[marxr87]

Basically I want the most bang-for-my buck gaming rig, so please be very nit-picky and tear this build apart. In this build all I really care about are good sound and good gaming. I need all peripherals (I want a headset, so I don't need speakers) and will have to purchase all parts.
Here is the link to my wish list https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...his+gaming+rig, but I will list the parts here as well.

Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower - Retail 49.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811119068

XFX PVT80GGHD4 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail 309.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150173

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail 124.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139001

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT533D2 - Retail 82.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145527

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148140

Logitech G11 Silver & Black USB Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail 58.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16823126009

SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail 319.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824001096

Razer Copperhead Tempest Blue 2000 dpi Gaming Mouse - Full Retail Multi Language - Retail 68.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16826153105

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106072

bluegears b-Enspirer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail 94.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16829127002

iCEMAT Black Siberia 3.5mm/ 6.3mm Connector Circumaural Headset - Retail 59.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16836508101

total thus far: 1290.89 (not counting the $80
in mail in rebates) I still need a mobo, cpu, and os and I don't know what to get.
I am open to all suggestions and would also like to know if all the parts are compatible, I would like to order the parts as soon as possible, and are there any cheaper newegg alternatives?

I am trying to keep costs down, so if you see something that is unnecessarily powerful or just isn't needed (or if there is a cheaper alternative), please let me know. My budget is sub $2000. I'd like to keep it in the 1500-1600 range if I can.

[Dave Hybrid]

Why have you copied and pasted that from another forum?

I had to edit out all the advertising links thats all. ;)

[marxr87]

I'm trying to get as much input from as many different sources as I can

[marxr87]

well since I apparently cannot edit my original post, these links should work:

[Dave Hybrid]

The above links work fine marxr87, someone will probably be along with some advice shortly.

[alex]

Hi Marx

All looks good but if gaming at 1680x1050 (on the Samsung chosen) I'd highly recommend a 640mb GTS of GTX. You'll easily get away with the GTS though. You'll need the extra ram at that resolution.

Mouse is decent but look for a lower dpi model, maybe 1600, as you'll more than likely find the one quoted too sensitive.

For a cpu I'd be looking at the Core2 E6750 to give a balance with the graphics card, or if you can stretch to it, the E6850.

For an o.s, well its upto you. There's still lots of issues with Vista and games, and also graphics drivers to a smaller degree. Plus Vista is much more resource hungry.

I'd change the hdd though, get yoursef a Hitachi Deskstar. Better read/seek times. Should be around the same price. If not, go for a Samsung Spinpoint (T166) 320gb, very good drive.

If you do go for the higher end graphics card i'd think about a 600w psu though. Your setup with a 640mb GTS will pull about 280-300w from the psu at idle. Probably 30w more with a GTX.

If I've missed anything let me know, its 3am here and I'm getting flaky. :)

[marxr87]

Thanks for the help, more is always appreciated. I was wondering if any of you knew if any places offer student or military discounts on hardware or software.

I don't need too much future proofing (I don't think...), I am suppose to be going to Iraq in February. Also, is the intel price drop today? I thought there were supposed to be new processors with a faster fsb released at the price drop...

[alex]

Originally Posted by marxr87 Thanks for the help, more is always appreciated. I was wondering if any of you knew if any places offer student or military discounts on hardware or software. I don't need too much future proofing (I don't think...), I am suppose to be going to Iraq in February. Also, is the intel price drop today? I thought there were supposed to be new processors with a faster fsb released at the price drop...

Firstly, the very best of luck in Iraq Marx, chin up.

The Intel price drop has taken place, and the two chips I've quoted are the ones with the faster (1333mhz) fsb.

I'm afraid (being in the u.k) I don't know of any e-tailers your side of the pond that do those discounts. Best bet would be to email them.

[marxr87]

should I get the 64 bit vista home premium or 32 bit?

[marxr87]

how does this mobo look?
ASUS P5K-V LGA 775 Intel G33 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131184

[marxr87]

I've also got a few more questions, haha.
According to wikipedia, the best setup for the core2duo (1066 fsb, it didnt say anything about the 1333) is ddr2 pc2 4200 ram...but the ram has to be 533 for pc2 4200. many people have suggested 667 ram, but wikipedia says pc2 5300 can actually slow performance. I would like to have a E6750 because it seems the best bang for the buck. I am really just confused as hell when it comes to differences in ram and mobos. I really need help there.
Here is the clip from wiki, and the link:
"Unlike the previous Pentium 4 and Pentium D design, the Core 2 technology sees a greater benefit from memory running synchronously with the Front Side Bus (FSB). This means that for the Conroe CPUs with FSB of 1066 MT/s, the ideal memory speed is PC2-4200. In some configurations, using PC2-5300 can actually decrease performance. Only when going to PC2-6400 is there a significant performance increase. While expensive DDR2 memory models with tighter timings do improve performance, the difference in real world games and applications is negligible."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_2_duo#Successors

And what do you think, which vid card should I get? The msi is overclocked but $10 more, alot of reviewers said it came with company of heroes, but I can't find anywhere it says that. I also trust evga.

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130071

MSI NX8800GTS-T2D640E-HD OC GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127280