New Computer...

[adr]

Hi, I was thinking of making a new computer for my self and was wounding what your thoughts would be into buying the parts/setup. This will be for gaming (so with alot of space needed to run and save things to) but still good for coding/making games and mult. running programs, so I was thinking a speedy 2 core CPU for the price for the main starter, but the motherboard needs ports for my wireless card and sound card. Thing is, I have a limited budget of $550-600 for it or a little more if called for. What parts do you think I should get for it, please list all the things needed for a computer, for example:

CPU
case
fans
ram
hard drive
CD drive
power supply
graphics card
mother board
software

[zacs7]

CPU - AMD AM2 processor, eg 3800+ @ $100 AUD = $84.74 USD
Case - Whatever, generic is fine
Fans - Shouldn't need more than you get
Ram - A gig of DDR2 should do you fine
HardDrive - they're really cheap now, pick for your $
CD drive - If you want games, you'll probably need a DVD drive (if you want to save $ get a DVD-ROM)
PSU - Pick one with your case
Gfx Card - nV 8800GT(S/X) or 8600GT(S/X) depending on your $ (8600GT is about $180AUD = $140USD ish)
MB - whatever fits, although it is important (pick one with as many PCI slots as you need, 2 I assume for your wireless/sound)
software - An OS, and drivers. (Windows or Linux, probably Windows if you want to play games) - Stay away from Vista until it's matured.

Well that's my opinion have fun

[kroiz]

just dont buy ATI if you think you might want to install linux and enjoy some desktop effects.

[zacs7]

just dont buy ATI if you think you might want to install linux and enjoy some desktop effects.

Couldn't agree more

[Utopus]

Originally Posted by zacs7
Stay away from Vista until it's matured.

Would you explain it to me why?

[adr]

Would you explain it to me why?

Its like windows ME and windows XP, meaning ME is Vista and has problems that it needs to work out 1st befor going hard core on it like XP users.

Also I like the setup Zacs7 but um can you help me understand something? Int. 2 core duo, hows it differnt then AMD x2 cores and same with the other INT. x2 cores, I hear its about something with the L cache? and witch one is better for the price if I was going to go AMD or INT. for em? Sorry, just always wounder about that.

[Ideswa]

My ATI radeon 9600 pro works pretty good (desktop effects work!)

[zacs7]

Utopus, Most people will tell you to stay away from Windows Vista, really they're still patching up holes (Microsoft seem to be doing mass public beta testing ). Wait for the next service pack, then give it a whiz.

I believe the AM2 series come with L2 cache, really its choice. AMD used to be considered "budget", but now it's considered good value for money (AMD have come a long way over the last few years). A lot of people used to say "If you want to play games, get an Intel CPU", I don't know why... Anyway, AMD is a lot cheaper, with little or no downside, do some AMD vs. Intel research - but I would say AMD is better for your $.

[Utopus]

Originally Posted by zacs7
Utopus, Most people will tell you to stay away from Windows Vista, really they're still patching up holes

Should I then use XP instead of Vista?

[zacs7]

If you've got a copy sure, but if you pick Linux and want to read/write NTFS, I warn you that there are a few NTFS-3G issues with Vista and how it manages NTFS partitions.

[adr]

Should I then use XP instead of Vista?

I would have to say yes, theres still alot of holes and patching and not all the programs that run on xp will run on vista just yet.... also I hear that vista cuts down on the ram that it will see? like you put in 1gig (1024) it will only see that 1000 and not that 24 as most see?

[Utopus]

Originally Posted by zacs7
but if you pick Linux and want to read/write NTFS, I warn you that there are a few NTFS-3G issues with Vista and how it manages NTFS partitions.

Yes I do got a copy of it. And also... would you bother at explaining the meaning above...?

[Neo1]

CPU - AMD AM2 processor, eg 3800+ @ $100 AUD = $84.74 USD
Case - Whatever, generic is fine
Fans - Shouldn't need more than you get
Ram - A gig of DDR2 should do you fine
HardDrive - they're really cheap now, pick for your $
CD drive - If you want games, you'll probably need a DVD drive (if you want to save $ get a DVD-ROM)
PSU - Pick one with your case
Gfx Card - nV 8800GT(S/X) or 8600GT(S/X) depending on your $ (8600GT is about $180AUD = $140USD ish)
MB - whatever fits, although it is important (pick one with as many PCI slots as you need, 2 I assume for your wireless/sound)
software - An OS, and drivers. (Windows or Linux, probably Windows if you want to play games) - Stay away from Vista until it's matured.

Well that's my opinion have fun

There is no idea in buying a Geforce 8800 GT(X/S) if you are going for a 3800+, the CPU won't be able to keep up with the GPU, so you get no real performance boost over a 8600GT, and especially not if you're only gonna get 1 GB RAM... Otherwise, i think it's a very sensible recommendation

[abachler]

Would you explain it to me why?

Vista has serious problems right now. Its in what I call post-release beta. It doesnt play nice with alot of the drivers out there, it is a memory hog, even more so than XP, and for someone who has used every MS OS since DOS 2.11, they completely changed the way you access everything, again, for the 4th time. I would recommend you stick with XP at least until 2nd quarter '08. They should have all the major problems worked out by then. As for the difference between AMD and INTEL, Intel has a faster FPU, which makes it better for games because games use a lot of floating point math. The AMD FPU is about half as fast as the Intel FPU.

[firyace]

If you are not using vista, then why bother with a geforce 8 series?

If you want future prepared or somethin, go for geforce 8800 and never consider the 8600 series. Even they have support for directx 10, they don't have the power to run the games in directx 10 in goodd quality. Likewise, consider a 7600GT if you don't want to spend more money.

Also, if you are considerring overclocking, I suggest core 2 duo, as they can overclock alot, whereas the AMDs are not as good in overclocking, otherwise both are almost the same.

I do agree that if you want linux, go for nvidia as ATI in linux is really a pain...