking to build a new system and to be quite honest, I don't want to spend the countless hours necessary to pour over the motherboard comparisons, memory and chip comparisons. So, I figured that I would ask around to see what suggestions people would have to make a decent rig that is upgradable and will get my gaming back on track.

I am NOT looking for bleeding edge stuff, I have no desire to overclock, and I have a budget of under $1000 to work with. I know I won't get top of the line stuff, but I am thinking that with the right motherboard, right case, and power supply that would give me a good backbone to work with that will allow for future upgrades as needed. I am thinking to go with either a Core 2 duo 2.66ghz or a Core 2 quad 2.4ghz, and a 8800GX video card. I am an Intel and Nvidia kind of guy, so I would appreciate sticking with that.

So, what do you guys recommend? I would like to go with a complete rig, in other words I don't want to salvage parts out of my current rig with maybe the exception of the optical drives. I don't need a monitor or any other periperals as I have a good top end keyboard, speakers, and mouse.

I almost pulled the trigger on a Dell XPS 420 but I know I can get a much better computer doing it myself, and I can save a few bucks in the process. So, if you are up to it, would you recommend a good component list that would fit the bill?

Thanks in advance for the help and I look forward to building a new rig!

 

[crhscoog]

i was in your shoes too but i bought the xps 420.. mainly because of my parents. but heres a decent rig i made up:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply
ASUS EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (only one available; i would get a evga though)

Totals- $987.93 and theres a $55 Mail-in-Rebate
Total- $932.96

if you need a OS also and want to stay under budget, then get the ATI HD3870 Video Card.

if you decide to change your mind on overclocking, then I would recommend the Thermalright 120 Extreme w/ Scythe S-flex 120mm Case Fan.

 

[tiraides]

I was going to say something different, but crhscoog beat me to the punch. Actually, that's a good rig for around $1000.

The only thing that I would add is to shop around. Going to places like ClubIT and ZipZoomFly, for example, you could obtain some of those parts for less. If nothing else, get the Q6600 (with the G0 stepping, which allows it to run cooler) from ClubIT.