I'm going to try and build a computer for the first time. My goal is is to run Fallout 3, New Vegas, and the G.E.C.K's on the highest graphics setting on a 24" LCD monitor (and some other games maybe, but FO is my main priority). But I'm really stuck on the graphics card! Should I get a better card?! If I wanted, would I be able to to play it on best settings on a 46" 1080p HDTV or would I need a 2 GB GPU for that?

Computer parts I'm going to get as of right now:
- Intel i5 2500k
- 8 MB g. skill ripjaws
- EVGA 560 Superclocked - Regular model, not the "TI" model, around $190. (Should I get the 560 TI Superclocked for $60 more? Should I go lower and get a GTX 550 instead? Or should I go crazy higher GTX 570? I don't want an ATI GPU for this particular build .)
- Intel brand p67 motherboard (Not the Z models since I don't plan to mess around overclocking). I chose Intel since I've read they're very dependable.
- either a regular 320 GB Western Digital or a 128 GB SSD? Price is insanely high for SSD but I heard it's worth it, would I notice the SSD difference for games like Fallout? Would a 128GB SSD be big enough for Windows and the games?
- 520 Watt Seasonic PSU

I'm no tech savvy, but I think, with that rig, you could run two New Vegas' at highest settings at the same time. The 5xx series cards are already a serious overkill if Fallout New Vegas is the only thing your planning on playing with that rig.

But of course buy the best rig you can afford. It's an investment for the future.

Yes, you will. No sweat.

I'd get an SSD, though for general system responsiveness not gaming performance. You're unlikely to see major gaming benefits outside of load times.

560Ti is a good price-conscious choice atm on the nVidia side. Not sure if it's worth $60 over the older 560, but then you're also looking at a special factory overclocked model. The reference design cards are fine.

Asus has a good track record with their P67 range of motherboards. I'd look at one of those rather than be dead set on something Intel branded. The P8P67 Pro B3 is a popular choice. Still, if you can get a Z68 board for a similar price, there's only benefits involved.

Seasonic PSU? Which model exactly?

It's really hard for a beginner like me to settle on a motherboard. Just when I decide on, for example ASRock, I read a string of negative comments and horror stories. The Intel ones don't have as much discussions but when they do, they're not as negative. Asus is a my #2 choice since they seem like a pretty popular board and easy to find help. The z68 versus p67 boards are a whole other issue for me. I don't know which I'll get...my decision will be based on the the wind speed that day.


SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W. ($75). I wanted modular and SeaSonic sounds like a great PSU supplier.


Thanks, I know what you mean. The thing is, I could afford the GTX 570 ($340) but I don't want to spend that kind of money on my first build. But, I also don't want to get a GTX 430. I think I might get the 560 ti superclocked model since it sounds like the best model for the price.

My specs;

ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z; LGA 1155 Z68 (ROG)
Intel Core I5-2500k Sandy bridge@3.3Ghz/(3.7Ghz TB)
8 GB G.Skill Sniper series DDR3 @ 2133 Mhz
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870
HITACHI Deskstar 2TB


I can run FNV at max everything and smooth as a Geko's hide

IMO i would go with the 560 ti if you are set on nVidia

Couple things to note:

With a z68 chipset, you can get a small and inexpensive ssd as a Cache file and enjoy (some) ssd performance without spending a ton. ( i wll be getting one for this pourpse in the next month)

Do not let a manfucaturer sell you a SATA 2 board, many will try to push one on you trying to get rid of outdated stock.
( I myself have always been an Asus fan, both mobo's remaining from upgrades over the last 10 years STILL work like new )

That's overkill for New Vegas.