I need buying a new computer!!! plz help

I’m building my own gaming computer for around $1,000 Australian. I have chosen the parts that I want but I’m not sure I have made the right choice. Could you please give any suggestions opinions or any other information on the parts I have chosen that you think would be useful to me. Any help would be great because I really want to get a good computer. The computer needs to be able to play games (mainly TF2) well but I would also like it to last me a few years. I may also branch out to other games in the near Future.

The current parts I’ve chosen are

• Intel core 2 duo E8500 3.16GHz - $309
• Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L motherboard - $115.50
• Westen Digital 500gb 7200RPM SATA2 - $92
• LG GH-20NS10 SATA DVD re-writer (20x dual layer) -$37
• Corsair DDR2 2GB PC-5300/667 (2x1GB)  - $53
• Cool master elite bite 334 tower case (420W) - $93
• Asus 9600gt top - $212
• D-link DWA-510 Wireless-G 11/54Mbs PCI adaptor - $27

Total - $938

Any suggestions you make will be helpful and

Thx for your help

Edit: thx times 1000 for all the fantastic and helpful posts. Using your comments I have made a second draft of my computer (new components in bold). Plz continue to tell me if you agree and I can now go out and buy the parts. Or if you think my computer still needs some fine tuning.

Draft2 parts

• Intel core 2 quad Q6600 2.40GHZ – $226
• Cooler Master RC-690 Black Tower Case (No PSU)- $104.50
• Antec TruePower Trio 550W – $119.90
• Gigabyte HD4850, 512MB – $237
• Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L motherboard - $115.50
• Seagate 500gb 7200RPM SATA2 - $102
• LG GH-20NS10 SATA DVD re-writer (20x dual layer) -$37
• Corsair DDR2 2GB PC-5300/667 (2x1GB)  - $53
• D-link DWA-510 Wireless-G 11/54Mbs PCI adaptor - $27

Total - $1022.50

I think that’s pretty much final. But continue to tell me your opinions.

thx so much for all the great posts

I'm not sure what this processor will go for in Australian currency, but it's a quad core, and will overclock well into the 3.0Ghz's. Not too mention that it will hold up longer in the long run.

Instead of a Gigabyte board, I recommend Asus. This is the mobo I am running. It gets super hot, but runs very well, and comes packaged with great software. Not too mention great and easy BIOs.

Other than that, you look pretty solid, but your PSU may not hold up well. I am running specs very similar to the ones you will be using soon, and I have a 630W PSU.

Good luck with your build!

IMHO you've picked really good parts.

That mobo is very good, when I was choosing mine it was between that one or the ASUS p5k-e. I went with asus because i've bought from them before.
The admiral makes a good point about the processor. IMO it comes down to preference when you are deciding which processor to get, the quad core Q6600 or the E8500.
Today I don't see much point in a quad core but tomorrow a quad core will become standard. I'd also likely look at the E8400 which is ever so slightly slower but it is also a bit cheaper.

That PSU on that case is definitely underpowered for a modern gaming system. Look for at least a 500W but today 600W is becoming standard.

You'll almost certainly need a better power supply. If you're hoping to future-proof, I'd suggest buying something around 600 Watts. Also, why not the 8800GTS instead of the 9600GT?

I recommend this power supply. Once again, it's the one I am currently using, and it has a really neat wiring system. Instead of all of the wires shooting out of the back, it has sockets that you can plug the wires into. It saves space, because you only plug in the wires YOU NEED. Not too mention I've had no problems with it, and it's fairly cheap.

Oh, and it looks positively sexy.

thx for the posts but as far as the PSU is concerned I really am on a budget. My question is that if that is enough power for now can’t I upgrade it in the future. Also how can I check if it will be enough power or is it a guessing game.

To Admiral_Spaceship the Q6600 goes for $226 Australian

Another thing when quad becomes stranded will it increases the performance from games

Quote:
420W isn't going to get your computer much past boot. According to this PSU calculator, you'll need about 540W, or a minimum of 490W. That is assuming you get the Q6600, though. You should do the calculator yourself, because you can be more specific.

I recommend a budget mid-tower case, and buying the fans and PSU separately.

Also, the Q660 is great for today's games and will be good for tomorrow's games. For example, I run Crysis on High settings (DX9), with about 30 FPS.And that's not overclocked or anything. As previously stated, you could easily overclock it well into the 3.0GHz range. The Q6600 is not only a great processor and cheaper, but future-proof one, too.

Don't skimp on the PSU. It is essentially the heart of your computer. Like a heart pumps blood through your veins, the PSU pumps electricity through the your motherboard.
For an internet machine or a workstation, you don't have very high requirements as far as electricity and pathways go.
For a gaming PC, there are very high requirements for the electricity and also for the motherboard.

A bad PSU can be as simple as your computer not starting up or it shutting down when stressed, or it can be as catastrophic as to cause permanent damage to the parts in your computer.

Buy a case that doesn't come with a psu, you will save money.
Then buy a proper PSU. It might cost more now, but in the long run you will be saving money as 1. you wont have to upgrade again, 2. you avoid the risk of damaged parts (which is costly in time and money).

My recommendations would be, quad core for sure.. If your willing to spend 300 on a processor, id get at least a Q6600... TF2 is a processor hog..

8800 series or better, or a 9800 series..   Those are considered for hard core gamers and cost the same money as that 9600.. I know you can get a EVGA 8800GT 512mb for less than 200 and it will rock most games today...

With the moeny you just saved by getting a Q6600($100) get a SLI board, you will wish you had in the future..

Like said above, never cut corners on the PSU, my 8800GT made me trash my 420W PSU, kept having system hangs.  No price on the case, by my adding its about 100 bucks, get a antec 900, and spend 60 bucks on a decent psu...