All right. Echo, I'd like to you keep something in mind. I've read your other posts around the forum, about college and shit, and you don't seem like the kind of guy who can throw around money. You aren't in the best financial situation, and you have to make good use of what you have. It'd just be common sense to build your own machine because I can promise you it'd last longer than any prebuilt machine you'd buy. In the long run, you're helping yourself out.

1000$ is a good range. It allows a lot of flex room and gives me more options on what to do for you. Heres what a cooked up at a first glance:
1. You wanted energy saving. Both the PSU and motherboard I selected are energy saving designs. The PSU is 80+ Certified. Wiki it for further info. The processor I selected is an E8400. Intels 7 and 8 series are 45nm GPUs and use far less power than the other lines.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151030
Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

2. The new 1k budget gave us some room. I selected a 9800GTX. Now the 9 series is a redone 8 series. However the 98GTX has OpenGL 2.1, which most 88GTs dont have. This new price also let us move up to 4GB of RAM. DDR2 1000.
GFX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133220
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231174

3. I picked the CM RC690 Case, it's the same one I use and I love it. It is easy to work with and has great airflow. Not exactly for carrying around, but its a big roomy case that will fit whatever you want. Grabbed a combo drive and a 250GB HDD. If you want more HDD space let me know and Ill do some swapping.
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106100

And finally, an SB Audigy SE, because I am an audiophile. And for the price, there's no reason not to treat yourself to quality audio.
Soundcard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002

Edit: GFX card switched, price updated.
Grand Total, tax + ship included: $961.88

If you want any changes, let me know.

Post has been edited 3 time(s), last time on Sep 13 2008, 7:55 pm by Excalibur.

That's pretty cheap. Under $1000. Is there any screen recommendations?

As in a monitor? Not really. That isn't my department. Also I'm gonna be working on shaving that price down a bit, because I know I can. Screens usually cost quite a bit though I'm sorry to say.

I have another question unrelated to the build. How can I transfer all my old files to my new one quickly? And would it cause a conflict if I just plugged in my new drive? My old one has a virus, which my virus scanners can't seem to delete.

Well, if you have a burner / flashdrive / external HDD, I'd say back up whatever that way. Again, not my department. There might be other ways I'm not aware of.

Which would be better for this computer, Vista or Windows XP professional or home edition?

I would do XP Pro, 32bit due to 64bit driver issues. It will probably recognize 3.5-3.9GB of RAM and that is PLENTY. People with 8GB/16GB are just showing off.

I run a 32-bit XP Pro on 2GB with no pagefile, and I rarely ever go much over 1.4GB in commit charge. 4GB is, if anything, overkill.

RAM is dirt cheap, for price:performance, its a very good value 4GB kit.

Why does my Windows XP have missing files, like language. It said I'm missing some i82 file or something like that so it doesn't let me install languages like asian.

Because Asian isn't a language

I'd recommend the Radeon 4850. The 48xx is the best card out there at a reasonable price. Excal is just an Nvidia fanboy. Also, I'd recommend Vista Ultimate 64-bit. You'll only be able to access 3.5 GB of memory with 32bit, and that includes 512 VRAM in your video card. So you'll have an entire GB of memory that'll be unaccessable with 32bit.

It's $65 on Ultimate Steal. I'm not sure if it's 64bit though.

How much is Vista Ultimate 64-bit?

$170 on Newegg, check out Ultimate Steal to see if it's 64bit.

It doesn't show. So it comes with Vista Sp1?

If you mouse over "Additional products", you'll see Vista Ultimate SP1. Just follow the instructions. You input your e-mail, you'll be e-mailed a link to the store. You'll be able to buy the 64bit version there.

Vista Ultimate is 64bit version right? All of them? Also, I got a verification e-mail, it seems to be temporarily unavaliable.

Sorry, I was just saying that 2GB is usually plenty and 4GB is more than enough; I didn't mean he shouldn't get 4GB, just that it is still considered a lot. I haven't heard of anyone with more..

I know someone with 8, but that's total overkill

Guys, just wondering. Is this worth it?


For $650.00. I just saw it on craigslist and the guy claimed he spent over $1700 on it.

$1700 18 months ago. That's not worth $650. I got something better for $600 six months ago.