[minutest]

Hi I am working on a new build and need my choice of parts checked for Compatibility and Usability.
The one with * is my first choice.
Should the Operating System be Microsoft Windows XP Professional X64 Edition?
Have not added any of the Instat Savings or Mail-In Rebate in totals. Also is there an easy way to check for Combo Specials?


Processor / CPU
*AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ $463.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103546
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ $295.50 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103562
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ $355.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103547



Power Supply
*OCZ PowerStream 520W $139.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817711002



ATX Cases
ASPIRE X-CRUISE Black $63.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811144151
ASPIRE X-Infinity $56.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811144076
Thermaltake Armor Series $139.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811133154



Floppy Drive
*NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model FD1231H-302 - OEM - $5.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16821152005



Hard Drive
*Western Digital Caviar 250 $90.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822144701



Motherboard
*DFI LP UT nF4 SLI-DR Expert $179.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813136166
DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR $186.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813136151



Operating Systems
MS Windows XP Pro With SP2 - OEM $139.95 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102062
*MS Windows XP Pro X64- OEM $139.95 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102065
MS Windows XP Pro SP2 With Plus! $165.95 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102069



Monitors / LCD
*ViewSonic VX2025WM 20.1" $415.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824116381
ViewSonic VA1912wb Black 19" $279.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824116373



RAM
CORSAIR XMS 1GB $132.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145018
*CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB(2x1GB)- - $133.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145579



Video Cards
XFX Geforce 6800GS 256MB 256-bit $199.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150132
*XFX GeForce 7900 GT EXTREME $315.00 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150139



Any advice would be appreciated
I plan on spending about a total of $1000 to $2000 American. Was going to build this PC with that $ then have more $ coming soon and will build 2nd PC.
Thx..

[Advertisements]

I was looking at the case earlier and noticed this

Compared to the silver version (VA8000), this black super tower case is made out of 1.0 mm steel and weighs...*drums*...just over 16 Kg. With all the components I put in it, the scale went up to around 20 Kg. This is a quite heavy case considering the other model weighs only 6.8 Kg, but it's a bit more expensive.

[Retired Tech]

I was looking at the case earlier and noticed this

Compared to the silver version (VA8000), this black super tower case is made out of 1.0 mm steel and weighs...*drums*...just over 16 Kg. With all the components I put in it, the scale went up to around 20 Kg. This is a quite heavy case considering the other model weighs only 6.8 Kg, but it's a bit more expensive.

[warriorscot]

Looks like a good selection, i wouldnt go for pro x64, with vista coming out soon you might just want to pick up an OEM of pro or MCE for a gaming rig vista probably isnt going to be an option.

The ram is a good choice the corsair value select is still very good ram its just the same as the XMS pretty much except it doesnt come with the good warranty and the ram sinks.

Cases are up to you every one likes something different, i totally hate the cases most people pick because i dont like the flashy ones so i stopped helping pick them out, just as long as it has two 120mm fans and is big enough for everything you need. If you want to lan you would get one of the lightweight cases like a lanboy or an ammo.

[SuperSam]

Warriorscot, unless I'm mistaken..

Windows Vista has repeatedly been put off again and again since its initial 2005 release. Now its due January 2007... No doubt there is going to be another put off.

I'm currently using the Vista 5308 build, of the 32bit version... Running on my laptop which is a modified 2005 Acer Travelmate 2200:

Intel Celeron @ 2.67ghz
1gb DDR Ram
ATi Mobility Radeon 9100IGP
eHome remote + reciever (for vista's media center).

The WDDM drivers from ATi claim my card is not compatible with media center and runs media center without some visual enhancements.

I know the build is only beta, but its incredibly slow, plus, 2.67Ghz I'm sure is sufficient being only 32bit. I just doubt Vista will be out. And as this guy is wasting $$$$s you may as well just buy XP Pro x64.

[warriorscot]

Thats soon enough for me, and there will be the preview releases soon, If youre spending 150 bucks for an OS then you want it to last longer than 6 or 7 months its usually a one off cost, the difference between home and pro is insignificant for home users, the performance difference isnt huge.

X64 has a whole miraid of problems itself it was a testbed for 64 not a full functional replacement OS, its a nice thing to have but only if you have a 32bit OS to fall back on, alot of the minor peripherals dont have x64 drivers, finding things like TV card and wireless card drivers even keyboard and mouse drivers can be difficult.

Alot of people use vista on slower systems and its fine, but it is a beta its far from finished and optiisation is still at early stages. January 2007 is close enough to waste money on an OS youre going to have to replace.

[minutest]

Should I get a sound card?? The Motherboard that I plan on getting =
*DFI LP UT nF4 SLI-DR Expert $179.99 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813136166
It has sound built in and I plan on using headphones.

Thx..

[warriorscot]

Question is how good are the headphones, if they are bog standard sub 100bucks headphones i would say no you dont need one, if they are expensive ones then yes it might be worth it, i am waiting for x-fi prices to go down before i invest in a good sound card and the onboard is pretty good.