1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Primarily gaming
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$900-1200
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
None
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Mouse, keyboard, headphones and monitor (DS-263N)
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Moderate overclocking, maybe to around 3.5GHz
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
This summer
-------------------------The rundown-------------------------
Basically, it's been about 3 years since my last build so I've been sort of out of the loop but recently I started reading around and came up with a tentative list. My comments and concerns can be found after every entry. There are a few items that I'm really unsure about since I don't plan on building this immediately but within the next couple of months or so I highlighted some other possibilities. Originally, I wanted to stick with 32-bit XP but since memory is so cheap and XP can't use more than 3.xGB I figured I might as well upgrade to 64-bit Vista. I have means to acquire Vista (legally) for free so it shouldn't be added to the total price. Anyway, here's the list:
Case: Lian Li PC-61 // I like the clean look and this is pretty firm unless I will run into some fitting problems.
Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro // Is this too expensive for my overclocking needs? What are alternatives? I read some reviews and this one seemed like the best.
CPU: C2D E8400 // Seems like the best choice for gaming currently.
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro // I read this did well in reviews. But from what I've been seeing on here recently, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is also pretty solid?
Memory: (2x ??) G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1000 // For the same price as the DDR2 800 at Newegg, why not? Any issues with the higher voltages? Also, should I get 8GB for 64-bit Vista?
PSU: Corsair 550VX/Corsair520HX/Corsair 650TX // Ok, this one is a little confusing. I know Corsair makes great PSUs but I'm not exactly sure what the different monikers after the wattage ratings mean (VX, HX, TX, etc). I noticed the HX ones have more than 1 12V rail and are modular, but I don't really know what difference having multiple rails makes. I like the fact that the 520HX is modular, but will 520W be enough for my system?
GPU: ???? // This one is also troublesome. If I had to buy today, I would opt for a 8800GTS 512MB but since I read that there should be new ones out in a month I'm tempted to wait. The reason I'm hesitant is that I recently purchased a 26 inch monitor so I need a video card that can run games smoothly at 1920x1200.
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB // Best GB/$ right now.
CD/DVD: Samsung 20x SATA // Not really much to say.
Please take a look and I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
Primarily gaming
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$900-1200
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
None
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Mouse, keyboard, headphones and monitor (DS-263N)
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Moderate overclocking, maybe to around 3.5GHz
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
This summer
-------------------------The rundown-------------------------
Basically, it's been about 3 years since my last build so I've been sort of out of the loop but recently I started reading around and came up with a tentative list. My comments and concerns can be found after every entry. There are a few items that I'm really unsure about since I don't plan on building this immediately but within the next couple of months or so I highlighted some other possibilities. Originally, I wanted to stick with 32-bit XP but since memory is so cheap and XP can't use more than 3.xGB I figured I might as well upgrade to 64-bit Vista. I have means to acquire Vista (legally) for free so it shouldn't be added to the total price. Anyway, here's the list:
Case: Lian Li PC-61 // I like the clean look and this is pretty firm unless I will run into some fitting problems.
Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro // Is this too expensive for my overclocking needs? What are alternatives? I read some reviews and this one seemed like the best.
CPU: C2D E8400 // Seems like the best choice for gaming currently.
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro // I read this did well in reviews. But from what I've been seeing on here recently, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is also pretty solid?
Memory: (2x ??) G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1000 // For the same price as the DDR2 800 at Newegg, why not? Any issues with the higher voltages? Also, should I get 8GB for 64-bit Vista?
PSU: Corsair 550VX/Corsair520HX/Corsair 650TX // Ok, this one is a little confusing. I know Corsair makes great PSUs but I'm not exactly sure what the different monikers after the wattage ratings mean (VX, HX, TX, etc). I noticed the HX ones have more than 1 12V rail and are modular, but I don't really know what difference having multiple rails makes. I like the fact that the 520HX is modular, but will 520W be enough for my system?
GPU: ???? // This one is also troublesome. If I had to buy today, I would opt for a 8800GTS 512MB but since I read that there should be new ones out in a month I'm tempted to wait. The reason I'm hesitant is that I recently purchased a 26 inch monitor so I need a video card that can run games smoothly at 1920x1200.
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB // Best GB/$ right now.
CD/DVD: Samsung 20x SATA // Not really much to say.
Please take a look and I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!