Building a computer tower

[Onefast99gsx]

Tiger Direct always has some pretty good deals on barebone systems. If you can swing it, I'd get something in the Intel Duo Core lineup.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31

When shopping for a video card, make sure it will be compatible with MS Vista (Aero). Most all video cards will work with vista but to get the full 3D effects of menuing and such with Aero, you need something good. Aero is a feature of Vista.

[JET]

Be careful with Tigerdirect, they have a pretty crappy reputation. Newegg is awesome. Also, you don't want an AGP slot, go with with PCI express x16. I would go with the Intel Core 2 Duo for a processor the E6400 is a good deal and very overclockable.

Here is a great resource with explainations and reviews
http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html

[Onefast99gsx]

I agree with a board that has PCI Express. The video cards are a little more $$, but it's better/newer technology. AGP & PCI vid card slots are old school.

[DoughtCom]

ATI X1950Pro Video card ($160 AR)
AMD Opteron 165 Overclockable ON AIR on stock HS/Fan to 2.7-3GHz ($150) Also has 1MB cache each core.
Any NF4 motherboard ($80)
Decent RAM for fast FSB speeds, like about 7GB/s RAM transfer rates ($140 or so)
2 250GB SATA 2.0 drives striped for fast access times ($140)
G5 Mouse ($45)
any Keyboard ($10-$30)
Decent PSU ($50)
Some random case ($40)
NEC DVD-R ($30)

$845-$865

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If you need a monitor go with a cheaper keyboard, drop one of the drives and get cheaper RAM (about $80 less) and buy the Sceptre 20.1" WSXGA+ LCD Monitor that's on sale right now.
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Have more money? Get an Intel chip (Intel is the fastest right now if you have the money to spend) and get a better video card 8800GTX sounds good right now :)

Oh and yeah... tigerdirect blows go with newegg.

[92EvilTalon]

Newegg is the way to go I love that site. So far what said it seems people have put you in the right direction. John, like the setup so far but you dont need a 250 dollar motherboard. That is just crazy. And please reuse some of your stuff of that other tower. I bet you can get that price down too. hahaha call me bro

[Pushit2.0]

The thing about the asus is the overclockability and other options. I use my computer from befor at work so the computer I priced out would be at home, and that is almost the "best" of everything, minus the 8800 series graphics card stuff, just some 7950's.

~John

[DoughtCom]

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe? It's a good board I have one.

[Halon]

Mine was and Abit motherboard.

[Pushit2.0]

http://rog.asus.com/product_crosshair_main.html
I was looking the AMD route, just a little cheaper then Intel with good over clocking ability.

~John

[AJ]

Allan, we'll talk at bowling tomorrow.

Uhhh, yeah. Maybe next week? LOL