Need advice for building a gaming PC

[Nmonster]

I couldn't turn up anything that seemed promising on Ebay, so I am now considering building a new computer (my current is from 2000). I would like for it to be able to handle Counter Strike and Wrath of the Lich King graphics, but I'm no exactly sure what that means--I don't know how fast of processor, how much ram, or what kind of video card I would need. I'm willing to spend ~650 dollars or less. Will that be enough? I was hoping someone with similar goals, or some computer genius could answer my questions and give me a parts list.

 

[veg1992]

Easy:

e7200
HD 4850
4gb G-Skill DDR2 800 kit @ 4-4-4-12 Timings
Case/HD/Drives of your choice
Biostar I45
Corsair 650tx

 

[Nmonster]

Cool! Thanks. I went ahead and put together a list of links. Hopefully I didn't mess up.

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops $119.99
(Cons: "The heatsink was rubbish")

HD 4850
So many different brads that I couldn't choose. I don't know which is reliable. ~$160-200


4gb G-Skill DDR2 800 kit @ 4-4-4-12 Timings
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory $64

BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard $105

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
(mouthful)
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies $100

SIGMA ORCA ORCA-WB Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Newegg.com - SIGMA ORCA ORCA-WB Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases $40

All for ~$600. Still not sure which graphics to get... Anything else I might need besides a new monitor?

Forgot that I need an OS.

 

[Evolv]

This one will do fine, they're all the same basicly, just stay away from Sapphire brand as I heard their customer support sucks.

Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H485F512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[Nmonster]

It seems like everyone complains about their graphics cards overheating.

 

[Evolv]

Well all 4850's run a little hot. You can either get an aftermarket cooler, or do the fan hack to allow the fan to run at a higher speed. Just google "4850 fan hack" and a bunch of stuff will come up about it, it's not that hard to do.

 

[Nmonster]

Oh yeah, a few people mentioned altering their fan speeds. I'll look into that now.

 

[dario03]

If you need a OS and are a student or know someone that is and they don't need a OS you could get Microsoft Server 2008 for free. Its very similar to Vista and is available here

https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/win_2008_server_stan.aspx

Just have to prove your a student.

 

[Stryker_77]

With these specs u wil b able to play games atlot more demanding then those u hv mentioned.

 

[Nmonster]

If you need a OS and are a student or know someone that is and they don't need a OS you could get Microsoft Server 2008 for free. Its very similar to Vista and is available here

https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/win_2008_server_stan.aspx

Just have to prove your a student.

I am a student but I've heard nothing but bad things about Vista. Sounds like I'd be signing up to be a Microsoft guinea pig. LOL