Sorry, didn't know where to put this...

[imported_Salvatore]

Hi. I'm going to be building a computer soon, and I just have some "quims" about what components I should get. There will be a general topic header and then two parts for that topic(I.E. Case - Cavalier or Praetorian). I would appreciate if you told me why I should get what component you reccomend. Also, I didn't know what forum to put this in, so feel free to move it. Let's get started.

Case

CoolerMaster Praetorian - $113 shipped

CoolerMaster Centurion II - $40 shipped

CoolerMaster Cavalier - $128 shipped

Power Supply

ThermalTake 420w Purepower - $39

Antec TrueBlue 480w - $70

Sound Card

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy ES PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0162" -OEM - $42

RealTek ALC850 7.1 channel on-board the K8N Neo Platinum - "Free"


Speakers

Logitech Z-640 5.1 - $49

Logitech X-620 6.1 - $70

Video Card

Radeon 9800Pro - $199

GeForce 6800GT- $399(The most I'll pay for it) or less

Some Notes

Let's see...I might not have room for the X-620s, so the Z-640s might be better. I hear 5.1 is just being used now, so 6.1 might be overkill? I don't have many components, so the TT 420w might be good enough. Also, the on-board sound might take away power from my CPU? I'm mainly just worried about the case and video card. Thanks to anyone who helps.

 

[Regs]

6.1 is over kill. I don't imagine you will hear much difference in surround sound or channel sound modes with one extra speaker.

I would pick the CoolerMaster Praetorian . Just because I own one and Anand.com also recommends one. I would also get the 430watt Antec PSU.

The video card is your choice. Ask youself what you really want. The best? Or the best of the best? They both carry a lot of value. It's just that the 6800 GT is the more expensive valued card. Depends on your bank account. I tell you one thing though, I think the 6800GT is worth the price tag for the type of performance you'll be getting. It's amazing. Imagine playing a game that has the graphics of Far Cry at 1600x1200 at playable framerates. If you think about this for more than 5 seconds, get the 6800GT.

 

[Tostada]

Out of those cases I'd pick the Praetorian, but the silver Wave Master is actually my favorite case.

Why are you looking at those PSUs? You're picking a case without a window, and you're looking at getting a blue LED power supply? Are you planning on doing something that the True430 couldn't handle? Personally, I'd get the $75 Enermax Noisetaker 420W.

I'm very confused that you would even ask about the video card. Obviously if you have $399 the GT is the way to go.

 

[Paratus]

I just got the Praetorian in Black and I have to say its a beautiful case. I haven't built my PC yet (bought a Suburban last month so I'll be buying a part or two a month until the checking account recovers) but I've throughly checked it out - there is not one sharp edge on that case and its amazing how light but ridged it is. I'd highly recommend it.

Regs the 6.1 comes on the Mobo it's just whether he'll get "better" sound from a seperate card and how many cycles the CPU will have to give up to run the sound.

My Mobo Asus P4P800 E also has the realtek 7.1 surround sound chip and from what I've read the impact to the CPU is minimal especially if you are comparing it to the impact onboard graphics has. Again I haven't built my machine yet so this is just what I've read. At the rate I'm going I should have it built by October

Hope this helps

Paratus

 

[Regs]

Regs the 6.1 comes on the Mobo it's just whether he'll get "better" sound from a seperate card and how many cycles the CPU will have to give up to run the sound.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[Paratus]

No problem