Newbie building a computer! What else is new?

[assimilatedewok]

Hey all,

I'm new to the forums and also new to computer building. I've read up on, experimented, and now believe I can DO IT! The one thing I need help on is picking the parts... now, let me give you the run down on what I'm looking for.

The last time I bought a desktop was over three years ago, and I've since given that computer to my nephew. I'm starting over from scratch and have $1400 to spend, including shipping. I don't need a monitor (Have a good 17" LCD), mouse, keyboard or speakers. I'll be mainly using this computer for World of Warcraft and similar RPG/Simulation-type gaming (I don't play FPS) and want to make sure it'll run them smoooooothly. I also want to make sure it'll be able to handle the upcoming generation of games!

Anywho, I've been looking at the following build. Let me know what you think, and if it'll work (borrowed some of the stuff from another build in here):

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz - $235
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

Fan/Cooler - Thermaltake Big Typhoon CL-P0114 120mm Cooling Fan with Heatsink - $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835106061

Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128018

Ram - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM - $215
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015

Video Card - XFX PVT42EYDF3 Geforce 6800XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150154

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3200827AS 200GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148113

Power Supply - OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817341001

Case - Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000SWA Silver - $106
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133133

DVD/CD Drive - NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058

So, all in all, the total would be around $1150 ($1200) including shipping. I've got about $200 I could spend on further upgrades/swaps for better items. Is the video card I selected good enough for this system, or will it be obsolete before long? Is the power supply TOO much? Please let me know, and any help is appreciated!

 

[Nukem]

I would go with the 7900GT right now... it'll last you a couple of years with the newer games coming out... not to say this one wouldn't, but...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130032

Other than that it looks good... you might be able to go down to a 500, maybe 550W, but for the price, it doesn't matter... but there is always this one... tried and true... ANTEC...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103933

 

[assimilatedewok]

Cool, thanks. What about SLI/Crossfire? Do you think it's needed with the games I play?

 

[Nukem]

not at all... one good one will be good for a while still..

 

[assimilatedewok]

Awesome, thanks. I noticed that in your sig it says the 7900GT w/ a cooler on it - since I'll probably be changing vid. cards for the 7900, do you recommend I do the same? Does the 7900 run pretty hot?

Also - my friends say I should go AMD Athlon XP 4800 instead of the C2D. Opinion?

 

[bryanp0286]

Not sure if it matters to you or not, but the DVD burner you have listed doesn't have LightScribe.... this one made by LiteOn does and it's the same price, it's the one I'm buying soon for the computer I'm building for my girlfriend.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106019

 

[Nukem]

it depends on which one you get, but I OC mine so I wanted after market cooling. if your not really into that or won't OC to any extreme, then I wouldn't worry about it. besides, most stock cooling is actually pretty good now a days. Stick with your Conroe setup... and Athlon XP is old school... it would be now AM2, but it's all about what you prefer... If your like me and are not worried about how many FPS a game will get for braging rights, I like AMD. If you do some heavy work with your system (I.E. - Video encoding, media type work, CAD WORK, ETC...) then you want something that will handle the load... AM2 X2 or Conroe... you have a good system now though...

 

[assimilatedewok]

Good looking out on the DVD Burner. I don't know how much I'll use lightscribe, but heck - I'd rather have it than not. Thanks!!

 

[assimilatedewok]

"If your like me and are not worried about how many FPS a game will get for braging rights, I like AMD"

I'm not much of a video/media type guy. All my computer usage consists of:
World of Warcraft
Downloading Music/Videos & Watching them
Playing around on the internet
Playing Strategy/Role-playing games
Doing college work

Things of that nature. I guess I fall more into the "casual" computer user category.

 

[CrazeD]

"If your like me and are not worried about how many FPS a game will get for braging rights, I like AMD"

I'm not much of a video/media type guy. All my computer usage consists of:
World of Warcraft
Downloading Music/Videos & Watching them
Playing around on the internet
Playing Strategy/Role-playing games
Doing college work

Things of that nature. I guess I fall more into the "casual" computer user category.

In that case, you're setup will be more than enough for you.