help with building a computer

[Seedler]

digging up a near extinct thread for an update.

well i've been plugging away at trying to find decent peices and biding my time cause i didnt want to be stupid and just build any old machine. along the way everyone including this board has said to wait it out and be patient, it will pay. im nearly there i only need a little bit more time, with the help of a friend i may get to my goal alot sooner than later.

Components

Cpu
Mobo(already combo'n with cpu)
Case
Ram
HDD
Video Card

any thoughts/suggestions still are helpful. building it will be the real joy

Everything except the vid card and cpu gotta change...

MOBO...NO, that's a mobo with integrated graphics, you want a DFI or Asus mobo, either ultra or SLI because you said you wanted a GOOD mobo.

Case: the case is fine, but the PSU that comes with it is shit. Get a proper PSU or you will regret it.

RAM: You said you wanted to play F.E.A.R...512mb of RAM isn't gonna run that game very well. I have 1 gig of ram and FEAR+windows uses about 1.2GB at my peak...so you definitely want 1 gig at the very least.

HDD: 80GB of storage might seem enough for now, but if i were you, i'd get myself a 160GB SATA drive and maybe upgrade later.

[ApacNTS]

i figured the mobo was a weak link, expected some flak on that. the hdd is a temp solution to cut cost a bit, unless i pull a bit more money than i thought. i knew i was already gonna replace the psu, i mean the 7800gt need it's own plug in to the wall basically.
so according to this i need about another $100 to sure up the loose ends. starting to feel the pain of clockers thought process and i havent even built it yet heh, it never ends

[Seedler]

i figured the mobo was a weak link, expected some flak on that. the hdd is a temp solution to cut cost a bit, unless i pull a bit more money than i thought. i knew i was already gonna replace the psu, i mean the 7800gt need it's own plug in to the wall basically.
so according to this i need about another $100 to sure up the loose ends. starting to feel the pain of clockers thought process and i havent even built it yet heh, it never ends

If you don't need it urgently right now, save up for dual-core, say the X3800. You won't regret it.

[ApacNTS]

heh dual core sounds nice, but i've been patient 9months as it is. i want to play already . anyway here are my revisions, see if they make the build better.

Case didnt need to, but like the look better.
PSU
Ram
Mobo

[fkdup74]

Cpu
Mobo(already combo'n with cpu)

any thoughts/suggestions still are helpful. building it will be the real joy

I'd say can the mobo.
I know it's a combo deal, but....
You don't need on-board gfx.

They have the 3500 Venice combo'd with this mobo,
which would be a bit better I would think.
(Nice CPU btw, I have one and it runs smooth.)
Although, if it were me purchasing the system,
I think I'd stay with a board from MSI or Gigabyte,
DFI or Asus if you want to spend a few more bucks.

[fkdup74]

If you don't need it urgently right now, save up for dual-core, say the X3800. You won't regret it.

Single core CPUs have been proven to run games better than dual cores. Fact.

HDD: 80GB of storage might seem enough for now, but if i were you, i'd get myself a 160GB SATA drive and maybe upgrade later.

And why 160 gigs? If he/she's to upgrade later, then 80 gigs would be just fine for the time being.

[cpt_azad]

If you don't need it urgently right now, save up for dual-core, say the X3800. You won't regret it.

Single core CPUs have been proven to run games better than dual cores. Fact.

HL2 being the only exception.

If you (the person who started the thread) want to plan for the future, I don't think waiting another month or two would hurt you that much, that way get all the decent parts and your set.

Buying a gaming machine isn't something you just want to rush into, it took me 2 and a half years to save up money for my first gaming rig, and I thank god everyday for not going out and buying the comp before I was completely sure, cuz from the point I started plannign to the point I actually bought my first, 2.5 years is a lot of change in the tech world. So many new things came out and I was ready for them all (financially).

Alas, once you're done with your gaming phase, you're gonna regret spending so much money on it, win-lose situation if you ask me.

[ApacNTS]

it's funny you mention how things change. last night i surfed around and was just reading about windows vista and things, i stumbled upon a video that talks about the new direct x 10, and how it's the new way developers are making games look even more amazing. they said vista will launch with a few DX10 games and it wont be backwards compatible, but vista will have DX9 installed as well. the next hitch was for the newer games to be played you need a brand new DX10 video card, which arent even out yet.

of course this all isnt supposed to happen until later this year, but it still reminds me that the pc world is ever growing and changing.

[clocker]

I'm gonna recommend this Patriot RAM one more time and then shut up.
It will significantly outperform the Mushkin for a paltry premium.

As for Vista...
Making a buying decision now based on possible Vista-use in the future is hopeless.
Especially at your budget level.
Personally, it appears that the whole Vista/M2 socket package is going to be a total clusterfuck at release- major cash outlay for dubious performance advantage.
This will change as the platform(s) develop naturally, but trying to be an "early adopter" into this upcoming cycle seems like a bigger risk than usual.

[ApacNTS]

yeah my budget is pretty dead, more than it was when i first started all this mess so long ago. but $850 does carry alot of weight. i may be able to squeeze that ram in, i see no complaints at all which shows it's a great performer. what do you think about the rest of my specs clocker? are they atleast decent enough to not make me think i was a complete idiot for spending so much on it? if all else fails is that offer to rent sprocket still up for sale ?