First PC Build

[idrank2much]

I'm on a rather strict budget ..$460. With Mass Effect coming to PC I need to build something that can run it (not on max just run it smooth). I can use the hard drive in the computer I'm using now along with the CD drive. I have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc. I'm not sure about the case ..it's an emachine so I thought I'd just buy a new one.

Now I do plan on upgrading when I have more money, so I'm looking to build something that will run the games, but still looking at details like sli for future upgrades. And before you say anything I like AMD rather than intel and if I had more money I'd get a phenom.

With all that said, here's a list I put together. The video card will be changed in the future (probably 2 8800) but looking at the specs of bioshock and ME it should do fine for now. Let me know what you think.

Asus M2N-SLI Motherboard: Asus M2N-SLI Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 560 SLI, Socket AM2AM2+, ATX, Audio, PCI Express, Gigabit LAN, SPDIF, USB 2.0, Firewire, Serial ATA, RAID at TigerDirect.com

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ CPU 2.40GHz: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Processor ADO4600DOBOX - 2.40GHz, 1MB Cache, 1000MHz (2000 MTs) FSB, Brisbane, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket AM2, Processor with Fan at TigerDirect.com

XFX GeForce 8600GT XXX: XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX Video Card - 256MB DDR3, PCI Express, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card PVT84JUDD3 at TigerDirect.com

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Chan 2048MB DDR2: OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB) OCZ2N800SR2GK at TigerDirect.com

Cooler Master Case ATX-Mid: Cooler Master Centurion 5 - Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case with Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports CAC-T05-UW at TigerDirect.com

Also, like I said, this will be my first build. I dont think I'll have a problem once I figure out how to put the motherboard on. Any suggestions? They're much appreciated.

[bishop]

not bad, its a stable setup and will work well for mass effect. and some other games.

you could save a little money and go with some cheaper kingston ram that would be just as good, ram doesnt have to be sli.

other than that you have almost the same system i do.

p.s. compare prices to newegg.

[canttouchthis]

I hate to say it, but don't get the mobo/cpu. Instead, go for an intel 775 C2D. they're much better (like night and day difference). I wish I had waited 3 months when I got my new comp to get the intel platform. Also, like stated earlier the SLI ram is a huge ripoff, and there's no real advantage.

[bishop]

for the price of the intel stuff he could get a quad core amd and highend motherboard.

[canttouchthis]

negatory. Intel C2D start at $120, while the AMD Quad cores start at $195. You should probably put more money into your graphics card and go with the C2D, because that'll make the most difference. Also, amds quadcore performance is dissappointing to say the least (doesn't even come close to intels). I've known two or three people who've had them, and they all end up selling them and getting intel cpus.