Current standards: A gameing machine

[quizzelbuck]

What are the hot items to worry about when building a computer this week in game tech? i had a computer planned out, but now im concerned that over the last few months the chipsets and hot CPUs have progressed while ive been waiting for my walmart stimulus check. The GTX 200 cards convinced me i need to reevaluate my choices. I want to build a gamer rig around a single GTX260. So is the p35 still THE chipset to get? it was 2 or 3 months ago. Is the e8500 still THE processor to get at a mid ranged price point?

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

The P45 would now be the chipset of choice, but the E8500 is still the CPU to get IMO.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd say the E8400 at $80 less is the gaming CPU to get.

P35 or P43 ($100) is a good choice for no or mild overclocking, P45 (like Asusu P5Q Pro) is a good choice for extreme OC. P43/P45 have PCI-E 2.0 slots instead of 1.1 for that future-proofed feeling.

Shop carefully, the GTX 260 has been spotted priced close to the 4870 making it the card to get for rabid nvidia fans. The 260 is still a second-rate choice compared to the 4870, so I'd avoid it unless you can find a 260 under $300 or you don't mind the lower performance.

 

[quizzelbuck]

Well, thanks for the response. I didnt know that about the gtx260. I will keep what you said in mind.