Finalizing the configuration of my first PC build!

[youngflyer12]

All right, I have been planning to build my first computer for a long time. I think it has now been well over a year, and boy have the parts change. Nevertheless, I would still like to finalize my list. For some history, I want this computer to be able to play any FPS that is coming out (such as Halo 2), but not at maxed out settings. I don't have THAT much money to spend. All I have now is a Dell laptop with integrated graphics. Actually being able to play Battlefield 1942 will make me smile. I was really hoping for it to be $1,000, but it looks like I'm going to have to spend an extra hundred. Now for the parts:

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail $100
Decent processor for my needs and the money.

MOTHERBOARD
GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $80
I was planning on getting this board due to it being SLI compatible for future upgrades. However, I was looking at some SLI tests and don't know if SLI is worth it to me.

GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $77
This is the non-SLI board. It is only three dollars less, but it has onboard video for backup if something kills my video card.

RAM
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $110
Thanks b1gapl!

VIDEO CARD
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $110 or $100
This is the video card that I an leaning towards. Everything about it seems very good to me for the cheap $100 price tag.

GIGABYTE GV-NX85T256H GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-NX85T256H GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $98
This is my 8 series alternative. Everything for this card is obviously slower. However, it is Directx 10. I don't know about pixel pipelines, anybody? The DX 10 is nice, but will this card be any good when those games come out? Also, the card has no fan but a giant heat spreader. I would like the quietness of it, but is it effective?

HARD DRIVE
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $70
Pretty much everything I want for only $70. I wish it wasn't OEM though...

OPTICAL DRIVE
LG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE Super-Multi DVD Burner
Newegg.com - LG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE Super-Multi DVD Burner - OEM $29
Super combo drive that does it all.

PSU
XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB
Newegg.com - XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB - Retail $38
Thanks b1gapl!

CASE
NZXT Nemesis Elite Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - NZXT Nemesis Elite Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $120
I love this case and my friend says it has excellent air flow due to the number and size of fans.

APEVIA X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - APEVIA X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $70 or $60
The cheaper alternative.

MONITOR
SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Newegg.com - SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail $200 or $180
20" and 1000:1 contrast ratio for only $180! Can it get any better?

KEYBOARD
Rosewill RK650 Silver/Black 104 Normal Keys 5 Function Keys USB Slim Keyboard
Newegg.com - Rosewill RK650 Silver/Black 104 Normal Keys 5 Function Keys USB Slim Keyboard - Retail $15
It's cheap and pretty good looking.

OPERATING SYSTEM
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM $112
Hope 32-Bit is the right choice... Thanks b1gapl!

I'm also going to be buying some arctic silver 5 and this cable:
Link Depot 6 FT DVI to DVI Cable Model LD-DVI6DVI
Newegg.com - Link Depot 6 FT DVI to DVI Cable Model LD-DVI6DVI - OEM $7

I already have a Logitech 5.1 surround sound and a Logitech G5 mouse. I would also like to have a memory card reader for Memory Stick and SD cards. I hope Vista won't give me too much trouble... The biggest debate is between those two graphics cards. Plan for the future, or will I not be able to benefit enough from it? Please though, my ears are open to everything. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and, hopefully, respond to it.

youngflyer12

 

[b1gapl]

I suggest you get this ram instead:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
a bit cheaper too...great brand.

I'd go for the M61P-S3 motherboard. SLI is never worth it, unless you play at really really high resolutions.

Go for the FSP PSU, it's more reliable than Cool Max. Also check out the XClio 450W...it's cheaper, but just as reliable and good as the FSP.

Stick with the 32-bit edition of Vista. The 64-bit lacks compatibility with drivers.

 

[darksideleader]

I would use 64-bit, future proof.

For the onboard video mobo i would use this :
Newegg.com - ASUS M2A-VM Socket AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
better gaming onboard video, decent aswell.

SLI/Crossfire go with these boards :
Newegg.com - ECS KA3 MVP (V1.0A) Socket AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Athough most will not like ECS your gonna need an ATI card for this mobo though
your SLI board will proberly be enough

 

[youngflyer12]

I suggest you get this ram instead:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
a bit cheaper too...great brand.

I'd go for the M61P-S3 motherboard. SLI is never worth it, unless you play at really really high resolutions.

Go for the FSP PSU, it's more reliable than Cool Max. Also check out the XClio 450W...it's cheaper, but just as reliable and good as the FSP.

Stick with the 32-bit edition of Vista. The 64-bit lacks compatibility with drivers.

I really like the memory and love the power supply. I read an article about 64 bit versus 32 bit Vista. You're right; the 64 bit windows has many driver compatibility issues. While 64 bit would give me a performance boost, it will be years before this software becomes the norm. Besides, 32 bit windows is cheaper. Thanks for the help. However, I'm still wondering about the whole SLI and video card thing.

 

[youngflyer12]

I would use 64-bit, future proof.

For the onboard video mobo i would use this :
Newegg.com - ASUS M2A-VM Socket AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
better gaming onboard video, decent aswell.

SLI/Crossfire go with these boards :
Newegg.com - ECS KA3 MVP (V1.0A) Socket AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Athough most will not like ECS your gonna need an ATI card for this mobo though
your SLI board will proberly be enough

I was also looking at that first motherboard, but I didn't like only 4 expansion slots. Maybe that's all I need though? That second motherboard seems really expensive. Could you explain how the 64 bit is future proof or how the 32 bit iisn't?

 

[youngflyer12]

Any other ideas???

Bump.