Building a new comp from scratch, help me out?

[Matt2]

Ok, I'm building a new mid-ranged gaming PC. I've already picked out the parts I want, but I want to see if you guys can make better suggestions on what I should get since I have been out of the loop for a while now. K, here goes what I ahve so far:

InWin ATX Full Tower Case with 300 watt powersupply-$76
MSI K7T266 PRO2 motherboard -$104
AMD 1700+ Athlon XP -$122
GlobalWin CAK-II 38 Heatsink/Fan -$31
Crucial Micron 256mb PC-2100 DDR RAM -$77
IBM 60GXP 60GB Hard Drive -$111
Gainward GeForce 3 Ti 200 64mb Golden Sample -$156
ViewSonic PF790 19" 1600x1200 0.25dp monitor -$325
Pioneer 16x Slot load DVD ROM -$75
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 OEM -$32
Creative Inspire 5.1 5300 speakers and subwoofer -$81
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite -$18
Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical -$24

All in all with shipping and tax included that comes out to just under $1500

Please help me out and make suggestions! Especially regarding the sound. IF you see anyway to improve the system without drastically increasing the price, let me know!

Thanks for the input!

-matt

 

[zzzz]

I would get santa cruz as the sound card.
Also the mobo..If you have to buy MSI, why not the pro-2 RU? (has raid+usb2.0) Also make sure it is 266a chipset.
Also the HSF: get alpha 8045.

 

[Sandor]

I would recomend getting at least a 350W power supply with all that hardware. And though I know nothing about it, the Soundblaster Audigy OEM sound card can be had for under $70 (everything else is the newest, so I don't know if this or other 5.1 sound cards would interest you).

 

[HouRman]

I like the Intellimouse Explorer because it has better DPI scanning and feels better.

Looks like your pretty much set with the DVD + digital card + 5.1 surround sound.

I'd consider an ATI Radeon 8500 which u could get for as low as $167 + shipping. The ATI radeon has been doing better with the new drivers.

Will 300 watts be an adequate powersource for everything?

If there are things you can salvage from your old computer I'd do so and save some money. You don't have to buy everything at once.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Epox 8kha+ Mobo, if you don't need raid.

 

[Willoughbyva]

Since you are already over the $100.00 mark on the mb I would try something different. Some people say the Soyo Dragon Plus is a good one. I have no personal experience with it though.

 

[splice]

I second the Epox 8KHA+ motherboard, excellent board if you don't need RAID or you can go with the Shuttle AK35GTR which has good audio and RAID

 

[Matt2]

ok guys, thanks, your input is already helping me. I've made a few changes to the system so far.

I dumped the ViewSonic and went for the Hitachi CM721FB 19" 0.20mm DP

Right now I'm looking at the video card, can anyone point me to the cheapest place to get a RADEOn 8500? Oh, what's the difference between Retail and OEM. Is it like the original Radeon where the clock speeds were lower?

I went with the Alpha COoler

Right now, I also need help on the motherboard I am really lost on which one. Right now I am leaning towards the MSI K7T266 PRO2-RU or the above mentioned Epox motherboard.

Also, a good 350 watt case?

thanks again

 

[splice]

Personally I like Antec cases... newegg.com has some great cases you can look at.

 

[Matt2]

ok, here's the big question. Is a 300 Watt poer supply enough for this system or is a 350 watt power supply a must?? I only ask because 300's are much easier to find than 350's

 

[splice]

300w is plenty

 

[Matt2]

Have you heard of Maxtop cases? at newegg.com they have a mid tower with 4 5.25 bays and 2 3.25 bays and a 300watt power supply. It even comes ith 2 additional 80mm fans. It's only $47. Something's gotta be wrong with it right?

 

[Siddhartha]

I am using that MSI right now. It is very stable. You can use the MSI website to check your BIOS and 4 in 1 drivers and update them if needed.

 

[187]

300 watts is enough power if you get a QUALITY power supply. examples are enermax, antec, enlight, enhance...
if you get a no name generic power source in your case it may crap out on you in a few months.

 

[Blain]

You might want to try shopping over in the For Sale/Trade forum. That can save you some bucks.
* Check Heatware evaluation for starters.
* Search what kind of transactions the sellers have had in the past.