[mkau]

I'm pretty new to the field of PC building (IE, all I've ever done is replace a PCI GPU with another), but I'm thinking about building one from scratch. I want it to be able to handle moderately graphics intensive games (COD 4, Battlefront 2) and have the capability to support Sonar 7 Home Studio and Peavey Revalver, as well as my Lexicon Alpha audio interface.

I'm aiming for something somewhat cheap - think $650-700, but I have no idea what qualifies as a "good" part. Preferably, a moderately powerful PSU would be nice, and I'd like to have a dual core processor (AMD or Intel, I don't care, but it needs to be a mid-range one). 3GB+ RAM would be good too.
I have no idea what to go for in a mobo, but I was thinking this Processor Core 2 Duo E8400 and I'm planning on using this graphics card: Nvidia 9500GT

Should I go for a 64 bit OS? I think that I'd be better off with one, considering I can increase the RAM dramatically at a later date.

Thanks in advance, guys.

Edited by mkau, 04 February 2010 - 09:55 PM.

[Advertisements]

You might want to consider using an AMD cpu instead, if you're not looking for the fastest CPU anyway, you could buy a 3 core AMD CPU for around half the price the price of that E8400:

Sorry I can't get the link to work right but here is the address for it:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103843

Edited by SpaceInvader75, 05 February 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[SpaceInvader75]

You might want to consider using an AMD cpu instead, if you're not looking for the fastest CPU anyway, you could buy a 3 core AMD CPU for around half the price the price of that E8400:

Sorry I can't get the link to work right but here is the address for it:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103843

Edited by SpaceInvader75, 05 February 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[mkau]

A fast processor would be nice, to be honest. At least 2 ghz. I'm thinking I'll go for a 320GB HDD, I don't need a huge amount of space.

And that AMD looks cool. Is there a faster version?

[SpaceInvader75]

Yes, I just looked at some AMD processors, and actually this 4 core doesn't cost that much more: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103706

And then if you spend about the same as you were on that intel you showed me you could get an even faster AMD here:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103674

I would actually like to upgrade to something like this myself, but I'll have to replace my motherboard, since it is not socket AM3. That's something to keep in mind when you build your system, is how much you will be able to upgrade it in the future.

[SpaceInvader75]

I don't know a whole lot about the 9500 GT, but I don't think it is very fast.
If you want to play games I would recommend spending a little more on your graphics card. I did notice you do some gaming. I would spend a little extra money here and get something like this:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130339

You can there's a bunch of good reviews on this card. I realize it's not a very new card, but compared to the 9500 GT I think the little extra money you would spend would be a good investment.

[mkau]

That'd probably be a good idea, actually.
Any recs on mobos? I've got absolutely no idea what to look for in one. I know I need one with an AM3 socket.
EDIT2: I found a kit, which looks pretty good for the price: http://www.newegg.co...st=Combo.328156
I figure I can add an Intel i3 530 or 540 to that, and the GPU.

Then I just need the money for the OS and the optical drives.

Edited by mkau, 06 February 2010 - 09:26 PM.

[SpaceInvader75]

That doesn't seem bad but if you go with Intel the cpus you listed are only dual core.
To be honest I wouldn't buy a dual core right now; I already have a game that runs kind of slow on my dual core (GTA IV). So it may not be long before more games come out that your CPU will cause a bottleneck on.

This AMD kit here comes with a Phenom II X3 (3 core). It is even possible to unlock the 4th core, although I have not researched this much yet, since my motherboard won't support socket AM3. This one looks like it is SLI ready, so you could buy one card and then add another one as your budget allows. I haven't personally tried this yet either, so you may want to get advice from somebody else on this part.

http://www.newegg.co...st=Combo.328310

If you decide not to use a kit you might consider a motherboard like this one:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131398

I personally like ASUS, and this one looks like it has good reviews and a pretty good price as well.

[mkau]

That looks like a decent deal. When I get the cash for it I'll get it.
Other than the stuff there, I'll need a DVD/CD drive and a burner, plus the GPU, correct? I know the burner isn't necessary, but I'd also like to be able to do audio recording on this PC. Then there's the OS. The Lexicon Alpha I mentioned in the first post might not work with Win7, though I'd like to try it. Also, I play Halo: Combat Evolved a lot (yes, I know, stupid old game). Maybe I'd be better off getting Vista x64?

[SpaceInvader75]

Yes you will want at last one optical drive, and a graphics card, for games.
You can find a DVD burner for under $30 (unless you want blue ray).

I did a search and found good ratings on this Sony:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827118030

What is the Lexicon Alpha?

Are you talking about the original Halo?

To tell you the truth, I am using Windows XP right now because it uses less system resources, but I originally installed it when I had a smaller hard drive and my system is still low on RAM.

Since I've used Windows 7 very little, I'm probably not the best person to ask about the operating system, but I can't think of a reason why you would be better off running Vista instead of Windows 7.

[mkau]

The Lexicon Alpha is a USB audio interface. I don't know if its drivers are compatible with Windows 7 or not, the box says it's compatible with Vista though.

Yes, that's the original Halo.
That looks like a good optical drive, you're right.

[SpaceInvader75]

Oh, I would check with the manufacturer to find out if they support Windows 7 yet.

Besides handling more RAM, I have read a 64 bit OS can run your games faster.

Edited by SpaceInvader75, 07 February 2010 - 12:11 PM.

[Ferrari]

I put together a mock build for my girlfriend the other day... seemed to be close to your budget. Here is the public wish list for it... http://secure.newegg...Number=13126992

Take out that video card and add this... http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814161287

Comes to somewhere around $720 or so. Nice solid, very modern build. Will play most games very nicely. Tons of Room for upgrade. i.e. CPU, Video Card.

[mkau]

Looks cool, Ferrari.
I probably won't be buying anything for a while, but that looks really nice.

[Ferrari]

I probably won't be buying anything for a while, but that looks really nice.

Thanks. ...and the prices may come down more by the time you buy. Good luck with everything.

[computer_geek]

for a case go with an antec 900 two case

this is the same case i have and my system is a core i7 and my computer temp inside my case stays between 25 and 27 degrees celcius

but my suggestion for a computer setup would definately be a core i7 system the prices have dropped since i built mine in the summer last year