New Computer

[TheN00b]

Hello. I'm building a new computer, and am probably going to buy the parts for it off of NewEgg and have them put together locally. I'd like to have the best computer possible thats parts cost less than $1500. Got any advice for video cards, RAM, and the whole caboose?

[Rbstr]

There will be an edit(or it if the edit nazi beats me; a post)
I am assuming you don't need a monitor or OS(if you do let me know), and you do need a case(also if the 1500 is for inner parts only[you have other funds for case/psu] you can bump a few parts up a notch).
Also, you can put it together yourself, it's as easy as eating pie.

OK: Preliminary specs:
Asus nforce-4 mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131530)
3700+ Athlon 64 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103539)
2gigs of ram(on sale or I'd just go with corsair value ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145575)
7800gtx (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130248)
250 gb SATA drive, Samsung (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822152025)
16x DVD burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131357)
A nice sound card(not required, but I MUCH prefer one over onboard, EAX is very nice, it is included in budget) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102188)

Cases are more personal prefference so I'll give you to sites, and you shoudl do some looking on your own. I'm a fan of this one http://www.xoxide.com/chenming301bk.html it's high quality and cheap(I use it) the other site I know of is www.frozencpu.com

Then for a PSU http://www.xoxide.com/coolmax-600w-ez-wires-modular-power-supply.html modular is much nicer than I had expected, makes it so much easier to only use the wires you need.

[ExZeRoEx]

Just wanted to come here and say that I would go with the Geforce 7900GT instead of the 7800GTX.

Also, this RAM is working fine for me: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231047

[Rbstr]

I was going to put a 7900, but all the GT's were unavailible.

[Ait'al]

I'd like to add, "I love My IIyama vision master 454 19" moniter". (CRT)

I figured out the whole CRT vision problem. It' s all about the refresh rate. If you Always keep the refresh rate up to about 100-120, you never need a flat screen and get all the benefits of a big powerful CRT.

And if you have an ATI, or if all vid cards have this setting, just set games to play at moniter resolution. You just have to check if you need to make sure not to boost your in game resolution above what the current moniter can handle refresh rate to resolution. Or check if it auto decreases it. All of my eye strain problems from crts seem to disapear around 100-120Hz!

And if you want nice side features these IIyama CRTs have nice everything. Including 4 brightness modes for movies and what not. It's great for games. Just remember whatever CRT you get check for highest Refresh rate per resolution not highest refresh rate you can get.

And check out the 22 ince also. They run about 430 and like 540 if they still sell them(other vendors not IIyama). They have a great, almost perfect, anti glare coating. Direct sunlight doesnt affect your veiw. You just have to make sure not to touch the coating or get it dirty because it comes off if you rub it or clean it improperly. It's the only flaw in the moniter as far as i can say.

Tip for anyone who wants to have a CRT over a Flat panel.

Edit: The IIyama 454 can be hooked up to two moniters at the same time also and switch between computers at a push of a button. It has 4 hubbed USB(only 1.1). Nice front speakers, headphone jack, lots of adjustment ability built in. It has about 50 settings. Really easy to use once you learn where stuff is. Which isn't hard. You might want to consider one if you have the money and are looking for a moniter. I think the 22 inch is the only other one that similar. But i can't say for certain. You'd have to figure out which one it is. They are not listed in an easy place to find any more and there are several 21/22" crts from them. You have to get to know their line and find the 22 inch that follows the VM pro 19". Just type Vision master pro and compare the 4 moniters to the 454. You'll have to compare them i guess to find out what one is better. They also sell lots of flat panels too.

The "Vision master pro 454 HM903DT | 19 inch" is the 19" i have and the "HM204DT | 22 inch" is the 22" that, I think, is the larger but same version. It's the only other one with the same chassis but you'll have to look for yourself if you know anything about moniters. Those other ones may very well be better moniters. I have no idea.

The extra modes for movies and stuff are boosted brightness. I dont know what they call them but it's more powerfull than changing the brightness. It makes it like a TV. But it won't hurt your eyes as bad or any if you use it at the proper refresh rate(high i beleive) from what i can tell. If anyone knows better about that, please correct me.

www.IIyama.com (http://www.IIyama.com)

Just not that people say that IIyamas CRTs Tend to not last as long as other computers. They may be right. I've had mine for 2 years, so far, and i haven't needed any repairs. I would fully beleive them on the points they make about when theirs stop working though.