What's better?

Question

Hey People,
I want to take a new PC (assembled) mainly for my programming and gaming! So I wanted a perfect mainboard as well as a graphic card.

Here's the rest of the config:
Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.13
RAM: 1GB DDR2 4200
HDD: 160GB SATA
CD/DVD: Samsung Writemaster
Monitor: LCD 17" LG
and the rest....

Now for the Graphic card:
PC Express 1600 512MB???
or
NVIDIA???
or
ATI???

(I dont know the model, and the memory so please suggest!)

and the mainboard:
Gigabyte
Intel
or Asus?

Which one is better (fr Core 2 Duo)?

Answer 1

Okay, sounds good. Here's what you want...

2Gig Ram
250GIG hard drive
Go a 19" LG if you have the cash
NVIDIA 512 should satisfy the hunger
Asus =)

Answer 2

Loaded question. Matter what you are trying to do. If a gaming computer, AMD OR Intel will do fine (very little difference in games). If only browsing internet, maybe simple yahoo games, email, etc, a "cheap" computer will do. If running cad, drawing artwork, calculating, creating/editing music, then the system above. If all the above, the same system you listed with a much better video card, as game require a very good video card. Motherboard makers like Asus, gigabyte, msi, ect are usually pretty good, ecs would be a "cheap" company, barely enough to work, not overclockable. And again, if a gamer, you would need a monitor that has a fast refresh rate, no ghost, blurring. Looking at reviews from www.tomshardware.com (including benchmarks) and other sites would be the smart choice. Not too much choice these days except to be very careful, do some research, and patience. Places like www.newegg.com has reviews on products for the computer as well (from ppl that bought the product).
Memory should be 2gb, 4gb is optimal. The new windows Vista will be a minimum 2gb.
Memory on the video card should be 256mb. Very few games use 512mb but will become more common. Low end cards with alot of memory=bad choice. If for gaming, the X1950 series are good video cards at not that bad of a price. Again www.tomshardware.com to compare video cards.
And again if gaming and using the Intel cpu, a simple E6300 or 6400 is more than enough as you want more money into the video card than the cpu. That includes using a AMD x2 4200+ or 4400+ cpu instead of a faster cpu, more money into the video card.

Answer 3

for the ram you better off geting a single 1 gb stick (so its easier to add more) and choose a higher buss speed eg 667 i recomend Nvidia if you can afford it get a 7900gtx or even better the dx10 graphics card the 8800gtx
for the mobo your best options would be intel or gigabyte (asus stinks). if you want support for the core 2's vivv technology or its virtulization then its probly best to go with intel. last of all make sure your powersupply supports allof your features

Answer 4

I suggest an Asus motherboard, and an ATI Graphics card.

Answer 5

for your mainboard: check this out: Intel
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/apac/eng/products/desktop/processor/processors/core2duo/feature/index.htm

for your video/graphics card; check this out: ATI Radeon
http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=901&cid=2

-ciao!!!