My new comp, need input

[SpaceSquad]

K, so i've drawn up a list of parts that I will be using to build a new comp. I want all the parts to add up to no more than 900-1000$ canadian. I will buy my parts from RBC(a comp store near me, as they are trusted and have good pricing) and wish to not buy parts from other vendors (ie ebay, ect.) My list:

-AMD Athlon64 3000+ Processor, Retail -->$185.00
-MSI K8N NEO Platinum NF3 250 S754 Mainboard w/Audio/SATA/RAID/GBLan/FW
-->$130.00
-512 MB PC3200 DDR Memory (BRAND NAME)x2= $190.00
-WD Caviar SE 120GB 7200RPM 8MB SATA HDD -->$117.00
-Asus A9550-GE Radeon 9550 128MB DH Video Card w/TV-OUT, Retail -->$100.00
-Antec SLK2650BQE Mid-Tower Case w/350W PS, Black -->$86.00
-Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, OEM -->$139.00

Total= $947.00 canadian
*optical drive not included
Parts from: shopRBC.com

Any input on the items/compatibility is welcome

[HeadBand]

overall it looks decent, what are you planning to do with it?

[MadMan2k]

Looks nice to me. Get an NEC 3500A DVD burner, and I'd go with only 512mb of RAM and a better video card if it's going to be used for a lot of gaming, but stay as is for mixed purposes.

[SpaceSquad]

Ya, it's just going to be used as an all-round system. I do some gaming, but am not concerned w/ high fps in HL2. I will play HL2, but don't care enough to spend tons on a video card. The 9550 seems to fit my purposes, and it's really cheap

[SpaceSquad]

...oh ya, i'm already planning on gettind a dvd burner, 16X, dual-layer, ect. It's practicaly free as I have $100 in staples gift cards (only good deal I found in that store)

[Martoch]

Just watch out for that dual layer media!


I realize XP Home is cheaper, but it doesn't have Group Policy Editor...one of my favorite power toys! Of course, there are quite a few other items missing in Home

[SpaceSquad]

ya, professional might be worth the extra $60, but is it really much better than Home? I have used it quite a few times, but have not really noticed much.

[HeadBand]

i don't think pro justifies the cost for most users

[Martoch]

If you don't utilize the "extras" that Pro comes with, then of course it's not worth the extra cash. Stick with Home...it works just fine, I guess.


I walked away from a computer with home after I click start--run, typed gpedit.msc and nothing happened.

[islandguy999]

I dont think the 9550's ever got good ratings or looked at all good in benchmarks. HL2 is pretty demanding too and your gonna be choked if it doesnt run even as well as you hoped it would. I would definately go with 512 of ram and spend more on the card like Madman mentioned. Its far easier too grab more later on as well, than upgrade a whole new card.