Will It Blend?

[silrev]

Hi,

This is my first attempt at building a computer on my own. I know nothing more than the basics of what goes where and still use an AGP card. I figure after 5 years with the same computer I need to get updated. I'm looking for advice from you experts if you have the time.

- This computer will be used for general purposes, watching movies and casual gaming, but I would like to be able to play all the latest games without having to turn all the settings to "Craptastic" in order to get 50 fps!

- Budget: Less than $1000

- Buying parts from the US

- Not a fanboy, but I only have experience with Intel,Nvidia, and WD

- Only my keyboard/mouse/speakers can be salvaged.

- I don't plan to overclock.

- I have been searching threads for the past few days trying to figure out what might work for me.

- This build will be a work in progress as I don't need it immediately.

This is what I have pieced together after searching numerous threads.

Monitor: Acer AL1916WAbd Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 169.99
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX 119.99
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3G LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard 74.99
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor 189.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply 90 79.99
GPU: ASUS EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 129.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 69.99
Ram: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit 66.50
CPU Cooling: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler 26.99
Optical: Samsung SH-S203B 28.99

Total: $957.41

I hoping someone can look at this and tell me if anything will not work, doesn't make sense, or if I would get better value from another item.

The items that gave me the most trouble (due to my lack of knowledge) are the motherboard, case, cooling, and cpu.

Also, the last time I had help putting a computer together, and friend of mine used some silver oxide paste of sorts. Do I need that? Thanks for any advice.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd get an ATI 4850 if it can fit in your budget, it's just much faster and the card to buy for gaming up to 1600x1200. I say this as an nvidia fanboy, my last 2 cards were nv 6800 then 7900.

I've read bad things about Gigabyte P35 boards, see the Motherboards forum. You might get their new P43 board instead. FYI, some P45 boards support Crossfire but only as 8x/8x speed not x16, so the cards don't run at full speed (see Tweaktown.com)

 

[Blain]

Save a few pounds and dollars... Buy the Tempest.
Spens a bit more... Buy the 640GB WD SE16.

 

[qp]

I may be overlooking something, but is there any reason you're going with that monitor over this monitor, which is not only superior, but about $37 cheaper (after shipping) right now?

Or, for $2 more than you were going to pay for that monitor (again, after shipping), you could get the 22".

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I've read bad things about Gigabyte P35 boards, see the Motherboards forum.

I've had a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R for months now and love it. It's rock solid and OC's very well.

:thumbsup::laugh:

 

[silrev]

Ah, my bad! That monitor is actually the one I wanted and wondered why my price was $20 more! Thanks. Fixed the link.