$2k budget. Feedback please!

[twodolladrinks]

2nd build for me (and the first was over 3 years ago, so I'm very rusty). I'd like to know if there's anything here I'm overdoing that an affordable O/C component could take the place of.

Thank you in advance for your inputs!

ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

ATI 100-435843 Radeon X1950XTX 512MB GDDR4 PCI Express x16 VIVO Video Card

PowerTek 750W F5-Series ATX12V 750W Power Supply

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

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel or is CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel good enough?

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

ViewSonic VG2230wm Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor

Logitech G5 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse

SENNHEISER PC 155 3.5mm/ USB Connector Circumaural USB PC Headset

SONY 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model DRU120C

 

[alcattle]

RAM you need to get the PC6400-800, the 667 will be pushed at stock speeds.
I would add to the HDD, get a data drive (300GB or more) and you might want to think about a RAID 0 setup with 2 raptors (74gb or 150) You gain speed and enough room for backup/storage.
Have not read many reviews of the 975 chipset, so it could be fine or you might want to check out some of the sweet 965 MBs.

 

[twodolladrinks]

Ya, I'm having a lot of problems finding the right MB. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much for the advice. I was debating doing RAID 0 or not.

 

[skyguy]

Ok, looks like you need to revise your component selection so you don't blow your budget on wasted items. The way you build a great system on a tighter budget is to FOCUS your money on a FEW parts that make the big difference to you, since you can't have the best of everything for $2 Large.

So you gotta make some choices first:

-What is more important to you? Gaming? Photoshop renderings? Surfing? Encoding video?
-AND will you be doing mild or aggressive overclocking?

Answer those questions and you'll get a MUCH better price on your system, or better parts. You'll need to respond, but here's my quick take on your situation:

-No RAID at your budget. You'll still need a backup drive. That's more important than a few milliseconds of access time, etc.
-No Raptor at your budget. Get a Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 w/16 meg cache, 250gig or 320 gig is best price point. Consider 2 - 250 gig drives so you can have 1 for backup in case your primary drive pooches out and then you're SCREWED.
-Get a different (and cheaper) mobo if you're not going for hardcore overclocks.
-Get cheaper 667 RAM or cheap 800 RAM. You're not going for monster overclocks, so don't bother with expensive stuff....you're wasting your money.
-Ditch the 1950 and go with an 8800GTS with the money you save. Your monitor is 22".....the GTS will chew that up and last alot longer than a DX9, soon-to-be-old piece of hardware
-and if this rig is more for gaming and you're not doing hardcore CPU intensive multitasking, then just go with a 6300. You'll save more money there. And you can EASILY overclock it on stock cooling and Corsair 667 RAM to the speed of a 6600. Piece of cake.
-Your power supply is overkill. You can get a 600w or 700w PSU for cheaper....maybe an OCZ 600w. It'll handle an 8800 no problem and save you some cash too.
-Get the Sennheiser 165 instead of the 155. 165 is more comfortable on the ears and has a much better mic that won't bust as easily as the 155.

That's about it for now. Summary:

-6300
-2 gigs G.Skill 800 RAM
-Gigabyte 965P-DS3
-8800GTS
-OCZ 600w PSU (or similar)
-Senn 165
-2 x 250 gig Seagate 7200.10 w/16 meg cache HDD. (1 for sure, 2 if you can fit within budget for backup drive. Seriously, spent a bit more for backup or you'll cry later when something goes wrong)


Repost with an updated list, include prices and see where you're at.