ChistledStone

Hey guys, haven't posted in a while, but as soon as I started to think about a new computer, I thought of you guys!

Basically, I'm pretty poor at this whole hard-ware thing, and most of these numbers and terms go over my head (I get the standard ones, but some of these are really confusing)

Here's my list so far

A couple of questions about these

1. Do I need the soundcard? I can't figure out whether my motherboard comes with one or not!
2. Whilst on the note of motherboards, will it support everything I have here.
3. Does my case have enough room for all of these? Is its' cooling and fan going to be sufficent?
4. Is all of this + decent video card going to keep me going for a while, and with Vista. Furthermore, can anyone suggest a videocard that would be good, perhaps a DirectX 10 one?

Bear in mind that I'm using Australian dollars, and Australian stuff. So I've been using the one site, but there's a good parts price search engine (http://www.staticice.com.au/) which is good as well!

Thanks for help in advance!

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meanSpleen

1 - The Abit AB9 has integrated sound ("7.1 CH HD Audio" from the abit website). If you can get a close up on the motherboard, like this (link) you can see the female part of the connections at the very top. One blue and one pink. As far as sound quality goes, it might be passable. Depends on whether you need okay sound, great sound, or as true to life as possible sound.

2) It might. I'd let someone else check it out though!

3) Case should fit everything. Just check to see if you have the right amount of PCI slots for your TV tuner and eventual graphics card. As far as cooling goes, it looks like a front intake for an optional 120mm fan, a basic rear exhaust with 120mm fan, and from the picture I found it looks like it has a side vent. A fan might be optional there as well. Can you verify the case though? I was looking at the Cooler Master website and found this little note:

which might cause problems with your motherboards integrated sound. Maybe it just needs a different I/O plate or a hole cut out?

link - http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/Products.aspx?pid=1250

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Lasereth

If you really want a DX 10 card, buy the GeForce 8800 GTS. You'll pay $400 for it, but it will last you 2-3 years.

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tinfoil

Just be aware that Nvidia does not yet support DX10 on the driver level in Vista. The card is capable, but the software just isn't there yet. Previous to this, NVidia has always had better drivers, especially in Linux if that is something you are thinking about.

That being said, I don't forsee a lot of use for DX10 in the coming year or so, so depending on how often you upgrade, you may just as well put off the DX10 card in favour of a cheaper 79XX and save the extra for the next card.

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Dilbert1234567

you can get a nice 7950 gt for about $200, I'd recommend not being an early adopter of DX10, I've always been an early adopter of new video cards, all its gotten me is heat problems, noise, an empty bank account, and a closet full of old, high end cards.

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tinfoil

What DilbertEleventyBillion said.

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Dilbert1234567

i've got 2 6800 ultras sitting on my printer right now... $1000,

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tinfoil

Whew, I've only got one of them sitting around gathering dust. Then there's the successive Radeons from the 7500Pro up to the 9800Pro. I was able to unload most of them while they were still relativly current.

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goddfather40

Looks fairly good to me. Maybe up the HD to 250 GB, it shouldn't cost much more. I would definitely scrap the sound card. Also, I don't know if I would go with the power supply included with the case. I would go with a 450W or so as well.

I just built a E6300 system about a month ago, it's awesome and so easily overclockable if you're into that. I got mine up to 2.8 GHz no problem right off the bat.

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