My budget is going to try to be around $1000 without monitor. Here are the parts I have chosen so far:

Processor:Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $199.99

Case:Antec Nine Hundred $119.99

RAM:CORSAIR 2 x 2GB DDR2 $66.50 (after rebate) Is this brand okay or is there a different one I should go for instead?

DVD Drive:ASUS Burner w/ Lightscribe $32.99

PSU:Corsair 550W $79.99 (after rebate) Is this going to be a good enough brand and enough watts?

GPU:Decisions, decisions. I decided to go for a single card with no intention of CF or SLI in the future. I'm thinking the 4850. What about this one? Apparently this one has a 3 year warranty and software for fan control? Or is there another card I should choose instead?

Mobo:I don't know. I'm thinking a P35/P45. Would someone be able to give me some actual choices? I don't want to skimp here and bottleneck my system.

CPU cooler: What is a good cooler for my processor?

HDD:I already bought the Seagate Barracuda 750 GB 7200.11 HDD. $119.99

OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit $20 (academic discount)

The total comes to $839.44 not including the Mobo or cooler. Am I forgetting anything? Are there any parts that will be bottlenecking my system? Basically, I just want ANY feedback for this build, as it's my first one. Please help!

Also, what would a good monitor be for this setup? I don't to get too pricey, but I don't want to skimp here either. Thanks for all your help!

Frantz22

Get this mobo and this cooler if you want to overclock

Nvidia Riva TNT2 32MB

Geforce4MX4000

GeforceFX5200

Trio3d 4MB

Intel Gma X3000

X1950 Pro

Ati 4870

Pentium 2-266Mhz

Core2Duo E4400

honestly, why do you guys come here and brag about games or systems that you own, rather than playing them?!?!?!

If Halo 3 is so good, GO PLAY IT. If MGS IV is so good, GO PLAY IT. If the PS3 or 360 is so awesome, dont waste your time here, GO PLAY IT. You get my point.

The real reason I come here is that usually news comes here first before any sites actually post it in their news section. Honestly, I could care less about proving to people that I dont even know, that one system is better than the other to better justify my purchase.

Point here is, how about you justify your purchase by playing your system and enjoying it.

hockeyruler12

It will be able to handle that rig with ease.RayvinAzn

[QUOTE="mastershake575"][QUOTE="Horny-Dude"][QUOTE="mastershake575"][QUOTE="CreasianDevaili"][QUOTE="mastershake575"][QUOTE="CreasianDevaili"]

[QUOTE="mastershake575"][QUOTE="Horny-Dude"]Ok guys I updated my optionsHorny-Dude

Your point is moot if he dosent OC. The fact that he has a 305w PSU current would pretty much solidify that he dosent. Even with a new psu he might not want to.

Somewhat. I think at his resolution he could benefit from the newer processor with the 4850. His processor isnt bad If he got a OC out of it but dell's are very tricky to OC. He needs to also tell us what type of games he wants to play. Certain games are more cpu intensive and his resolution is right on the border of whether or not his cpu will really hurt him.

If he plays mmorpg or RTS then he should get the new proc. If he plays just FPS then he should be fine outside of crysis and ut3.

EDIT- I just checked and a new cpu wouldn't really help him resolution wise. His resolution isn't low so the games are most likely at his resolution going to be more GPU demanding.

So I can play Crysis on high at 1680x1050 with this Cpu?

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180AC4384&vpn=CMPSU-520HX&manufacture=CORSAIR

HD4870,Q6600,2gb ram,Gigabyte P45 mobo,1 SATA hard drive, 1 Dvd-rw

Its only 520 watt.

that rig is pretty good... you should be able to play most of the newer gamesMeyer1100

Probably more than you need especially considering the price.RinTinTinVan