Building a dual boot gaming rig...

[Gasmask14]

I want to build a new computer that will dual boot with Ubuntu and Vista(for DX10) to help me better understand computers and game. I am fairly new to Ubuntu (2nd month on my old desktop which works perfectly) and have never built a system before (any tips would help). I want everything to pretty much work out of the box in Ubuntu and I also want it to be able handle any game in Vista. I am on a budget and have several months to complete the system and need to stay within a 900-1100 range for everything. Also, the keyboard, moniter, speakers, and wireless card I will probably steal from my old system.

What will give me the best bang for my buck and will last for a while? I have been looking for some DIY's online for gaming rigs but most are old/not what I'm looking for so I am not sure what I need. Also, what are some decent specs for a gaming rig/how are the ones below?

Specs I would like(?):
Decent dual/quad core processors (which is better dual or quad/Intel or AMD? I was looking at this Quad core (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) but am not sure I If should just go with a really fast dual core.
Reasonable Motherboard w/ support for whatever that includes sound, etc
2 GB DDR2 Ram (should I go 4gb? Also How do you detirmine what speed to run at etc.)
NVIDIA 8 series GPU (not sure which one yet but want NVIDIA for drivers/compiz)
Decent PSU (not sure how to decide/do I just add up the various wattages?)
Also I just picked up a Coolmaster Cosmos at fry's shown here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138). (Do I need more cooling?)

Sorry for my N00b like understanding

[jpittack]

For the RAM, 2 GB should be enough, unless you run Ultimate. I hear that uses 1 GB idle. My home premium uses 600 MB idle. If you do want to do 4 GB, the 64 bit Vista may have some trouble along installing programs and such for the next few years.

If the chipset on the motherboard has a FSB of 800, then the RAM won't go any faster without tweaking. 1066 is the highest you should get for a chipset an ram, but you won't tell the difference from the 800. I always suggest crucial.com for RAM. At the same speed I saw improvements. Very nice quality.

I don't remember the name, but tomshardware.com has been raving about the newest 8 series. That would be the one I suggest, unless your monitor is over 1600x1200. Find some word on using this card under Ubuntu though. New ones don't always work, and the 8 series has great cards but sometimes has problems.

If you waited and went with the Phenom's that are coming out later, you would have a great quad core, but thats not necessary. I'm just partial to them. Dual core would be fine. Core 2 Duo is the suggestion you will get the most.

I like the case. Nice choice. I can't comment on cooling. If you find out you need it, buy a five dollar fan, or stick one next to it. Thats what my buddy does with his xbox 360.

[intensely]

I have looked in this sort of thing since I too am building a gaming rig. I think you should look at tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com) It has pretty good prices and has a large range of gaming components.

for the case I think it will need some extra cooling since you are going to be running more memory/cpu intensive programs (games).

good luck

[Gasmask14]

Thanks for the help. Few quick questions.

1.) You mentioned the new Phenoms from AMD but don't those have issues with performance (ie they can stall up and the fix takes up something like 10% performance) or is that going to be fixed in the new release? Also how much will a dual/quad core be?

2.) How do AMD chipsets work on Ubuntu in conjunction with new NVIDIA GPU's? How do they compare with similarly equiped intel chips?

3.) If I do overclock my processor to over 3Ghz (have to figure that out later) would the 4x120mm fans cool it pretty well or would I have to go to some kind of water cooled system?

4.) What would yall recomend fom the NVIDIA 8 series? I am looking for a card that will let me play prety much any game at the best setting yet still pay 200-300 dollars max. There seem to be different companies that rebrand the NVIDIA label what is the difference between the same cards? Does it matter if I get one of these and then get another in a few months to set up in SLI? I have been looking at the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS, is this a good card for value/performance and which would run faster the 512 version w/256 bit at 700mHz or the 640 MB 320 bit card at 575? How well would these run under compiz/restricted drivers(or in SLI later)?

5.) What should I look for in a motherboard for the best performance and capabilities (never built a computer)? What kind of slots should it have? Should it have built in sound or should I spring for a sound card? What else am I forgeting?

Many thanks

[g00djake]

The best price/performance ratio for any video card on the market is currently the nvidia 8800 gt 512, don't confuse it with the 8800gts 512 which is slightly more expensive and not as good a value.
Currently Intel has the best CPU's on the market. I hate to say it but they are killing AMD across the board. The dual/quad core question is more of a personal one, short story, if you want plan on using your CPU for several years get the quad core, just don't expect the best performance on games or great overclocking potential. For the best performance now go with a midrange dual-core like the e6750 about $250-275 or the cheaper e6550. I have been using a e6750 oc'ed to 3.2ghz for a few months with no issues. I like the nvidia 600 series of motherboards. the 650i is a great deal with plenty of features so is the 680i lite. stick with 2gb's of ram unless you absolutly MUST HAVE a 64 bit OS there is no advantage running more then 2 gb of ram. your power supply is you most important decision, make sure is has enough amps on the 12v rail for you video card and get a name brand. good luck on your build

[tiachopvutru]

Why not go for Windows XP instead of Vista, btw? I hear games perform better on XP...

[Gasmask14]

I want the computer to be DX10 capable (XP only goes up to DX9). I'm only going to install home premium becuase Ultimate=resource hungry and I will be using Ubuntu for everyday tasks like email and internet.

Also, after some more research these are some specs I was considering:

-Core 2 Quad Q6600 at 2.4Ghz(overclock later)
Asus P5K mobo (can't decide specific but this looks good) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131182) vs.GIGABYTE mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059)
-NVIDIA 8800GT (x2? Would either mobo support SLI? What is SLI?)
-2GB DDR2 RAM 1066 Mhz

[Gasmask14]

I have been looking at the different graphics cards at places like Tiger direct (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=8800+gt+512mb) and Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1305520548+106791921+4018+1067932704+ 1068310557&name=512MB)

What is the difference between the different brands? Does it matter what kind I get or is it simply a matter of price and preference? I have heard about new NVIDIA 9 Series GPU's coming in February are they worth the wait?