Simviation Forums

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.

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

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).

But if you build it will they come?

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.