Need help picking parts

[newbtwig]

Well...first time for me to build a computer. My budget is about ~$1000. I'm trying to build a gaming and entertainment system. I know about computers to a certain extent...pretty much just the basic stuff. I'm looking for to be able to run World of Warcraft smoothly on high settings and upcoming games (no idea what yet) on medium at least. If there are any guides that are up to date that teaches what to look for when choosing computer parts and why, please let me know. Of course I'm looking as well, but asking would make it faster. Oh, I won't be overclocking, I don't really have a brand preference (as long as its good), and I'll be buying my parts from the US.


Thanks

 

[BlueAcolyte]

CPU: You aren't overclocking, so you will be fine with an E6550 or E6750 ($170-190)

Graphics Card: 8800GT 512MB or HD 3870, there are some deals on this forum ($240-270)

Link to $260 8800GT is here

RAM: 2x1 GB DDR2 800, they are all around the same cost. I have the
A-Data Extreme Edition 4-4-4-12 DDR2 800 for $53 + $15 MIR at the egg.

Hard drive: whatever size you think you need

Case: Get a good looking case, you don't need super super cooling because you aren't OCing.

PSU: The Thermaltake 500W should work ($80)

Motherboard: GA-P35-DS3l ($90)

DVD Drive: Any SATA DVD Burner, try to find one with lightscribe

Price is $890, so you have some room to get something else. (including $100 for hard drive, $40 for DVD Burner and $80 for case)

 

[coxmaster]

Cant agree more, the E6550 is a fast and economical processor. 2GB of RAM should be enough for gaming and entertainment, but more wouldnt hurt either. The 8800GT is an amazing card, and it isn't overly expensive either. Make sure you get a power supply with enough power to run all of it though (that was my problem).

My specs are in my signature, and it totaled to just under 1000$. It'll run Crysis and CoD4 on Max settings at 1680x1050 with no problem. Definately worth the money!

 

[Doclife]

CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor $190

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115029

If you plan to overclock, then go with the E4500 (2.0 Ghz, 11X multiplier, ~$130)


MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R Rev. 2.0 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard Retail $127

http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4830711

Superb on board audio with the ALC889A sound chip; thus, you will NOT need to buy an add on audio card. Make sure that you buy Revision 2.0 board, which eliminates parallel, serial game ports and replaces them with 4 additional USB ports (it has 8 USB ports on the I/O back panel)


MEMORY: Transcend 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $86

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820208353

Memory prices are at their lowest at this point in time. If you buy only 2GB now, you will have to pay a lot more for another 2GB in the future when you want to upgrade. Your best bet is to buy 4GB now.


PSU: Corsair CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply $65 (after $15 Rebate)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139003

Reliable, high efficiency, quiet and made by a reputable company (Seasonics)


VIDEO CARD: BFG - NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB Graphics Card $209 (after applying 12% off coupon at store)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...&cp=1&id=1190678470708

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2129414&enterthread=y

Best bang for the buck video card. This is a no brainer.


CASE: THERMALTAKE Soprano RS 101 VG7000BWS Mid Tower Case Retail $30 (after $30 rebate. Expire 12/17/2007)

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...ctCode=10005889&ps=ho3

I just pick the cheapest case with decent quality. You can also go with the Antec Solo, which is a very popular case in the silent pc community.


CD/DVD BURNER: SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151153


OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116215

Don't forget that you need an OS. You can also pick Vista 32 bit or XP but keep in mind that those OS' will only see ~3.5GB of your memory.


MONITOR: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 $200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009094


If you want better image quality, go with the Samsung 226BW or HP W2207



Total: $1121