Building a New Computer

[RichieB16]

OK, so I haven't built a new system in quite some time so I'm a little but worried about it...but I think once I get in there it'll all come back.

Anyway, the plan for my system is a moderate general gaming system that will last me a couple years.  I built my AMD XP 2400+ machine back in summer of 2003 and it has done just that (lasted through college)...this computer needs to last me through dental school.

I do have a bit of a budget, but here is what I have come up with.  I don't think I can do much more for this money (comes in right under $1000 including shipping)...and I'm pretty happy with it.  But, I could use any feedback or opinions about it you might have.

Also, I'm not doing this system for FS games...I do play those, but I want a more general gaming system.  I want to be able to play the newer 1st person shooter games (MOH: Airborne, Call of Duty 4, and eventually Far Cry 2) as well as the Flight Sims.  Plus, also be able to use it as a school computer (which shouldn't be an issue, my AMD would do that).

So, here is the system I have put together...any comments are welcome:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817163109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121126
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077
2 DVD-RW Drives, Both: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056

I will also be using these as I can't find my old stuff:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821103203

I'm going to stuck with Windows XP because I know it and its stable.  My system doesn't exceed its abilities, so its good enough for what I'm doing.  Plus, since I need this system for school...I want it to be as stable and familiar as possible.

[Brett_Henderson]

I'm not one of the hardware gurus, but by fumbling my way through a few builds, I'm learning..


For a $1000 budget, that's about as good as you can do, parts-wise.

The only advice I'd give (especially since you're looking for this computer to go at least a few years into what's already a two-year-old, quad-core world), is to go twith a Q6600. And.. a v-card with only 256mb of its own RAM

[RichieB16]

I have been thinking about the Q6600 as well.  I'm not sure if I'd need to upgrade my power supply to that though (leaving everything else the same).

[Mushroom_Farmer]

But if you build it will they come?

[RichieB16]

Well, I just ordered it.  I did end up going with the Intel Q6600.  I also ended up ordering slightly different RAM (DDR2 800 rather than 1066) based on some advice from one of my computer forums.  I also changed to a slightly different model of the same video card.  Has a little bit bigger cooling system on it but is the same card otherwise.  I also order the Logitec X-540 speakers rather than the X-530.  Its a slightly newer model but it comes with a controller that makes it easier to adjust.

But if you build it will they come?

I think thats how it works.