Looking to build a desktop for yourself? I was, and now I have one. I put in a lot of time and research to put together a high qualty, high performance device. If you’re in the market, this is what I recommend.

It’s been seven years since I’ve owned a desktop. I’ve been a mobile guy for a while with all the travel I do for work. I recently started a few development projects that are making my HP laptop breathe heavy. So, a couple weeks ago I bought some components from newegg.com and built a new desktop machine with component selection help from tomshardware.com.

If you’re looking to build a high quality, fast device for a good price, I highly recommend this combo. It was just over $1000 shipped (not including monitor), has been stable, and is sooo fast. I’m running Vista Business.

Here are the primary guts (minus the details like wireless network card, dvd writer, speakers, etc.)

• Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600

  • http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/26/the_gigahertz_battle/

• ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

  • http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/21/intel_intros_3-series_chipsets_with_fsb1333_and_ddr3/

  • http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/06/19/eight_p35-ddr2_motherboards_compared/

• CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5

  • http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/09/22/corsair_xms2_dominator/ 
    (not the same product, but same maker)

• PNY VCG88GTS32XPB GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

  • http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/17/performance_value_for_dx10/ 
    (not the same prodct, but same chip)

• SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

  • http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/15/the_spring_hard_drive_guide/page5.html

• RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

  • http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

• Gateway FPD2275W 22″ Widescreen LCD 1680×1050 resolution

  • http://laptopmag.com/Review/Gateway-FPD2275W.htm

I’m glad I did so much research. I’m extremely satisfied, especially for the $1000 price point and I think you will be too! All the components, with exception of the case and monitor are reviewed by tomshardware.com.

This is the case I chose for my new desktop. It’s way more flashy than I’d like, but it has a 500W power supply, lots of space, lots of fans, great accessibility, and the price was right. I’d highly recommend it. It makes you feel like one of those 31337 hax0rs.

Leave a comment and let me know what kind of rig you’re running!