help build gaming pc

[Ryan5285]

Hi I am looking to spend between $700 and $800
I think I need the most help on the motherboard, case, and power supply.
This will be my first PC build so please give me tips and good alternatives to anything I list.

Mother board Asus P5N-D Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

I'm looking for stable, overclockable, and 2x16 PCI express slots. (in case i go 2xvideo cards in the future)


Video Card
Geforce 9800 GTX
Newegg.com - GeForce 9800 GTX+, GeForce 9 series, Desktop Graphics / Video Cards, Video Cards & Video Devices, Computer Hardware


Ram
2 sticks of 2 gigs
OCZ SLI-Ready Dual Channel 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2x2048MB) OCZ2N800SR4GK at TigerDirect.com


CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops


Case
I am pretty open here I looked through about a hundred of these, looking for a good case for no more than $100
(will be over clocking so looking for one with good air flow)

Power supply
Again pretty open. I'm thinking something like 500W and around $100

Hard drive
I have an older 200gig HD, any suggestions here? Should I just keep it?

[Stevie Blaze]

It might be worth getting a bigger psu as it would make your pc more 'future proof'. I have a 650 watt psu and i'm struggling with it.

[qrs321]

look for a case without any major flaws (look at reviews). It's more something for you to pick out. Cases are just as much about style as performance. What are the specs of your HD. It's got to be over 5400 RPM to be acceptable. Power supply- go with any good brand (corsair, coolermaster, OCZ, etc.) 600+ watt power supply. Stay around $100 as that insures good amperrage.

[EXreaction]

As for that ram, if you want to get it, buy it NOW. I wish I could use more ram as I'd pick that up, but I've maxed out my desktop.

It will not last long at that price.

I would get a 4850, pretty much even or better than a 9800 GTX but only costs $150 or so.

[KarmaKiller]

Your getting a similar rig to mine.
The 9800GTX is no slouch. I can vouch for it. The "+" model performs about the same as the 4850, so your really not missing out on much.
For a PSU, I'd go for this;
Newegg.com - OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Power Supplies
It's uber cheap after MIR.

For the case I gotta recommend the CoolerMaster 690. It's got great air flow, and is roomy for most anything. I've managed to squeeze a water loop in mine even.

And if your wanting a new HDD, then I'd recommend this;
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
They are damn fast drives.

[EXreaction]

Only $30 is lost with a 9800 GTX.
Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H485F512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Half way to a new 500GB hard drive or a DVD burner.

[KarmaKiller]

Originally Posted by EXreaction

Only $30 is lost with a 9800 GTX.
Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H485F512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Half way to a new 500GB hard drive or a DVD burner.

Not really..








It all depends on what game your playing. The two are pretty equal across the board..

[Ryan5285]

Thanks for the info, that OCZ gamexstream psu mentioned sounds good I think I'll get that.
The HD is 7200 but I may but the one KarmaKiller mentioned.
Now the war between the 9800 gtx and the 4850... they sound pretty even with some price difference, I guess its just what type you prefer.

What about the motherboard, think the one I picked will do the job?

[KarmaKiller]

Yeah, that's a nice Mobo IMO.

And really, just get whatever GPU is cheaper, since they perform about the same.

[lazyman4444]

I'd still switch to getting a 4850 regardless of those specific benchmarks since I've seen more benchmarks that go in favor of the 4850.