First Computer Built In Thirteen Years

[Dimness]

I'm going backwards here as I complained about my new rig before even posting about it for comments on parts and what not. But I would welcome some thoughts and critiques concerning my setup. As the thread title suggests, I haven't built a computer in thirteen years, and it took me about six hours to figure everything out at some point.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6700
Memory: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2GB, 4-4-4-12)
Motherboard: P5N32E-SLI
Case: Thermaltake VE2000BWS (integrated liquid cooling)
Power: Thermaltake 650W PSU
Video Card: eVGA Nvidia 8800 GTX
HDD: 2x Western Digital 5000KS 500GB (Raid 0)
Optical Drive: Sony DRU-710
Miscellaneous: Sony 19in, 2nd Thermaltake radiator as rear exhaust

The only thing that's changed about my setup is the memory. I initially had CMX2x1024 6400C4, and I'm not sure if they were the cause of my initial problems.

 

[mgtech]

What is your budget and what will be using the computer for? Motherboard?

 

[mgtech]

If you have $260 to spend on the CPU get a Q6600 or an E6850.
(Q6600, video editing etc. and E6850 for gaming only)
The Q6600 can be overclocked to those speeds and is more future proof.
If you only want to spend $180 on it get an E6750.
Get a Gigabyte P35 DS3R. good motherboard.

 

[warezme]

The only thing that's changed about my setup is the memory. I initially had CMX2x1024 6400C4, and I'm not sure if they were the cause of my initial problems.

If you had problems I could almost guarantee it was your memory. I am on my (third) pair of Corsair XMS26400C4D's. I have a back up pair of 4-4-4-12 Patriots that run with no problems on identical settings as the Corsairs.

 

[Dimness]

I've already spent the money. It ran me about 1500 bucks. If I were to upgrade, I'm looking at the quadcore chips at the moment.

My purpose is general computing with the ability to safely overclock. My main concern right now is getting a system that will just run stable on stock settings period.

 

[Rabidpeanut]

HOLY CRAP! 13 years! what was your last pc?

 

[Dimness]

486DX266Mhz And yes, that was about three/four years before the very first Pentium Chip.

 

[warezme]

486DX266Mhz And yes, that was about three/four years before the very first Pentium Chip.

I was was thinking the same as peanut dude, like does it have a hand crank on the side of the box?? When you think 266Mhz computer and now my cell phone has a 280Mhz processor in it and runs WM5, outlook, pocket word, excel pdf reader, bluetooth, internet with media player and divx player, records movies and pictures..., I would say we have come a bit of a ways, no??

 

[Dimness]

Uh, it wasn't 266. Let me correct that.

486DX2

66 Mhz. You're reading this right. Sixty Six Megahertz. I was in junior high when me and dad put it together. Now you guys can understand my look of surprise when I see all these fans in computers.