What components should I get for my new computer?

[soulz2003]

I like to game a lot, and I had a good computer, back in the day. Now,
around 3 years later, the case is 3 year's old, and most of the other parts
are about 1-2 years. It's out dated, and the case, IMO, has poor heat
control.

I've research a decent amount into this, and I've been trying to get
other people's opinions, but haven't found a good place to do so.
Basically, I need recommendations on a budget, quality, very upgradeable
motherboard. If you could, please recommend PC hardware that is budget, and
quality. And, for the case, make sure that it's not to tall (Not over 20"),
and has plenty of room for the heat to flow within it when every component
is installed.

I would like to get two 250 GB HDD's, but I don't know if I'll need that
much space, and if it'll decrease the speed of my PC.

 

[Matt]

If you could, please recommend PC hardware that is budget, and
quality. And, for the case, make sure that it's not to tall (Not over 20"),
and has plenty of room for the heat to flow within it when every component
is installed.

Cases: Antec SLK3700 variants have great air flow. Antec Sonata has a
slightly more powerful PSU. CompUSA has the Antec SLK2650BQE for $40
after rebate through Saturday---that case is compact and should have
enough power and ventilation for you unless you have a hot graphics card.

It doesn't usually pay to upgrade CPU or RAM separately from the mobo.

Find the most popular mobos by searching newegg and sorting by reviews.

 

[Ruel Smith]

I like to game a lot, and I had a good computer, back in the day. Now,

around 3 years later, the case is 3 year's old, and most of the other
parts
are about 1-2 years. It's out dated, and the case, IMO, has poor heat
control.

I've research a decent amount into this, and I've been trying to get
other people's opinions, but haven't found a good place to do so.
Basically, I need recommendations on a budget, quality, very upgradeable
motherboard. If you could, please recommend PC hardware that is budget,
and
quality. And, for the case, make sure that it's not to tall (Not over
20"),
and has plenty of room for the heat to flow within it when every component
is installed.

I would like to get two 250 GB HDD's, but I don't know if I'll need
that
much space, and if it'll decrease the speed of my PC.

Case: Antec Sonata - $89 to $99 at local computer store/Best Buy
(shipping cases gets expensive and internet discount about non-existent)
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15138
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129127

Motherboard: MSI Neo4 SLI Platinum - $179
Has built in SoundBlaster Live 24bit sound, future upgradability with PCI
Express and is feature loaded.
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K8N_Neo4_Platinum/SLI&class=mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130487

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ - $190
Athlon 64 for gaming all the way!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

Memory: Corsair XMS 1GB DDR400 - $121
You can get more framerates with faster memory and overclocking, but it's
expensive. OC this as far as you can and save.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145450

DVD/CD writer: LiteOn 1693S - $48
Dual Layer, 16X DVD +-R, and 48X CD-R speed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106988

HDD (RAID 0): (2) WD SATA 160GB 7200RPM drives - $82 x 2
320GB of space is plenty. WD is the most reliable brand out. Trust me, RAID
is worth it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144152

Graphics card: BFG 6800GT - $350
6800 Ultra isn't worth the extra $. This card is clearly faster than the
6600 GT. Great card, and factory overclocked for you.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143029

$1141 not including shipping and incidentals you might need to build your
rig. This is one bad ass system! Expect a speed boost when you upgrade to
the Windows XP 64bit edition, too.