So I'm aiming to build a half decent gaming computer. I've got a budget limit of roughly 1500 bucks, so it won't be amazing, but I'm hoping it will run anything I throw at it. Here's what I've got so far:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775

MoBo: ??? (First time building a compy from scratch, could use some help in this area)

Power Supply: AreoCool ZeroDBA 500W

CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster HyperTX

Graphics: Nvidia 8800 GTS

Case: ???(No ideas on this either)

(Anything not mentioned I already have)

So, with the above info, can anyone tell me if this is good? And if so, what should I get for my motherboard/case? Any(And I mean any) help is greatly appreciated!

alright buddy ur in luck :D
im doing the same thing, and dont think 1500 wont get you a very sweet gaming machine, it will.

processor is good, overclock it ;D

mobo- p5 deluxe, very nice board for overclocking and the future, but ur cooling is limited by heat sink pipes

your going to want more then 500w to run that and your videocard

video card is fine

DDR2 ram= 2gb, make sure the mhz is up there,
more then 4 is overkill

case is personal choice, i have a nxzt nemesis :D

sound card? mouse? keyboard? monitor? keep that in mind, there was a very nice 22" at walmart supporting dvi,tv, and av cords, good deal because i like to do all that without moving :D

if you need anymore help let me know,

P.S- online is way better to go then the store, just know what your buying

Thanks Doomhammer.

And yeah, I'm getting everything I need off Newegg basically, so that should shave some costs off:P Just one thing...how much wattage should I be looking at?

hmm, well do u want to overclock or just maintain your regular status, if overclocking definately 850 at least,
if your just going to keep them the same go with 750, it all depends, because i dont know if you know much about overclocking but it usually happens that you have to send more voltage to the video card etc... so you need to have the power

Would this fit the bill?
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

Cause I certainly didn't expect to be spending over 200 bucks on my PSU...:( Though if I gotta, I will.

The Q6600 isn't a great overclocker. I'm guessing you're gonna get DR2-800 RAM? Just make sure to run the FSB:DRAM ratio at 1:1.

A 500-600W PSU should be more than adequate, provided you get a good brand name unit with adequate amps on the +12v rail(s). 750-850W is overkill, unless you plan on running multiple HDDs & two video cards in SLi.

Here's a couple to consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

jam, the q6600 actually is a good overclocker, ive read numerous articles where theve clocked it up to 3.2 stabily, you just have to have a decent mobo and powersupply

Thanks both for your help! I think I can handle the rest myself!:D

"ive read numerous articles where theve clocked it up to 3.2 stabily"

Exactly. And the Core 2 Duo's can hit 4.0GHz+

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08...

"Even though it contains two of the same dies on a single socket package, the Core 2 Extreme QX6850 was not nearly as FSB-friendly as the E6750"

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08...