[arpalermo]

Im trying to build a computer that will play any game out but most importantly have a lot of room to expand so that i can use it for the next few years. My budget is $600

Ok, this is what i have so far:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813136041

This was the only pci 2.0 mobo i could find for AM2. I figured it would be a good idea to go with pci2.0 for future expansions

Processor: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103228

This seems like a god deal for the money, what do you think?

I already have a case, a dvd burner, and 1 250gb hard drive. I was thinking of getting a 10gb 10k drive just to install windows on, do you think that would speed things up? That would be in the future though...

As for ram, how much of it should i have? I was thinking 1 $40 2gb stick... but i dont know much about ram, what else is there to it besides the size?

I really need help with the video card, i am totally lost with that... i dont understand how theres some HD3650's with PCI2.0 at the same price as some x1950's that came out a long time ago???

So i am up to $420... i still need ram, a video card, and a power supply. Or should i consider a different processor/motherboard?

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Are you open to the Intel option? There is a much cheaper 110$ motherboard with PCIe2.0, though you don't need it.

I was thinking of getting a 10gb 10k drive just to install windows on, do you think that would speed things up?

Don't do it.

but i dont know much about ram, what else is there to it besides the size?

Do you plan on overclocking? If not, capacity and brand reliability is the only thing you need to worry about. 2GB would be the base amount if you are running Vista.

i dont understand how theres some HD3650's with PCI2.0 at the same price as some x1950's that came out a long time ago???

Newer generation of cards. PCIe 2.0 doesn't mean that they are better card. Do you plan on playing games?

Or should i consider a different processor/motherboard?

All depends on what you are trying to achieve here. I'd go with a different motherbaord for sure.
James

[james_8970]

Are you open to the Intel option? There is a much cheaper 110$ motherboard with PCIe2.0, though you don't need it.

I was thinking of getting a 10gb 10k drive just to install windows on, do you think that would speed things up?

Don't do it.

but i dont know much about ram, what else is there to it besides the size?

Do you plan on overclocking? If not, capacity and brand reliability is the only thing you need to worry about. 2GB would be the base amount if you are running Vista.

i dont understand how theres some HD3650's with PCI2.0 at the same price as some x1950's that came out a long time ago???

Newer generation of cards. PCIe 2.0 doesn't mean that they are better card. Do you plan on playing games?

Or should i consider a different processor/motherboard?

All depends on what you are trying to achieve here. I'd go with a different motherbaord for sure.
James

[arpalermo]

I was going to go with AMD because i was told AMD processors are generally better so it would be better to get a AM2 socket.

I do want to play games, im not planning on overclocking anytime soon, and what im trying to achieve is a computer that can play every pc game out right now smoothly, and can stay relatively fast over the next 3-4 years or so (with upgrades and stuff) I want this to be the last computer i ever build, because 3-4 years from now i should have outgrown video games and would just need it for web surfing for the rest of my life.

If $600 is to little, i could just leave the video card for another time

[Troy]

Hi there,

Intel is currently the better processor manufacturer at the moment, their offerings are beating AMD's in performance.

Your $600 budget is far too small to play "every pc game out right now smoothly" - not to mention whatever games the next few years bring us. A brand-new beast will still struggle to play Crysis smoothly on high settings.

I strongly suggest you consider James' options, there's no need to go spending that much money on a motherboard in my opinion.

Cheers

Troy

[arpalermo]

Well i was looking at the crysis recomended specs and $600 (but i already have the case, optical, and hard drives) seemed like enough... that processor is better than the recommended one which i think is the Athlon X2 5000+ and the recommended ram was 1.5gb, i was going to have 2gb, so that would only leave the video card... i would have $100 left, could i play crysis with a $100 card?

What is the intel option your suggesting? The most important thing in this comp has to be expandability, like i said this is going to be the last computer i ever buy...

[Rocknrollcows]

The recommended specs are just specs that the people put on list.

No computer right now can play Crysis at FULL settings and resolutions and still get a playable framerate.

even a $600 8800gt Ultra 3x SLI struggles.

The people that designed Crysis made it so that it will only be fully optimized if ran from a Precursor(highest race in halo) computer or a Reaper(mass effect Robot AI thing)

you will be able to play Crysis with a $100 card, it would just be at low settings.

If you want to play crysis. At least get a 3870 or 8800gt

EDIT:

cool, 8800gs are out in US..

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150275
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150276

Edited by Rocknrollcows, 15 February 2008 - 04:46 PM.

[james_8970]

Well i was looking at the crysis recomended specs and $600 (but i already have the case, optical, and hard drives) seemed like enough... that processor is better than the recommended one which i think is the Athlon X2 5000+ and the recommended ram was 1.5gb, i was going to have 2gb, so that would only leave the video card... i would have $100 left, could i play crysis with a $100 card?

Do you have a monitor?
James

[arpalermo]

Yes i have a 19" monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

[james_8970]

I recommend the following upgrade then.
Memory
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...mp;Tpk=P35-DS3L

CPU
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115029

GPU
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127329

PSU
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139004

This build come to ~605$ after rebates. Remember, rebates are never guarenteed money, if you don't have the spare money to deal with rebates just let me know and I will make some adjustments.
James

Edited by james_8970, 16 February 2008 - 12:13 AM.

[arpalermo]

Awesome!! Will this play crysis at playable settings? The video card says PCI express 2.0 - will this be compatible with the motherboard? Also is the power supply really important because i can get a 550w from someone i know that doesnt have any brand or anything but its $40.

[Troy]

Awesome!! Will this play crysis at playable settings?

Oh yes, rather well If you have a 19-inch widescreen, the common resolution for this monitor is 1440x900. You should be able to play with most settings on high at this resolution. I should know - I have similar components in my rig.

The video card says PCI express 2.0 - will this be compatible with the motherboard?

Yes.

Also is the power supply really important because i can get a 550w from someone i know that doesnt have any brand or anything but its $40.

Yes, the PSU is extremely important. I strongly recommend you don't touch the $40 one. The 8800 series graphics cards from Nvidia are quite power-hungry, and need a quality PSU to deliver sustained power during gaming. Go with the PSU James has suggested - they are known for making good-quality items.

Cheers

Troy

[Titan8990]

The PSU Jame's has selected is a steal at it's after rebate price. One of the top PSUs on the market.

[arpalermo]

i havent bought anything yet but i found some good deals on the memory and motherboard (but the exact same stuff) and im $50 under my limit, is there something i could do with the $50?

what about this processor instead
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115037

[Troy]

Hi there,

I think that would be a good choice The new processor from Intel, it's the next step up from the last suggested processor.

Cheers

Troy

[Rocknrollcows]

i havent bought anything yet but i found some good deals on the memory and motherboard (but the exact same stuff) and im $50 under my limit, is there something i could do with the $50?

what about this processor instead
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115037

you could send that $50 to me XD

~~~~

Anyways, that processor is good. It's using the new design and it will stay cooler under overclock and use less power.