Super Newbie Needs Build Help!

[Namis9]

Hey guys, I've never built a computer before, and I really don't know much about specific parts. I've been reading for a few days now and it still doesnt make much sense to me. Anyway, hopefully you'll be capable of helping me.

I want to build a new computer for gaming, my current one is about 7 years old. Specifically, I want a computer that can run a new game coming out called "Age of Conan". Here are the recommended configurations for the game.

Recommended configuration (Up to 1280X960, most features on)
OS: Windows XP SP 2 or Windows Vista
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz or equivalent
RAM: 2048MB Dual Channel DDR2
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX or equivalent
Video memory: 512MB
DVD-ROM: Quad-speed (4x) DVD-ROM drive
HARD DRIVE SPACE: 30GB

Ideally, I'm looking to spend around $750, but I'd understand if that is unrealistic for getting a computer of this caliber. If anyone could point out some viable options I'd certainly appreciate it.

Please keep in mind however that I'm Canadian, and I believe NewEgg does not ship to Canada.
I found this store that is close to me, and has prices similar to Tigerdirect.ca and NCIX, so if someone could help me out building a computer using this, that would be great also.

Plug and Play, Canada Computer, Canada Computers - friendly store for computers, computer repair, notebook, Laptop, lcd sale and service

Thanks fellas, I appreciate any help you can give!

 

[Luke]

vista hp 64bit NCIX.com - Buy Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64BIT DVD OEM - 66I-00788 In Canada.
e4700 NCIX.com - Buy Intel Core 2 Duo E4700 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.6GHZ 800FSB 2MB Retail - BX80557E4700 In Canada.
xigmatek rifle NCIX.com - Buy Xigmatek HDT-S1283 Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 LGA775 S754 S939 S940 W 120MM PWM Fan - HDT-S1283 In Canada.
2gb ocz NCIX.com - Buy OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit - OCZ2P800R22GK In Canada.
9600gt(these go on sale a lot so you might want to wait for one) NCIX.com - Buy Galaxy KFA2 GeForce 9600GT OC 670MHZ 512MB 2.0GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card Cmf - 96GFF6HUUEXV In Canada.
and dvd writer NCIX.com - Buy LG GSA-H55L DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL 10X Lightscribe DVD Writer IDE 2MB Black OEM W/ SW - GSA-H55L BLACK In Canada.
case is personal preference 100
550vx NCIX.com - Buy Corsair VX550W 550W ATX 12V 41A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - CMPSU-550VX In Canada.
7200.11 500gb (32mb cache)NCIX.com - Buy Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive - ST3500320AS In Canada.
p5k se NCIX.com - Buy ASUS P5K SE ATX LGA775 P35 DDR2 PCI-E16 2PCI 3PCI-E1 SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard - P5K-SE In Canada.

shop from ncix.com (it is pretty much the best online store for Canada. Look at canadadirect.com also and price match anything they have that is cheaper then ncix...don't order from them though because i have had some bad experiences. So your looking at 1010 about for this build shipped...but you could cut costs on the gpu, hdd, and the case.

 

[Namis9]

From reading around, it says the 8800GT is a better value card then the 9600GT, is this true?

 

[peterhuang913]

Yea...

 

[Namis9]

Yeah 1010 is a bit out of my price range, however I live just a hop away from Toronto, which I believe has a Tigerdirect. So I could probably just pick the stuff up myself and save on the shipping.

Are there any other items that have some cost-effective alternatives?

 

[Namis9]

How's something like this? I think I'm a little over my head building one from scratch ;\

XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Socket 775 Barebone Kit - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz OEM, 320GB SATA HD, 20 x DVD±RW, 2GB DDR2 PC6400, ATX Mid-Tower Case, Clear Side, 700 Watt Power Supply at TigerDirect.com

And I would just add a fan and a 8800 GT?

Edit/Update:

XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Motherboard - $149.99
Intel C2Q Q6700 2.66GHz OEM - $259.99
OCZ Platinum 2048MB PC6400 - $59.99
Sony DRU190A 20X DVD Rewritable Drive - $29.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Hard Drive - $72.97
Ultra Gladiator Mid-Tower ATX Case - $59.99
PowerUp GEN-6802 800-Watt Power Supply - $99.99
Price: $629.99 (Save $102.92) = $599.99 [Barebone Kit]

PowerUp P4 CPU Cooling Fan - Socket 775, Copper Base - $19.99
XFX GeForce 8800 GT Video Card - Zalman Edition - $169.99 (-$30 Rebate)

Total = $819.97

How does that look?

 

[Namis9]

Well ****, it seems that the above deal was for tigerdirect.COM
The canadian version (.CA) does not offer the same deal.

Here's what I came up with from the .ca site (the prices are a little higher)

NZXT HUSH Black ATX Mid-Tower Case - $97.99
Intel DP35DPM Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard - $128.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz Socket 775 OEM Processor - $341.59 (-$121.60) = $219.99
Ultra X-Connect V-Series (XVS) 500-Watt Power Supply - $97.59 (-$36.60) = $60.99
Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz E.P.P. Memory (2 x 1024) - $69.99 (-$25) = $44.99
$622.99 (-$25rebate) = $597.99

PowerUp P4 CPU Cooling Fan - $24.99
EVGA GeForce 8800 GT Video Card PCIe 2.0 - $189.99 (-$30rebate) = $159.99

Total = 824.97 before tax

 

[Redmo0n]

Change the power supply to something like the Corsair 450vx.

 

[Namis9]

I found this store that is located pretty close to me, and has close prices to tigerdirect.ca

Could someone help me pick out a system using this link?
Plug and Play, Canada Computer, Canada Computers - friendly store for computers, computer repair, notebook, Laptop, lcd sale and service

 

[remedy]

Namis, that website is absolutely outrageous. Every part is overpirced by hundreds.