Need advice for a new gaming pc parts

[MadThief]

Hi, i'm going to start buying parts and I have an idea for what I'm going to get. I have a Dell Dem 4700 that I want to retire.

I know for sure that I'm getting a Antec 900
CPU: Q6600 or the best Intel dual-core

OS: Windows XP x32

Graphics card: Nvidia 8800 GTS or GTX (heard gtx is better)

MotherBoard: EVGA 680i A1 model(not sure if this is the board for me, need advice)

RAM: 2 gigs(not sure which brand to get)

Audio: I don't really care, probably wont get one anyways
I have a monitor already

I want it to run HL2 Ep. 2 and Crisis flawlessly. If you need anymore info just ask, Thanks.

 

[MadThief]

I forgot to mention I'm also getting a 500 GB hard drive and that I want to overclock in the future, Thanks.

 

[staticprimer]

Well as of now, there is only speculation of what hardware will run Crysis "flawlessly". The Geforce 9 series is scheduled for release in late 07, and those will probably be your best bet for running Crysis flawlessly. For HL2 Ep2, an 8800GTS will suffice for running it at max, but if money is no object for you go for the GTX. You will also want to set aside some money for Vista sometime in the near future, as it's required for DX10 and all of the Crysis goodies. Right now there isn't much incentive as the only games using DX10 use it very poorly. This will change in the future.

 

[MadThief]

Well as of now, there is only speculation of what hardware will run Crysis "flawlessly". The Geforce 9 series is scheduled for release in late 07, and those will probably be your best bet for running Crysis flawlessly. For HL2 Ep2, an 8800GTS will suffice for running it at max, but if money is no object for you go for the GTX. You will also want to set aside some money for Vista sometime in the near future, as it's required for DX10 and all of the Crysis goodies. Right now there isn't much incentive as the only games using DX10 use it very poorly. This will change in the future.

I think I should wait on vista before I buy it. Anyways, think I should wait for the 9 series to come out before I start buying parts because I'm not in any rush?

 

[hool10]

I say going with my list here: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=7309927
I'm building it right now and it's a really nice mobo and power supply. You don't need 2 vid cards do you?

 

[staticprimer]

I think I should wait on vista before I buy it. Anyways, think I should wait for the 9 series to come out before I start buying parts because I'm not in any rush?

If you truly aren't in any rush, then I would wait for the 9 series. If it gets delayed, then go ahead and get an 8800GTX, as it certainly would still not be a slouch on Crysis. For Vista, you can definitely hold off for several months, but upgrading is an eventuality. Microsoft has released several fixes and performance patches already, and Nvidia support for Vista drivers is much better than it once was.

 

[Gray Fox]

I say going with my list here: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=7309927
I'm building it right now and it's a really nice mobo and power supply. You don't need 2 vid cards do you?

Get the DS3P, it has a Dual Bios and Firewire, and better NB cooler. And it only cost a little more.

Also I never heard of that brand power supply, I googled it and it had good reviews so it's probably good but you might want to look at this thread.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103

For the memory check the compatibility with the main board, I know G.Skill has problems with some gigabyte boards.
http://www.giga-byte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2533

 

[The Brick]

Yes if you want to overclock the quadcore in the future, a mainboard with the P35 chipset is your only choice. The GA-P35-DS3P and the Asus P5K-VM are nice mainboards.

Also, that PSU is excellent. Gray, take a look at this thread. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

As for the ram, look for a good 4gb kit (2x2gb) from a major brand. PC2-6400 C5 is the least you want to get with overclocking in mind.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146691
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227248
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144076

 

[MadThief]

Can anyone recommend a good hard drive?

 

[The Brick]

Western Digital RE2 series.

 

[hool10]

Get the DS3P, it has a Dual Bios and Firewire, and better NB cooler. And it only cost a little more.

Also I never heard of that brand power supply, I googled it and it had good reviews so it's probably good but you might want to look at this thread.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103

For the memory check the compatibility with the main board, I know G.Skill has problems with some gigabyte boards.
http://www.giga-byte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2533

The memory should be good and the mobo is the best. Also you don't need 4GB of RAM because 32bit OS's don't support 4GB! You don't need dual bios, firewire or a better NB cooler that costs more. I already have the parts and I'm building it now: [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxeHdSwbp8[/YOUTUBE]

 

[B_MAN]

apparently the E6850 @ 3.0ghz 1333fsb is superior to the Q6600 when it comes to gaming because most games don't even take advantage of the quad core yet
that's what i'm gonna be getting this month