First time builder for a gaming machine

[avatar9]

also can someone recommmend me a case?

[Stormcrow]

Lots of suggestions in this thread here:
http://forums.hardwarelogic.com/f16/...ase-10278.html

[avatar9]

also do what drive do i need to read and install stuff the dvd drive or just a regular cd drive, i dont watch movies on my computer so yeah

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by avatar9

also do what drive do i need to read and install stuff the dvd drive or just a regular cd drive, i dont watch movies on my computer so yeah

Well, for if your going to install Vista I believe it uses a DVD, so just get a DVD drive, even it you don't use it. They are nice to have. They don't cost much more either. And plus, many of the newer games are run off DVD anyway. Oh, and no matter what, get a SATA one not an IDE one. Cabling will go much easier.

As for the motherboard, I vote for the ASUS. I've used ASUS boards for both the builds I have done, and they are pretty good boards. MSI don't really have the best reputation, so it's really hit or miss with them.

[avatar9]

this is what i have picked out on newegg.com right now. All i think im missing are the dvd/cd drives that i need to install things. Any recommendations. Also how does this setup look?

DVD drive - LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail


Hard drive- Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Case - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
PSU - Thermaltake W0093RU ATX 12V 2.0 Version 500W Power Supply - Retail

Memory - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail

cpu - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail



Motherboard - EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

GPU - XFX PVT80FSHE9 GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported HDCP Video Card - Retail

[Stormcrow]

MSI is more of a lower budget board, while ASUS is enthusiast level. You see big differences in the components used in the manufacturing and the level of detail in the BIOS. Overall, go with the ASUS if you can. Games, programs, any new OS, a lot of stuff comes in DVD format now since installing 5 CD's for one application is a huge drag. Since you can pick up a DVD burner drive for like 30 bucks theres really no reason not to have one. They come in handy for backing up files you want to keep for reference/not use often and freeing up extra HDD space.

[avatar9]

im deciding between the processor i picked out and this one

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

[avatar9]

ok i edited up there the DVD drive is now included and i think im all done. What do u all think?

[Stormcrow]

You can up the HDD to 500GB for not much more, and considering the amount of space used today you won't regret it later on. The PSU is always iffy, I wouldn't want to be limited to only 500 watts with a GTX and quad. I personally recommend one of the higher brands at 600w, like a Silverstone, PCPC, Seasonic, Tagan, or the rebranded ones like Corsair, OCZ, and Antec are all good choices.

I would go with the Quad, since most if not all Q6600's are shipping with the G0 stepping and getting it up to 3.0Ghz to match the E6850 is easily done. Then you would have 4 cores running at 3.0+Ghz instead of two.

[avatar9]

will a mid tower like the one i have out fit everything inside it? like my graphics card? i heard that gfx card is pretty long