[Kharashi]

Ugh...First off, I'm...computer handicapped. I mean, I can do all the basic stuff and work my computer and all that stuff, but when it comes to parts and building I'm...rather clueless.

Anyways, I'm actually looking to build a good gaming rig. Specifically, right now, I'm wanting to play Age of Conan (pretty demanding game on high settings, or so it seems, and my really...really old GeForce 6150 LE can't keep up. Yeah...Its bad. << I don't really have a budget but I'd like to stay under $1500 or $2000.

Through a bit of research and recommendations I've come up with this (...I feel like I'm missing something extremely important, though...but, who knows, with my computer "expertise" I could be saying something is one thing and its actually another Dx):

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121224

Sound Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102014

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Motherboard: (I'm probably most lost on this and the processor, so I'm really not sure if this is good...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024

CD/DVD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135143

Processor: (Though, I'm thinking I might get a quad instead but I just dunno what to pick...This was a recommendation so that's how I came upon it.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Sorry for seeming rather...stupid when it comes to this stuff, but, well, I am. xD So...Thanks for any help in advance.

Edit: Oh, and I'll be getting 64-bit Vista
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204

 

[krisb]

Your system looks great. There are only 2 suggestions that I have.

1- comsider going with the GeForce 9600gt. You can get some great factory overclocked cards that will outperform the 8800, and the price is often the same.

2-I have that exact sound card set-up and it gives the best sound I have ever heard for gaming. BUT it has been a real pain. I am constantly having to un/re-install the drivers and all my research has told me that creative jumped the gun on thier vista drivers. Consider thier newest card which is a PCI-E 1x. it has the front I/O panel and from the reviews looks to be alot better. The price is about the same. it is the titanium series and i have only seen it available on the creative website..

other than that you should be rockin

 

[Kharashi]

Alright, thanks for replying.

Unfortunately...I really don't know much about overclocking or...anything. I kind of know what it is...I think, but...yeah. <<;

However, I assume the card outperforms the 8800 anyways, correct? So I'll go for it anyways.

And I'll also look into that sound card, thanks.

Edit: Oh, and I realized I'll need a harddrive, too, right? How's this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136011

 

[groudon185p]

ok the 8800gt outperforms the 9600. and also go with a Q6600 it has higher cache, low FSB for more overclocking, basicly its so much better than the wolfdale

 

[Kharashi]

So quad core it is....

Thanks for the input, again. I'd be rather lost without it. <<;

So I assume that hard drive is fine, then?

 

[patriothntr]

That is a good HDD for gaming, I went with the one posted below to have a bigger drive and more storage. (I did have to RMA my first due to a strange noise)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

The 8800gt does outperform the 9600 (9600 factory overclocks can beat the 8800gt stock, but you can OC the 8800gt with tools like rivatuner for a faster card).

Unless you have some real good speakers/sound setup, I would stick with onboard sound...you can always decide to pick up a sound card and throw it in if you decide the onboard isn't good enough for you.

You are looking at mid range cards, a quality 550 watt PSU should be enough...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027

If you are doing a bunch of calculations (rendering or something) then go with the quad core...you can push it pretty hard if you like. Otherwise, the e8400 is the chip for you. It will probably perform better in games, and it OCs nicely. the e8400 is built on 45nm technology (the 6600 is 65nm) which means there will be less power consumption and less heat generated.

My next chip will be a quad (either the 6600 or 9300), because I do a lot of transcoding...if I didn't then I would be getting the 8400...it works better with current games...

Hope that didn't make things worse for you...
~P

 

[krisb]

just a note on the sound. I used onboard. it was good. before i built my new system i put the Creative Fatal1ty X-FI in my old pc and on my $15 headphones the differance was unbelievable. i mean...you can hear such detail and elevation... it has improved my scores so much as everything is so real. worth the doe if you want the best experiance and advantage. also you can find reviews that put the 9600 ahead of the 8800 or vise-versa. mine is the Palit 9600gt Sonic. it is factory OC'd so you dont have to worry about doing it. it is a nice choice. and about the HDD i have one of those and it is great. you'll have a nice machine...i agree with going for the e8400 cpu rather than the Q6600.

 

[Kharashi]

Well, I decided to go with a power supply that I figured was probably more than I needed in case I wanted to upgrade down the line...Having too much power won't cause problems, will it?

Now to figure out how to overclock...*goes off to Google/Wikipedia*

 

[krisb]

no too much power wont hurt. this way if you want to do SLI youll have lots. just take it slow with overclocking. take baby steps

 

[dai]

good choice of psu gives you some headroom for futher upgradeing

 

[Kharashi]

Ah...I've heard that, in AoC, there have been some issues with Nvidia's 8 series...So, I'm considering getting a different card. I don't want to lose any power from the 8800 GT, though...

What card would you guys recommend? I'd prefer not to go up too much in price, but if I don't have a choice...

Thanks, again, by the way.

 

[patriothntr]

I prefer to get a little more power than I need...having an 80 plus unit don't run at 80 plus if it's running below 20% load...(and yes, I know most others like the biggest things they can justify).

Look at the 9600gt if you don't like the 8 series...or take a look at the 3870 ATI cards...

 

[Kharashi]

Those are both slightly downgraded from the 8800GT, right? I'd really prefer not to go down, even if the price goes up...

So what about a 9800GTX? If so, factory overclocked or no?