Building my first computer... help?

[Rootstonian]

Gigabyte and Abit boards have a good track record with power users on here. I have been using Intel boards for about 5 years without problems.

You may want to "go cheap" on your video card for now as I think a new DX10 is coming out.

[Namie]

Abit = $103.57 - $30 Rebate = $73.57
Gigabyte = $108.19

Is it worth saving $35 to go with the Abit?

For the video card, I may go with what Rooster recommended with the GeForce 8600GT 256MB, since it's free shipping and a rebate. $107.74 - $20 = $87.74

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomNameHere

Maybe get a PCI E 2.0 Board like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127033 which will help to future proof it more.

Then you could buy a cheaper EVGA card and use their step-up program when you get more money to get a better card?

Maybe future proof but tooo expensive. I don't plan on doing a major upgrade for years after this build.

[Atomic Rooster]

FSP - Fortron Source is one of the top power supply manufactures. They have an excellent track record for building quality, high power, dependable supplies. They are also an OEM manufacturer for many other PSU suppliers such as OCZ.

[EXreaction]

If you could fit it, I'd go with a X3850 for a graphics card, though, for $90 the 8600 GT is probably the best deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102714

If you are looking for a high end sound card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102005

[Ryan220587]

yeah, i agree with EX, an 8800gt or an x3850 would be good, and IMO, is going to offer much better performance for a game such as TDU at reasonable settings.

i don't think the 8600gt is going to perform very well on that game TBH. i mean by all means, if it's more suited to your budget then go for it, but if you want that edge, and you do game regularly, the 8800gt would be a wise investment.

the e6750 is a great choice, i have the same cpu...very very worth the money

as far as a mobo goes, abit and gigabyte are both very good, but i own about 5 gigabyte boards and would recommend those. asus make pretty good boards too but are pricey. if that abit and gigabyte u mentioned earlier offer similar features and the abit is cheaper, then i see no reason whatsoever not to go with the abit, it will perform very well.

[Namie]

Some nice inputs from everyone.

I just noticed the abit mobo has an 8-pin CPU power connector and the Gigabyte one has a 4-pin. Is this going to matter on what CPU or what PSU compatiblity?

What about the ATI Radeon HD 3850 256 MB GDDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card from VisionTek? Would the 8800GT go down in price soon. I'd hate to buy it and like a month or two later, there's a huge price drop.

[KarmaKiller]

There is gonna be a price drop on the 8800 cards. More then likely it's going to happen when they release the 512Mb GTS card. I think that was estimated around ~$250 or so. Which will offer great price for performance..

EDIT:
The Visiontek would be alright, but it really depends. If it's between the 8600GT or the 3850 card, I would pick the 3850. Now if it's between any other card and a 8800gt, I would pick the 8800gt.

[KarmaKiller]

I also wanted to mention that FSP units are nice! They last forever, and are super stable. I always recommend them on here. And I've never had anyone yet come back and tell me that they didn't love it.

Also, the Gigabyte P35 board is a awesome board. If your even remotely interested in overclocking, get that board. People have been getting crazy overclocks using the Gigabyte P35 boards.

Ok, I'm done spamming your thread.

[Atomic Rooster]

That HD 3850 is a very nice card that outperforms the 8600GT by quite a large margin. But as Karma pointed out, the 8800GT is better. For $179, that's not a bad deal.

[JPMiller]

I'd get a different FSP...
At that price there may be better choices, but for $44 and a rebate, THIS one is a better choice and still enough overkill for anything you want...