Have about $1000, help me build a decent gaming PC, if possible?

[King$nake]

Sup guys. This is my first post here, but for a long time I have been wanting to build a good gaming PC. I want something I can run Battlefield 2142 and Flight Simulator X with Full Graphics (Even with 4x AA) and have a stready 40+ FPS. I also need a PC that will run Windows Vista without a problem. This PC will also be used for my Digital Pictures, MP3's and Videos.

So, here are my options. I can save a little more money and purchase a Dell XPS (which comes with a 19" LCD Monitor for Free).

Or I have an Older Dell Dimension (Bought it new in 1999) Its really not much good for more than holding my 3000+ MP3's. Its old and slow (atleast compared to my newer Dell), but it works well for its purpose. I was wondering if I wanted to build a good Gaming PC, is there anything off of my older Dell that I could re-use for my new PC? Im thinking I can basically upgrade every part that needs to be upgraded, and this way I can save a little bit of money. Now remember, Im new to all this, but Im thinking I could ATLEAST re-use the Dell Case and the Power Supply? Or am I mistaken? Also if I take this route, I could spend a little bit more money on each individual upgrade, because I could take my time and save the money needed.

Or, third option, start from scratch and build a computer from the ground up.

Anyways, any help would be GREATLY appreciated

Thanks Guys
-Joe

 

[Fat.Clown]

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 - 180.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013
ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 - 127.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030
CORSAIR ValueSelect (2 x 512MB) DDR2 667 - 100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145568
PNY GeForce 7600GS 512MB - 133.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133175
Antec SmartPower 2.0 500W - 70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937
LITE-ON Black 18X DVD+RW - 32.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106043
WD Caviar SE16 250GB 7200/16MB - 75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 - 50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

767.00 without shipping

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio...shListNumber=5322927&WishListTitle=Budget+C2D

Agreed with fade2black2004.

Heres another re-edited list with everybody's suggestion. It comes out to $932.93 , not including shipping. Bigger hard drive, 480W PSU, and cheaper motherboard. You also still have the 7950GT, but if you want to save more, you can go with the 7900GS, like the others said.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...N82E16819115005

GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 LGA 775 Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128018

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...N82E16820231098

HIPER HPU-4M480-PS ATX12V v2.2 480W Power Supply 100 - 120V AC cUL,TUV,CB,CE,FCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817128005

eVGA 256-P2-N636-AR GeForce 7950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130074

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144415

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
http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...N82E16827136103

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...N82E16811119077

First build gives you $$$ left over to get new monitor
2nd quoted build gives you close to the best build for a budget of 1k right now
but if you want you can pick and choose parts out of those lists if you want to reuse parts in your old computer

 

[King$nake]

Awesome. Thanks man. What I need to know is what parts can be reused on my PC?

 

[King$nake]

Would the Power Supply be sufficient from my Older Dell for this new PC?

 

[talldude123]

Would the Power Supply be sufficient from my Older Dell for this new PC?

Probably not. You will need a good reliable power supply with lots of power. Dell power supplies don't meet that.

 

[PcMe]

Definitely don't skimp out on the PSU - I'm not saying you have to buy a 800W or anything, but Fortron/Antec make some high quality PSU's.

And personally I'd go with amd instead of intel, but maybe that's just me. Just be sure to let us know what you're wanting to get so you don't mix up sockets or anything

 

[dario03]

I would go with something like fat.clown's second posted setup. Maybe cut back a little on the ram or something if you need to get a monitor.

I would not use a power supply from 7 years ago (probably can't anyway). I would just build a completly new system.

And your better off with intel right now especially if you ever overclock.

 

[King$nake]

Ok, well it looks like Ill be throwing out my old dell. its a piece anyways, its old.

Now, Ive already decided that I want Intel, so the second PC that was listed here, would that PC be more than enough to do the things I want? For example, could that PC run the most demanding PC games on the market today?

 

[dawizhacker]

Preatty much, back when I had my 4800+ I ran everygame on high accept battlefield 2 with 128 people mod EVERYONE will always lag on that!

 

[bonehelm]

definitely get a beefy PSU if you're planning to upgrade to directx 10 level cards later since 1k won't get you one right now.