Another New Build thats needs help.

[choial]

edit: I updated my build, its a few replies down.


Hey, I'm new to system building and wanted to see how the below system looks before I decide to buy it. Any and all criticism and suggestions is appreciated!
Thanks.

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151153
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$29.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119068
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$49.99
$39.99

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136012
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$169.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148288
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$119.99

ENCORE ENF656-ESW-NDPR 56Kbps Fax Modem - Retail
Item #: N82E16825180003
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$5.99

XFX PVT84JYDF3 GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150260
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$129.99

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG701AX VE(W) SFMA ATX12V Ver 2.2 600W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817194005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$124.99
$114.99

2x Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) (4GB total) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA1065 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820148069
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
-$25.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$114.99
$89.99 X2 = $179.98

ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131225
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$144.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
$277.99

Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail
Item #: N82E16824009094
Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
$229.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116215
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
$189.99

Subtotal: $1,615.88

(lol I've already exceeded my budget by over $115.88. I might drop the monitor since I already have one)

 

[mlaporta]

You could probabl save around $150 going with these, drop the Raptor and get 2 of the 7200.11, also I would have to check on that psu.

Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB 7200.11 RPM 32MB Cache
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

 

[mlaporta]

I heard Vista 64 Busniess Edition is the best one to get.

 

[choial]

I'm not sooo worried about spending more money if it'll improve my overall performance. Btw this build is for more multitasking, somewhat resource intensive programs with occasional gaming. I want to max out overall performance. I was wondering, how much of an increase will I see from 1066MHz ram as opposed to 800? Is it not worth the extra I would have to spend on it?

 

[aevm]

1. Word and Excel will work beautifully on this machine. Games not so much. If this is a gaming machine, drop the Raptor and the 8600GT and use the money for an 8800GTS G92. That means -$170-$130+$280, so you save $20 too.
BFG Tech BFGE88512GTSE GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB, at 675MHz - best deal of all the G92s at Newegg today
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143119

2. I'd drop the Seagate and get this disk instead:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB, $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131
This adds $35 to your total, but it also adds 250 GB of disk space and improves the speed a bit.

3. Vista: do you know the differences between Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate? Do you need any of them? If the answer is no to any of these then get the Home Premium and save some money. With Ultimate you will mostly get additional features that are designed for local networks in a corporate environment - useless if you just want to play games at home.

4. Good DVD drive and case and CPu and monitor. No clue about the modem. I paid $50 for mine, but I bet you'll get about the same performance from your $6 modem. It's still 53 kbps at most... Make sure it has Vista drivers before you buy.

5. Motherboard: compare features at newegg with GA-P35-DS3L. If the DS3L has all you need you can save about $50 there.

6. RAM - absolutely, get mlaporta's advice. I'm guessing you won't overclock, so DDR2-800 is fine.

7. The Noisetaker 600W costs $124 with shipping from newegg.
I would very much prefer this Silencer 610W for $130.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Even better, you can get this Corsair 550VX for $68:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

 

[mlaporta]

If your not in a big rush the Q9450 should be released VERY SOON. If it was me I would hold off but I'm patient when it comes to money & performance as I look at these builds as long-term investments.

Buy the right stuff now and don't try to shave-off a dollar here or there and it will last you. I built a system with quality components that has lasted over 3 years.

 

[mlaporta]

aevm have you heard that Vista 64 Business is a more stable OS?

 

[choial]

6. RAM - absolutely, get mlaporta's advice. I'm guessing you won't overclock, so DDR2-800 is fine.

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

I want to leave the option for overclocking open in the future open. I might do it.

 

[aevm]

OK, then stick with the Ballistix, overclockers love it.

You didn't include a CPU cooler, so I assumed you're not interested in overclocking. You will need an aftermarket cooler for a serious overclock. If you're just thinking of a mild overclock, then the DDR2-800 will be fine again and so will the stock cooler.

Here are some good options (that is, reasonably quiet coolers), with the best performing/most expensive first:

Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme + Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fan
Scythe Ninja or Tuniq Tower or Zerotherm Nirvana or (Thermalright Ultima-90 + Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fan)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

Before you buy a cooler make sure it fits in your case. The Freezer 7 and Ultima-90 are smaller than the others.

If you're interested in this subject, go to www.anandtech.com and read some of their heatsink reviews. They are pretty good.

 

[choial]

I think this is going to be my final build. I have a few questions, which are all in parenthesis. (I switched the PSU and GPU)

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply

Sapphire Radeon HD 2900 Pro Video Card (What about the HD 3850 or a Geforce card? I want to stay within this price range)

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP ATX Intel Motherboard (can i crossfire with this board? I wouldn't do it initially, but thought about keeping the option open in the future. Is it not even worth it with the GPU I'm, getting?)

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive (I think I want to keep the raptor cause I saw performance charts indicating it had better I/O marks. I think this is going to be important for what I'll be using it for.)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (this has a 32MB cache, Would that make performance better than the cavier?)

ENCORE ENF656-ESW-NDPR 56Kbps Fax Modem

2x Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) (4GB total) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA1065
(I was looking for 2x2GB game, but couldn't find any 1066, but found 1000. Is there a difference? I've heard Ballistix is real good for OC so I'm hesitant to buy something else, but I'll need to buy 2x2GB ram in the future if i want more ram)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD


I plan to eventually overclock, so I want good ram. Initially I won't though, so I'm not worried about getting extra fans yet.
I also plan on running dual monitors, which I think should be ok, but i read one customer review on the vid card that said they had problems doing it. Anyone else heard of such problems?

(thanks for the help malporta and aevm, I really appreciate. Also, thanks for the links aevm)

 

[aevm]

The P5K-E is not that good for Crossfire because the second PCI-E x16 slots runs at x4 speed. If you're really interested in Crossfire I recommend GA-X38-DS4 or P5E. They do cost more ($200, $230, instead of $150)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128080&Tpk=GA-X38-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

Between HD 2900 Pro and HD 3850 - I would pick the HD 3850 (that is, the 512MB version; avoid the 256 MB version, it will struggle in some games). HD 3850 is faster than HD 2900 Pro. The HD 2900 series is obsolete, it's noisy and consumes a lot and runs hot.