Step Above

[RickyTick]

Here's a prospective build for those that want something a Step Above a Budget Build.

Many of the components will remain the same as the Budget Build since they are solid performers and still a really great value.

Case and Power Supply

Antec Sonata III w/500 watt Earthwatts psu. $130
Cooler Master Centurion 534RC-534-KKN2_GP $50
Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB $50
Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500 watt $45
Antec Earthwatts EA500 500 watt $90


Motherboard

Intel
Asus P5K Pro $140
Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R $150
Abit IP35 Pro $150

AMD
Asus M2N-SLI $130
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM S2H $90


Processor

AMD
Athlon 64 X2 6400+ $160
Phenom 8750 Toliman $195

Intel
Core 2 Duo E8400 $200
Core 2 Quad Q6600 $220

Ram

G.Skill 6400CL5D-2GBNQ $45
A-Data ADQVE1A16K $44
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 $48


Video Card

EVGA Nvidia 8800GTS 512mb $225
EVGA Nvidia 9600GT 512 mb $150


Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar SE16 640gb $115


Optical Drive

Samsung SH-S203B $30
LiteOn LH-20A1L-06 w/LightScribe $33
Asus DRW-2014L1T w/LightScribe $42


This puts it in the range of $900, for a very solid performer that will play most games at their highest level. With the addition of a Widescreen LCD monitor, mouse, keyboard, and Windows Vista, this should be obtainable for roughly $1300.

[RickyTick]

I'd be interested in what you guys think so far.

[shyster]

Looking good Ricky, just one thing I was wondering about.

The 8800GTS has a recommended power usage of 400 right?

Then would the Antec Earthwatts EA380 not be contradictory or rather underpowered?

[RickyTick]

Thanks Shyster. I meant the 500 watter. I made the edit on the original post. Good catch.

[The Wise Monkey]

Nice job, Ricky.

Now onto the high-end suggestions. :D

Interestingly enough, for $35 more you can get the AMD Phenom X3 8750, so that might be worth considering instead of the 6400+.

[RickyTick]

Thanks. My knowledge of AMD is a limited. I'll make the edit on the OP.

I'm already working on the high-end build.

Stay tuned...

[The Wise Monkey]

How about the HD4850 for the GFX card? That is at a pretty sweet spot at the moment, along with the 9800GTX+.