Finally Ready to Buy

[Raekin]

Hey all,

After browsing this forum occasionally for the past week or two, i'm finally ready to buy. Please help me finalize this list. It's mainly going to be used for gaming, and I'd like to hook it up to my Samsung 1080P 40" HDTV, but if I can't then its ok. I'm also planning to OC it to squeeze out as much power as I can. (Plan to play Crysis)

CPU - Intel C2D E4500 (OC'd to 3.0) -- $125 (Egg)

CPU Cooler - Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler -- $45 (Egg)

Mobo - Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L -- $90 (Egg)

RAM - G.SKILL 2x2GB DDR2 800 -- $85 (Egg)

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpedicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 -- $105 (Egg)

CASE - Antec P182 -- $70 (MicroCenter)

PSU - Corsair 520HX -- $80 Buy.com


GPU - eVGA 8800 GT (w/ Crysis) -- $199 (inc. Crysis)
OR

MSI NX8800GT -- $189


I'm really not sure which GPU to get. eVGA would be cheaper since I plan on buying Crysis anyway, but does eVGA have cooling problems? Would the 8800GTS from the eVGA website be a better deal and last me longer? I plan to keep this computer for at least 2+ years. I dont need a monitor, mouse, keyboard, OS.. Trying to get the best bang for the buck and try to stay under $800. I'm sitting around there after rebates.

Thanks

 

[footballrunner800]

I think that evga has a firmware update to solve the fam problem with their 8800gt's. I would go with evga because you can use the step up program to get the 9800gtx if they really are worth it. If you dont care about that i would look into warranties for my decision.

 

[MarcVenice]

What is this Windows Vista Ultimate pricing ? If you have Vista Ultimate you get reduced prices ? The 8800gt with crysis for 199$ sounds good. If you want a 8800gts, consider this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127325

Your build looks awesome btw. Glad to see someone do some reading before posting about building a new rig, you even looked around for the best deals. I'd punch the buy button asap, so rebates and stuff don't run out.

 

[Raekin]

Marc, there's a thread in the Hot Deals section about the Vista Ultimate Pricing. Apparently, you can get the pricing without owning Vista Ultimate, they just promote it as a "Vista Ultimate" deal. I run XP.. so However, I was also looking at this
PNY XLR8 8800GT 512M

The thing I like about this is that there's no tax for CA, and I found out my buddy has Crysis. I just wanted to play Single Player, as I'm more of an online console gamer, than an online PC gamer.

Would the PNY be worth it at this price? $160 AR (no tax, and free shipping) Warranty is 5 years (far more than I need, or anyone needs)

If the eVGA is far superior, i don't mind dropping the extra $60 (tax+shipping included) for the eVGA over the PNY.

 

[MarcVenice]

I don't think the EVGA is far superior. 8800gt's are loud though, how much would the MSI 8800gt cost you, after taxes + shipping ? Do keep in mind the MSI 8800gt is factory overclocked, and has a pretty good cooler on it. Up to you to decide if the price difference is worth it. The PNY should be a good card though, in terms of build qaulity.

 

[Raekin]

$212 shipped for the MSI 8800GT, $223 shipped for the eVGA

I think Im gonna pull the trigger on the PNY. I'm coming from a 9800 All-in-Wonder, so anything will be a huge increase is the level of performance for me. Later on, I might OC the GPU and buy an aftermarket cooler for it.. if I feel that I need that power. But for right now, the PNY suits my budget, and my needs