Help me make this a little cheaper please! (first build)

[MotoR6er]

Howdy folks. I've been reading up as much as I can and getting different ideas and I think I've narrowed it down. So here is what I'm looking of building. This computer is almost entirely for gaming. The price is a little high and I'm wondering what you guys would suggest I could change, not just the price though, if you see components you don't like or compatibility problems please point them out. I do also plan on doing some overclocking. I'm not looking to make it a lot cheaper... maybe just save $100 - $300.

Case:Antec 900 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129021

MOBO: ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813127030

Graphics Card: EVGA 512-P3-N802-A3 GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130306

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139001

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115029

Memory: Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400ELK
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820220227

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148288

Monitor: SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824001096

CD/DVD: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827135156

Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118223

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116215


I like the idea of being able to have more than 3gb of memory for the future. I was thinking of a Q6600 but since this is mainly for gaming I've heard a dual core might be better. Tell me your thoughts?

 

[Mintcondition]

I'm going with the E6750 myself, and I'm also building for gaming. Most games cannot utilize more than two cores, from what I have read. It looks a heck of a lot like what i'm getting ready to build. I'm using a PC P&C 610W and a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R mobo and I'm only going with 2GB of RAM for now. It looks like a great build though.

 

[akhilles]

^^^ Totally. The only quad-core-ready games are Crysis & Alan Wake, off the top of my head. Are 2 games worth the price of a Q6600?

The list looks great. The only thing I would change is the cpu cooler. To like Thermalright U120E + 120mm fan.

This ram is cheaper:

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/5439699;site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[geofelt]

Looks good as it is. for some savings:
1) Do you really need the ultimate version of vista? Home premium will save you some money. Look at the differences carefully.
2) How about the gigabyte GA-P35-ds3l for $89.99? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059
3) The corsair psu is good, but I think it can be bought cheaper elsewhere. Alternatively get a PC Power&cooling silencer610 directly from them for $119,99. http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S61EPS
4) The zalman cooler is high on "bling", but there are better coolers, perhaps at a lower price. I would second akhilles' suggestion of the thermalright ultra 120 extreme, even though it might cost a bit more.
5) It may be cheaper to get a pair of 2 gb memory kits. Unless you plan on going to 8gb, it probably does not matter if you get 2x2 or 4x1. Just check the vendor's memory configurator to be certain that it works with your mobo.

Yes, I like dual core for games, and 4gb.

---good luck---

 

[brendano257]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2486983&CatId=1483

Corsairs PSU's are very expensive, this is a good 600W PSU for much less. I've had two Ultra PSU's a 400W and a current 500W both fine, and my bro is using the same model I recommended.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103031

This is a really good CPU cooler with good scores from Tom's and works on most current sockets (AM2,775) which is all that matters.

 

[Dunkel]

PSU: http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

If you are a student (college) you can get Vista Ultimate for ~$25.