New Build - Comments please

[DevilsFan1973]

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.00GHz 4MB/1333FSB Processor
OCZ Vindicator Ultra-High Performance CPU Cooler

Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 P35 ATX Mainboard (Audio/Lan/GbE/FW)
or Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P S775 P35 ATX Mainboard (Audio/GbE/FW/Raid)

OCZ Vista Performance Gold 4GB DC PC2-6400 Memory Kit

Seagate 7200.10 250GB 7200RPM 16MB SATAII Hard Drive

Asus GF 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E Video Card w/TV-OUT

Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case
OCZ GameXStream 600WATT SLI Power Supply

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition DVD (64Bit - OEM)

 

[genored]

e6750 or q6600
GA-p35-DR3R
2x1GB PC 6400
8800 GTS 320mb OC( with a core:550-575+)

 

[brynnb]

I'd personally get this PSU instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=corsair%2b520
A little more expensive and the wattage is lower, but it's definitely one of the best PSUs for the price and comes with a 5 year warranty.

Since you're not using SLI, I'd recommend this board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128050&ATT=13-128-050&CMP=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-GIGABYTE-_-13128050

 

[ryan7107]

I agree with genored. The 640MB version of the 8800GTS is a waste. The 320MB with give you very very close to the same performance for $100 less. With the high-end cards it's either the 8800GTS 320MB or all the way up the 8800GTX.

 

[aevm]

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.00GHz 4MB/1333FSB Processor
OCZ Vindicator Ultra-High Performance CPU Cooler

Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 P35 ATX Mainboard (Audio/Lan/GbE/FW)
or Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P S775 P35 ATX Mainboard (Audio/GbE/FW/Raid)

OCZ Vista Performance Gold 4GB DC PC2-6400 Memory Kit

Seagate 7200.10 250GB 7200RPM 16MB SATAII Hard Drive

Asus GF 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E Video Card w/TV-OUT

Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case
OCZ GameXStream 600WATT SLI Power Supply

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition DVD (64Bit - OEM)

These are better IMO:
Q6600; Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme; GA-P35-DS3R (if you need Firewire buy a PCI card for it or get GA_P35-DS3P); RAM and HDD and case are fine; 8800 GTS 320 or 8800 GTX from eVGA/BFG/XFX; Corsair 620HX.

 

[stanley85]

I agree with genored. The 640MB version of the 8800GTS is a waste. The 320MB with give you very very close to the same performance for $100 less. With the high-end cards it's either the 8800GTS 320MB or all the way up the 8800GTX.

i think it should be depend on which resolution he is using.. if it's more than 1600x1200 then 640mb version would be better isn't it?

 

[ryan7107]

Well, it depends on the game. It'd take a lot of sprites to fill up 320mb. Maybe in something like the outdoor levels of Oblivion you'd see a boost. I was speaking generally though, that the improvement in performance does not justify spending another $100 not that there isn't some measurable improvement.

 

[DevilsFan1973]

Thanks for the replies from everyone.

I think I'll drop down to the 8800GTS 320MB and save a few bucks and spend it on a better PSU.

For the PSU, my retailer suggested Seasonic because it's quieter. Any thoughts on this? If it's not any good, I'll get the Corsair. Will 520W be enough or should I go with the 620W?

Since I need Firewire, I think I'll go with the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P. I think I would rather stick with the E6850.

My retailer doesn't carry the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme. I'll see if they can get it. They carry mostly just Asus, Thermaltake and Zalman coolers. (http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/categoryProducts.php?category=263)

I might also bump up to Windows Ultimate if it's worth it. Comments welcomed on this too.

 

[ryan7107]

520W is more then enough. Seasonics are very nice but pricey. Quality PSUs in the wattage range you need shouldn't run you more then USD$75 or so.
PCI firewire cards can be had for USD$10-15, if you wanted to go another route with the MB.
The Zalman heatsinks are fine.
Windows Ultimate is not worth it.

 

[DevilsFan1973]

I can get the Seasonic 500W for almost the same thing as the Corsair 520W (10CA$ different.) They run about 140 CA$ here in Canada.

BTW, I'm also trying to put in an Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1800 (http://www.hauppage.com/pages/prods_hvr.html), if that makes any difference on power usage.

Thanks for the info on Windows Ultimate. I'll see the dealer about the cooler.

I'll check Tom's ratings again on the CPUs.

 

[Onus]

I agree with aevm, genored, and ryan. Noting that you're planning on video work, I think you'll end up prefering the Q6600. Buying things retail will likely be more expensive, but there could be good reasons for doing that.
If you aren't absolutely certain that there are working Vista drivers for your components, get WinXP.

Seasonic and Corsair are similar in quality. Does one build the other?

 

[aevm]

Yeah, Seasonic builds them both.

 

[DevilsFan1973]

Guys, I have made some revisions based on some comments. What do you think of this now:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.00GHz 4MB/1333FSB Processor
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P S775 P35 ATX Mainboard (Audio/GbE/FW/Raid)
Zalman CNPS9500 Intel P4 S775 Copper Heatsink/Fan
OCZ Platinum 2GB DC PC2-6400 DDR2 Memory Kit *REV 2*
Seagate 7200.10 320GB 7200RPM 16MB SATAII Hard Drive
Mitsumi 3.5" Floppy Drive w/6-1 USB2.0 Media Reader BLACK
LG GSA-H62L 18X DVD+/-RW SATA Lightscribe Drive BLACK
Asus GF 8800GTS 320MB PCI-E Video Card w/TV-OUT, Retail
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 Digital ATSC HD Tuner
Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case
Corsair HX 620Watt Modular Power Supply
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition DVD (64Bit - OEM)

 

[aevm]

Switch to Q6600 if you're going to do lots of video editing or play Crysis. Apart from that, it looks perfect.