Thanks to X360, work and school, I'm out of the 'game'

[Chris2wire]

Ive been an obsessor or the Total War series, and I swore I would build a new computer for Medieval 2: Total War.

School, work, and an X360 with a 56" HDTV have occupied my time...

Well, I'm caving... But I don't know ANYTHING about whats "hot". The last time I was in the loop was right before the Core 2 launch...

I want to base the computer on the Core 2 Duo, and I want a vid card that can output HDMI to my tv (I don't think my TV has DVI, not sure right now...)

Anyways, I'm not asking you to build my computer, just tell me what to look for as with video card chipsets, mobo chipsets, sound card (need optical-out).

I really appreciate it!!! I just don't have the time to try to get myself caught up...

 

[DaveSimmons]

Understood that you don't have time to read any of the dozens of threads here just like yours.

But for someone to do the work for you, you need to list an overall budget, what parts you already have, and whether you plan to buy a legal copy of Windows or "find" one.

Also, do you want the excitiement of overclocking or the boring reliability of running at stock speed?

 

[gregor7777]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Understood that you don't have time to read any of the dozens of threads here just like yours.

But for someone to do the work for you, you need to list an overall budget, what parts you already have, and whether you plan to buy a legal copy of Windows or "find" one.

Also, do you want the excitiement of overclocking or the boring reliability of running at stock speed?

There is so much good in that post that I don't even know where to start, so I won't.

 

[Chris2wire]

ooooo.

I'll spend about $1500, no monitor, speakers, case, mouse or keyboard.

I like to overclock, but not an absurd amount.

I know its kinda lame to ask you all to do the work for me, but I figure there are some people on here that are constantly reading about computers and have a lot of time on their hands... If so... they can help me.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You can get a DVI to HDMI adapter so that shouldn't be an issue.

If you send an HD res (like 1280x720), you should be in good shape hooking that up to your TV.

What are you hooking up the soundcard to?
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1940133&enterthread=y

 

[Ruptga]

The P5B-Deluxe is always getting props, though there are newer versions of the board so I'd check that out. Hook that us with an E6600 and you're good to go there. If you're going with the stock cooler, some 667 memory will do you, but if you're going to pick up a Zalman or Arctic Freezer cooler or something else a bit more 'exotic' then 800mhz memory shouldn't limit your OC too much. They say that if you find anything based off of the Micron D9 memory modules you're good to go. As for a vid card, anymore the 1950pro seems to be doing really well in the bang/buck category.

 

[Freze]

From what I've heard and, as of tomorrow will test (getting my E6400, system tomorrow morning, waits for applause), the Core 2 Duo CPUs overclock like a ... well... good overclocker... it seems like Intel made a few mistakes when choosing clock frequencies, as everyone is saying that their C2Ds overclock easy to ~3.2GHz so OCing is NOT a problem.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

for a new computer, i suggest a new case and power supply. for about $100, the SonataII is hard to beat. separates would be nicer, but expensive. HTPCs are sweet IMO.

xp home w/vista coupon $89, mce w / coupon $110

E6600 $317 the stock cooler should do fine for a mild OC.

Geil or GSKILL mem 2x1GB DDR2-800 $210 - $225

Asus P5N-E $130

decent video cards will cost anywhere from $250 for a passive-cooled xfx 7950gt, to $600+ for an 8800GTX. i picked the xfx 7950 HE9 for it's excellent bang/buck ratio and quietness.

for the sound card, i like the x-meridian $189

newegg is out of stock on the lite-on sata burner $35

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB $95

 

[Ruptga]

Here's a thread on what to generally expect out of various C2Ds

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1947961&enterthread=y