Please critique my build

[logiclxm]

Hi,
I decided to build a mid-range Core Duo rig. This will be my first build, but I have read a lot of info about hardware installation and pretty much know what to do (at least I hope :roll: ).
Initially, I have decided to wait till July 22nd and purchase a Quadcore CPU (Q6600).
However, since I will not be using my comp for heavy apps or games (i.e. Photoshop, Oblivion, Crysis), I am more into games such as: FIFA/NFS/WW2 shooters... That is why I decided that going w/ a Core Duo CPU would be the logical/financialy smart decision. I might upgrade to a new rig in a 2-3 yrs time; when Penryn/Nehalem and DDR3 will be the
standard in the market or when I see a drop in performance of my system when using common applications.

In any case, here are the selected parts for my midrange Core Duo system:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Socket LGA775 ($137 CAN)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ($135 CAN)
Case: Antec SOLO ($90 CAN)
Memory: Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 Matched Pairs 2GB Kit (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2-800
CL 5-5-5-12 240-pin Dual Channel Memory ($120 CAN)
HDD: Western Digital 500GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer ($115 CAN)
PSU: Corsair HX-520 ($100 CAN)
Video Card: EVGA E-GEFORCE 7900GS KO 500MHZ 256MB ($165 CAN)

Total: $862 OR: $950-1000 (after taxes and shipping charges)

P.S.
I am not planning to OC at the moment, maybe at the end of the year. So it is stock for
now.

Feedback is welcomed.
Thnx.

 

[do_it_anyway]

For a mid range system that all looks fine to me.
Good balance of performance and price.

The 800MHz RAM you have selected is not going to be utilised by your CPU unless overclocking, so you might want to save some money and go for 533MHz if you will do no OC'ing or 667MHz if you plan to do mild OC'ing.
(The FSB of the C2D is 266(x2)=533MHz. Unless you plan on OC'ing the FSB to over 333MHz you won't need anything over 667MHz RAM)

I like the Corsair XMS2 RAM, its what I use, and I went for the 667 version.

Hope this helps

 

[Ancalagon_uk]

Intel CPU's use quad pumped FSB's, so their FSB is 1066.

But yes, 533 will run in sync with a 1066 fsb (but can you ever get perfect sync?).

sync means that one wont have to wait for the other because they will both finish their tasks in fixed intervals that always neatly coincide.

 

[do_it_anyway]

Yeah, sorry.

What I meant was, if you are running pairs of RAM i.e. Dual channel, then 533MHz will go through each channel.
Meaning that over 533MHz is unnecessary unless overclocking.

Please correct me if I am wrong.