This PC will be primarily used for gaming, and a little bit of everything else. My budget was initially 800-1000 max. Shipping and CA state taxes forced it quite a bit higher though. I have an entire computer at my old place but thats out of state and to ship them would take more money than I feel is worth. I was planning on building a new one anyway. I plan to OC as an alternative to save money on higher processors.
So far I have the following (US)
e2160
abit ip35-e
a-data (or gskill) 2gb ddr2 6400
400gb samsung
lite-on dvdrw
hiper 585 watt psu
tuniq 120
plantronics 350s
the problems lie in the case and video card and monitor. I was considering either a 50$ rosewill, centurion 5, or the p180. The video card I had in mind originally was a x1950xt but it has been out of stock for a little while. I keep feeling that if I am building a new system I would be best suited for the 8800gts and anything lower would need upgrading sooner than I would like. For the monitor Im looking into a 19" below 200. Everything including tax and shipping is coming out to about 1300~1400. This is far more than I intended to spend but I cant see anywhere that I can cut costs without ending up disappointed with in a few months. Is there anyway I can cut the pricing down? Ive considered getting the heavy stuff in town to avoid shipping, or from buy.com with free shipping but it doesnt really help.
It seems the only area I have real room to flex is going to be t he VC and possibly case or psu. Would the sonata 3 and psu be sufficient for all this? I dont feel too confident about buying a cheaper card (1950pro or lower) to tide me over till new games come along because then id still be spending a few hundred to catch up. I also have no idea what to expect as far as performance because the pc I left behind is an xp 3200+ / 9800 pro
So far I have the following (US)
e2160
abit ip35-e
a-data (or gskill) 2gb ddr2 6400
400gb samsung
lite-on dvdrw
hiper 585 watt psu
tuniq 120
plantronics 350s
the problems lie in the case and video card and monitor. I was considering either a 50$ rosewill, centurion 5, or the p180. The video card I had in mind originally was a x1950xt but it has been out of stock for a little while. I keep feeling that if I am building a new system I would be best suited for the 8800gts and anything lower would need upgrading sooner than I would like. For the monitor Im looking into a 19" below 200. Everything including tax and shipping is coming out to about 1300~1400. This is far more than I intended to spend but I cant see anywhere that I can cut costs without ending up disappointed with in a few months. Is there anyway I can cut the pricing down? Ive considered getting the heavy stuff in town to avoid shipping, or from buy.com with free shipping but it doesnt really help.
It seems the only area I have real room to flex is going to be t he VC and possibly case or psu. Would the sonata 3 and psu be sufficient for all this? I dont feel too confident about buying a cheaper card (1950pro or lower) to tide me over till new games come along because then id still be spending a few hundred to catch up. I also have no idea what to expect as far as performance because the pc I left behind is an xp 3200+ / 9800 pro