Here We Go

Ok, so I'm looking to buy a new PC in the next week- 3 weeks. I'm in the US, and am looking to spend approximately $800 (I know it's not much... but paying for college/car/etc is slightly more important (ONLY financially haha) than a new PC.


Here is what I was looking at so far:
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144207

Power Supply
I'm really not sure about... looking at 500 watts + - but really have no idea what to do. For the past 5 years or so, I've been running the 480w stock psu that came with my case (Thermaltake Xaser III) So this area is umm... cloudy for me.

Motherboard
Again, not too sure here. Right now I'm on an Asus p4p800e... so I guess I'm looking at something in this area.

Memory
Despite how much I dislike Vista, I'll probably be getting some version of 64-bit. *gaming pc*. That gives me the option of up to 16gb if I'm not mistaken, and it really depends on what motherboard I get. I was looking at 4-8... because I don't think that 16 is really necessary now, plus I can upgrade later. The fight between DDR2 and DDR3 I guess will have to be settled until I find what motherboard to get. It seems that most out now are DDR2 800 or above, but who knows.

Processor
Warning - Intel man. I wasn't sure really if I should go with Core 2 Duo/Extreme/Quad..
but...
C2D - This Guy
C2E - no
C2Q - This?
Really not sure where to go here... probably Core2 Duo would be best, I dunno.

Sex... I mean, GPU

TO BE CONTINUED
(Have to go do a few things, but maybe some feedback will trickle in while I'm gone)

Nice case - the sketchy specifications seem to imply it comes without any fans, though, so you'll need a few of them. Good quality 120mm jobs.

PSU, again, good quality "name brand" PSU, look at 500W as a bare minimum, but I would aim a bit higher - 600-750W would keep me happy.

Mobos - bit of a ticklish subject. New gear on the horizon so awkward time to buy. Personal opinion for the right-now would be an eVGA 790i.

Memory - yes to 64bit Windows, but you can happily stick with 4GB. Good quality all-important again, look to Crucial or G-skill or look at Rahja's memory FAQ sticky.

Processor, at the moment a good C2D is wise, or the Q6600's latest overclockable version.

If I was going to build a new comp in the next 2 weeks and could not wait.

I would spend big on: case, psu, ddr3 ram, vid card, sound card - all reuseable

I would buy the cheapest mobo and cpu I could. Most definatly a 45nm dual core cpu, if cutting corners the case gets the axe 1st.

The new nahalm chips and mobos are comming.

Yeah I've been considering waiting... but it's so hard haha, I've been waiting all summer. Ah we'll see. Do we/they have an approximate release time for the Nahalm "equips" ?

Also the thing is, if I wait "a little while", I could potentially be able to spend a little extra money. I think that might be the best option, but it will be hard to wait :/ - gah we'll see. I wish I wasn't in school now, or I could dump about 3k into this machine haha.

Thanks for the input, and I'll see if I can stand the waiting game -_-

Nehalm is scheduled for 4th quarter release. I am pretty sure. The waiting game is never fun. But I would pick up things that can be used for a long time like mentioned. Get them on sale/rebate. A case and psu (w/a 5.00 tester) is a great start.

i won't ever buy nehalem cpu's in the first 2 month's of the release, prices at release will be way to high and they drop alot in the first few months.

True for computer parts, cars, boats, operating systems, life.