New System Specs up for review

[zsek320]

I am looking to get a new computer to replace my AthlonXP 2500+. I mainly do casual gaming as well as some programming. I don't want to spend to much over $1,000 US, and right now I am at about $1,085.

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115016

MoBo:
EVGA 122-CK-NF63-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813188019

Graphics:
XFX GeForce 7950GT 256MB GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814150220

RAM:
Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820220091

HD (raid 0):
2x WD 250GB SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

DVD:
LITE-ON LightScribe Black 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106045

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139002

Case:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119106

Coolers:
ZEROtherm BTF80 92mm Silent UFO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835887003

2x APEVIA CF12S 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811998127

Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[gators1223]

it looks good but i think that you will want raid 1 instead of raid 0 so you can recover if your system crashes

 

[zsek320]

I was thinking of Raid 0 to have stripping performance gain and also have effectively 500 gb. As I understand it, I wouldn't get the same performance benefit out of Raid 1.

I could get a 500 gb for back up purposes or raid 0/1...

 

[aevm]

I'd get an 8800 GTS 320, even if that means getting only one HDD because of budget constraints. It depends on how much you're gaming, I guess.

 

[akahuddy]

Ditch the SLI mobo unless you will ever get SLI. Just a waste of money. Try a Gigabyte DS3 or P35. The money saved could be used to bump up to an 8800 series card.

 

[Onus]

That case already has 2x120mm fans, rear and side, so one more is all you need.
"Casual gaming and some programming" doesn't sound like it needs a $300 graphics card. Will a $110 7600GT meet your needs? What games do you play, and at what res? Same on the RAID; I'd go with RAID-1 for safety, or use non-RAID but a second drive for backup purposes.
A non-SLI mobo will be cheaper too.
I'd be interested to know how the Zero-Therm fan works out. They have some decent-looking parts, but I've never heard of them.

 

[zsek320]

The most graphics intense game I have played recently was Oblivion which pushes my current system quite a bit. For resolution, I am used to things at 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 because I only have a 15" monitor.

I wanted to have SLI for later down the road to improve performance with a cheaper card rather than getting a more expensive one.

I picked that 7950 because of the passive cooling, I was hoping was to have cool and quite.

I am thinking I might drop the raid 0 idea and just get a 500GB.

 

[aevm]

Seconded. Just make sure you pick something with onboard audio.

 

[FallenSniper]

I think you could get a psu for less money than that. The Corsair 520W would be powerful enough for that system.

I would say don't go sli and plan for buying a next gen card. Think of it this way. the g80 chips already beat 7900s in sli. Imagine what the g90s will do compared to them.

Look into the Gigabyte p35. You might want a bigger monitor for this thing . Unless you are in love with you current one.

That CPU is good, but you will be able to get a better one for that price July 22nd.

Just my $.02

 

[zsek320]

So I think what I will do is make the following changes:

MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128050

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136073

PSU: CORSAIR 520W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139001

Edit:
Thanks for the input, I am probably going to wait till July 22 to see price drops.

 

[Kronos76]

My two cents!

I have the EVGA MoBo and it is great, I plan on doing the same thing down the line with the SLi so it works for me, I do agree though, if you are not planning on SLi then going with a different board may be a good idea. That being said, I think your current monitor and resolution may also be a limiting factor as to which graphics card you need. Something I am sure that you may not have considered, but I would throw it out to you, have you thought about a new monitor? Anyway, these are just some of my thoughts. The MoBo you have selected in your new build is worth while, I would go to the Raid 1 setting, it is a bit safer for data storage. A last thought, for the money you are paying for the PSU you may want to consider a Seasonic, I believe they are a bit better in the long run….

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151025