First Computer Build

[Psychless]

This is my first computer build (surprise surprise), and I will have a budget of about $1200, possibly up to $1500. I put together a list of what I wanted but the total was around $1800. I won't be building it until the end of the year but this will give me a very good idea. Also I will be getting a new monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers. I will be using this computer for general tasks but also doing some casual gaming and game development.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 - $230
MSI P6N SLI Platinum (650i) - $166
Crucial Ballistix DDR2-1066 - $269 and $75 mail in rebate as of April on Newegg
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB Superclocked Video Card - $300
Samsung 226BW Black 22" - $319
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB - $80
Vista Home Premium - $110
Ocz Gamexstream 700 watts - $150
Logitech X-230 32 Watts 2.1 Black Speakers - $32
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3000 Laser and Keyboard - $54
Thermalright Ultra 120 - $50
NZXT Apollo Black - $70

Total: Around $1880

I welcome all your suggestions!

 

[fierydemise]

You could shave off about $100 if you went with cheaper RAM, if you aren't OCing buying the ultra high end stuff isn't worth it. I'd suggest looking into one of the many deals on DDR2-667 for under $100, if you want to go for DDR2-800 there are also so good deals for about $100, check the hot deals forum.

 

[Psychless]

Oh sorry I must have forgotten to mention in my original post that I *was* going to be overclocking. Note the Thermalright Ultra 120 on the list. And the reason I'm going with PC2-8500 is because the 6400 Crucial memory was only slightly cheaper. Crucial uses Micron D9 chips which is the reason I picked them

 

[Butterbean]

I must have read 6 articles the past month showing faster ram is not worth the cost when performace is measured. Get some nice DDR 800 6400 and forget all the hyped stuff. You can get nice ram for 100 - 160. People are loving the G.Skills HZ's and they are under 160 now. I also still think a Direct X 9 video card like the 1900 Pro still has a lot of miles left in it for $160.

 

[phaxmohdem]

Unless you plan on SLI-in that GTS in the future you could probably get a slightly less expensive power supply, and perhaps a 20" Widescreen LCD to save a few bux? Same resolution. Also if you're overclocking, why not get the e4300 chip?

 

[Psychless]

I will definitely consider both of your opinions but I have to get off for the night. Thank You!

 

[krotchy]

IMO by the end of the year that rig will be in the 1200 dollar range easily, but you will probably be shying towards something else. Especially since come August the Core 2 Quads are supposed to be dropping even more and might be in your current range. Also the DDR3 stuff should be out, which might drive DDR2 boards and ram prices down a bit, course it is all speculation.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: Psychless
I won't be building it until the end of the year but this will give me a very good idea.

No it won't. It's really pointless to do a price check now for something you won't be building for another seven months.

By the time you plan to build, everything will have changed, not just the prices. DDR3 will be out. Both Intel and AMD will have new processors. Quad core will be midrange. ATI and Nvidia should have new cards out by then. Much of what's high end now will me midrange or possibly even low end by then.

 

[mellondust]

You could save another $30 to $40 if you went with an Asus or Gigabyte board with a 650i chipset. They are around $130 to $140 and seem to be good boards.

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom

Originally posted by: Psychless
I won't be building it until the end of the year but this will give me a very good idea.

No it won't. It's really pointless to do a price check now for something you won't be building for another seven months.

By the time you plan to build, everything will have changed, not just the prices. DDR3 will be out. Both Intel and AMD will have new processors. Quad core will be midrange. ATI and Nvidia should have new cards out by then. Much of what's high end now will me midrange or possibly even low end by then.

This is very much true, you can kinda sorta plan a month in advance, but not six or seven months, not with computers.

Edit: look at this, see what's expected to be out when you're planning to buy
http://www.mikeshardware.co.uk/RoadmapQ307.htm

But probably better advice is to hold off upgrading until you can't stand it anymore, and then do it, otherwise you'll always be second guessing because something amazing is coming out in a month.

 

[Blain]

Build it already!!!