[Gamerlicious]

I just got my taxes back and am ordering parts for a new PC probably tomorrow or the next day. So far this is what I have picked. I am an AMD fanboy, so none of that Core2duo nonsense. I also don't really feel the need for a good soundcard. I'll just use onboard for now, maybe upgrade later. Other than that I'm open to criticism on this build. I think it will be a pretty good gaming rig and a good value for the budget. I'm also debating whether or not to upgrade to Vista or not. And if so, which version? I'm thinking Home premium version.

XFX Geforce 8800GTS $310
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150172

Antec 900 case $120
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021

Antec 550W PSU $110
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103941

XFX AM2 Motherboard $170
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813141001

Seagate Barracuda 250GB $87
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148155

BenQ 20.1" widescreen monitor $220
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824014105

G.skill 2GB DDR800 RAM $200
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231114

AMD Athlon X2 5200+ $220
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103759

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Don't like that monitor.
Try this one, http://www.tigerdire...p;Sku=S197-2016
Its less money and offers more.
Other then that the build looks good to me.

As for vista its purely up to you, but since you are getting a DX10 graphics card I think you'll regret not getting it now further down the road. Vista Premium is the sweet spot with all the versions. Although you really won't be out any money to buy it later because of the upgrade program that Microsoft has. While it is buggy, it gives you bragging rights, nothing really more because there are currently no DX10 games available aside from Flight simulator 10, but i don't think the full version has been released, even though it does show it there on vista. There should be one thing to be aware of however, Nvidea hasn't released its Vista patches yet, but by the time you build it should be available, no guarantees however.

Surprised your not buying from ATI since they are now owned by AMD Guess you not a true fanboy

James

Edited by james_8970, 13 March 2007 - 03:24 PM.

[james_8970]

Don't like that monitor.
Try this one, http://www.tigerdire...p;Sku=S197-2016
Its less money and offers more.
Other then that the build looks good to me.

As for vista its purely up to you, but since you are getting a DX10 graphics card I think you'll regret not getting it now further down the road. Vista Premium is the sweet spot with all the versions. Although you really won't be out any money to buy it later because of the upgrade program that Microsoft has. While it is buggy, it gives you bragging rights, nothing really more because there are currently no DX10 games available aside from Flight simulator 10, but i don't think the full version has been released, even though it does show it there on vista. There should be one thing to be aware of however, Nvidea hasn't released its Vista patches yet, but by the time you build it should be available, no guarantees however.

Surprised your not buying from ATI since they are now owned by AMD Guess you not a true fanboy

James

Edited by james_8970, 13 March 2007 - 03:24 PM.

[jrm20]

I just got my taxes back and am ordering parts for a new PC probably tomorrow or the next day. So far this is what I have picked. I am an AMD fanboy, so none of that Core2duo nonsense. I also don't really feel the need for a good soundcard. I'll just use onboard for now, maybe upgrade later. Other than that I'm open to criticism on this build. I think it will be a pretty good gaming rig and a good value for the budget. I'm also debating whether or not to upgrade to Vista or not. And if so, which version? I'm thinking Home premium version.

XFX Geforce 8800GTS $310
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150172

Antec 900 case $120
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021

Antec 550W PSU $110
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103941

XFX AM2 Motherboard $170
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813141001

Seagate Barracuda 250GB $87
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148155

BenQ 20.1" widescreen monitor $220
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824014105

G.skill 2GB DDR800 RAM $200
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231114

AMD Athlon X2 5200+ $220
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103759

You can get what you want but I used to be like that on video cards but not nearly as bad as you are on the fanboy stuff. I just get whatever has the best price to performance ratio out there. The core 2 duos are not nonsence and do have the greater speed but the amd x2 5200+ is a pretty good choice for the money.

The memory that you have chosen is fine but the motherboard you might want to look around abit more before you press the buy button. The xfx motherboard might be okay and I noticed it has a good rebate but take a look at abit and gigabyte motherboards aswell.


The powersupply you picked out is good but Check this one out..

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817128002

This Hiper Powersupply is High quality and has better reviews, Higher 12volt rails which is good and has more watts. I always recommend the Hiper powersupply to Friends and customers and I know it is High quality stuff.. Its the best price for what you are getting and its even cheaper than the Antec.

[james_8970]

Only thing is Barcellona is going to be released at the end of the year and will be supported on the AM2 chipset. Making it a cheaper alternative to upgrade future around the road. It's rumored that Barcellona will be up to 40% faster then the Core 2 Duo's. Whether it will be or not is anyone's guess.

But as jrm20 has already mentioned, the Core 2 duo's are the king of processors at the moment Period. They have been the king of processors since July.

James

Edited by james_8970, 13 March 2007 - 03:36 PM.

[Gamerlicious]

Thanks for the input guys. I've been told to get an E6400. After a tiny bit of research I found that they are about the same price as the 5200. (only a couple dollars off)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115004
And I also found this awesome review that directly compares the X2 5200 and the E6400. I see the E6400 is slightly better in some categories, and it's the same price. The only thing that's stopping me is all the good quality LGA 775 boards are like $50 more than the AM2 board I picked.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813188010
That one is pretty nice. I'm wondering on the North Bridge chipset, the AM2 board has NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP and the LGA775 board has NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI. Which is better? And do you think the improvement of C2D E6400 over the X2 5200+ is worth a more expensive mobo?

[Gamerlicious]

Also sorry to double post but, thanks Jrm20, I'm definitely going with the PSU you suggested. Antec is a good quality brand, and I've never heard of Hiper, but that PSU looks awesome. It's better looking, cheaper, has more features, and you and the other reviewers recommend it. Looks like a winner to me.

[warriorscot]

Hiper are great i use them myselves they only fairly recently started selling in the US under that brand they are actually a subsidiary of coolermaster last i looked. Up to you wether you go intel or AMD, the AMD has a little better upgrade potential and price(mobo will be cheaper probably with AMD intels are a little pricey because the south bridge hasnt been integrated into the cpu like in AMD) so up to you personally i wouldnt go intel till i could afford an E6600 but the 6400s are still good.

[Gamerlicious]

When I placed my final order I did end up getting the LGA775 board and an E6400. Now I'm just patiently waiting...