First Custom Computer..Need Help

[ZX-6R]

As the title states im building a new computer, well my friend is assembling it im buying the parts. My budget ballpark is around $1500-$1800 i already have a LCD, speakers, mouse and keyboard. Im looking for something that can hold roughly 500Gb and be balls fast, due to multiple users and programs. Multimedia, some light gaming, school, and wont be obsolete for awhile. Ive been browsing newegg for parts buts a totally different language to me. Also how is vista compared to xp, ive heard pros and cons?

Thanks

 

[TRDCorolla1]

Pros:

One of the major points for the positive side is the new interface of Vista. You will see no better graphics with any other version of Windows than you will with this software. Everything runs smoother, sleeker, and more impressive. There are sharper images. In addition, the new software is easier to use than previous versions as well. Finally, the major improvement is the higher level of security. As we all know, PCs are extremely susceptible to all sorts of spy ware, viruses, and other harmful programs. With Vista, you are safer than ever before. Basically, you will get a good looking, safer, and easier to use computer.

* Major Kernel Overhaul
* Networking
* Media Center Improvements
* Major Audio Changes
* DirectX 10
* New Built-In Apps
* Aero Glass and the New UI
* Security

Cons:

One of the largest complaints is that the new software takes up a little bit too much RAM. It uses up too much of a computers memory for most peoples taste. The second problem is that there are still some loopholes and bugs that have not been worked out yet. The final problem is that the software is not compatible with some older hardware. This means that if you have a computer which is more than 2 years of age, you might be risking a problem with compatibility which may cause some of your computer to stop working.

 

[Logan1]

mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

cpu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003

ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

gpu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

hdd - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136178

case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

psu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

ok i just scanned newegg and grabbed what i saw at first but this looks pretty good to me and deffinatly under your price range. i left out the OS but this should work for both xp and vista. so far vista has a lot of bugs and need a service pack (maybe 2) before i myself would use it but it should work fine for what you described. actaully go ahead and do both, buy a second hard drive and install xp on one and vista on the other. anyway i'm sure i'm forgetting something but this is the best i can do in 5 mins. good luck.

oh yeah you might be able to spring for a quad core for not much more, that won't be out of date for QUITE a while.

 

[ZX-6R]

Okay so within my budget i should have more than enough system resources to run vista. The Software compatibility isnt really an issue to me because i need to upgrade my word processor ect., Im currently using word 97 so you can guess how old and slow my current one is lol.


Edit: i also extended the price range

thanks all so much for what you given me to work with

 

[TRDCorolla1]

Absolutely. With a fresh new build, compatibility won't be an issue unless you have old hardware or software that doesn't have support for Vista. Since you're upgrading Word 97, I recommend Word 2007 or Office 2007 Professional. Tremendous difference in interface and features. Wow, it's some learning curve you'll be facing. But a word processor is still a word processor no matter how much they change it. The core is always there. Here's what I have compiled as far as parts goes:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

PCI-express 2.0 support:
ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA / SE LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131221

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D9 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227191

EVGA 768-P2-N835-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130079


Those are the core. That alone will set you well over a thousand dollars already, but it's super duper fast. All the other stuff is cheap. Hard drive, DVD burner, case, power supply. It should set within your $1800 budget and should last a long time. The only thing is that motherboard doesn't have DDR3 support, but DDR3 RAM are so expensive now which is why I chose the DDR2 supported motherboard.

It LOOKS overkill, but it's raw power at it's best.

 

[ZX-6R]

wow....very impressive, maybe i under estimated how much more bang for the buck you get when you go custom instead of though a major company. Im not doubting the power this monster could put out. It's my fault for not stating earlier that the OS and other software would be included in the budget. SORRY! second when i said light gaming i meant like CS every now and then and maybe some flash games. lol 758mb graphics card seems overkill lol. anyway thanks for all the help and quick responses w/ links i'll be sure to have my buddy look it over and get his imput as well.

Thank You

 

[TRDCorolla1]

I can configure a more common lighter version of that. That configuration above is a little too much for the hardcore PC user.

Defintely keep the quad core and RAM:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D9 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227191

EVGA 122-CK-NF63-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188019

More info on that motherboard:
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=122-CK-NF63-TR&family=20

For the video card, if you do want to step down, I guess you can go with this:

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Quake Wars. Redeemable at Mfg. site if not included
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130071

Otherwise, I would love to keep this because it's well within your spending budget. Just wait until you start playing the heavier 3d games. You'll wish you had a more powerful version of the 8800GTX video card. But this one is a bit cheaper than the one from the original link:

EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Quake Wars. Redeemable at Mfg. site if not included
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130072