Building a new computer... suggestions?

[Kwaad]

Galaki said:

What's currently the best-bang-for-your-bucks?

So far, I came up with the following,

$269.97

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz / 2MB Cache / 1000MHz (2000 MT/s) / Dual-Core (Windsor) / Socket AM2 / Processor with Fan

$59.97 x2

XFX GeForce 7300 GT / 512MB DDR2 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / DVI / VGA / HDTV / Video Card

$189.99

EVGA nForce 590 SLI NVIDIA Socket AM2 (940) ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / SLI Ready / Dual Gigabit LAN / USB 2.0 & Firewire / Serial ATA / RAID

$119.97

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)

$39.97

Ultra / X-Finity / 600-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI Ready / Black / Power Supply

$146.99

ThermalTake Tsunami Series Aluminum ATX Mid-Tower Case with Top USB, Firewire and Audio Ports - Black

$119.97

Western Digital / Caviar SE16 / 500GB / 7200 / 16MB / SATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive

$79.97

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

$73.99

Logitech G5 Laser Gaming Mouse

$239.97

Hyvision by Megavision MV220 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 5ms, 1000:1, WSXGA+ 1680 x 1050, DVI, VGA, Component Video, Black, Integrated Speakers

Total: $1400.46

I could use old/existing parts that I got and cut the last 4 items off the list and comes out with total $886.56

Note that the prices are listed in CND and priced after rebate from tigerdirect. (Probably several hundreds more if I didn't count rebate)

I want to spent the least amount possible but not suffer from performce cut too much. Of course, I won't want it so cheap that I ended up with some crappy celeron system. I also noticed that I I buy pre-built system, it seems cheaper but the parts aren't exactly what I want. I've always prefer building my own computers and been doing that starting my 3rd computer since the P2 age. I am open to suggestion for barebone builds also.

What I am using the computer for,

• gaming
• encoding videos (creating DVD)
• internet
• probably some web/app programming

Gaming and encoding videos are the 2 main things that suck the computer dry, IMO. That's why I picked 2x SLI video cards. I also tend to multitask. Most likely, encoding videos in the background. Watching stream videos and browsing.

I would probably have chosen intel build but the cost for the same performance is a lot more. I am open to all suggestions, though.

I'm not gonna say much about this, but my computer is 1 year old, I didnt spend this much. And mine would blow the socks off yours.

Gaming. Get a C2D.
Encoding Videos. Get a C2D.
Internet. Get a 2Ghz  P4. Who cares. If you build a computer and you DONT use it for that at all, your a psycho, and have like 8 'special' application computers.
web/app programming. Go buy yourself a oldschool 386. Put linux on it. And do your programming there. That's what I reccomend.

 

Your first problem is AMD CPU. Dont do it.

Get a 8800 GTS. That's your best bet.

I'm not familar with that case, but make sure that it has good air-flow. If you DONT have good air-flow, you CAN cook your hardware in a bad case like a oven. (I've done it)

And do NOT and I repeat. do NOT skimp on your PSU. You will SCREW yourself doing that. A bad PSU, will fry your computer.

Also, stay with a 8xxx card for sure tho. You GOTTA have DX10 support. Your STUPID if you build a system without it. My brother is actually gonna wait 6 months to build a new gameing computer. (he already sold his old one) and he is waiting for the GeForce9 to come out.