New System build, dont know what to upgrade next.

[llama052]

Specs
- Antec 900 Gaming Case (Wiring Mess from hell)
- Intel E6400 2.2ghz Core 2 Duo
Zalman CPU cooler (the orange popular side one (64$))
- EVGA Nvidia 680i SLI motherboard
- EVGA Geforce 8800gtx superclocked
- 2x 250gb SATAII Maxtor drives.
- 650W Antec Trupower PSU
- Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 6400 1gbx2
- Kingston 2GB DDR2-667
I have around 350$ left.
Im thinking of getting a new case , prolly a CM Stacker.
Or More Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800, or even a Intel Quad Core. Not sure exactly

-Things I use my pc for.
- Web design
- 3d Rendering
- Graphics Design
- Graphical Games
Half life 2 , stalker , WOW , DOD:S , CS:S , Gaylo 3 , Team fortress 2 , and alot more

So what do you guys think?

 

[emp]

Antec Nine Hundred is the big daddy of all cases in my opinion. If you have a big display (1920x1200 or higher), I'd say get a bigger PSU and go SLI, if this is not the case, then any other "upgrades" would be pointless resulting in minimal if any performance increases.

 

[bfg72]

Not sure what you mean with the RAM here:
Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
Kingston 2GB DDR2-667

Is that a choice, or you want both ??
Not sure why you would pick DDR2-667, over DDR2-800 ??

(make sure you stick with 2GB, unless you're using Vista - then you're just plane CrAzY)

I'd do something different with the drives too, unless you have a plan to RAID them.
I'd go with a single 320MB or 500MB (for data), and a Western Digital 150GB Raptor - 10,000 RPM (boot drive)

 

[llama052]

I had Kingston 2gb DDR2-667 , then I got the new mobo , and bought DDR2-800 ram. so im running them both downclocking the 800 to 667 , also this is already built and in my house! I'd go with a single 320MB or 500MB (for data) , I really hope you meant gb

 

[jimmysmitty]

Well for the video editing I would suggest a Intel Core 2 Q6600 as it has shown better performance and better encoding decoding times especially in HD codecs and DivX codecs.

Also tomorrow when HL2:E2 comes out there will be an update to the Source engine that will start taking advantage of multiple core CPUs by offloading physics calculations to one of the cores and more which means the Quad core will give you a better experience and framerates than your current E6400.

Plus if you get the G0 stepping it OC's very easy. Also if you are using a Zalman CPNS 9700 you can OC it easily and keep it cool cuz I use that one and have it OC'ed to 2.7GHz and the temp is barely 1c warmer.

Also memory wise, unless you plan to use a 64-bit version of Windows stick with 2GB of Corsair XMS2 as it is much better than Kingston memory. I you are going for 64-Bit go for 4GB of COrsair XMS2 and if you can get the PC8500 as it will OC better.

Hard drives.... The Raptor is a good idea but I prefer to put 2 Seagate 7200.10 SATA300 in RAID0 for performance. But do what you prefer.

Right now your video card is good for what you do But once newer games come out SLI would be a nice choice. But wait until the next generations of video cards come out since the 8800GTX you have is pretty expensive and wouldn't be worth the upgrade.

 

[bfg72]

OOPS.. yeah LMAO.. that would be a damn small hard drive other wise !!

I would dump the DDR2-667 though.

 

[killz86]

you wanna talk about a big case i have a Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case this is a huge case it has got to be like 50+ lbs or more. i mean when i open the box i was omg. lol it was that big. it comes up to my knee's and i am 6'4 so yeah its a big case for sure it has awesome air flow as well 2x 120mm fans back and back. 2x 90mms back and top and a 250mm fan. and my mobo never gets over 95F and my cpu full load never ever gets over 107f but thats because i have a zalman 9500 cpu cooler.


Just saying is all.

Brian

 

[llama052]

Anyone wanna buy 4gigs of DDR2-667 never overclocked ^^
Kingston and PATRIOT

 

[Evilonigiri]

I have a stacker 832. I'm really satisfied with it, it's so easy to take out things and replace things. Plus, everything is nearly screw-less! Go get it if you want a case with some serious style.