First off, thanks to all of you who's comments have helped my research tremendously!
I'm building this rig to game with for the next 1-2 years. Games like BF2, QW:ET, and hopefully a decent MMO.
I'm going to be ordering today, so I'd appreciate any input.
CPU: $183
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005
I might splurge another $40 and get the E6400, but I'd rather put $40 towards RAM or GPU.
GPU: $215 (after $40 rebate)
HIS Hightech Radeon X1900XT 256MB CrossFire Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814161027
I don't know anything about HIS. $215 seems amazing for an x1900xt, but is a risk?
MoBo: $143
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T Intel P965 Express ATX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128012
Seems to be a highly recommended board for the Intel C2D chips.
RAM: $266
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227139
One area I'm not shy in spending more money on. I definitely want the 2GB for gaming.
PSU: $87
Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 550W - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103932
I'm not too familiar with PSUs, but this one seemed to be a popular choice when using the x1900xt.
HD: $95
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140
Seemed like a nice drive for the price. I don't have to have the fastest load times, but I don't want my HD to be a huge bottleneck either.
Case: $85
LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811112099
Again, seems to be another popular choice for a case; however, I'm not partial to any case, as long as it's easy to work with and doesn't embarass me at the next LAN.
DVD: $29
MadDog DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152074
Whatever on this... I just need something that will work. I wanted the NEC one, but it's on backorder.
Cooling: $36
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler - Retail ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835186134
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835100007
Total Damage: $1179 + $35 shipping
I've got XP Pro and an Eclipse keyboard, G5 mouse, and 19" ViewSonic CRT monitor I'll be using from my old system.
Did I miss anything? Thanks for looking and for your comments!
I'm building this rig to game with for the next 1-2 years. Games like BF2, QW:ET, and hopefully a decent MMO.
I'm going to be ordering today, so I'd appreciate any input.
CPU: $183
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005
I might splurge another $40 and get the E6400, but I'd rather put $40 towards RAM or GPU.
GPU: $215 (after $40 rebate)
HIS Hightech Radeon X1900XT 256MB CrossFire Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814161027
I don't know anything about HIS. $215 seems amazing for an x1900xt, but is a risk?
MoBo: $143
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T Intel P965 Express ATX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128012
Seems to be a highly recommended board for the Intel C2D chips.
RAM: $266
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227139
One area I'm not shy in spending more money on. I definitely want the 2GB for gaming.
PSU: $87
Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 550W - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103932
I'm not too familiar with PSUs, but this one seemed to be a popular choice when using the x1900xt.
HD: $95
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140
Seemed like a nice drive for the price. I don't have to have the fastest load times, but I don't want my HD to be a huge bottleneck either.
Case: $85
LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811112099
Again, seems to be another popular choice for a case; however, I'm not partial to any case, as long as it's easy to work with and doesn't embarass me at the next LAN.
DVD: $29
MadDog DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152074
Whatever on this... I just need something that will work. I wanted the NEC one, but it's on backorder.
Cooling: $36
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler - Retail ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835186134
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835100007
Total Damage: $1179 + $35 shipping
I've got XP Pro and an Eclipse keyboard, G5 mouse, and 19" ViewSonic CRT monitor I'll be using from my old system.
Did I miss anything? Thanks for looking and for your comments!