Ok so I have decided that I want to build myself a PC. I have always wanted to do it, but never had the money. And I was a lil scared to do it myself but wth. My current machine is over 4 years old and I need something new. The games I run are flight sims IL-2, Lock On and I would probally even play MS FS X if my system could handle it. I also play America's Army and DOW 2, as well as other sims and strategy games. After purchasing DOW 2 my PC is really showing its age I can only play on the lowest of settings to have a lag free game. And it's plain to see that the next gen of Flight Sims and games in general will force me to upgrade. What I absolutely need my new PC to be able to do is run Vista and Windows 7 with no problems. Play these games at 1920x1080 at full settings silky smooth. I am not sure if the case I have listed will have enough room to fit the video cards I have picked out. I don't mind if I had to mod the case but if its just not gonna happen then I could get a different case. If you are to recommend a different case please pick something somewhat plain jane maybe a few leds but funcionality over crazy looks. Also idea price would be under $150.00 I would like to spend the least money possible initially just to get up and running, then continue to add on as I go. For instance. I will only be getting one video card and go SLI later. So basically what I'm asking for is: 1. Does my system have compatible conponents 2. Will it be able to run the games at the settings i want 3. What would be the bare minimum to buy just to get the system running and have a solid foundation on which to build. 4. Could I save money buy using a different piece of hardware but not lose performance wise 5. Will my system be a good choice to future proof myself and be able to upgrade later on.. such as new processor when prices come down video cards etc. 6. Is it possible to get one hd and then when i get the main storage one to set it up in RAID.(like i said im a noob lol) 7. Would it be wise to just use my WinXP 32bit for the time being until Win7 comes out. I know XP 32bit wont recognize 6 gigs of ram and it will also not run DX10. But is it worth it to get Vista for the added RAM and DX10 or should I just wait? Also I would like to get my system under $2000.00 if possible. Like I said I just want to get it up and running and I can buy other stuff later on, so it can be more then $2000.00 but the initial cost should be as low as possible. With these conponents its running around $2200.00 not counting tax if accliable. Thanks in advance for all the help. Graphics Card $264.99 BFG Tech BFGEGTX260MC896OCXBE GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143175 Processor $289.99 Intel Core i7 I7-920 Quad Core Processor http://shopping.bit-tech.net/us/product/700525229/core-i7-i7-920-quad-core-processor Motherboard $309.99 Asus P6T-Deluxe Motherboard http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4268650&CatId=4068 Memory $229.99 Corsair Core i7 Dominator 6GB PC12800 DDR3 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4307847&CatId=4329 Case $129.99 Lian -Li PC-60F Black Aluminum Mid-Tower http://www.crazypc.com/products/pc60f-813251B.html Hard Drive $179.99\$189.99 Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296 Western Digital RE3 WD1002FBYS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 Optical Drive $209.99 LG Black 6X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 6X Blu-ray DVD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Internal Blu-ray Burner Super Multi Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive Model GGW-H20L - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136137 Power Supply $259.99 CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007 CPU Cooler $79.99 Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 CPU Cooler - LGA1366, Core i7 Support, Copper Base, Copper Heatpipes, Aluminum Fins http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...-details.asp?EdpNo=4350406&csid=ITD&body=MAIN
That's a very good system there! But you might get away with less than that and still have a great system to play all the games you mention, and even many future games. The games you said aren't the heaviest out there, and a Core 2 based system would be (a lot) cheaper. I'd say get: - Geforce GTX260 - Core 2 Quad Q6600 (if you still can get it, if not, then a Q9400, Q9450 or Q9550) - Asus P5Q Pro (or some else from the P5Q series) - 4 gigs of 800MHz RAM - Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB (you really don't need a 10krpm drive, they aren't much faster than regular ones at all) - Do you really need a Blu-ray drive? Currently, they are slow and expensive. I'd get a regular DVD-RW. - Corsair HX620, 1kW is pretty overkill That system would be less expensive, but still run your games really good.
^^ As much as I agree with mm vr in that the Core 2 platform would be a much cheaper way to play what you need to, it is also true that it's a far better futureproof choice, as well as much faster in about every scenario outside gaming. Given that you have a $2000 ceiling for the build, I for one am very much in favor of its remaining. So a few things... - Rather than a Blu-Ray burner (because why would you ever want to burn Blu-Ray?), shoot for LG's GGC-H20L - probably the best Blu-Ray reader available and a good $90 cheaper. - Leave out the Velociraptor. Believe it or not, most decent 1TB drives (such as the Caviar Black and the Spinpoint F1) run at about 90% of the Velociraptor's speed - or faster. It's all a matter of platter density, and 1TB drives have it in spades. Shoot instead for a single Spinpoint F1 (or two, if you want the space). Either way, it will be cheaper and more spacious than what you have marked down now. - Maybe get a cheaper motherboard that doesn't make you pay more for so many fancy features, like the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P. - The GTX 260 will definitely play current games at max settings at 1080p. But if you're planning on sticking with a single graphics card throughout the build's lifetime, futureproof it a little more and get a GTX 285 - you can make up for the price difference by getting a lower-wattage PSU (since you won't be anywhere near the 1000W draw mark). - Save some money on your RAM and get this set of OCZ Platinums. They're dirt cheap, and very review says they run at rated spec - DDR3-1600 and CAS7! - Diosjenin -
