First Build

[billenium]

I would love some suggestions from you guys. Post your ideas =)
NOTE: I already bought the CPU and MOBO.

024.99 PC Case - COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP
054.99 Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB
020.99 CD-ROM Drive - Need Suggestions
---.-- Processor - Q6600 Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
---.-- Motherboard - DP35DP Intel Brand
139.00 GFX Card - 8600GT
046.99 Memory Modules - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2
054.99 Power Supply - Ultra X-finity 600watt ATX Dual 80mm Fan

Seems like i dont need 600watt. I couldn't find anything else for under 54.99. Sugestions?

 

[Trotter]

First off, what is your total budget?

Second, what do you want to do with this build?

Third, you location (US, UK, BFE... so we know what links to use)?

 

[billenium]

1) Im not really sure

2) Gaming, programming, video editing. Not hard core gaming though... so i thought 8600GT would be suffice.

3) US

 

[Trotter]

SATA DVD burner:
Newegg.com - LG Electronics Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write - OEM

Solid PSU, reputable brand:
Newegg.com - FSP Group AX500-PN ATX2.2 500W Power Supply 110-120/ 220-240V UL, CSA, VDE, NEMKO, TUV, CE, CB, FCC - Retail

Lower end:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100210L Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR4 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - MSI NX8600GT-T2D256E OC GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Mid range:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100213 Radeon HD 2900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - OEM

Upper end:
Newegg.com - DIAMOND 3850PE3256SB Radeon HD 3850 RV650 55nm 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[billenium]

thanks alot! I kind of want to buy my graphics card at bestbuy because i have a BUNCH if gift cards there. Thanks sooo much though! its really appreciate.

 

[Trotter]

VisionTek - ATI RADEON HD3850 Graphics Card - 900203

VisionTek - ATI RADEON HD2600 XT Edition Graphics Card - B226XT512PCIE

VisionTek - ATI RADEON HD2600 Pro Edition Graphics Card - V2600POC512PX

 

[billenium]

Does that go from Best to Not Best??

Also im going to be dual booting Linux and XP. Maybe Vista (cries). So.. erm... will i be able to get drives for Linux? This is my first build, im not totally sure what that means, but i heard they have bad drives for some cards?

PS is the first one better than the 8600GT? It looks nice. I want it =P

 

[Trotter]

Does that go from Best to Not Best??

Yes. Best Buy only has the 8800s and 8500s, no 8600s.

I think there are drivers out for them. I know there is for XP.

Actually, the new drivers are pretty good, and should only improve.

And, yes, the 3850 is much better than the 8600. I am getting one as soon as I can figure out how to get the money. My current card is better than the 8600, and the 3850 performs double my card.

 

[billenium]

Okay, well i have 100 dollars in gift cards... How good is 99 dollar one? Almost as good (better??!) as the 8600GT?

 

[Trotter]

Both the 2600Pro and the 2600 XT perform below the 8600 GT (the XT not by much).

Of course, the 8600 GT is $150+ at Best Buy. You might want to use the gift cards for other components at Best Buy and order the GFX card from NewEgg.