Building my first PC

[vileliquid1026]

Hello all. I am fairly new to the world of building computers. I have very little experience, hence why I am looking for help.

I was wondering if someone might be able to take a look at the parts I have picked out and let me know if everything seems to measure up okay.

Mobo: ASUS M2X-VX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131143)

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0Ghz AM2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773)

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 320Gb 7200rpm SATA HD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140)

Ram: Corsair XMS 2Gb (2 x 1Gb) 240 Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR800 (PC2 6400) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590)

Video Card: BFG Tech GeForce 7950Gt 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI-e x16 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143071)

550W power supply (Is that good enough or should I go 580w? Or higher even)

I really could use suggestions to the about (if anyone has any).
Also, suggestions, possible on a monitor? (i was looking at LCD with 2ms response time) And a soung card cause I have no clue when it comes to that. The speakers I wind up getting will only be 2.1 if that makes a difference for which SC I get.

I really appreciate any help offered!

[jdbnsn]

For the equipment you have listed a 550W PSU should be fine. It looks like a decent setup to me.

[Ookazoo]

Your setup looks pretty good, I myself have most of those parts.

I was going to get that graphics card, but I found that this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067) was better. It has better specs and is cheaper. I've had it for 5 months and it works great. The only problem it has is that it is really loud at startup, but its cool because it sounds like a revving engine. You might have to worry about space too, cuz its pretty big. Unless you're planning on SLIing another on in there, I think that this card is the way to go.

Make sure your power supply can handle the bigger card also

Have fun with your new rig!

[vileliquid1026]

Will that video card be able to handle oblivion? That is my...goal with this pc, i guess I should say. I want to be able to handle oblivion smoothly.

Also, what kind of monitor do you use? I've been looking around alot and I think my best bet is pretty much anything at 2ms response time.

[Nagoshi]

Yes, that setup will easily handle Oblivion.

And you should get another motherboard, this one has on-board video and may suffer from a lack of performance in the long range, even if you are not using the on-board video.

But if you would like something that may be faster, and probably better in the long-range, you could go with the Core 2 Duos processors (E6600 or higher) and motherboards, equipped with a GeForce 8800, as these video cards blows any other video cards on the market, even the newest ATI.

And do you really need a sound card? there's one integrated in your motherboard, and unless you plan on going surround (which doesn't look like it's the case for you), you should put the sound card money on something better.

Monitor.. I have a 5ms and never saw any ghosting yet, so personally I think you can get really good monitors ranging in 5ms and a high contrast ratio. Ive seen 2000:1 5ms LCD from LG, I myself own an 1000:1 5ms LG and it works great. Look for known brands (LaCie, LG, Viewsonic, Asus...), and if I could suggest Widescreen... it's a personal choice, but everyone I know that went to WS will never go back to the traditional screen ratio.

[vileliquid1026]

Under the 'Audio' stats for my mobo, it states: Realtek ALC883 6-Channel audio CODEC... is that sufficient for a 2.1 speaker system?

I was going to pick a widescreen... ill have to check out those brands.

Yeah, for my processor I'm going with AMD. I'm now debating between Athlon X2 and athlon FX.

Do you have a mobo suggestion while im searching around....?

[vileliquid1026]

I can't go up to the 8 series of geforce... i dont have 300-700 dollars for the videocard.

[Redundant]

Under the 'Audio' stats for my mobo, it states: Realtek ALC883 6-Channel audio CODEC... is that sufficient for a 2.1 speaker system?
Yes, the onboard sound card is fine.



Yeah, for my processor I'm going with AMD. I'm now debating between Athlon X2 and athlon FX.

Do you have a mobo suggestion while im searching around....?
Between the X2 and FX, I'd go with the X2; it's dual core so it's better at multitasking. But, just FYI, the Core 2 Duos are considerably faster than both the X2 and FX, and are cooler and cheaper than most AMD's

For a motherboard brand, you can't go wrong with ASUS.

[Nagoshi]

Well, you are considering the 7950GTX, which is around 300-400$ already. I think it's better to spend a couple of bucks in addition, to get the power on the logn range. 8xxx series owns every other cards on the market right now, even the up-coming ATI Radeon HD 2900 XTX is not equal nor better than the 8800GTX.

A 2.1 speaker setup is merely two speakers with a sub that are all inter-connected. You only need one basic stereo output. The 6-channel is used for 5.1 setup (5 speakers and a sub), and almost every motherboards come equipped with audio cards that supports at least 5.1.

[vileliquid1026]

Well, you are considering the 7950GTX, which is around 300-400$ already. I think it's better to spend a couple of bucks in addition, to get the power on the logn range. 8xxx series owns every other cards on the market right now, even the up-coming ATI Radeon HD 2900 XTX is not equal nor better than the 8800GTX.

My price for the 7950GTx is $200. The 8800GTX, for example is between $500 & $600.
The 8800GTS cards are a little more reasonable... would you suggest one of them and if so, (a)which one; and (2) Would I have to change a dozen other parts to accommodate?

[Redundant]

would you suggest one of them and if so, (a)which one; and (2) Would I have to change a dozen other parts to accommodate?
I saw 3 versions of the EVGA one, all of them are probably faster than the 7950GTX. Go with what you can spend. (EVGA, XFX, & BFG are the most popular brands)

2) Just make sure it isn't too long for your case and that your PSU has enough power. (look at the power requirements on the specs tab)

EDIT: I just looked at our motherboard. I think that and your chosen processor will be a bottleneck for an 8800GTS.

[Silenced_Coyote]

8800GTS 320MB version would be best if you could afford it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

I recommend a Core 2 Duo processor like everyone else said. They are the best bang for the buck, especially since they overclock so well.

If you get a Core 2 Duo, I would pair it up with an 650i Ultra motherboard. Either from EVGA or MSI, since they got the lowest price. The Asus one is a bit more. Then again, all these boards are twice as much as the one you originally picked out. So I guess it is out of your budget...