Building a new computer.

I am trying to decide whether to attempt to build or buy a computer from Dell. This computer will be used primarily to play games but some for just surfing net and word documents. Please review the proposed purchases and make any suggestions and/or recommendations. First time to try to do this. In the past I have always bought from Dell. My planned budget is to stay around $1,200.00. There is some wiggle room but not much. I plan on using my current monitor and speakers for now. I didn't know on the sound card or LAN. I have AT&T DSL.

thanks for the help.


SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q $28.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $49.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $69.99

GIGABYTE GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$169.99

Sony NEC Optiarc Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1675S - OEM
$17.99

BFG Tech LS SERIES LS-680 680W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.8 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$45.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$94.99 total

Logitech 967973-0403 Black PS/2 Standard Deluxe 250 Desktop - OEM
Item #: N82E16823126017
$12.99

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227289
-$28.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$199.98
$143.98
($71.99 each)

GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS5 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128332
$229.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115036
$187.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116485
$99.99

Subtotal: $1,106.88

 

Not an expert but the first problem I see is Vista 32 bit os will not see ram past 3 gig you may have to go to 64 bit version.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=174323

 

If as you say it's primarily for gameing you need the best graphic card you can afford.
I have just installed
260 GTX 896MB DDR3 XXX (GX-260N-ADD9)
And it's unbelievably fast.
You can check the spec here.
http://www.xfxforce.com/en-gb/Products.aspx?Type=GraphicCards

 

Thx guys.

I will look at upgrading to 64 bit Vista and look at the vid card. Appreciate your help.