New build

[DeanOlicious]

Well, I haven't tooled around inside a computer for about 4 years. I still remember how to do it, I'm just not up to date on current hardware. So here's where I need help. I'm doing a new build. I don't need the latest and greatest gear, but I do want to hang with the big boys on games, as well as illustrator programs and word processing. I'm trying to keep the initial investment under 1000 dollars. Here's what I have so far. Please let me know if I could make a better choice on anything in particular without going too much farther off the price.

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz Socket AM2
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-M59SLI-S5 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
Memory:
G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4S-1GBPK
Video:
eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
PSU:
OCZ PowerStream OCZ520ADJSLI ATX, BTX, EPS12V 520W Power Supply
Case:
COOLER MASTER RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I haven't picked out a HDD yet, I don't need a humongous drive, nor am I worried about RAID or anything like that yet. If you have any suggestions on a good HDD for a decent price, I'd appreciate your input.
I also need some suggestions on cooling equipment.
Also I was wondering about Direct X 10, it's Vista only right? I'm just wondering how many people are going to upgrade to Vista considering they will only allow you one hardware switch after your initial install, isn't this going to muck up anybody who upgrades often? Should I look at a beefier Video Card for Direct X 10 or will version 9 be used for quite some more time?
Thanks guys, this forum has been great so far for catching up!

[One4yu2c]

If I was building today, without a doubt it'd be based on an Intel Core 2 Duo platform. It's not to kill your performance if you decide to stick with AMD, it's just not the best you can get for your money right now.

Other than that, you're doing well on your component selection. To nitpick, I'd look at OCZ's newer GameXstream models rather than the Powerstream. And check our our recommended lists as a starting point ---> LINK

[gvblake22]

I agree with One4 on his suggestions and linkage. As for HDD's, I suggest considering the Seagate 7200.10 series drives. The 250 GB and 320 GB flavors are great buys.

As for Vista and DirectX 10, here's my stance:

At this point, it really doesn't matter. Vista isn't even out yet, let alone mature. And DirectX 10 games are just as far behind, if not farther. What incentive or reason is there to clammer for a DX10 card if it is virtually useless?? Yeah, yeah, DX10 games will be much more detailed and whatnot, but keep in mind that DX10 games will not run in Windows XP. So unless you plan on switching to Vista the day it is released and want to play the first DX10 game titles as soon as they hit the shelves, then go ahead and drop the mucho cash for a GeForce 8800 video card.

But if you are a little more reserved and like to make sure new technology is stable and mature when you migrate, then I say you wait and ride the storm out. Even if you don't plan on going Vista A.S.A.P. or want to play the first DX10 games but still want to splurge for a DX10 card now so when you do want to make the switch you are all ready to go, just remember that the world of computer technology is ever changing and there will be lots of bigger and better (and more cost effective) DX10 video cards coming out very soon and you will have more products to choose from.

I think of it kind of like the Shader Model 3.0 initial hype. Sure HDR lighting and all the other goodies are well and good, but when the first GeForce 6 series GPU's came out from nVidia touting SM 3.0 compatability, they were uber expensive and there were very few games that even featured HDR. Even now, most games do not have HDR lighting effects but there are now a large selection of great Shader Model 3.0 capable video cards that can be had at some great prices.

Long story short, I think we've still got some time until we have to start worrying about whether to buy a DX10 video card or not...

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Other than that, you're doing well on your component selection. To nitpick, I'd look at OCZ's newer GameXstream models rather than the Powerstream.

Yeah, but the GameXstreams don't look nearly as sexy as the PowerStreams though. ;)

[DeanOlicious]

What GamexStream model do you recommend?

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by garetjax

Yeah, but the GameXstreams don't look nearly as sexy as the PowerStreams though. ;)

100% true. I love the reflective mirror finish on the Powerstreams and wish they would have stuck with that casing.

[Quakindude]

Either the 600W or 700W would do very well for you. There's not much difference in the prices. I have the 700W GameXStream and think the world of it. It's dual card/dual CPU certified.

[DeanOlicious]

Thanks for the info on the PSU, it's actually the same price for the 700w Gamextream, plue a 25 dollar rebate, so it works out cheaper and better. I'm going to go with the intel core 2 duo based on what you told me, the price difference is negligible since the other board is cheaper anyways. Total price for everything is $801.95
Not bad in my opinion. Any other suggestions are welcome. I'll be ordering in the next three weeks most likely.

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by DeanOlicious

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz Socket AM2

Originally Posted by DeanOlicious

I also need some suggestions on cooling equipment.

To answer this question, I am going to assume three things.

1) You are purchasing a non-OEM version of the processor.
2) You are looking for a cooling solution for your processor.
3) You are not planning to do any overclocking on your rig.

Taking these assumptions into consideration, I would say that your stock heatsink and fan on your proc will work just fine (please note that the OEM version of your processor does not include a heatsink or fan). In either case, there have been people that have easily acheived 300Mhz bumps on an AMD 64 3500+ proc using only air... with the original stock heatsink and fan that came with the processor no less. So, I would say that you are in good shape as far cooling equipment goes when it comes to your processor.

The general rule of thumb is that if you are not going to do any overclocking on your rig, then there is no need to really invest in a better cooling solution, as the stock cooling equipment that came with your rig will do just fine.

[DeanOlicious]

The intel Proc I've decided on comes with one, so it's not an issue anymore ;)
I'll worry about cooling later down the road when I do start tinkering.