Rate my Q6600 system

Hello all, bellow is a system that I would like to put together. It's a budget-based system.

I'm torn between dual cores and O/C or the Q6600. My thinking is the Q6600 would be more "future" proof as applications start to be written on the 4-core architecture.

Use of the system: Gaming (COD4 / GRAW2 are the most advanced games I own right now)/ CS3 PS and Somewhat advanced Adobe Video editing.

Mobo: 89.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128059

CPU: 254.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-19115017

Case / Power: 92.99 - 20MIR
RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156098

Memory: 64.99 - 30MIR
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146565

GPU: 216.99 - 20MIR
MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

Hard disk: 119.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

DVDRW:32.99
LITE-ON DVD+-RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106072

Total: 911.24 w/ shipping
Total after MIR: 841.24

My concern's are with the mobo and the case/ power. I am not sure what 500W PSU you that is, and if it's worth it. I could forget the bundle, and get a separate PSU.

Thanks in advance for your help,

David Kramar

Just say "No" to the PSU.

500w is fine, but get a good brand.
Corsair, Antec Earth Watts, PCP&C, etc....

That case without the power supply is $60 after rebate. With PSU its $73. You're getting a 500watt PSU for $13.
If that doesnt scare you a little bit - it probably should. I know it scared me!

If this is the 500watt PSU that comes in that package its a bit light on the +12V amps - only 22:

For comparison the Evga website recommends a 400Watt PSU with 26Amps of +12Volt power for its 8800GT GPUs.
Evga 8800GT PSU recommendations (scroll down in the Specifications area)

You might want to compare that PSU with these:
Antec True Power Trio 430Watt $40 after rebate
Thermaltake PurePower 2.0 500Watt $40 after rebate
A few other solid choices here. Use this guide to gauge the relative quality of some of the different models. Note RaidMax PSUs are in the Tier 5 group. http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

Dual VS quad, the battle of the ages. I say if you are going to keep it for a while, get the Q6600 OEM and the Tunic and do your free free free OC to 3G/1333. If you need OC assistance on the Gigabyte mobo just PM me. It really is simple. By the way, that Ballistix RAM is good.

I would't get the Ultra. Ultra makes a couple of tier 2 and some tier 4 and 5 PSUs. This one is priced to be closer to the tier 4/5 ones. Barring an in depth review like from jonnyguru etc., I wouldn't chance it.