Opinion on mid range gaming system

[wvu_sam]

Thinking of building a new gaming machine, and want some opinions to make sure I'm on the right track here. Here's what I have in mind:

Case: Antec P180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154
Mobo: EVGA 122CK-NF68-AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013
PSU: Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001
CPU: Intel Core2 Duo E6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003
Video Card: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130071
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) Dual Channel kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145168
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3400833AS 400GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148246

Windows XP (do not want to deal with Vista at this point - I'm a sim racer and the racing software I use is 2-4 years old and Vista makes me nervous).

Rest (DVD drive, etc.. not that important).

Main questions - Is my memory choice a good one? Anything to worry about with my Mobo choice? What about the HD? This is about the top of my budget - are there some corners I can cut and still end up with a system the performs like this one? I like the Antec case as it's supposed to be quiet. Will it cool this system OK?

The main cornerstones of the system are the E6600 and the 8800GTS 640Mb, as well as 2 G of memory. This is what I want to build around.

I have no interest in overclocking, I will run the system pretty much as is once it is set up and working.

Thx!

 

[emp]

Thinking of building a new gaming machine, and want some opinions to make sure I'm on the right track here. Here's what I have in mind:

Case: Antec P180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154
Mobo: EVGA 122CK-NF68-AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013
PSU: Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001
CPU: Intel Core2 Duo E6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003
Video Card: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130071
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) Dual Channel kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145168
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3400833AS 400GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148246

Windows XP (do not want to deal with Vista at this point - I'm a sim racer and the racing software I use is 2-4 years old and Vista makes me nervous).

Rest (DVD drive, etc.. not that important).

Main questions - Is my memory choice a good one? Anything to worry about with my Mobo choice? What about the HD? This is about the top of my budget - are there some corners I can cut and still end up with a system the performs like this one? I like the Antec case as it's supposed to be quiet. Will it cool this system OK?

The main cornerstones of the system are the E6600 and the 8800GTS 640Mb, as well as 2 G of memory. This is what I want to build around.

I have no interest in overclocking, I will run the system pretty much as is once it is set up and working.

Thx!

What I'd do differently is to lose the mobo and get this instead.

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050

And since you have no interest in overclocking you can lose the high end ram and get something like this.

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231108

And maybe this case

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WWC Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case PEAK: 380W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119078

So far we've saved about $200 losing no performance, and you can invest on a 8800GTX and still have some leftover from the skimping

EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130072

 

[Hatman]

Looks pretty solid.

One thing I would say is only get the 640mb version of that GC if you game at quite high resolutions id say 1600x1400 or above.

Otherwise you wont notice much difference between that and the much cheaper 320mb version.

 

[aevm]

I wouldn't try putting an 8800 GTX and a 430W PSU together. Cheaper RAM and an 8800 GTX sound great. This will be a very nice machine :lol: :lol:

 

[emp]

I wouldn't try putting an 8800 GTX and a 430W PSU together. Cheaper RAM and an 8800 GTX sound great. This will be a very nice machine :lol: :lol:

dear sir, what 430W PSU? He's already getting an Antec TruePower Trio 650W, which is more than enough for a single GTX... hell maybe even SLI.

 

[aevm]

Why, I read the reviews of the Cooler Master Centurion at your link. There's a guy there who says he got a 430W PSU with the case. The OP will need to replace the PSU if he gets the same deal, that's all. No offense intended. BTW, the case you recommended is big enough for an 8800 GTX.

How did we get to the 8800 GTX SLI on page 1 of a thread about mid-range gaming systems :roll:

 

[emp]

Oh ok non taken, I would never advise to anyone to use a PSU bundled with a case, not even if it's an antec case :lol:

 

[rammedstein]

lol, what if pc p&c made cases? (apart from sounding like jet engines) the oem psus wouldn't be that bad, lol

 

[mgtech]

VERY IMPORTANT!!!
WAIT UNTIL JULY 22 FOR INTEL PRICE CUT!!!!
AND GET CORSAIR DDR2 1066 FOR THE SAME PRICE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145033

 

[aevm]

Yeah, good thing you mentioned it. $223 now for E6600 or $266 in a month for Q6600, I'd go for the Q6600 any time. But must you shout? CapsLock key broken? :twisted:

 

[wvu_sam]

Thanks for the replies, lots to think about. I've seen other posts about the price cuts, but I can't wait until late July, I need to get moving on this today.