1st build could use some expert advice!

[Geatro]

Hi everyone,

I have decided to build my next gaming computer and have come up with a list of components but would like some advice on what I’ve chosen . Is it all compatible are there any choices which are a bit overkill and are there any just plain mad choices. As this is my first build any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Graphics card: XFX 8600GTS XXX version 256MB DDR3 DVI PCI-E Graphics Card - Ebuyer
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3GHz Socket 775 4MB Cache 1333MHz FSB Retail Boxed Processor - Ebuyer
Motherboard: Asus P5N-E SLI 650i Socket 775 PCI-E Onboard Audio ATX Motherboard - Ebuyer
HDD: Hitachi 250GB Hard Drive 7200RPM 8MB Cache - OEM - Ebuyer
Ram: Kingston 2GB DDR2 Memory - Cheap at Ebuyer!
PSU: Extra Value 550W ATX Silent Neon PSU - 12cm Fan/PPFC (no power cord) - Ebuyer
Case: Aspire X-Cruiser Black ATX Windowed Gaming Case - No PSU - Ebuyer

[Mark07]

Everything sounds good and seems that you are going to have a fully loaded gaming machine though I'm not really sure with its compatibility.

[Geatro]

Ok mate thanks for your input

[Alex]

All looks good the 8600GTS is a decent card for gaming at 1280x1024 but if your monitor displays more pixels than that (1680x1050 or above) then you're going to be needing a more powerful card. Especially since the majority of games are gpu dependent.

1680x1050 (22-22") - 320mb 8800GTS vanilla or oc'd.
1920x1200 (24-27") - 640mb 8800GTS/768mb GTX/ULTRA

Some current games (C&C3 for instance) do require a decent cpu for AI, so the E6850 is a good buy (It's overkill for your current card though unless you also use the pc for other uses; Photoshop etc).

Why an SLI board though? You'd be better going for a P5k-E as the P35 chipset is basically the new revision of the p965 chipet (best ever in my opinion).

The hard drive is a gamer's drive. Deskstars are awesome, especially at read speeds but they do tend to run quite warm so decent airflow is a must (it's more beneficial on the underneath of a drive).

Bin that lousy, generic psu. I'm highly doubtful it has enough amps on it's 12v to run your card stably. Plus they tend to be as inefficient as hell.

Get a 500w Enermax Liberty. There simply is no better psu at that wattage.

[Geatro]

awesome thanks 4 that alex

So its now looking something like this:

Graphics card: XFX 8600GTS XXX version 256MB DDR3 DVI PCI-E Graphics Card - Ebuyer
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3GHz Socket 775 4MB Cache 1333MHz FSB Retail Boxed Processor - Ebuyer
Motherboard: ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP AiLifestyle Series P35 Socket 775 Socket eSATA 8 channel Audio ATX Motherboard - Ebuyer
HDD: Western Digital 250gb SATAii/150 7200RPM 16MB Cache - OEM - Ebuyer
Ram: Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5(5-5-5-12) Heat Spreader Lifetime Warranty - Ebuyer
PSU: Enermax Liberty 500W Modular ATX2.2 PSU - Ebuyer
Case: Aspire X-Cruiser Black ATX Windowed Gaming Case - No PSU - Ebuyer
CD/DVD: NEC Optiarc AD-5170A-0B 18xDVD±RW DL Black - Bare Drive - Ebuyer

do u recon im good to start ordering parts??

[Geatro]

Or have those changes produced any incompatabilities or potential problems??

[niclon26]

my husband is into gaming and has been looking at the pc's with quad duo processors in our local pc world

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Geatro

Or have those changes produced any incompatabilities or potential problems??

All looks very good Geatro, very well spec'd. You'll have a superb gaming machine at 1280x1024 and an awesome all-round build.