Holy crap I'm building a computer (component help please)
 

Hey there everyone, I'm looking to build my first computer with my upcoming tax refund. Thats what tax refunds are for anyway, right?

So I am looking to get a mid-range computer that will last me a few years for some gaming (mmorpg) and my usual on computer stuff (multi-tasking). The system should be upgradable in the future, without too many of the standards changing (PCIe, 939 cpu, SATA 3.0Gb, etc). I've budgeted myself to ~$1000 which is my refund and some out of pocket expense. This is not an upgrade as I am currently working off a Dell Inspiron 4000 notebook. All the components will be new, sexy, and sexily new. Overclocking is not in the current plans, but once the system is up and running for a bit I may delve into it.

Here is my current thoughts on the build, so let me know what y'all think please! Am I over killing on components that I can get cheaper for the same speed/quality? Links to newegg, although I'll buy most of it from tigerdirect because 'no tax = cheaper'

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS A8N-E 939 nForce4 Ultra AMD - $117 tigerdirect.com

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice - $170 tigerdirect.com

GRAPHICS: eVGA Geforce 6800GS 256MB GDDR3 PCIe - $175 tigerdirect.com

HARD DRIVE: WD Caviar 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s OEM - $110 newegg.com
Add a SATA cable - $3-5

RAM: PC3200 DDR 1 gig - Should I get Corsair/Crucial/OCZ/mushkin/kingston value ram (2x512) for ~$85-90, or get the $110-120 non-value heat spreaded stuff? No generic stuff please!

CD/DVD: Pioneer IDE DVD DVR-110 D - OEM $40newegg.com

CASE & POWER SUPPLY: Antec Solution SLK3800B $100 newegg.com
The Antec Smartpower 2.0 400watt power supply ($56) was on my list of considerations. I found out that it is included in the Antec Solution case for the low price of $100. Now, this screams 'VALUE CASE' to me, but it is still a decent case on its own. I do intend to add a front intake fan (120mm) to assist the exhaust fan in the back. (add $5-$15 for variable speed 120mm fan)

MONITOR: 17-19 inch LCD suggestions? $250-300 most likely, of which I am crying. But a good display is a good display and that can't be fought.

KEYBOARD MOUSE: I know there is a pair laying around here somewhere. Get a wireless set later. $FREE

Total cost = $1050 - 1152

Thanks!

your motherboard only supports pci-e x4 and that card is an x16. I'm going to be building a pretty nice system (for me it's an awesome system) for about 1100 bucks. the components are listed in THIS thread. you could probably downgrade the vid card, motherboard and processor slightly in order to save enough to pick up a monitor. i have a 17 inch Samsung LCD that i love, I paid 220 after the rebate. I'd buy another Samsung in a heartbeat. If you already own an OS then you there is another 100 bucks you save off of what I've already spec'd.

I dont know if theres a deal right now but frys/outpost.com has been selling for 2GB (2x1GB) pc3200 or 4200 ram for around $100-120 after rebate. not generic stuff too, corsair.. mushkin.

There's one PCIe x16 that is screaming to be filled ont he A8N-e, but I'll check your build out too for ideas. Thanks!
Samsung makes the Aquos right? I know those are pretty awesome LCD/TV's, so I should have guessed they make LCD monitors too.

Thanks for the tip on the memory Mbnfc, I'll go browse outpost right now

your right about the PCIe x16 slot, I missed it in the specs.
Sharp makes the Aquos (or at least markets it), also Dell has a pretty good reputation for LCD monitors also, I dunno who manufactures them though.

Made some updates, and it's coming together pretty nicely so far. Any suggestions are still appreciated!

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS A8N-E 939 nForce4 Ultra AMD - $117 tigerdirect.com

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice - $170 tigerdirect.com

GRAPHICS: eVGA Geforce 6800GS 256MB GDDR3 PCIe - $175 tigerdirect.com

HARD DRIVE: WD Caviar 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s OEM - $110 newegg.com

NEW RAM: 1gig value ram - OCZ $74 newegg.com

UPDATED CD/DVD: Pioneer IDE DVD DVR-110 DBK - OEM $44 tigerdirect.com (cheaper overall than at tigerdirect)

CASE & POWER SUPPLY: Antec Sonata II w/ 450w power supply - $79 tigerdirect.com
Its quieter, and is reviewed highly. It will, however, make that front 120mm fan a necessity ($5-15)

MONITOR: 17-19 inch LCD suggestions? $250-300 most likely, of which I am crying. But a good display is a good display and that can't be fought.

KEYBOARD MOUSE: I know there is a pair laying around here somewhere. Get a wireless set later. $FREE

Looks like you have it fairly complete.

Check prices at zipzoomfly. They're usually a bit better on cpus & mbs.

Why are you buying from Tigerdirect when newegg has the same stuff a little cheaper and will probably arrive in better shape?

For some reason I'm kind of wary of zipzoomfly. I've checked resellerratings and bizrate and everything and they rate good, but I'm still put off by them. Have you had good experiences from them?

Buying certain things from Tigerdirect instead of Newegg to save about $20 due to lack of tax and shipping costs :D

I've had better experience with them than newegg, though the two go back and forth on prices. They used to be known as "googlegear." I thought the new name (~3yrs ago) should be taken out back and shot but it didn't seem to affect their performance.

The 2 day free shipping can't hurt either! Thanks for the suggestion on zipzoomfly, I can probably save another $10 on the board and cpu through them. It was probably just the horrible website and product search function that was irking me the most.

both 17 and 19" white westinghouse lcd's at best buy (last week?) were in ur range, give or take a few dollars. they are suppose to be very nice and they are some of the least expensive lcd's that i have seen in stores for quality.

I guess the only thing that I would add about the LCDs is to watch the response time. For a system such as this, I'd probably probably say to stear away from anything above 12ms, but that's a personal pref of mine.

Best Buy eh? I think I've heard of them. I think I have 5 in a 15 mile radius. I was going to definitely check out the bricks and mortars before I actually buy an LCD. But thanks for the suggestion on the Westinghouse's

The response time was something else I was paying attention to as well. I think my sister has a 24ms or something in the 20's. It's not that pretty sometimes. :)

Ugh! I'm surprised no one called you on the OCZ ram.... Spend the extra $5 and get this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

plus, a 2x512 paired will get you dual channel, i'm assuming the mb supports it, havent actually looked.


And yes, you're right about the LCD response times. Try for lower than 15. The 8ms ones are out, and they look very very nice.