[AniDanny]

My laptop's started to get outdated, and I decided to try building a decent gaming-quality PC. Unfortunately, I don't know all that much about PC components, so I'd like to double check with someone who knows (ie, everyone else here) and make sure I'm not getting parts that are incompatible, known to malfunction, more expensive than other parts of similar quality, etc. I had a budget of about $1500 to work with, so I can't upgrade everything TOO much beyond what it's currently at. Anyway, here's what I've got:


CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021

MOTHERBOARD: MSI P35 Neo2-FR LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813130098

VIDEO CARD: HIS Hightech H385QX512NP Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported IceQ3 TurboX Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814161215

POWER SUPPLY: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817153023

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115037

RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227289

HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136131

MONITOR: Acer AL2223Wd Black-Silver 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824009102

MOUSE: Logitech LX7 931395-0403 Blue 5 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB + PS/2 RF Wireless Optical Mouse - Retail http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826104192

CD/DVD DRIVE: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151153


I think the only thing I still need on top of this is a keyboard. I found one that I rather like, but it's too expensive ( http://www.newegg.co...N82E16823126008 ). I really like the shallow keys of a laptop keyboard, and it's hard to find that in a normal keyboard. Ideally, I'd like something with keys similar to this one, wireless, has a number pad (not required, but I still like having one), and under $100.

If anyone has any recommendations or comments or anything, let me know. Thanks!

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I have a couple of comments on this. One, you should know that the thermotake power supplies are kinda noisy. I would prefer a PC power and cooling or a seasonic PS of equal power as they are quite a bit quieter than the thermotake.

PC power and cooling
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817341011

seasonic
http://www.newegg.co... USA-_-17151031

Other thoughts:
You will have to run the 64 bit version of Vista to be able to use the 4 gigs of memory. The 32 bit version will onl;y see 3.2 gigs of memory.

I prefer the phillips DVD-RW drives as they are much quieter than all the rest.

If you are looking for a desktop keyboard that uses the laptop keypads look no further than the Compaq Model 5137 keyboard( it's only a PS2 style). I buy these keyboards whenever i get a chance to get them.

Heres what they look like.

http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem



Thes keyboards show up on Ebay once in a while. I bought one off Ebay for $12 + shipping.

SRX660

[SRX660]

I have a couple of comments on this. One, you should know that the thermotake power supplies are kinda noisy. I would prefer a PC power and cooling or a seasonic PS of equal power as they are quite a bit quieter than the thermotake.

PC power and cooling
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817341011

seasonic
http://www.newegg.co... USA-_-17151031

Other thoughts:
You will have to run the 64 bit version of Vista to be able to use the 4 gigs of memory. The 32 bit version will onl;y see 3.2 gigs of memory.

I prefer the phillips DVD-RW drives as they are much quieter than all the rest.

If you are looking for a desktop keyboard that uses the laptop keypads look no further than the Compaq Model 5137 keyboard( it's only a PS2 style). I buy these keyboards whenever i get a chance to get them.

Heres what they look like.

http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem



Thes keyboards show up on Ebay once in a while. I bought one off Ebay for $12 + shipping.

SRX660

[kamille316]

If you want a decent gaming rig, I suggest getting this video card instead as it performs a lot better than what you have selected. If you have extra money, go with the 8800GT.

I agree that you should change the power supply you have selected, you can also go with these power supplies.
Any of these Corsair's PSU, 450 watt should be sufficient unless you're adding more components on your build.
Silverstone 500W

Another thing I want to mention is that Seagate offers a 5-year warranty compared to WD's 3-year warranty but Seagate hard drives costs a bit more than WD.

Kamille

[AniDanny]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'm going to pass on SRX's suggestion for power supplies, as I'm not really willing to spend $100 on something just to make it a bit quieter. I might spend an extra $40 or so for one of Kamille's suggestions (Likely this one http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139003 as it's still pretty cheap)
I like that keyboard, and might just get it and deal with the wires... might switch my mouse to http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826104178 if I'm going to go wired anyway.
I'm fine with the DVD drive I've selected.
I don't think I have much reason to need more than 3.2 gigs of ram (Currently running on 1.00 gigs, so it'll still be a huge improvement), so either I'll use the 3.2 or I'll "upgrade" to Vista. What's the max that Vista can read (ie, if I get Vista sometime later, would it be able to read the 8 gigs of RAM I could theoretically put in my computer)?
And I compared the two video cards side-by-side, and it seems that the one I've chosen is just slightly better, as well as being cheaper and coming with a free game that I want to get anyway.

[kamille316]

I like that keyboard, and might just get it and deal with the wires... might switch my mouse to http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826104178 if I'm going to go wired anyway.

That mouse is excellent, I'm currently using the same one

I don't think I have much reason to need more than 3.2 gigs of ram (Currently running on 1.00 gigs, so it'll still be a huge improvement), so either I'll use the 3.2 or I'll "upgrade" to Vista. What's the max that Vista can read (ie, if I get Vista sometime later, would it be able to read the 8 gigs of RAM I could theoretically put in my computer)?

Any 32-bit OS will only read ~3.2GB of RAM, however it can read more than 4GB (up to 128GB I think) if you get a 64-bit OS (either XP or Vista). And another thing, if you're upgrading to Vista, I highly suggest going with 2GB of RAM as the OS performs better with more RAM.

And I compared the two video cards side-by-side, and it seems that the one I've chosen is just slightly better, as well as being cheaper and coming with a free game that I want to get anyway.

I have to disagree with you on that video card, 9600GT or even the 8800GS are much better than the 3850 you have selected in terms of performance but they are slightly expensive. But if you do want to get that game and the video card, it is much cheaper than buying what I have suggested + the game. Here's an article that you should read: The Best Graphics Card For the Money: May 08.

Kamille

[sl962]

Have you ckecked out tigerdirect.com yet? They have some awsome "Barebones" kits that might save you a few bucks that you cane user for other upgrades

[kamille316]

Just make sure if you do buy barebones kits that you don't use the included Ultra Power Supply, they are not very good and you might risk breaking your other components.

Edited by kamille316, 23 May 2008 - 01:34 PM.

[AniDanny]

Okay, I think I've finished everything I want to change. Listing everything again, mostly for my own reference, and showing to friends. OLD and NEW refer to whether they've changed since my first post (in case anyone cares to skim over what I've changed). Finally found a keyboard I liked, at the recommendation of a friend who knows someone with a Kensington keyboard.

OLD Case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021

OLD Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813130098

NEW Video Card: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130319

NEW Power Supply: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139005

OLD CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115037

OLD RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227289

OLD Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136131

NEW Keyboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16823155027

OLD Monitor: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824009102

NEW Mouse: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826104203

OLD DVD-Drive: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151153