Advice on new build

[Beltar]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

I?ll be using it for school which is computer science (programming (Java, C, C+, etc.) also taking some graphics programming classes. (Visual studio 2005)) I want to be able to do some moderate, or more, gaming. I don?t need something that is going to run max settings and super high resolutions. Also just regular computer use like web surfing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

I?d like to keep it around $800 or so. There is room to go higher if necessary.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

I?m in the US.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

I don?t have a huge preference but I?ve been looking at going Intel for the build. That?s about the only preference.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

This is a completely from scratch build. I don?t need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

I?ve looked through quite a few threads, and gotten some ideas on what I want to do (listed below).



7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I don?t plan on overclocking right now. Maybe eventually, but not a concern really.



This is my first from scratch build. I?ve been looking around and figured out some of the parts I?ve been leaning toward. I?m not 100% sure on them though, and wanted some opinions on what I?ve been thinking about as well as suggestions for the other parts. One thing I?m not sure about though is how loud any of this will be though. I want a decently quiet machine. If it?s somewhat loud when playing games that?s no big deal, but I don?t want a system that is loud when I?m doing regular stuff on it though.

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


CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz
Link

PSU: Antec earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply
Link

GPU: not sure here. I will be running dual monitors on it though.

HDD: was thinking 500 GB Samsung or something. I read something about Samsung not being too loud.

Case: Not sure here either. Was thinking an Antec case or something.

Memory: Someone on these forums always seems to have a link to a good deal on this that I?m hoping will get posted.


I?m pretty flexible about changing anything on here. Just hoping to get some advice and stick near my budget. This is my first from scratch build.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Memory: Anything rated to run at 1.8V
Video card: Radeon 3850, 3870, or nVidia 8800GT. All 512mb versions. eVGA 8800GT 512 for $240 shipped
Good choice on mobo and PSU.

For CPU, I suggest spending $30 more for 2mb more cache and faster frequency: the E8400.
It will also produce less heat due to 45nm tech, so less cooling required (= quieter).

Do you already have an OS? I don't see it in list of parts. You will want a 64bit OS to use more than 3gb of RAM.

Keep an eye on our Hot Deals forum for blazing hot deal on memory and case.

 

[Beltar]

Thanks for the links. I'll definitely watch the Hot Deals section.

I have read some stuff about the E8400. Since it's 45nm will there be any extra things i have to worry about getting it to run at the MOBO I have picked out? It seemed like some people were having some extra stuff they had to do because of that.

I didn't think to mention about the OS. I haven't seen much about Vista really yet. Have there been problems with drivers, and what not, with the 64 bit Vista? Should I just think of getting 64-bit XP?


Thanks again for the help.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Get 64-bit Vista. 64-Bit XP is a good platform but a dead end in terms of driver support.

 

[Beltar]

Thanks MegaVovan.


Anyone have any suggestions, or recommendations, on parts?