First Time Builder

[IceHot]

Looking to build my own PC but I am kinda clueless on Mother boards and Processors/CPU's. Also need help with ram. This computer is going to be used to Play video games, Watch movies and surf the web. I wanna be able to play some of the more advanced games out there on high settings and have it run perfectly. I have $2 ,000 to spend on the tower alone. Any help would be appreciated!

[RickyTick]

This would be a Smoking Hot computer.

Processor - Intel i7-940 $569.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115201

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD $298.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128362

Ram - Crucial 6gb (3x2gb) DDR3 1066 $179.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148246

Video Card - EVGA GTX260 core 216 Superclocked $259.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130400

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar SE16 640gb $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

Power Supply - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341011

Arbitrary Case $100
Optical Drive $30
Vista 64 bit $100
Keyboard and Mouse $80

Totals $1818

You could actually add another hard drive, or go to the Raptor and still be on budget.

[chunkylover53]

Yowza!

[IceHot]

Just had a question. I've been doing research on quad core vs dual core for video gaming and it seems that ALOT of people prefer dual core for Gaming. Any reasons why? I noticed the processor you posted was a quad core. Other than that....this computer seems like an absolute beast. Also, I've looked up that video card and the physical size is Huge on it...any ideas as to a case that would allow it to fit? Also, I will not be getting this computer for about another month and a half or so. Right after the new year. Anything I should keep my eyes out for come new releases for next year?

[RickyTick]

Check out the Cooler Master Cosmo S. Here's a nice video review of it.
http://www.3dgameman.com/content/view/12018/48/

So if you go with a Core2Duo now and some killer game comes out next year that takes full advantage of a QuadCore processor, those guys will be wishing they had one. :)

[The Wise Monkey]

That Cosmo S is a really nice case - very spacious.

If you wanted every last drop of graphics performance, you could drop the CPU to an i7-920 and go for a 4870X2 instead. Or buy two 9800GTX+ and run them in SLI. Or buy two GTX260 and run them in SLI. Or buy two 4870 and run them in CrossFire.

The possibilities are endless. :D

[RickyTick]

That Cosmo S is a really nice case - very spacious.

If you wanted every last drop of graphics performance, you could drop the CPU to an i7-920 and go for a 4870X2 instead. Or buy two 9800GTX+ and run them in SLI. Or buy two GTX260 and run them in SLI. Or buy two 4870 and run them in CrossFire.

The possibilities are endless. :D


Excellent point.

[IceHot]

Gotta be honest I am gonna do research and look it all up but I have no idea what you mean when you say "Run them in SLI" and run them in "Crossfire." Also, I am looking for a computer than can be upgraded a few times once parts start to get out of date. I was told that the Motherboard and CPU are the two most important decisions when building a computer.
-Vista 64 bit...does this support 6gigs of ram? I was told it can really on support max of 4. Again I am clueless so that could be completely wrong.
-I am not sure how much help this can be but I am looking for a very fast computer that has awesome graphics. Can play Crysis on high settings well. Last time I knew and I believe it still is the bench mark game when comparing gaming parts/comps. I want it to be able to keep up with the market for at least 6 or 7 months. I also want it to be upgradeable. So I guess for this budget I am wondering what you all would do if this is the type of computer you want.
If need be I can probably come up with a few extra hundred for the computer. Talking $2300-$2400.
-Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it!!!!

[The Wise Monkey]

SLI and CrossFire are nVidia's and ATI's technologies for running two or more cards together to get a boost in performance. Wikipedia's articles on these are unnecessarily verbose, so check out this post instead:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/245454-15-crossfire-faqs

To be honest, one GTX260 will run Crysis maxed out at 1280x1024 without breaking a sweat. If you want 1920x1200, say, then that card would struggle and you would be better off getting a 4870X2.

Vista 64 supports huuuuge amounts of RAM depending on which version you get - Ultimate, Business and Enterprise support 128GB; Home Basic supports 8GB and Home Premium supports 16GB. Alternatively, Windows Server 2008 Enterprise theoretically supports a whopping 2TB of RAM, but home users will never need anywhere near that much.

[RickyTick]

Also, I am looking for a computer than can be upgraded a few times once parts start to get out of date. I was told that the Motherboard and CPU are the two most important decisions when building a computer.
-Vista 64 bit...does this support 6gigs of ram? I was told it can really on support max of 4. Again I am clueless so that could be completely wrong.
If need be I can probably come up with a few extra hundred for the computer. Talking $2300-$2400.
-Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it!!!!

The setup I listed previously can be upgraded easily down the road. Although it would be a long time before it would need an upgrade. :)

The beuaty of this setup is that is uses the most current motherboard/processor combination and is not likely to be outdated for several years.

And yes, as Wise Monkey pointed out, Vista Home Premium 64 bit can utilize all 6gb of ram and leave room for more.

You would be hard pressed to find a computer faster than this one unless you spent upwards of $4000 plus. The weakest link in that setup is the video card, so you go to SLI/Crossfire or the 4870x2. Even still, its an awesome system.

[IceHot]

Alright. It looks like about mid January is when I'll be ordering these parts so it sounds like this is what I am going to go with. Maybe an upgraded video card like you said?...One more final question!
-A monitor, this will not be comming out of the budget I previously posted. I am looking at about having $300 to $400 to spend on the monitor. Looking for LCD screen 20+ inches. Preferably around 22.
-I found this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050 on Newegg. Not sure if there is anything I should be aware of when ordering a monitor for this new system. Again, THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!

[IceHot]

I went to Dell's website just to check out what they had and I started to customize the XPS. (http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/desktops_great_deals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=anavml). The total came out to about 1500 with a 22 inch monitor and upgrading to the nvidia card and going to the 2.66 quad core processor. Everything else seemed as though it was pretty much the same. Is this a good buy if I choose to go this option. I feel as though the processor is a huge downgrade from the i7 series. Granted I am not looking to save money or find HUGE deals or sales. I am just wondered if this was a good buy too and if saving the extra $600 (Between monitor and tower) is worth it. Granted the Monitor will be a gift but if I went this route the money spent on it would be thrown my way. Hope I am not getting annoying. :-/

[The Wise Monkey]

I have this Samsung monitor, and it is awesome:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001278

There are three issues with getting a Dell:

1. They don't use top of the range components
2. Upgrading will be more difficult as the case will be relatively small and the motherboard layout will be different
3. You don't get the satisfaction of building it yourself. :D

[IceHot]

Rickytick I was trying to get all the model numbers and everything written down incase the links switch at newegg or when I try and find it again on newegg its sold out and I am forced to go somewhere else as it will be about a month before I order this. When I went thru and tried to use your links to do it they didnt work. I was able to make sure I had the correce componets are most of the items. I needed help with the exact ram as two possible modles come up when I go to get them and neither of them are at the price you posted. Assuming they were onsale at the time and are not anymore.
-Also the power supply I think its this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009 but I am not positive.
If you could help me out so I am able to make sure I get the exact correct parts that would be great. Once again Thanks for the help.

[RickyTick]

I don't know what happened to those links. Anyway

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362

Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148246

GPU (comes with free copy of Far Cry 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130400

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

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

also ran across this excellent psu at a good price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

[IceHot]

So I was looking at some possible problems people run into when running Higher end Gaming comps and Over heating always seems to be a concern. I do not plan on overclocking this system at all. However I have come across a few items that are pretty inexpensive and was wondering if they would be a good buy. I came across heat sinks for the CPU. I noticed they are only like 20 or 30 dollars depending. Would it be worth it? Also, I came across a thermal glue that your suppose to use with your CPU that creates a layer between the CPU and Motherboard so the CPU doesnt get as hot...not sure if I am correct on that but I believe I am. Any thoughts on these items for this system.

-I would probably start overclocking when this system became more out of date and started to run into some difficulties running games that I would like to buy.
Thanks guys. I also was curious if any Full Size Tower will be roomy enough for all these parts. I assume so but I just thought I'd throw it out there and ask.

[RickyTick]

So I was looking at some possible problems people run into when running Higher end Gaming comps and Over heating always seems to be a concern. I do not plan on overclocking this system at all. However I have come across a few items that are pretty inexpensive and was wondering if they would be a good buy. I came across heat sinks for the CPU. I noticed they are only like 20 or 30 dollars depending. Would it be worth it? Also, I came across a thermal glue that your suppose to use with your CPU that creates a layer between the CPU and Motherboard so the CPU doesnt get as hot...not sure if I am correct on that but I believe I am. Any thoughts on these items for this system.

-I would probably start overclocking when this system became more out of date and started to run into some difficulties running games that I would like to buy.
Thanks guys. I also was curious if any Full Size Tower will be roomy enough for all these parts. I assume so but I just thought I'd throw it out there and ask.

Here's some good reading material on cpu coolers.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=62

You're right that they are not very expensive and provide much better colling for the processor. The coolers come with the thermal compound, so not to worry.

That Cosmo S case I mentioned on page 1 is a great case and has excellent cooling. Another very popular case that has excellent cooling is the Antec 900, and is usually much cheaper than the Cosmos. Both of these are very roomy. There are many more cases to choose from too.

Your system is going to be so fast that you wouldn't be able to notice any difference after overclocking.

[IceHot]

I was looking at the adapters that the EVGA video card you recommended and noticed it only had a DIV and not an HDMI port. I am trying to learn as much as possible about this stuff and i have done a bunch of research on the difference between DVI, HDMI and HDMI with adapter. I cant seem to find any clear cut simple explanation that makes it easy to understand. I was also wondering if you explain the difference and tell me exactly which one gives me the best picture possible as I am using this for gaming and Movies only. Also if a new recomendation for a video card would be necassary maybe you could recommend a new video card?
Thanks again as always!