Parts for a gaming PC

Now, I'm not looking for specific models, it's not another thread of "what's better, this or this?"  I am probably going to build a gaming PC and I need to know what kind of parts I need.  I know I need:

CPU

Video card

Power supply

RAM

motherboard

sound card

disk drive

operating system

chassis

keyboard

mouse

speakers

headset 

Am I missing anything?  I want to make sure my various estimates include everything I need.

you got a monitor?  you don't need to buy a soud card as every new mob has one intergrated but something like the x-fi exteme gamer will give better sound than the onboard.  looks like you have everything

Cables - very easy to overlook, and you can't guarantee that the parts you order will come with the necessary cables to connect them to the rest of your system.

CPU Cooler - if you buy a retail CPU it will come with a stock cooler, but for better performance you should get a different cooler. If you buy your CPU as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) all you get is the chip, so you will need a cooler for it. If you are buying a separate cooler make sure to get some Thermal paste such as Arctic Silver to put between the CPU and cooler.

Case/Chassis - make sure you buy one big enough for your components. Come high end graphics cards are very big, and you will struggle to fit them inside smaller cases. Some cases can also make use of extra case fans for improved cooling.

Now, I'm not looking for specific models, it's not another thread of "what's better, this or this?"  I am probably going to build a gaming PC and I need to know what kind of parts I need.  I know I need:

CPU

Video card

Power supply

RAM

motherboard

sound card

disk drive

operating system

chassis

keyboard

mouse

speakers

headset 

 

Am I missing anything?  I want to make sure my various estimates include everything I need.

a_blind_man

Monitor and CPU Cooler.

Hey guys, geez I'm sorry I totally spaced on this thread.  

Here comes my replies: To all who said what models I should get: again, I'm wasn't looking for specific parts.  But now that I know that I've got all the parts listed, I will take rig proposels if you would be so kind as to give them.  If you are going to tell me what to buy, keep in mind my $2500 buget.  I've never built a computer before so I really don't know what it good and what isn't, just that bigger numbers are usually better.  

There are a couple places I will not back down: 

Processor.  I want a quad.  I know they aren't necessary right now, but one of the arguments I keep making to my friends about the supremacy of PC gaming is that the computers last longer than 5 years, the average console generation length.  So with a quad-core I can at least touch games for 7-8 years I would think.  Keyword: TOUCH.  Not beat the crap out of. 

Video card.  Nothing less than Nvidia GTX 260.  In addition to the statement about longetivity made above, I have been plagued by video card issues my entire life.  Not this time.  By the way, I am not opposed to running ATI cards, I've just heard that some games with the Nvidia stamp on them will crash with ATI cards, foremost amongst these is Bioshock. So, any recommendations? 

if you seek to stay 5-6 year it almost mission impossible unless you love the FEature Low Resolution : NO AA :and play with the same game all ur free time and never try newest game. console doesn't upgrade graphic for a reason they can't stand it. so when yous ee gear of war 2 it will never get any better then gear of war 2 while pc game such as Criyis swarhead is just WAY Better then gear of war II the graphic and nwest game incoming. beside it epend of reoslution ur playing
if you seek that first get you self a X58 Corei7 920 or 940; but the review show 920 then overclock it / DDR3 3x2GB kit. + Cpu cooler; + some cheap video card and
wait for the 5870 or buy a 270-290GTX that come out in 3 week according what i heard also

Why X58 ? Corei7 Because in 2 year it will be compatible with newer cpu upgrade if you have 300-500$ for a 33nm shrink Westmere & sandybridge +2 core instead of Bloomfield 4 core each with 2 Tread processor& (the current 920/940/965 are 2.6 Ghz 280-350$/ 2.9 Ghz500$ / 3,1GHZ extreme (999$);
and will upgrade to For Westmere & sandybridge + 2 Core; 3.3 to 3.8ghz according offical stat for now it may climb to 4.0ghz as stock who know there will be
with that ur machine will durate for video card if you seek longl ifespawn of a machine i thard to obtain unless ur not enthuasiast at all
So in big word get corei7 and as soon you'r unsafisited with video card buy a second for sli / crossfire
also another thing X58 FROM EVGA  IS ONE OF  THE FIRST CROSSFIRe-SLI motherboard OFFICALIZED and Existing on Buying on place such as newegg.com and given information from the offical website of manifacturer  meaning you can run 3x 8800GT / or 3x 4870 ect..  marcthpro

Um, thanks? Sorry, but I really have no idea what you just said. Punctuation helps.

When I said I wanted it to last, I emphasized  the keyword TOUCH. Low/medium settings I'm fine with; been playing with 'em for a while now.

you can always buy rechargable batteries for wireless keyboard and mouse.  I have no idea why anyone would still use disposable battries anymoreimprezawrx500

I'm probably going to get wired stuff.  It's cheaper, and honestly I don't care if my mouse/keyboard is wireless. 

I've just heard that some games with the Nvidia stamp on them will crash with ATI cards, foremost amongst these is Bioshock. So, any recommendations? a_blind_man

No, games like crysis have run better on nvidia, showed favouritism n' that. But it's stabilised now, don't ignore ATI because of that, despite nvidia trying to buy out game developers, (or not, but some games certinatley seem nvidia optimised in benchmarks, i don't like that marketing). ATI are stronger at the moment, and are simply making better products for the money, e.g. cheaper, and faster.

id recomend a good cpu cooler (i wouldnt use the stock cooler included) its worth spendin a few £'s/$'s too ..... but other than that it all sounds cool

as for you wanting to be future proof for 5-6 years its not possible........ i wish it was lol

Hey guys, geez I'm sorry I totally spaced on this thread.  

Here comes my replies: To all who said what models I should get: again, I'm wasn't looking for specific parts.  But now that I know that I've got all the parts listed, I will take rig proposels if you would be so kind as to give them.  If you are going to tell me what to buy, keep in mind my $2500 buget.  I've never built a computer before so I really don't know what it good and what isn't, just that bigger numbers are usually better.  

There are a couple places I will not back down: 

Processor.  I want a quad.  I know they aren't necessary right now, but one of the arguments I keep making to my friends about the supremacy of PC gaming is that the computers last longer than 5 years, the average console generation length.  So with a quad-core I can at least touch games for 7-8 years I would think.  Keyword: TOUCH.  Not beat the crap out of. 

Video card.  Nothing less than Nvidia GTX 260.  In addition to the statement about longetivity made above, I have been plagued by video card issues my entire life.  Not this time.  By the way, I am not opposed to running ATI cards, I've just heard that some games with the Nvidia stamp on them will crash with ATI cards, foremost amongst these is Bioshock. So, any recommendations? 

a_blind_man

Just get the new Core i7 920. I was ready to build a new system around the E8400 but after read some reviews about Core i7 performance, I think it's worth the extra money and it's time for a Quad lol. I'll probably get a GTX260 too.

you can always buy rechargable batteries for wireless keyboard and mouse.  I have no idea why anyone would still use disposable battries anymoreimprezawrx500

hey i paid nothing for my wireless mouse and keyboard. there brand new even have the box it came in and the reciept. my older brother was going to throw it out cause he didnt like it. i have it, use it, and its just fine as for batteries i buy dollar store packs of 90 for like 9 bucks, i change em once every month. thats 45 months of use before i gotta get more, rechargables do last i wont argue, but they get lost and stop working eventually. disposeables are ment to wear out and in my case if i lose one i got a few dozen more :P seriously if i had a charger for the pair id swap in a heart beat, or if they ran on usb. 

[QUOTE="imprezawrx500"]you can always buy rechargable batteries for wireless keyboard and mouse.  I have no idea why anyone would still use disposable battries anymoreaura_enchanted

hey i paid nothing for my wireless mouse and keyboard. there brand new even have the box it came in and the reciept. my older brother was going to throw it out cause he didnt like it. i have it, use it, and its just fine as for batteries i buy dollar store packs of 90 for like 9 bucks, i change em once every month. thats 45 months of use before i gotta get more, rechargables do last i wont argue, but they get lost and stop working eventually. disposeables are ment to wear out and in my case if i lose one i got a few dozen more :P seriously if i had a charger for the pair id swap in a heart beat, or if they ran on usb. 

id recomend a good cpu cooler (i wouldnt use the stock cooler included) its worth spendin a few £'s/$'s too ..... but other than that it all sounds cool

as for you wanting to be future proof for 5-6 years its not possible........ i wish it was lol

gerb316

To try and help answer your question in this thread......it sounds like you have a somewhat good idea on the makes and models of the hardware parts you want...... my suggestion is just make sure they are all compatible with each other. The only parts I see adding to your list is an optical drive (DVD burner/player)......which I think someone had mentioned earlier and a nice after-market CPU cooler. (I personally like Zalman)...Also pick a case that has a high cooling efficiency, a full-tower if you have the space and aluminum.

*+

Thanks again guys.  Also, I probably will upgrade during that timespan but in case of cashflow issues I want to be insured, so to speak.  

I won't be making my purchase until Feburary or March anyway because of said cashflow issues, so I wouldn't have to delay tremendously for the i7 processors.

Here's another question: for gaming, is DX10 worth dealing with Vista?

Also, did you say that you could tell me whether certain parts were compatible if I were to bring up a list?